Colour, it is personal, it is what you make with it, it is just …. so much more …. it is fun, happiness …. it is you … but it is also a shared emotive response …. !

Look a the following personalized example - matched a gloss transparent glaze to perfection with the colour on the paint swatch cards from Plascon/Dulux.

The colours are not from any one pure pigment but is mostly based on a monochromatic base glaze with the addition of a specific coloring agent.

The R&D left me with several options, I could have opted for a glossy transparent look, or a glossy solid dimension to the colour presentation of the tile. Even a matte option can produce very favorable results - it all just depend on the brief!

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The following image was e-mailed to the the prestigious Malibu Softs Interior Team, who subsequently commissioned us to produce flat handmade tiles with graphic designs interpreted by Danela Conti. The brief from the client was clear -  simulate the ambiance of this kitchen. Another contract from Malibu - Read more ….

Gillian, our head designer, formulated the presentation and the colours. To achieve the soft tonal effect a variety of blue colours were applied by hand. Tones of a single colour were achieved by the use of a soft brush and the  delicate hand painting of the geometric designs.

We hope to receive permission to publish the final installation pictures, and will update this post then.

The floor to ceiling concept with graphic patterns, in specific colour fields or even with a variety of bright colours is becoming a firm favorite with clients wishing to create an awesome focal point within their interior spaces.

Southern Art Ceramic Design will be focusing on the development of new concept tiles that could perfectly blend in with even the sleekest of ultra modern designs - the designers will pay special attention to fine handcrafted details and technological interceptions, that can aid a small specialized studio in the production of special individualized concepts.

The Tiles above are based on geometric designs, inspired by the image for this project. It could easily be interpreted as North African or Moroccan, and will be a magnificent addition to any pool, fountain or seaside lodge. The bottom row is a design, from a series of ours some 15 years back, a classic and still an eye-catcher!

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“Hi Gerrit and Gillian,Thank you for meeting with us on Sunday; a thoroughly enjoyable experience for us to meet two people who so enjoy what they are doing.As far as the picture below the wording “HALCYON DAYS” IS CONCERNED; we envisage a pair of Pied Kingfishers - one hovering in the foreground in fishing pose and the other in the background sitting on a branch (or reeds) hanging over the calm water. This can be on a single larger tile or 4 normal smaller tiles. We look forward to seeing your interpretation.Kind Regards, Guy and Jay”Gillian suggested the following  grout recipe for these aqua- green - gray tiles.Dry Mix Tylon grout powder, 2 Parts Ivory: 1 Part White: 1 Part Light Grey“Hi Gerrit and Gillian,Thank you for the wonderful Halcyon Days tile panel that you made for our new kitchen at Malgas and especially for having them ready within the time frame that you advised. We love them and will definitely send you before/after photographs of the tile installation above the gas hob once it is complete. The installation of the kitchen cupboards will commence early October, so the installation of the tiles should be complete by mid to end October.”The greens are very similar to the aqua green tiles used in this post, and is particulary suites to this Breede River riverfront cottage.Gillian Greer handpainted the decorative tile and with meticulous craftmanship she brought the Halcycon to life -  but not without the normal ceramic curve balls - the first artwork buckled, the second one had to light a background colour applied and the third and successfull tile had to be painted - a solid week of painting!The client was forced to order more plain tiles due to unexpected kitchen changes - this did not present a problem as we keep batched of glaze for at least a month after having delivered the order - but in this case we had to first produce the hand pressed tiles - all within a week!”Hi Gerrit and Gillian,Thanks very much for pushing this through, with as they say, “A Dash of Speed”Once you let us know that the tiles are ready, we will collect them, if it suits you on a Saturday morning on our way to the Breede River.The builder phoned me to say that the tiles that have already been installed above the gas hob really looked fantastic - so well done Team Mytile!Kind Regards, Guy and Jay”

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 And another STUNNER!” Dear Gerrit, Didn’t forget you - I was waiting for our blinds to be put up but I will go grey waiting for this! Only been 6 months!As you can see the tiles look sensational! Work SO well with the Farrow & Ball wall colour. I am sending this to you as a taster to pop onto your web site and will send some more through later?Kind regards, Louise Croxton”“Hi GerritJust been thinking about the tile colours of my order and just wanted to stress that the “grey BW24-HR 5-1” sample tile must be the very darkest of the variety you make up in those shades – I can afford to play it on the light side as I find the darker the colour the more GREEN the “grey” tile looks. The washed grey aqua appeals to me but I am nervous of a really green impression. The colour for my kitchen cabinets is a greyish duck egg blue which looks almost pale aqua in some lights, to be off set by a cream stone counter top – the overall impression I want to achieve is a soft muted one – very understated and unusual I hope – but with the “punch” being the range tiles.So looking forward to seeing the tiles! Actually the most anticipated part of my new kitchen!”We are specialists at formulating a custom colour for handmade tiles - like the brief I have received from Louise to match the Pale Duck Egg Green from the Laura Ashley website.Dozens of formulation tests and changes will be made over a short period of time to meet the deadlines - but as can be seen and read - Louise’s testimonials confirm that Southern Art Ceramic Design has delivered the ultimate element - the textural glossy gray-green handmade tiles - that could reflect the changing moods of the day!I have to appologize for the images in this post - it is impossible to capture the colour and  atmosphere in a sun drenched kitchen like this!Only a site visit will do this kitchen merit,  and an early morning start with a cup of coffee will just be the time to experience the meticulously planned colour and handmade Duck Egg Green porcelain tiles changing its moods and reflections as the day progress!

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The clients and their interior consultant Danela Conti from Malibu Resort Interior Design used our handmade tiles in unexpected locations, creating an element of surprise but at the same time accentuating an activity that is dear to the personalities that inhabits the home.

The handmade tile insert was delicately hand painted and copied from the image of a book cover of a book written by the client.

The harmonious end-result was achieved by contrasting the smooth surface of the larger tile with the textured mosaic floor. The warm colours and dark to black tones of the tile compliments the wood and the steel balustrade.

Ah! The Truffleman    - And Pasta Recipes of Luciano Pavarotti!!

Hele’ copied The Truffleman Logo using special Bronze ceramic lustres. To achieve the desired effect Hele’ repainted the tiles several times. The Bronze Lustre, does not show up with effect in this image, but moving around in front of it, the lustre will shimmer as the light reflects from it.

This is the first time that I have seen somebody using tiles as inserts in cabinetry of a high quality and superior finish as seen in this kitchen.

To be a  entertained as a quest with pasta, truffles and red red wine in this kitchen, will be a dream come true! - don’t you agree?

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Some extracts from an inquiry:
“Through my supplier in Plett, i’ve ordered some ceramic handmade tile with specific color for our bakery in Plett…unfortunately, i didn’t order enough of them and need to know if i could order more of them…I”ve attached a picture of the color needed and hope you will be able to help me..
Those tiles were made in august 2006 by your studio.
thanks a lot…
Good news  Gerrit ! am so glad you could help…!
Perfect Gerrit! am glad you found the original order…  EFT transfer has been made on Saturday…let me know when the order is ready…can’t wait !!
thank a mil,
Regards

Florence”

Four years later, it says a lot, doesn’t it?! - Nowhere else will a client find a service like this, to match colours, as drawn from the original order, in this case from Merchant Tiler for Christoff builders in 2006!

These colours Blue 13D blue sky, Chocolate brown chocolate,  Red 17L pink, Brown 10L  green olive and Blue 13L light blue had to be tested first to check for colour continuity before producing the actual order. The green olive and pink took several tests while the blues were a bit more straight forward!

Make sure to visit Le Fournil  in Plettenberg Bay, or plan to visit it, … as the handmade tiles promise to be a yummy feast for the eye!

And a short testimonial:

“Yes Gerrit ! Everything is in order, received the tiles yesterday and very happy with Southern Art Ceramic communication which I found very efficient ! Looking forward to meet you and show you the bakery next time you are in Plett .
Regards,
Florence”

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A Dutch client demanded a close colour match with her cabinetry colour - this we did - with a most harmonious end-result!

Colour matching take time and it is not a straight forward mixing process. I have to consider the colour of the clay, the process, the duration of the firing process and the type of pigments that “might” produce the required end-result. With light tones, one often find that pigments will “change” its colour profile -  and the same happen with different firing cycles. Sometimes I am lucky and three to five tests give me an indication if the final mix will be on the mark - BUT then at times one has to rethink the process when 20 odd results are not close to the brief’s colour requirements!

This specific colour, has a peachy under-tone and most of the colouring pigments will result in a pinkish cream. The base glaze had to be reformulated to reach a successful and harmonious blend in the final glazed metro tile.

Most people tend to use the metro tiles overlapping each other, but in this case the metro tiles were stacked vertically - providing a fresh contemporary  edge to these handmade metro tiles.

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Marcia Margolius, the owner of the South African Decor & Design - The Buyers’ Guide -  has been on the hunt for the latest stylish products, and as with previous years Southern Art Ceramics has been chosen for our bespoke and One Of A Kind Handmade Tiles!

She picked this kitchen … and you can believe me, but only the owner of this house can experience the true and most awesome impact these tiles make every day, every hour, every moment the day progress!

For more comments on this kitchen, Hot Foot IT.

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And this is a first! Some of my modern abstract and brightly coloured arttiles in a kitchen!

The clients sourced these decorative handmade and painted tiles from our studio, but you can buy it online.

These brightly coloured oranges, grays, black and whites in the arttiles compliment and “speak” to a woven Kelim carpet with similar rich tones of reds and oranges on the floor, the red kettle and the silver Carrol Boyes bread bin.

The white tiles were sourced elsewhere and are not of those produced by us, - the client had already bought the white tiles and bought our decorative tiles afterwards to be used as inserts in-between these commercial tiles.

The kitchen forms part of a large open plan area with these tiles being the playful and happy center point of the entertainment area. The reds are warm and embrace the guests with a feeling of warmth and generosity.

Yes, you see, one can create a focal point with only 10 decorative arttiles from us!

A previous sale from our online site www.handmadetiles.co.za of similar tiles were acquired to be used as inserts in a floor - sorry, no images as yet!

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I like raw brick work, and this kitchen appeals to me, for many reasons!

First of all the confident use of colour - The red contemporary Delft style tiles with hand painted farm animals make a bold but homely Country Kitchen!

The red apple tile mimics the red knobs and is possibly the focal point as one enters this small but intimate kitchen.

The contrast in shapes, squares - small 100 x 100mm animal tiles and 140 x 140mm apple tile - rectangular brick shapes, etc. all make for a harmonious blend and contrasts of shapes and textures. On the floor, not shown in this picture, is a big colorful woven Kelim complimenting all the colours and the geometric patterns of the brickwork.

Textures play an important role in this kitchen - gloss against the matt bricks - smooth granite and glazed surfaces against the woven carpet and rough bricks - similarity of the granite surface to the background of the apple tile - etc. etc.

The large surfaces of sage green used on the cupboards balance the limited use of bright red, - with the green enhancing the calm and relaxed entertaining mood and the red signals that wholesome meals made with abundant love, will be served from this kitchen!

The most important for me, is the fact that with the limited use of our arttiles the client could create such an awesome and vibrant One Of A Kind and Unique Country Kitchen!

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