Fall's Cool, But the Look of Stone and Ceramic is Still Hot

Fabulous Floors - Fall, 2005

Feeling indulgent? Your timing is perfect! Technology is giving us limitless opportunities for true art, attainable in stone, ceramic tile, porcelain, marble and other types of hard materials (including metal!).

Great designs in these materials may NEVER need replacing. It's a matter of quality materials, design, installation and maintenance.

With stone, the basic trend may be toward bringing the outdoors inside. However, architects and designers have discovered the stunning possibilities of waterjet-cut stone (often with other materials like architectural metals) resulting in award winning floors which can be either customized from existing designs or, most popularly, created as a one-of-a-kind by artists and interpreted in delicate piecework by new-age stone crafters. Prices start around $1,000 and can rise to the price of rare fine art, which is probably fair considering that the technique is really a sculpture for the floor. (See Creative Edge Medallion at right.)

For the tile look, you have two options: a complete re-decor or minimalist makeover with creative touches here and there for an entirely new look at a fraction of the cost. To plan your stone or ceramic decor, start with photos of the area. This is a good time to bring in an interior designer or flooring professional to help with a scale drawing so you have the right proportions and can incorporate your personal flourishes.

In addition to the new looks in tile, from fossil to French limestone, there are literally hundreds of individual ceramic tiles and deco and trim pieces you can use for a custom look. Copper, brass, stainless pewter and combinations of the metals are available in tile, too as are glass, opaque or clear or with metallics embedded. (Nail polish or metallic blush gives you an idea of sparkles available in some tiles.)

For quick-change custom looks, remove a few tiles and add a custom piece — essentially "fired art." Or, you can simply add either texture, color or a different size tile to change the whole look of the room. How about creating art work on your wall with stone, glass tiles, or bordering a mirror? You may only need a dozen or so pieces to create something absolutely unique. How about your own stone or ceramic artwork bordered in another type of material such as an exotic wood. (Speak with a stone or tile professional about underlayment issues and discuss all the costs and complexities of the job.)

Factor in tile sizes. Most are available in at three or four different sizes including very large formats. Mixing sizes yields elegant, interesting patterns. On a budget? Select the largest format you can find, then have it installed on a diagonal or brick pattern. Look for displays showing the different installations or experiment by laying tile on the floor to see how it looks. Combine different shapes, textures and finishes (matte to shiny).