by emilia brown / hb.amazines.com
Ceramics in Greek means Pottery, which is the use of clay and other minerals to make pots. But today ceramics can be defined as inorganic materials made from minerals in the earth. In ancient history decorative ceramics was a great part of many cultures including the Greeks, Arabs, Mayans, Chinese and places around the Mediterranean. Ceramics are widely used in the industrial world as well because of its heat resistant properties and also other properties. Compared to many other metals, ceramics are much lighter and are therefore used for many industrial purposes. Hand Painted ceramics were used for a lot of things in the ancient times as well but were mainly used for decorative purposes. The ancient Chinese Emperors used to give ceramics as gifts to other kings for diplomatic purposes. Pottery was always a great part of the ancient culture and was used to make things like utensils, knives, storage jars and many other household items. But glazed pottery only came into existence much later, around the time of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization.
In the Ancient Mediterranean, making decorative hand painted ceramics was also a widely practiced activity by many of the people. Ancient Egyptian pottery dates back to 3000BC and ceramics were produced on a wide scale, where they used moulds to produce pots and later on, used the wheel.
Tin-glazed pottery came out much later and once this was spread throughout many different civilizations it was used a lot because the people found it to be a lot more durable than normal pottery. The process of glazing is done by heating the clay to about 2000 degrees and then dipping it in a glaze made from tin, calcium and other minerals. This made the pots resistant to high temperatures and helped making the decorating part of the ceramic a lot easier.
Since every ceramic is handmade and hand painted it takes a lot of effort to make one and it requires a lot of skill as well. The process involves a lot of techniques since some ceramics are geometrically and figuratively painted and every culture had different styles of painting the ceramics.
Nowadays ceramics are widely used for decorating a place and can be used as the center piece of a room. The hand painted ceramics, which is still very widely practiced in parts of the world, are of great value and must be well kept. Thanks to the glazing of these ceramics, they do not have any problem of corrosion and are therefore extremely long lasting if kept well.
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ibtimes.com
Gracia studio have completed an interesting architecture project located in Todos Santos, Mexico made up of two houses, one available for rent and the other one as a vacation home for the owners. Two basic materials were used for the finishing touch of the project’s facade: “talavera” tiles, a typical materials in México since the Spanish conquest and exposed concrete walls. These make the residence embed perfectly in its natural environment.
All the rooms in the house are open towards the pool and terrace which provides easy access to the outdoors. The focal point of this home however remains its beautiful semi-covered pool, a perfect space for socializing and relaxation. We found out that the residence was built with a relatively small budget, despite its highly intriguing appearance.
interiordesignpartners.com
Since ancient times, tile has been used for both construction and decorative purposes. It’s been an essential component throughout the history of building and design.
As early as 4000 BC, glazed tiles were used for decoration in Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia. From China and the Far East, to the Near East and throughout Europe, tile became a prominent art form as well as a beautiful and durable building material.
Tile fabrication methods and patterns have long had meaning to different regions of the world, and varied designs from different countries are now easily recognizable. Consider for example Delft from the Netherlands, Majolica from Italy, or Mexico’s intricate, decorative Talavera tiles. In each region, fabrication and decorative techniques have been carefully guarded and passed down through generations.
While handmade tile is still available, machine-made tile dominates the industry today. With the wide range of tile types available, guides and ratings for porcelain versus non-porcelain ceramic and natural stone tiles can be very helpful and informative, for both designers and consumers alike. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) website offers an an excellent summary for the beginner.
Knowledge about different grout types and applications is critical, and can help one avoid last minute confusion that arises all too often during installations. Grout can be a blended background color that allows the tile to shine, or it can become part of the overall design, creating a pronounced grid and strong graphic effect. The Tile Doctor website is an excellent resource for learning about installation techniques such as surface preparation, joint types, and grout types and uses for flooring, shower and bath, countertops, and more.
From natural materials to high-tech innovations in tile, the range of options has expanded greatly in recent years. Glass tile, metal tile, tumbled natural stone tile, and even light-emitting tiles have all hit the market and are widely popular today. Mixing and matching different tile types has become popular recently. One such example involves the incorporation of metal tiles in stone or other natural tile designs.
The huge assortment of tile types and materials available today enables designers and their clients to create unique and personalized bathrooms, kitchens, sunrooms, floor designs, and more while carrying on the tradition begun many thousands of years ago.
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Travertine tiles is known today as commonly used and most popular flooring material utilised in a large number of household and commercial areas. They can be seen in a huge range of qualities, colours patterns, shades, styles and textures. Being a hard material, these tiles can hold against freezing and thawing conditions. The maintenance of these tiles is very easy and hassle-free. The attribute that play an important role in becoming travertine tiles widely-recognised and widely available is their unmatched durability and cheap availability. These tiles are obtained from the earth’s crust applying the procedure of quarrying. Following this process, later these tiles are honed, polished and brushed to provide them with the desired finish. Hones tiles can go well with your choice if you are going to provide the particular place of your living area a rugged effect. Each finished tile encompasses an extraordinary and crystal-clear look that helps to add an unmatched elegance to your house. You can also opt for the simple off-colour tiles, if you are trying for making the place simple yet fashionable. Due to their affordability, travertine tiles have emerged as a most in-demand flooring material that offers a refined and new-fashioned appearance to your household and commercial projects. They come in a wide array of varieties that has several vibrant styles that meet your needs suiting distinct tastes. Travertine tiles are available in various textures and formats. The main characteristic that helps in becoming more famous is their adaptability. With the help of new technologies and methods, you can give a fascinating finish to the tiles that enable them to include a better overall appearance. This feature has been playing a vital role in boosting up the sales of these sorts of tiles for a long period. Travertine tiles can be used as a décor item in the different areas of your homes and offices. There are numerous people who prefer to adopt these tiles in the floor and walls of their bathrooms. On the other hand some employ them in their kitchen areas giving it a fragile and marvellous look under the spot lights. They can also be utilised in the garden. The utilisation of these tiles can make the garden exceptional providing it a fragile yet classy look. It is very simple to clean and maintain these tiles. Working with a mild non-acidic soap, household bleach, sponge, rubber gloves and a bucket, you can protect the beauty of these tiles. Always make sure the utilisation of a soft sponge for their cleaning. The usage of a hard sponge can cause some scratches and stains on the surface of these tiles. With the help of home-made bleach solution, you can efficiently eliminate the marks and blemishes noticed on the surface of these tiles. If you clean it in a regular interval, it will not only add life to the tiles, but also keep their elegance intact. About the Author Santa Closen is a renowned writer in the field of tile installations.
tierrayfuego.com
The Barcelona cement floor tile may be installed in all indoors residential and commercial vertical and horizontal applications, such as floors, walls, back splashes, and counters in lobbies, main entrances, kitchens, and bathrooms. Outdoor vertical and horizontal applications of the Barcelona mosaic cement tile are subject to climate, and must be sealed with a high quality penetrating sealer containing U.V. protection. The U.V. protection will help the tile preserve its color and natural patina.
Note: These tiles are not frost proof.
To install in an outdoor or indoors swimming pool use a high quality penetrating sealer with U.V. protection; and additionally apply a acrylic concrete surface sealer on top.
ince its inception in the 1800s mosaic cement floor tiles have provided an unsurpassed living experience, embellishing mansions, palaces, temples, and important public buildings throughout Europe and America. World-renowned architects and designers have made use of hydraulic cement floor tile in many of their master architectural works. Antoni Gaudí one the greatest Spanish architects of all time, utilized them extensively on several of his commissioned projects.
Tierra y Fuego is proud to showcase and offer encaustic cement floor tiles as an exquisite, and functional element of architecture. Our master artisans with decades of experience in the art of making floor tiles use the best natural materials to create handcrafted cement floor tiles of exceptional quality.
In the early 20th Century, there was a rapid expansion in the use of mosaic cement tiles. Historians attribute the popularity to the Art Nouveau style of architecture, which is characterized by highly stylized, flowing curvilinear designs that often incorporate floral and other plant-inspired motifs. Europe was the central stage for the adoption of cement floor tiles. Later the tiles were introduced to Latin America, and the United States during the Spanish Revival Architectural Period of the 1920s and 1930s that took place in California.
The test of time has proven that encaustic cement floor tiles have an everlasting impression. Mosaic cement tiles can be found in many parts of Europe, particularly in France and Spain. For instance, Gaudí’s private home in Barcelona is fully covered with cement floor tiles. In many of his works, Gaudí uses handcrafted cement tile as an important element of functionality and beauty. Casa Batlló, built between the years of 1904 and 1906, has cement floor tiles decorating many of its rooms, passageways, and terraces. This unique house is now a historic landmark in Barcelona, located in Pasaig de Gracia.
References of the embracement of hydraulic cement floor tiles, also referred as Victorian encaustic tiles, are also found in American historic states in California. The Kamins House in Beverly Hills displays handcrafted cement tiles in an open-air living room adjacent to the dinning terrace. Simultaneously, this element of architecture was also well adopted in Latin America. The floor tiles can be seen in many haciendas and churches throughout Mexico. They can be found as far away as Rio de Janeiro in Brazilian villas.
During the 1960s, the industrialization of mass-produced tiles and their accessibility to the markets almost caused the disappearance of the use and making of mosaic cement floor tiles. However, the timeless appeal of these tiles is once again gaining prominence. In recent years, some construction companies, interior designers, architects, and homeowners have found a particular interest of incorporating this high quality artwork into their projects. Because of the versatility of cement tiles, they are being used in classic, as well as contemporary, and modernist settings.
