Durable and easy to clean, tile has been a popular practical material for thousands of years, but its allure extends far beyond its ability to withstand wear and tear. Tile is a medium for bringing light and beauty into a space. Now, with more choices than ever before, tile has become an incredibly popular way to add personalized character to a home. In "The Art of the Tile", tile enthusiast and design writer Jen Renzi walks readers through the basics, from incorporating certain materials in certain areas to installation considerations, from aesthetic aspects to pairing tiles with different patterns or materials in the same area. Focusing on choice and usability, this book is both accessible and inspiring, and will be of immense practical appeal to designers or anyone in search of ideas for their home.

From subtly shimmering white walls to dramatic colourful mosaics, tile has long been one of the most seductive ways to enhance the beauty of a space.Now, The Art of the Tile beautifully illustrates what to use, how to use it and where to use it.

First, Jen Renzi walks you through the basics: selecting the best materials for certain spaces; installation and maintenance considerations; and aesthetic aspects, such as using file as an accent or pairing files with different patterns in the same area. She then helps you answer the bigger questions: Do I want eco-friendly bamboo file in the bathroom? Gorgeous gold-leaf Italian glass file on my backsplash? Or just a neutral-coloured tile with a raised texture? Along the way, you'll see dozens of installations to spark your imagination, including all of the latest advances.

If you'd rather make your choice based simply on what strikes your eye, the catalogue section of this book is the ultimate resource: more than 1,500 file options organized in groupings based on colour, pattern, motif,texture, shape, material and more:

With inspiring photographs, an extensive resource guide, and expert advice from architects, designers,homeowners and file manufacturers, The Art of the Tile is as much a feast for the eyes as it is an indispensable and comprehensive resource.

INTRODUCTION

the big picture

DESIGNING WITH TILE

 Continuity

 Accent

 The Main Event

 Color

 Pattern and Shape

 Texture

NARROWING IN

 A Performance Primer

 Size and Format

 Installation Pattern

 The Character of a Space

 Materials

Cement and Concrete, Stone, Leather, Wood, Cork

Metal, Glass, Ceramics, Composites, Porcelain

 Going Green

THE LITTLE DETAILS

 The Elements of Tile: From Bullnoses to V-Caps

 The Aesthetics of Grout

 Special Considerations

Wet Areas: Showers and Pools, Inside, Outside,

and In Between, Fireplaces

HOW IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

 Shopping for Tile

Lead Times. Sampling. Variation. Ordering. Pricing

 Installation

 Words from the Wise

 Quick Fixes

MATERIALS

TRIMS

COLOR

TEXTURE

MURALS, FRIEZES, AND COMPOSITIONS

MOTIFS

PATTERN

SHAPE

MOSAICS

RESOURCES

 Architects and Designers

 Catalog Shopping Guide

 Artisans

 Other Specialty Resources

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INDEX