The Return of the Terrazzo

The Return of the Terrazzo

Over the last couple of years Terrazzo flooring has made an impressive come back.  It is no longer associated just with school floors and public buildings.  It is a thing of beauty, highly sought after, extremely desirable and unfortunately pretty expensive too, but don’t worry, we have a modern and cost effective twist on the original, which may be even more beautiful.

Terrazzo flooring originated in Friuli in Italy, it is thought around the 15^th Century.  The craftsmen who laid the venetian marble mosaic flooring began to gather all of the waste marble and chips from the marble floors that they were laying as well as pebbles and glass from the areas where they lived.  They would lay these into the ground around their living quarters, their “terrazza”, or terrace as we know it.  They would then rub the surface with stones to give them a flat surface, not long after this they developed a tool for grinding away the surface, revealing the beautiful patterns beneath.   They later discovered that by using the milk from their goats as a sealer they could bring out the colour in the chips of marble and stone.  They had created a beautiful, virtually free flooring.  Little did they know that this style of flooring would grow to be one of the most expensive, durable and desirable flooring options available.

We have, for the last couple of years been searching the globe to find you the best and most beautiful porcelain terrazzo.  To offer a terrazzo look that does not need a team of specialists to lay it and special cleaners and sealers to look after it, and one that will not break the bank.  We wanted something with a modern twist that you could get excited about, and now we have it.

Our porcelain terrazzo is made in Spain, using a range of different techniques to create the just the right look including photographing the real thing and studying endless chips of marble, stone, glass, granite and shell to give you the perfect combination of colours.  The artists behind the porcelain terrazzo have created a beautiful mix of patterns and colours for you to choose from as well as matching coloured bricks and delicate patterns. 

It is available in a carefully curated selection of colours from shades of greys to pink, blue and yellow.  It can be laid with a very narrow grout joint to give you a simple terrazzo feel or with brass in each joint to give you a bit of opulence.  It also comes in a range of different bold patterns, whether you want to go for Escher cubes or a delicate floral.  You can go ultra modern or a twist on retro.  Pair it with a stunning handmade style brick in a similar colour, use it on your kitchen walls for a real statement, try the semi-polished version for a bit of elegance or go ultra modern with a slick white pairing.  The options are endless.

So whatever your style, call in to see us and check out our absolutely stunning range of porcelain terrazzo tiles.  If you cant make it down just yet, don’t worry, you can also check it out on our website at:

www.ceramicaetc.co.uk/porcelain-terrazzo

Annie Sloan Paint & Small Tiled Areas

Annie Sloan Paint & Small Tiled Areas

Get a fresh new look for in time for Christmas that won’t cost you a fortune.  Up-cycling is as popular as ever and with so many different projects about it is hard to know which ones to try.  Anything from revamping a coffee table to giving your home a whole new look.  So to make it a little easier we have picked out a few of our favourites.

An old steel framed coffee table can be completely transformed, replace the old wooden top with a strong piece of marine grade plywood and tile the top with old Moroccan tiles or mosaic to give it a more Mediterranean feel.  For something a bit more modern you could go for a marble or stone.  Or if you want a bit of colour or pattern there are so many options available.  You can even paint the steel frame using Annie Sloan chalk paint if you want a change of colour.

Revolutionise your front steps.  Tile your steps and give your front door a fresh coat of paint.  Black and white chequerboard can bring a whole new look to your home without going to great expense.  If that’s not really your style why not go for slate effect porcelain with a brightly coloured door or pretty patterned non slip tile.  Whether you are going for country cottage, modern townhouse or anything in-between there is something to suit.

Annie Sloan paint can be used to bring new life to your interiors in so many ways, why not give your old curtains a new look and dye them with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  You can use it to paint or dye fabric, just follow the instructions on Annie’s website.  This way you can upcycle old chairs, curtains, footstools etc.

To brighten up your office walls or add a bit of fun to children’s bedrooms why not create a coloured chalkboard?  Annie Sloan unwaxed chalk paint can be used as a chalkboard.  With endless colour options available by mixing different colours the possibilities are limitless.  Why not give it a go?

Quirky tiles can be used as a splash back in a small wc to give it a real wow factor, why not go for something a bit different.  A safari animal print tile, flamingo print, umbrella shaped, or a kite mosaic tiles.  There are so many options to give your cloakroom, bathroom or wc a facelift.  You could do the walls in Annie Sloan paint, upcycle an old mirror and use her gold leaf or guilding wax to bring a bit of sparkle to the detailing.

If you hallway needs a bit of a lift, Annie Sloan wall paint could be a good option, or for the floorboards use her paint in conjunction with the floor lacquer for a slightly aged feel.  You can also use it to paint your lampshades, why not go ombre style giving a more atmospheric feel.

Revamp your fireplace with a coat of Annie Sloan and some new tiles, see her website for details on what to do.  You can also add some patterned, coloured or period tiles to add that little bit of drama.  If you don’t have a fireplace it can also be used to freshen up your radiators.

For a quick kitchen fix, you can paint your cupboards with chalk paint.  It is a quick, easy and relatively cost effective way of brightening up your kitchen quite quickly.  If you want to go that little bit further why not add an Original Style glass splash back for a pop of colour or handmade tiles from the Winchester tile company’s Châteaux range as your cooker splash back.  You can find their beautiful tiles on their website.

If it is a smaller project that you are looking for then why not try Annie Sloan’s image transfer method.  You can use this to add detail to up-cycled furniture, add imagery to your cupboards or to make a stunning wall hanging.  Use Annie Sloan’s decoupage glue and varnish.

There are so many things that you can do to brighten up your home, have a look at www.anniesloan.com - www.ceramicaetc.co.uk and www.originalstyle.com for a little bit of inspiration.

Ceramica Etc

Ceramica Etc is like no other tile shop around.  From the moment that you enter you realise the tremendous choice that is available to you.  Their showroom displays the cutting edge in design and current trends but also appeals to those who want something different, personal, exceptional.  Whether your style is modern, traditional, bohemian, avant-garde or something else entirely this showroom will appeal to you. 

They haven’t done the norm and created small kitchen or bathroom settings, instead they have created dramatic displays, pairing patterns and metro bricks, porcelain parquet wood with handmade ceramic tiles.  They have everything you can imagine from real stone to digitally printed porcelain, tile panels depicting jungle scenes to very large format porcelain or even hand painted decorative tiles. If you want wood they have very realistic, or aged and painted wood effect porcelain, that you can put in a shower.  They can offer everything from tiny personalised mosaic panels to 1.6 x 3.2m porcelain tiles.  They profess to holding  large volumes of stock and catching a glimpse into their massive warehouse, it is apparent that this is indeed the case.   If they don’t have what you are looking for then it probably doesn’t exist. 

It is a family run business that has been going for three generations and the enthusiasm and passion that they have is incredible.  This gives their showroom a very friendly approachable feel.  It is also important to note that while they carry some very cutting edge products, they do have an incredible number of options available in many different styles at pretty much every price bracket. 

Why Not Pick A Patterned Tile?

Patterns…

Why not pick a patterned tile?

With so many options now readily available and affordable there are more possibilities than ever, so what look should you go for.  

People worry that patterns are on trend now but that this will not last.  We don’t think you need to worry too much about this.  The first proper production of patterned tiles was known as encaustic or inlaid tiles.  These went into production in the 12^th Century and by the 13^th Century were highly sought after.  To this day encaustic tiles remain an extremely desirable choice of flooring.  The Victorians loved a bit of style and grandeur in their entrances usually created with dramatic tiling.

While encaustics can be expensive, fortunately with advances in technology and photographic printing we now have many different types of patterns available in a whole range of prices.   These vary from digitally printed, computer-generated imagery to individually screen printed or even hand painted, patterned tiles.  For wet areas you can even get beautiful patterns in a rated non slip finish, so you can bring a bit of excitement to non slip bathrooms, kitchens, pathways and outdoor steps.  Alternatively, when it comes to Victorian floors you can create your own pattern from a mix of different sized, shaped and coloured pieces, you can even add a few screen printed, patterned pieces if you want something a bit more decorative.

As for style you can go for anything from modern to rustic, coloured to monochrome or even in contemporary shades of grey.  Terrazzo style, concrete look, geometric or random mix patterns.  There really are so many options available.

Choose a pattern that reflects your personality, your style, one that you love.  If bold patterns aren’t your thing there are so many other options available.  If you want a subtle hint there are lots of designs in muted colours with more delicate decoration.  If making a statement is more your style, why not go for bold bright dramatic patterns.  There is a pattern to suit everyone’s style, but don’t forget to choose something that also compliments the style and era of your house.

Is the size of the tile important?

Picking tiles;

Is the size of the tile important?

With the vast variety of tiles now available, you have more choice than ever.   This means that there are lots of decisions to be made. Colours and patterns to consider, new styles e.g. porcelain wood or even cardboard effect, as well as a range of textures and finishes to choose from. 

Most patterned tiles will be 20 x 20cm while a standard floor tile is now 60 x 60 or 60 x 120cm. In a bigger kitchen 90 x 90cm or 100 x 100cm can be a popular choice and even 100 x 300cm are being used. So does it really matter what size you choose?  Here are a few things to consider . . . . . .

Designers and architects will often tell you to go for very big formats but in reality these are more expensive and not always right for your home.  What is more important is getting the right colour and texture of tile to fit in with the look and style that you are aiming for, whether you have a country cottage, modern apartment or townhouse there are lots of options available to you.  The style, colour and finish are what you will notice first over the shape or size, this is what will tie your room together.

If you do decide to go for a large format tile then there are a few very important things that you must check.  The floor must be absolutely sound, free from cracks and completely level with no pits or dips.  Any of these can cause you problems both at the time of tiling but more importantly in the long term if not dealt with correctly in the beginning.  Get advice from a professional tiler who should know exactly what needs to be done prior to fitting.

Choose the right colour of grout to compliment the tile, this should blend in and not dominate the floor.  Finally think about the layout of the tiles, whether to lay them stacked or brickbond and whether to run them across the kitchen or up and down.  These may not seem like important decisions but really they are just as important as the tile choice itself.

Rectified or Non-rectified?  If you want a more modern look in a smaller room rather than searching for a particular size, which can limit your choices significantly, why not consider going for a rectified option or a less patterned tile.  A rectified tile has crisp, sharp edge, this allows them to be laid with a smaller grout gap and more even surface than a non-rectified tile giving a more modern sleek look.  Alternatively choose a non-rectified tile with less pattern or texture for a more modern feel.

The Exceptions

• ·      When it comes to a metro style tile grouted in contrast shade, then yes, the size matters as this is part of the look, as does the pattern that you choose to lay them in.  Smaller tiles will give you a busier, more traditional look while slightly larger ones will look more contemporary.  When laid in herringbone a smaller brick will show much more pattern while a bigger tile will create a larger, more spaced pattern.

• ·      Wood effect porcelain is a very popular choice, available in many sizes, textures and colours.  The size of plank that you choose plays part in the overall appearance, and effects the ways that it may be laid eg herringbone, stacked or offset, each one changing the look entirely.

• ·      The size of the room, in very large areas you may want a much larger tile to give you that sleek, modern look.  If this is the case 80x80 and 90x90’s are popular but don’t forget that 45x90 or 60x120’s make just as much of a statement.

• ·      Patterns and colours are often only available in particular sizes, because of the style of them this is not an issue.  They add interest to your home, giving it that personal touch, don’t let the size of these put you off, choose the one that best fits with your style and colour scheme.

In the end, go for the tile that best compliments the room, your furniture and the style that you are going for, be aware of the size and how this will work with what you are doing but don’t limit your choices by looking for a particular size, there are so many options available.

Real Wood or Porcelain Wood?

Real Wood or Porcelain Wood?

With so many options now on the market it is hard to know which one to go for.   Many people are still sceptical at the thought of using an “imitation” wood in their homes, so I have done a bit of research and here is my verdict on the matter.  My favourite; the porcelain wood!   This is why. . .

First off, there is nowhere that you can’t put it, and I mean nowhere.  Because of the nature of porcelain it won’t expand and contract like a real wood floor and moisture levels do not affect it.  So you can have a beautiful porcelain wood floor in your bathroom or wet room, some ranges even come with an outdoor version so you can carry it through your house and out onto your patio/BBQ area, you can’t get much better than that!

Kitchens and hallways have always been a bit of a grey area when it comes to real wood floors, they can wear and discolour with time, can be stained, and trap dirt between the planks.  Porcelain wood overcomes all of these issues.  It won’t stain or discolour, it is very hard wearing and the grout even prevents dirt and food from being caught between the planks.

If you are considering under floor heating then porcelain it is!  As a natural insulator, wood isn’t much good with under floor heating, it will heat up when the heat is on but will not hold the heat for long once the heating has gone off.  Porcelain on the other hand is a natural heat store.  It will heat up when the under floor heating is on, but will hold the heat for hours after the heating has gone off.

If you aren’t won over already then here are a few more reasons to go for porcelain wood.   It doesn’t just come in wood colours, although it is available in every shade of wood that you can imagine.  If you want subtle you can get beautiful grey and mink tones, beautiful pale unstained pine and charred dark wood.  If you are more into the texture you can go for a planed effect porcelain wood or go for textured (without the risk of getting a skelf) they even come in ultra smooth with beautiful grain.  Or go for a simple, small plank and lay it in herring bone, simply stunning!  If you are looking for more of a statement you can go for paint effect wood in a wide variety of colours, ornate patterned wood, end grain planks, hexagon wood or even sterling board in a wide range of colours.  What more could you want!

For me it just doesn’t compare.  Porcelain wood every time!

Statement Colours!

Statement Colours!

Ceramica Etc’s knowledgeable team are on hand for any advice that their customers may need.  This month they share their tips on choosing colour and making a statement.

2017 Interiors

With a new year beginning, now is a good time to look for different ways to brighten up your house. If you are staying in your home there are lots of new ideas and products to enhance what you already have, create a fresh new look, whether it is a big project like a kitchen floor or a small porch. You could even give some old furniture a coat of Annie Sloan paint, now is a great time to start gathering inspiration.

If you are thinking of moving this year then have a look at all the ideas available for your new home and get creative.

Make a Statement

If you want to go bold, now is the perfect time, colours, patterns and statement walls are in.  With each of the factories developing and creating their own exciting ranges there are no limits to what you can create.  Our advice, be different, take a chance, you will love how you can tweak your designs to create your own dream home.  From vibrant coloured bricks to awe inspiring feature walls and classic patterns brought back with a twist.  There is so much to choose from with ranges to suit every budget.

Understated Classics with a twist

A simple, affordable brick style tile is anything but boring.  The way a tile is laid makes such a difference to the overall appearance. 

Herringbone, windmill, offset brick bond or stacked, each bring a completely different characteristic and style to the look of your room. 

Grouting also makes a massive difference to the appearance of the space, go white or grey, make it stand out or blend in.  There are so many decisions to be made even after choosing your tiles.

A Modern Touch, add Statement Colours

If you prefer to go for a simple contemporary look there are lots of choices this season.

The ever popular large format grey tiles look equally well on walls and floors. There are so many

beautiful colours available in accessories that any simple, timeless design can be enhanced with bright cushions, throws and vases to create your signature look.

Simple Elegance

Any house can be improved with the addition of some classic simple ideas. It might be that this year a Victorian hallway needs updated or restored or a new shower just need some simple white tiles. There are so many ideas to choose from. 

What is in?

This season, if you like colours there are lots of blues and greens available in both tiles and paint.

If patterns are your thing there are so many geometric, floral and moorish prints available. If colour and pattern aren’t what you are looking for then a simple contemporary elegant grey or white, concrete or metallic, stone or wood effect may appeal more to you.  Really our message for 2017,

There is something for everyone in every budget. 

Have a browse through Pinterest, and get inspired.  Show the images that you like to the staff at your local interiors shops and see if they can help you to create your own twist on the look that you are going for.