Love tiles? …. No – really love them!

[Stan001]

I was just wondering, in my 'wondering about things' moment. I know you guys are great at tile fixing etc. But what about the actual art, history and aesthetics of ceramics and stone tiling? Are any of you guys the remotest bit interested in that side of things? I find myself drawn to beauty of architecture and tiling is one of the very few ‘personal touch and personal statement’ areas in houses – especially in new builds. I’m surprised its not discussed more here – or are we all too hairy and macho to admit it?

 

[tileexperts]

very good question. but i dont tile just because it pays me .
its something i have passion in.
i am still learning a lot every day, i love the art of it, it is kinda an artistic job.
people often ask me to do a design in their kitchen floor, or wat tile is best to suit a bathroom
and the history of it, to be honest i dont know much but it has been around for some time, and mosaic has been around a very long long time. i have seen some amazing mosaics hundreds of years old in the lebinan. ceramic and marble

i have more of a passion to tiling than i do to myself sometimes.

 

[CBTC]

Very good question Stan. Increasing interest over the years after starting out in my case.
I dont know if its still in print but " The Decorative Tile" ( in architecture and interiors) published by Phaidon, authors Tony Herbert & Kathryn Higgins is a fascinating book, one of the various I have on the subject. It gives a great view into the extent of tile use through history and the tile making industry's development.
Surely a greater interest and knowledge of this ancient artform and history of the trade makes for better fixing I think.
'The' tile history and reference source is Buckland Books - they have website under their name. Check them out - you wont find these books in the average shop.

 

[DHTiling]

Good choice of book CBTC...

It is available in my book store..>>> The Decorative Tile in Architecture and Int...
by Tony Herbert along with quite a few other good reads..

 

[Rob Z]

Stan,

I agree with you about being interested in the art, history, architecture, etc of tiles. Check out this site, you might want to join or buy some of their publications:

Tile Heritage Foundation

 

[CBTC]

Jeez - you're on the ball Dave! Hope a few pick up on it.
Thanks for the link Rob, I'll take a look.

 

[Rob Z]

Some of the old stuff that was in these catalogs is breathtaking. How great it would be to be able to set tile like this stuff:

Tile Heritage Catalogs-Page 1

 

[LOFTHOUSE]

Yessir, check out "Delf Tiles", I believe that's the correct spelling. I happened upon a book on the Dutch and History of their Blue & White hand painted tiles. Fascinating. I would be inclined to think that tile got it's start in Kitchens & Hospitals, wherever there was potential for a mess, as they are the better choice of surface to clean.

No, I'll admit, tile is sexy. Women love it, although it can be labor intense at say tear-out, you have to be a gentle giant to install it neatly. (again, women love it)

When I start to feel like a TileDork, I switch to wood or metal, then it's back to my first love.....Mosaics.

Boring Tile sux!