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Do you look at your home or commercial
building and say...
"Why does my place look so much
like everyone else's?"
"What can I do with that blank
wall?"
"I've seen homes in Italy (or Spain or
Sarasota or Santa Barbara) and I want some of that wonderful
detailing that makes those places so dazzling."
"This is supposed to be my dream home,
and yet there's nothing really SPECIAL about it."
I did some wondering like that when I
bought my current home in central Florida. I had studied tile
design and architectural details for many years, but I found that
tile stores - even the very best - did not know what to suggest for
the EXTERIOR of a building - either in design or in product
selection. I finally created my own design and ordered tiles
from Spain. I waited 6 months (!) for these to arrive, even
though they were already on the ship in Spain when I placed my
order. (I might still be waiting if I had ordered a custom
design.) When the tiles arrived, several were broken but
I knew better than to order replacements (and wait another 6 or more
months). I could see that the tiles had been machine-made, and
not expertly, and that the tiles were the typical red, low-fire,
porous tiles that can only be used outdoors in warm climates.
Arcana Tileworks makes handmade ceramic
tiles and other ceramic elements for the exterior walls of
homes and commercial buildings. All of these elements are
ideally suited for interior spaces as well, especially the more
demanding areas such as showers that are frequently exposed to
water.
I also create design ideas for the use of
those tiles, if you desire. While the use of tiles and ceramic
details on the outside of buildings has been commonplace in
centuries past, that practice has declined substantially as the 20th
century post World War II focused on mass production. Today,
if you want to add tiles or ceramic details to the outside of your
building, you will have to do some serious research to see how
others have done it.
What's so special about tiles for the
OUTSIDE of a building? Well, in Florida or California or other
warm places, exterior tiles need not be frost-resistant,
and therefore many porous, low-fired tiles will work
fine. However, in wet areas like pools or outdoor kitchens, or
in cooler climates, a "high-fired" tile will be drier, harder, and
more durable. Arcana Tileworks makes the high-fired
wall tiles that will serve well for many climates and demanding
applications.
Specifically, then, what can I do for
YOU?
1. I will find out from you as much
as you wish to share about your preferences for color and design,
and any ideas you may already have. After all, it's your
place.
2. I will prepare one or several
ideas for you, depending on the size project you are
considering.
3. I can modify proposals based
upon budgets and timelines.
4. I will work with the tile installer of
your choice to ensure accurate placement and to resolve any problems
that arise. (Installation expense and quality is not
included in the tile price or project.) I have a sense of
urgency and years of project management experience - which will all
help you get your project done on-time and on-budget.
If you are located in Florida, I can make
one on-site visit pre-sale and one installation visit without cost
for projects of $500 (product cost) or more. No matter
what your location, I can provide mock-ups of project designs if you
send me photos of the building.
And always, it's your place, and I
welcome whatever ideas you have that I can turn into custom
installation, tile, or sculpture designs. Just
ask!
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