custom designed by one of the best- wendy haworth design- this version of “london apothecary” encaustic cement tiles for the sandiego location of cafe gratitude is brimming with good looks and style. we’re grateful for all of it! 

we love this traditional pattern modernized with a cool green palette. it takes us back to when patterns ruled and yourlocal apothecary didn’t just sell your daily dose of absinthe. 

and... if you love shoes there is a fun array of those too! 

the next time you are in the san diego area stop by and enjoy good food and take your own tile photo! don't forget to check out #cafegratitude on instagram to see just how much their customers love this tile... 

subway tiles are like the jeans and t-shirts of any tile wardrobe. classic and an easy choice, they can give one a feeling of comfort or safety while selecting tiles for our kitchen backsplashes and bathroom tiles. 

but lately, we've been noticing that clients are ready to start mixing it up in order to infuse a flair of interior design detail. because, why smile when you can swoon??

zellige shines with that swoon-factor, every time. you can still get the look of subway if you still want that touch of a classic tile setting. but when safe feels like a fence instead of a diving board- it's great to know you can take that leap forward with zellige. check out our subway-sized zellige, below. 

pulsing with delightful artistic imperfection, whether brightly colored or of a more subdued neutral, the warmth of the moroccan terracotta clay peeks through the rich glazes of zellige, adding interesting shading and texture. light dances and sparkles off the textured surface, creating interesting movement and sheen without pattern.

designers have been flocking to these handmade terracotta beauties for quite some time. it’s only a matter of time before these “must have” tiles will steal the hearts of homeowners too.

from selfies, to selfeets, instagrammers are sharing their clé tile finds all over instagram. we were especially delighted to see clé "roman holiday" cement tiles adding an energetic vibe to onyx coffee bar on instagram.

zellige, zillij, or zelij. at clé we like to refer to these hand crafted, glazed and hand cut tiles as the "sequin" of the tile world.  

we know you've seen them. they get a lot of attention no matter where they are used. cladding your favorite walls- creating the most fascinating floors- or taking this visual party to both walls and floors

...zelij manages every surface with artistic imperfection!

hand crafted by amazing artisans in morocco, you really can't get a tile more exotic than zelij. the process does not involve one segment of the industrial revolution. instead, each and every tile has emerged from the earth around morocco and is formed by hand into little slabs of tiles that are then fired in kilns fueled by olive pits. (you can't make this stuff up!)

they've made zillij the very same way since earlier than the 14th century. that's a lot of years of sparkle and shine. 

photos | kessara via instagram, judd lysenko marshall

hex tile has become one of the most popular tile shapes in recent times. their beloved shape is the perfect compliment to your next commercial design project.

in the following q & a, clé founder deborah osburn shines some light on this trend, and shares her thoughts on how to make the most of hexagon tile in your next restaurant, spa, salon, or other commercial design project.

what trends or inspirations led to cle's new cement hexagonal tiles? why these colors and designs and patterns, and why now?

in my last post “whats all the buzz around hexagonal tile?" I explained why I believe this shape is currently trending. it's the darling of design shapes. and because of that, we wanted to be sure to explore the hex shape in a favorite material of ours, and another current darling of design - encaustic cement tiles. 

here are a few reasons we love this combination. just the cement color palette alone, makes for some amazing hexagon tile choices.

encaustic cement tile surfaces are reminiscent of soft suede, in feel and tonality which, combined with shades that get muted and powdery from the cement pigments- make cement hexagonal tile hard to resist for style and substance.

solid color hex tiles are simple, elegant and stylish. for instance, shown above, a black hex tile wall is hard to beat for a bold design statement.

create a blend of the same shade, or add in a contrast color, like deep blue, in the mix or even design a custom blend of unexpected colors like green, pink and cream and it can go from being a neutral blend to the star of the project.

patterns have swept the design world off its feet recently. we're seeing more vibrant patterns in fashion, textiles, rugs and mosaics. encaustic cement tile is best known for vibrant tile patterns, too. if you combine bold pattern into a hex shape- it’s an irrestistable blend. 

photos | header image by cereal magazine

cement hexagonal tiles, in general, have become one of the most popular tiles in recent times.

in the following q & a, clé founder deborah osburn shines some light on this trend, and shares her thoughts on how to use hexagon tiles to rev up your next commercial design project.along with the international popularity of this beloved tile shape - hexagon cement tiles seem to be a particular standout right now.  

why is hex tile such a classic form as well as a currently trending one?

i think it has to do with our love of the humble honeycomb – ZZZZZZZ. it’s an organic shape that is equally compelling and comforting. it’s about a home, as well as a workplace.

i truly think that our love of hex’s do stem from something as primitive as those busy honey bees. in a world that would be lost without them - the architectural  design world is responding to our need for these crafty creatures and their incessant forming of their sturdy shapes.

then there’s all that honey. What’s not to love?!

what are some of the other design categories that are similarly enchanting us with their honeycomb shapes?

it’s probably easier to mention the product categories that haven’t been utilizing this lovely hexagon, but amongst my favorites have been – tables, chairs, rugs, shelves, plates, and ottomans.

surfaces will be one of the chief investments in your property. they both define and protect your spaces from heat, moisture, and wear and tear. and along with creating heirloom surfaces that will last for generations, tiles are also a major design statement.

in the past 20 years, clients in the U.S have begun to realize what the rest of the world has enjoyed for centuries- that high end tiles are as much an art form as they are a source of protection and longevity.

previous to this 20 year discovery, the history of U.S tile usage has only been one of protection in heavy traffic floors, showers, pools etc. however, the history of tile in the rest of the world has been one of art, prestige and, yes, even civic pride. that’s a lot different from making sure your kitchen floor stands up to a house full of kids.

tile can be much more than a protective finish. but how much should tile cost? and what is the difference between tile that costs $1 per SF…or $100 per SF?

when adding tile to a home or other design project, most of the expense goes to the installation side of a tile project, therefore it makes sense to choose the tiles that will not only support your finishes, but last generations. it’s vital that they also be used to reflect beauty and the individuality of the project or the homeowner.

here’s what you’re paying for, and how to choose…

all tile isn’t created equal: high end tile vs. budget tile

1) artisan tiles-

unlike mass produced tiles available through home depot, artisan tiles that grace your home or project is made by an actual artist.

there are so many amazing tiles and amazing tile makers that go undiscovered. we love to seek out these new artists and present their works to a newly emerging tile audience.

so when we bring these unique and never-before-seen art tiles to market, we offset the cost of making handcrafted tile on a smaller scale, by selling and offering tiles, directly, through our eboutique. we make these unique and one-of-a-kind art tiles available at pricing that still manages to meet client’s budgets.

even unique art tiles at $25 per SF and up can be affordable, because typically fewer are used. they offer remarkable style and impact for the budget. with artisan tile, choose the tiles you love, knowing that somewhere, an artist poured their heart and soul into creating a piece of art that you’ll treasure for generations.

photos | phil sanchez

much appreciation to consort design and domain home for including our checkered past cement tile in this amazing black and white self-described "urban chic" house for fall out boy guitarist  - joe trohman. a fireplace has never looked so good!