Finishing out the final week of February, I have two posts- the latter being Tile Salon- so be sure to return tomorrow for all the cool tile news for February 2010.
Today, my post returns to our month filled with Moroccan style ending naturally- with a review of Moroccan tiles, my ULTIMATE tile envy.
As a tile designer, I have always been walloped by the sheer exuberance of the colors and patterns found in Moroccan tiles. I'm reminded of the first time my youngest tasted potato salad. He turned to me with the biggest grin and said- I wish the world was made of potato salad!
I don't think I speak for just myself when I say - I wish the world were made of Moroccan tiles!
THE REAL DEAL
Traditional Moroccan tiles are primarily 3 types - cement (great for floors), glazed terracotta aka "zelliges" (perfect for walls), and mosaics made from miraculously cut pieces of zelliges (again for walls). I'm mad for all 3!
CEMENT (FLOORS):
Developed in France in the mid-1800's the artful technique of making cement tiles allows for a yummy color palette and virtually any pattern. The man who did more to elevate tile installations as an artform - Gaudi- used these tiles extensively- even in his own home.
They're buff-taffy-powdery squares of joyous flooring. Below, a mix of patterns and solid color-
INSTALLATIONS
Installing cement tiles requires some depth in the contractor's experience AND in the floor tolerances! The tiles are generally 8x8's with a 5/8" thickness.
ZELLIGES (WALLS):
Zelliges or Moroccan terra cotta tiles are highly problematic. Punky (a ceramic term for fired clay with tons of porosity), with brittle, imperfect glazes; these tiles are - in a word- sheer perfection for those of us tile fans that love all tiles steeped in authentic matters-of-the-earth. I wouldn't try this at home - at least not on horizontal surfaces - but install on anything vertical and the colors, textures, and luminosity of Moroccan zelliges just send me!
MOSAICS (WALLS):
This is what happens when you take zelliges and expertly craft them into meticulous cuts of impossible shapes- tile as art. Just a few examples to follow-
INSPIRED WORKS
Now, some modern companies wonderfully inspired by the Moroccan tile heritage-
If you don't know about this fun design team, yet, please click their name and read all about them. I think their beautiful cement tiles speak for themselves.
Whoa! Can you tell I'm very fond of the Popham Design folks?
This new company is crafting tiles much in the same tradition as Moroccan tiles. Their quality of clay is possibly a bit better than their authentic cousins and their new take on the shapes and shades of the Moroccan tradition seem timely. I'd suggest that they are a more conservative approach to an historically eccentric look.
Several years ago Tilevera wanted to create a very modern take on Moroccan motifs. We wanted to reproduce the vibrancy of the shades and shapes of the Islamic motifs but with a decidedly modern edge, adding metallics and a clean honed finish-
Might be time to turn your modern space into a Moroccan oasis.
ICING ON THE CAKE!
That's it for this month's Tile Envy- Moroccan. But while searching for all my images for this post, I happened upon a great story in desiretoinspire.com and had to include this fabulous new modern home built for the Vogue Australia (my favorite design mag ) editor. The whole project used the design motifs in Moroccan tiles as inspiration. For more on this story- please click the photo-
Now- don't forget to check-in tomorrow for Tile Salon February 2010 to finish out this month- in tile news.