Page 34 - Flathead Beacon // 8.24.16

KELLEY’S MARKET TRENDS 36 FLOOR SPACE 37 Real Estate
Tiny Mosaic Tiles are a Big Trend
BY KIM COOK OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blending art, architecture and design, mosaic tile is one of the oldest forms of wall and oor covering. Using the tiny squares known as tesserae, Ancient Greeks and Romans created detailed sto- ries and intricate geometric patterns, and mosaic art embellishes ceilings, walls and oors from Byzantium to Barcelona.
Today, artists teach and share their tile-working skills at places like the Chi- cago Mosaic School and the Institute of Mosaic Art in Berkeley, California.
And mosaic’s creative possibilities are popular among interior designers, too.
At Coverings, an industry show in Chicago this spring, tile-makers’ booths were mini art galleries. Designer Alena Capra, for instance, created a peacock feather out of dozens of Ceramics of Italy mosaic tiles to showcase the range of colors and creative possibilities. (www. alenacapradesigns.com)
“Mosaic tile lets you create amazing murals of just about anything. I’ve always loved doing mosaic murals, because they allow for the most creativity with tile,” says Capra, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Murals and feature walls done in mosaic tile can bring a “wow” factor into a space; on a smaller scale, they can add design air to backsplashes or bath- rooms. Because there isn’t a lot of acre- age to cover there, you can have some fun with colors and patterns, and perhaps splurge a little.
Modern manufacturing techniques mean the range of mosaics is greater than ever. A new type of durable material even lets today’s designers put glass mosaics on the oor.
Sara Baldwin, founder of the
This undated photo provided by Brix shows Designer Aki Motoyama’s Cloud design, which softens the grid of some traditional mosaic patterns. Five di erent porcelain stoneware sizes, available in matte or shiny nish, or mixed, create a ow evocative of a oating cloud. (OSCAR MORANDI/BRIX VIA AP)
Altimetry collection, places delicate glass “wings” against a creamy Calacatta mar- ble background. Francois Grand, part of the Illusions line, stacks glass and marble shapes into a witty and slightly startling trompe l’oeil, 3-D design. And Demi Lune, a waterjet-cut mosaic crafted in aquama- rine glass, has a lovely wave motif. (www. newravenna.com)
Mosaic Décor’s Circles design features a cascade of variously sized, small round tiles in blacks and browns, evoking a glass of zzy cola. (www.mosaicdecor.com)
Kelly Wearstler’s Liaison collection for Ann Sacks has mixed stone mosaics in sleek, cool shapes that form geometric kaleidoscopes. (www.annsacks.com)
“One trend I love right now are the Mediterranean blue tiles — especially aqua as an accent color,” says Capra.
Spanish maker Alttoglass o ers a pretty, blue-and-white mosaic printed with a traditional Portuguese pattern. (www.alttoglass.com)
For Italian tile-maker Brix, Japanese designer Aki Motoyama has created Cloud, a series of ve di erent-size por- celain tiles in soothing neutrals. On the wall, the e ect is free-form and relaxing. (www.brixweb.com)
Appiani’s Memorie collection revives several centuries-old mosaic patterns in rich colors. They nicely o set contem- porary furnishings in a modern space. (www.appiani.it)
Metallic mosaics introduce a dash of drama. Add bling with a few gold, silver or copper tiles; clad a larger area like a backsplash or bath wall, and the e ect is spectacular. Tilebar’s stainless steel Ter- rapin, Alchemy and Cirque collections highlight geometric shapes in stainless steel. (www.tilebar.com)
Virginia-based design studio and manu- facturer New Ravenna, notes that mosa- ics have inherent texture in the way they’re hand-crafted, cut and assembled.
“We’ve now focused on this, combin- ing di erent materials in one mosaic,” she says. “So you can nd stone, glass,
shell, gold, ceramic and even aluminum together, creating a dynamic textured surface.”
Glass or stone cut into intriguing shapes can help walls and oors tell a lit- tle story.
Flock, part of New Ravenna’s
COMFORT FOR LIFE
A Pro Who Knows Indoor Comfort!
A Pro Who Knows
Your local Daikin brand dealer has all the tools needed to InndtdheobeosthrighC-ef ociemncyf,eonergty-!savingDaikinbrand ductless heating and cooling system for you.
l Daikin bran best high-ef
Your loca d dealer has all the tools needed to
nd the 2ci9en4cy2,nedneArgvye-sWavNingKDalaiiskpinelblrand
ductless heating and co2o5lin7g-1s3ys4te1m|fowrwyowu.airworksmt.
Our continuing commitment to quality products may mean a change in speci cations without notice.
© 2014 DAIKIN NORTH AMERICA LLC· Houston, Texas · USA · www.daikincomfort.com
34
AUGUST 24, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM

(Insert Dealer Info Here)
10 YEAR
PARTS & LABOR WARRANTEE!