Fireclay Tile Bi-Annual San Jose Boneyard Sale & Customer Appreciation BBQ - You’re Invited!
February 23, 2012 | filed under: Showroom/Boneyard
February 23, 2012 | filed under: Showroom/Boneyard
February 15, 2012 | filed under: Crush
In the spirit of St. Valentine's Day, we'd like to share another love letter from a Fireclay Tile fan, to help share the love that folks out there have for Fireclay's gorgeous handmade tiles. Angela in Portland, Oregon has a massive Crush on her recently remodeled 1906 farmhouse, bathroom. Angie worked with one of our talented Ceramicists, Sabrina from our San Jose Showroom, where together they created a bathroom using our Crush 100% Recycled Glass Tile, that Angie's 80 year old self (way in the future) would always adore. We're delighted to see how beautiful the finished bathroom came out. There is nothing we love more than to share photos of completed projects with our team of ceramicists who see the project along from raw materials, to fired to glazed, to lovingly packing completed tiles up and sending them out into the world. When I started renovating my 1906 farmhouse I had one priority - the bathroom had to be beautiful with a soaking size tub. I wanted the rest of the house had to retain the farmhouse feel, but the bathroom had to be my spa. My daughter and I love to soak away our frustrations--but when we bought our house the one and only bathroom had a small shower tub that even my then seven year-old, couldn't fully submerse in. Fast forward six years--to a renovation that made our thirty square foot bathroom, into a one hundred-twenty square foot bathroom, complete with a two sink vanity and 6 foot soaking tub. Finding the right tile was the biggest challenge. I bet I visited every tile store in Portland, Oregon and agonized over colors, materials, finishes and sizes. Eventually my mom shared an invaluable piece of advice with me: "If you are agonizing, it isn't right. Keep looking. When you see it, you will know it." Then she sent me seventy-two links to tile. No kidding... SEVENTY-TWO! I wanted to weep. Buried in the middle of all that tile, was a link to the Fireclay Tile website. Soon, I understood what my mom had said because as soon as I saw it, I knew. I loved the Seco tiles, but I couldn't stop thinking about Crush. I played around with both tiles (even tried to mix them at one point), but eventually decided on Crush. I worked with Sabrina over the phone at the Fireclay San Jose, showroom who sent me some samples and patiently answered my questions. She even grabbed some samples and sat at her desk helping me identify the correct shade of white to go with the field of blue I had selected, because I had neglected to ask for samples for the accent and was running out of time (thanks Sabrina - it's perfect!). I love vivid colors (I'd paint the world orange if I could) so deciding between all the lovely Crush colors Fireclay has to offer was difficult. In the end, lambs ear, wallflower and morning glory, won out over habañero and marigold-out of fear that my 80 year-old self would one day resent me. Now I sometimes take side trips into my bathroom just to look at it; it's like having a little spa in my own home. Sometimes I even lean over and pet the tile because I love everything about it; the color, the texture, the feel. Thank you Fireclay! ~Angie Hurley Portland, OregonFebruary 10, 2012 | filed under: Dealer Spotlight Vitrail
This week we head clear across the country to see our friends in the Sunshine State at hollingsworth Decorative Plumbing, in Jacksonville Florida. Worth Turner, one of the creative minds at hollingsworth, took a few moments to share a little bit about his experiences with Fireclay, and give us a sneak peek into their stunning showroom. In 1942 Charles Hollingsworth Turner opened his first plumbing shop in Jacksonville, Florida. Four generations later, still rooted in the heart of San Marco, hollingsworth decorative plumbing provides a fresh look for the old classics. Designing and selecting the perfect fixtures for your home. Their carefully selected product lines represent a range of price points and personal taste. FCT: How did you get into the design business? WT: My background & passion is in the design field, I came back and rebranded the family business after working 4 years in Manhattan. Before we were mainly a service business with a small showroom. Now we are a full scale decorative plumbing & tile showroom. We were the 2011 Waterworks Boutique of the year, we have seen a lot of growth in the 6 months we have been open since our remodel and are bringing on more sales consultants to cater to all the design professionals that love our unique and quality products. FCT: How long have you been in the tile business? WT: For the past eight years, however we only carried one extensive line. Five months ago we decided to expanded and renovate our existing showroom and brought in 7 additional lines (Fireclay being our new favorite). FCT: Why do you carry Fireclay? WT: The main reason we brought in Fireclay was because of the broad color offering, the majority of our business comes from interior designer's and they are always looking for a specific color to match a certain fabric, stone, etc. Our decision to carry the line has been proven right due to the outstanding customer service we have received from the entire team. Fireclay's enthusiam and love for their product offering has inspired us to really get out there and sell. FCT: What are some of your Fireclay favorites? WT: We have had the most success with the Vitrail line, the beautiful colors and glazes seem to grab every customer's eye. FCT: What is your favorite/most memorable install? WT: Our favorite install was a fountain that we did with the Vitrail Ogee Drop in Ultra Cream. The fountain has a waterfall effect and the shape/color of this tile against the water is stunning. To locate a Fireclay Tile Dealer near you, use our handy dandy Dealer Locator.February 7, 2012 | filed under: Design Ideas
Recently we received a wonderful email from a Fireclay Tile fan that included photographs of a very beautiful Fireclay Cureda Seca backsplash. We were touched by her compliments, and asked her if we could share her story with you. Here is what she had to say about her California inspired kitchen, and how it brightens up those cold, New York Winter days!
I have lived in Brooklyn, New York for six years, but I am originally from Los Angeles, California. Last year when I decided to renovate my apartment kitchen, I wanted to make sure to incorporate my favorite California design element, Spanish colonial tiles. I first saw Fireclay Tile at Mission Tile West in South Pasadena, California, and I thought they were amazing. (Arpita you’re making us blush!) Then I saw a sample of the Cuerda Seca Lugo tile at Urban Archaeology in New York, and I knew I wanted it for my backsplash. I also wanted yellow tiles as a complement because I think it makes a kitchen cheerful.
My designer, Karen Wright, planned a backsplash with yellow tiles, blue liner, and the Lugo tiles as a centerpiece. I love this backsplash! The rest of my kitchen is neutral (dark brown quartz counters, walnut cabinets, cork floor), so the tiles are a wonderful splash of color. The LED under-cabinet lights highlight the gorgeous peacock colors of the Lugo tiles.
I have received many compliments on my backsplash. And every time I use my kitchen, I am reminded of California sunshine and Mexican American artwork, two of my favorite things about Los Angeles. I recommend your tiles very highly!
Cheers,
Arpita Bose
Brooklyn, New York
Materials:
Fireclay Curerda Seca Debris series, pattern: Lugo, colorway: Peacock, size 6 x 6
Fireclay Vitrail V23 color marigold, size 4 x 4, finish gloss
Fireclay Debris Series, size flatliner 1 x 6, color lapis, finish gloss
Fireclay Debris Series, size 1 X 1, color lapis, finish gloss
