Historic Tile Flooring

Cut-Tile Geometrics: Borders & Field Patterns

During the Victorian period, cut-tile geometrics (AKA "encaustic" tiles) set with narrow (1/16") grout joints were often used on floors in foyers, kitchens, sun rooms, porches and commercial buildings. Historically, there were many different patterns made up of different sizes, shapes and colors of cut-tile geometrics.

All of our cut-tile geometric work is developed on a custom order basis. We can fabricate a wide variety of patterns for fields and/or borders. We feature the Octagon & Dot pattern because it is the most economical cut-tile geometric floor to produce and by varying the colors of the octagons and dots you may develop many different looks. These three different colorways are only a starting point. Get creative or call us and we can help in the design process.

Buff 6" octagon with counterchange 2" x 2" dots in red and brown. This is a simple octagon and dot coloration. Other custom colorations are available.	Counterchanged Red and Peach 6" octagons with single color 2" x 2" dots in Brown. This is another variation of a more elaborate octagon and dot coloration. Other custom colorations are available.	Counterchanged Brown and Buff 6" octagons with single color 2" x 2" dots in Red. This is another variation of a more elaborate octagon and dot coloration. Other custom colorations are available.

Historic Patterned Ceramic Mosaics: Fields and Borders

Also during the Victorian period, "sanitary" areas -- including bath floors -- were tiled with small, ceramic mosaic tiles produced in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. These tiles were made of unglazed, dust-pressed porcelain, approximately 1/4" thick and came mounted in sheets. The tiles were flat with sharp, square edges. Currently, manufacturing processes have been instituted to make these tiles with "cushioned" or "pillowed" edges which differs widely from the original. There is still a wide variety of colors, although sizes and shapes have been limited. DESIGNS IN TILE can use these "cushioned edge" tiles to produce custom field patterns and borders in designs to fit any application.

Designs in Tile also offers two patterns of square-edged porcelain mosaic tile. One is 1" hexagonal tiles in white and the other is a "spiral" pattern in black and white. Call the Studio for more information. We also offer many different styles of mosaics suitable for later architectural periods including the transitional bungalow and cut-tile geometrics that were used in Art Deco installations - each developed to suit your needs.

We offer Plain Tile & Trim and Historic Flooring (and our consultation) to aid you in creating a fully integrated, beautiful installation. Remember, we are a custom Art Tile Studio and what you see in the catalog and this website represents about 10% of what we do. We are always happy to discuss your project with you and help design the tile installation of your dreams. We invite you to bookmark our website and return often to see our newest offerings.