Design and Style Archives - Page 8 of 9

“Best of 2013” Design Award, a Cement Tile Win.

Interior Design magazine has chosen the “Best of the Year” for 2013, and we’d like to congratulate our client, Meyer Davis Studio for winning “Best of the Year 2013: Fine Dining“. Their project “Harlow” remodeled a historic space once the private entertainment venue of William Randolph Hurst. Perhaps as much a restoration as a renovation, the Harlow project brought the best of the 1930’s grandeur forward to the modern day.

The award-winning design features some of Villa Lagoon Tile’s most popular designs in several places. “Lantern Trellis” and “Cubes” can be found in the elegant restrooms, as well as a larger version of Cubes in a conservatory dining annex, that gained a mention in Interior Design’s original project article, “Blond Ambition“. This installation in particular shows cement tile’s versatility, using solid and two-color tile to provide a larger scale of Cubes design.

Salamanca cement tile in Ladies room of Harlow, NYC. — Lantern Trellis Cement Tile Installation

Cubes cement tile in Men's room of Harlow, NYC. — Cubes Cement Tile Installation

While our ever-popular “Cubes” cement tile was used in the stately-men’s room, a different feel was desired for this dining area. A larger patterned is achieved by the creative arrangement of the simplest tiles in our toolkit: solids, and the two-color diagonal. This layout also shows how easily a designer could use cement tile to create grand, custom chevron patterns.

A 9x6 layout of cement tile, resembling an enlarged Cubes pattern tile. — Large-Scale cubes using Monterey Collection “Diagonal” and single-color tiles.

The writers of Interior Design are not the only ones taking a notice to the renewed luster of this Midtown Manhattan jewel… Harlow is quickly being recognized as a great experience, and has already been the venue for parties hosted by Madonna, Woody Allen, and others in the New York social scene.

Update April 27, 2016: Unfortunately Harlow has closed. Their original site can still be found in the Internet Archive.

The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long. –Laozi

Cement Tile Borders Pull it All Together

One of the classic ways to lay cement tiles is to create a rug-like effect with a border tile surrounding a field tile. Either of these can be solid color tiles or pattern tiles.

The cement tile rug effect is a popular look and can be placed in a floor of solid color cement tiles or surrounded by another material.

Cement tile rug pattern on a porch, using Villa Lagoon Tile's Caribbean Collection patterns "Sousa" and — Patterns depicted: Caribbean Collection “Sousa” field tiles and “Malaga” border.

A single row of border tiles adds a finishing touch to the multicolored cement tile insert on this porch above.

Often an encaustic cement tile border tile can be laid in one orientation on one side of the arrangement and flipped 180° on the other side of the border. This produces a very finished look.

Cuban Heritage CH-110 in a hotel foyer. — Patterns Depicted: Cuban Heritage pattern CH-110 field and border.

Cement tile borders add drama !

cement tile borders around the edge of a room — Patterns Depicted: Caribbean Collection “Alcala” border, “Toledo” border, and single-color field tiles.

Note how in the yellow tile room they included a third tile between the border ‘sandwich’ .

A very deep encaustic cement tile border at the corner of a room using Caribbean Collection and Cuban Heritage Collection border patterns. — Patterns Depicted: Caribbean Collection “Puerto Plata” border, “Santiago” border, and single-color field tiles, and Cuban Heritage Collection pattern CH-120.

If the room is large enough, a double, triple or more border can look fantastic. The border above is actually a row of five tiles, all of them 20 cm (8″). This is the same size tiles as the field tile in the room.

A beautiful border on an encaustic cement tile floor takes a little more planning but the effect is well worth it.

A New Revolution in Cement Tile

Villa Lagoon Tile is proud to present a new revolution in cement tile. Roto Tile™ provides a whole new landscape for expression with circular tile. These 8″ circles are spaced by special connector tiles, and the whole layout simultaneously invokes circles, hexagons, and triangles of varying sizes.

At Villa Lagoon Tile, we believe in giving designers and architects as much choice and freedom as possible. This has been one of the many strengths of cement tile. Our new Roto Tile™ pushes those boundaries just a little bit more.

Sample Layouts

Roto Tile™ are laid with a ratio of one circle tile to two connector tiles. We have created an entire page dedicated to describing the dimensions of these circular tile here: Roto Tile™ Dimensions. You can see more of these example layouts here: Roto Tile™ Example Layouts.

These are just a few examples to get you started. With more than 60 colors in our Monterey Palette, the possibilities with single-color tiles are endless.

Custom Colorway Molds

As with other cement tiles, these custom shapes can take colorway molds as well! Colorway molds segment a tile, allowing tile-makers to pour a different color in each segment of the design. We’ve created the mock-up pattern “Ripples” to show the beginning of what can be achieved using a colorway mold in just the connector tile.

We are happy to add Roto Tile™ to your design arsenal, and look forward to helping you achieve your vision.

We now have sample Roto Tile™ available, as well as Monterey Palette color-chips. If you think our cement tile is right for your designs, call us at 1-251-968-3375 or email [email protected] to discuss your project.

The Inspiration for Piazza

One of our new Venetian Collection tiles, Piazza, creates a pattern of linked barbed quatrefoils. The quatrefoil, from the Latin quattuor and folium, “four leaves” became a common theme in Christian art, and reached it’s height in Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

A 6x5 layout of — “Piazza”, from the Venetian Collection, In Oxford Gray and White.

This pattern can be found throughout European architecture, including Notre-Dame de Paris, and the great abundance of of this pattern in Venice inspired Lundy to create this Villa Lagoon Tile exclusive cement tile.

Katie, author of the blog Live Originally, found a stunning example on her honeymoon trip through Europe, in one of the courtyards of the Doge’s Palace in Venice.

A stone courtyard at the Doge's Palace in Venice, featuring a barbed quatrefoil pattern. — A stonework quatrefoil in Venice.

You can see Katie’s full post here: “I’m baaaaack!”

You can see our in-stock “Piazza” tile here:

Or see our entire Venetian Collection here:

A stylized image of a Venetian canal scene. — The Floors of Venice

The Floors of Venice

Love the floors in Venice?
Villa Lagoon Tile recreates the look in cement tile…

Villa Lagoon Tile is pleased to introduce their newest line of encaustic cement tile – The Floors of Venice. Inspired by the incredible marble flooring surfaces in and around Venice, Italy, the tiles reflect the design and style of old Italian marble mosaic floors.

Encaustic cement tile has been making a Renaissance of its own and Villa Lagoon Tile has been happy to be a part of that revival. Owner and designer Lundy Wilder created the Floors of Venice collection after returning from a short holiday trip to Venice. “Seeing those magnificent floors in Venice… everywhere: in the churches, stores, public squares and walkways; it was amazing. I was totally inspired to replicate some of these themes in tile.”

The new tile line with names like St Mark’s, Murano, Savona Venice and Treviso captures the major colors and design concepts of the Venetian floors. “Colors were integral to new tiles,” says Wilder. “The colors used in many homes in the US include beige and tan and the tones of our Venetian tiles are authentic but are also are very compatible with these neutral tones.” The tiles are 20cm x 20cm (8”x8”) and weigh about three pounds each.

Known for their vibrant colors and intricate designs, the tiles are also known as Cuban tiles, Pasta tiles, Moroccan tiles or Mexican tiles. Designers and architects have found them to be a terrific way to add style and character to open spaces. Villa Lagoon Tile has been installed in numerous large commercial projects that include the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, California, the Omni Hotel in Nashville, the Ralph Lauren retail store in Holetown, Barbados, and the Drake Hotel’s new “Drake One Fifty” restaurant in Toronto, Canada.

Murano, with Cut Solid Border (Mohave, Black and Oxford Gray)

Samples of the the Floors of Venice designs are presently available by contacting Villa Lagoon Tile by email, [email protected] or by calling the office 1-251-968-3375.

Wonderful Short Video, “Unswept Floor”

WATCH–you won’t be sorry ! This magical video is all about a section of floor, through the ages. This award winning short film uses mosaics to tell the story. Tiles are included so we thought our readers would appreciate it. For those at work,…note, it has a light musical soundtrack.

Created by Welsh mosaic artist Maureen O’Kane and her co-director, Jane Hubbard in 2003.

Unswept floor from maureen o’kane on Vimeo.

Heavenly Tile in Hell’s Bottom

The Beltway is buzzing with THE new place for men’s grooming on the east coast: The Barber of Hell’s Bottom.

A veteran stylist of New York runway and print models, Kelly Gorsuch took Washington, D.C. by storm with his Logan Circle salon, Immortal Beloved. In a few short years it has become a hub of the metro area’s chic and elite, with Immortal Beloved stylists even being tapped for First Family duty. Not only has Immortal Beloved become known for its styling, but for its unique decor. All of the furniture was designed and built by Kelly himself, along with his close friend and business partner Caleb Woodard (of Caleb Woodard Furniture).

Can Kelly catch lightning in a bottle again? It sure seems so. Washington is abuzz again over The Barber of Hell’s Bottom. Once again featuring Kelly’s unique vision, and master craftsmanship from Caleb Woodard Furniture, this new barber shop features raw, white-washed brick walls, and beautiful cement tile from Villa Lagoon Tile. Our Roseton tile in custom colors was used to add a hint of flourish to Kelly and Caleb’s remarkable work. This shop has a sophisticated, but raw masculinity, that is sure to make any patron comfortable, while his locks float down to our flooring.

Part of the buzz over Gorush’s new venture has to do with the name. While Shaw may have a median home price north of half-a-million dollars today, it was once “Hell’s Bottom”, one of the District’s most violent neighborhoods. That cool bit of trivia doesn’t stop everyone from noticing the tile, though… nor the barber’s chair from the New York area’s Vernon Hills Country Club, famed to have held several members of the Rat Pack, in its day (not at the same time, of course).

The Barber of Hell’s Bottom has been featured now in the style section of UrbanDaddy.com, given a favorable first look by UrbanTurf.com, and has even been named one of the six “things to do” for last weekend (April 5, 2013), by Men’s Journal ! Way to go Kelly ! We hope you the best success, and a long happiness with our tile.

April 8, 2013.

Seductive Cement Setting brings Success!

We’d like to give kudos to our friends at Maneli Wilson Interiors for rave reviews of their recent work, featuring our cement tile pattern, Cubes. Sotto 13 opened in November as a runaway hit in New York’s West Village. This new darling destination of the local critics features Italian tapas, brick-oven pizzas, and cocktails by acclaimed mixologist Frankie Oley, but few can help but comment on the amazing decor.

Our Cubes pattern was used on the wall surrounding the kitchen’s window… a focal point for the flow of food through the restaurant. We also couldn’t help but spot an ingenious use for some of the left-over tiles: they are framed within the side of the hostess stand. On your next project you may consider ordering a little extra… finishing touches like these can really help tie a theme together.

In-Stock "Cubes" Tile — In-Stock “Cubes” Tile

Among the mountains of praise, Jones Magazine proclaims that Sotto 13 “offers rustic decor with a modern twist and perfect ambiance.” CBS New York touts Sotto 13 as “perfect for a West Village date night,” and NewForkCity says “it’s the decor that brings you in”, but the food that brings you back. What more can a restaurateur want from their decor than to provide the perfect, inviting setting to showcase their craft? Perhaps a mention by one of the largest travel magazines in the country?

Not only has Sotto 13 earned a mention by Travel + Leisure Magazine, their grand entrance to the scene has placed them among “America’s Most Romantic Restaurants”. Writing for www.travelandleisure.com, Brendan Spiegel cites Sotto 13’s “alluring space” among the attributes that landed it so high on the list.

No matter what your project, we’re sure our Villa Lagoon Tile, hand-made cement tile can provide a warmth and sophistication that can perfectly accent any vision.

Take a look at just a few other restaurant installations:

February 12, 2013.

Los Angeles Cement Tile Project – The Reserve, Hombly Hills

Elegance on a grand scale ! We were thrilled to have our tile in this Los Angeles 10,000+ square foot personal paradise. We were approached early on by the developer / designer to be a part of a major home renovation and I can truthfully say they were a pleasure to work with and everything went smoothly on this unusually large residential tile delivery.

Photo of solid color checkerboard cement tiles at the entrance to The Reserve — Grey and White single color cement tiles at the entrance to The Reserve / Hombly Hills

On the expansive patios the Gray and White check tile continues.

gray and white check tile in Los Angeles cement tile — A side porch on this Los Angeles cement tile project

Designer Kristoffer Winters used our Cubes tile in the kitchen and adjacent living area in this uber swank mansion. He told me that they added a dash of raw umber tint to the sealant to give the tile an aged look. They were thrilled with the result and he said most people assume that the porch cement tiles are an original part of the home. We are looking forward to Kristoffer’s appearance on Bravo TV’s “Million Dollar Decorators” show. Maybe he will mention our tile !!

Cement tile cubes in a kitchen floor — Cubes cement tile floor in front of a La Cornue range, cabinets and vent hood.

Updates:

A photo of The Reserve interior was used in a MyDomaine article on the resurgence of cement tile, February 18, 2014

The Los Angeles Times Business Section featured the sale of The Reserve, August 24, 2013.

Winters and The Reserve were featured in a Bloomberg article, August 16, 2013.

The Reserve was highlighted in the popular design blog, COCOCOZY, July 8, 2013.

Kristopher Winters appeared in a feature about The Reserve on an E! program, “A-List Listings”, May 20, 2013.

A feature on The Reserve appeared in Variety, March 26, 2013.

Blog post on a mention of The Reserve in the Robb Report, March 22, 2013.

Blog post on Curve Improvement about The Reserve, March 12, 2013.

The Reserve is listed as a notable residence on the Holmby Hills page of Wikipedia.

Tile Designs Based on Textiles

We had never heard of Kuba cloth when Stu Neyland submitted his new designs for his super cool collection of cement tile. We just knew it was a great floor tile design. Turns out that Stu and his wife Suzie have a collection of authentic Kuba cloth. Several pieces are framed and hanging above their fireplace and Stu had used them as inspiration for his tile design.

One wonderful aspect of Stu’s Kuba tile is that one can lay the tile in any orientation and the resulting pattern looks different depending on your choices.

Read more about The Stu Neyland Collection of cement tiles and see the Kuba tiles in various colorways.

More and more designers are becoming aware of African Kuba cloth.
To make Kuba cloth the Kuba people of the Congo cut and weave dyed pieces of raffia. The several different sub-groups of the Kuba people have unique ways to make their fabric. Many of the patterns are arranged to have meanings. And what a handsome floor tile it makes !