Behind the stove is an ledge, and for these we had to customize the size of the tile. These tiles were pre-cut before the actual glazing and the front edges were mitered for a close fit.

The grey was formulated as three tones although each was a colour by itself and not a tone of each other. We arrange multiples of these tiles and then formulate the colours to achieve a certain feel - ” a colour range that will appeal to the senses”. Handmade tiles own its space and the inherent character of the handmade tiles can not be replicated by mass production.  Clients often provide reference colours to us to mimic, but with our experience and intimate knowledge of tiles and the interaction of colour and texture, we most often deliver a product that delivers past the expectation of the client!

The previous two kitchens that I was fortunate to view myself, was an experience one can only relate, if you were physically standing in the kitchen with our tiles - no picture can do merit to the actual kitchen - believe me - REVIVE your kitchen now, and experience it first hand!

And here is the clients feedback:

Hi Gerrit

Here is a testimonial, and I really mean it. Thanks for a great job!

We spend a lot of time cooking and eating in our kitchen. I was looking handmade tiles that I saw in a picture from an old  magazine, for that something special. I found Gerrit’s website on the internet, and was impressed with what I saw. With distance making it impossible to view samples, he couriered samples to us from Cape Town. He put tremendous effort in to get the right colours. I am delighted with Gerrit’s handmade tiles! It adds colour and depth to our kitchen, and really is a focal point. The  service was very professional, and it was that something special that I was looking for!

Kind regards
Marianne Brown

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We have not received images of the final installation, but here is the image that we have received with the brief.

The brief from M2K Architecture was plain and short;… recreate the above tile mural to the following dimensions of 2650mm wide and 1840 mm high…and to fit precisely into an engineered steel frame at the entrance. This contract was successfully delivered after having received an extreme short deadline of 15 working days!

In ceramic terms, it means that one prepare for the worst, and backup tiles for the ceramic panel were produced at the same time as the final ceramic mural was in progress and reaching completion!

The next image shows just one aspect of the R&D prior to producing the final panel, and that is experimenting with different brushes to mimic the original paint techniques!

Besides the above, shrinkage tests, colour coordination, layouts & design, transfer of design, etc. etc. had to be done within the first few days … even before the contract was confirmed … as it would have been impossible to deliver  a mural like this successfully if we had to wait for final confirmation!

Contracts like these that seem so simple in process are actually quite complex to execute within a tight deadline, and only professionals will appreciate this!

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Below, you can see the detail and accuracy involved when we produce the tiles. The corner tiles were mitered for a snug fit and small inserts were made to finish off small areas. We worked from detailed architectural drawings and on our turn provided detailed diagrams for installation. At the studio templates were drawn of the scaled architectural drawings and the completed tiles were then arranged on these templates to assure that it will fit when the contractors install the intricate patterns. The installation diagrams were not always followed, I suppose it was due to the learning curve, when the contractors, possibly for the first time ever, had to install handmade geometric designs like these! But, you must agree - the end result is still awesome!

These majestic columns are the foundation of these African inspired interiors. Besides the columns we produced thousands of green mosaics for tiled built in benches, of which we unfortunately have no good images as yet.

To create harmonious interiors we need to play with for example, contrasts, as one of the design elements. The shiny cool glass or glaze of the tiles will be used to contrast with the matte earthiness of Cemcrete Earth Coats, a cement based paint produced by the client and owner of Cemcrete in South Africa. The smooth tiles will also be utilized to contrast with the textured fabrics and coarse wall coats.

The rich saturated African colour scheme was carried through in all the materials and is the powerful cohesive force working on the emotive interpretation of the visitor and/or guest.

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Note the side tile panels which were done in fluid grey tones extending the dynamic contours from the main panel. The adjacent colours reflects onto the grey tiles which add a further dynamic to this richly decorative ceramic art mural. The blacks are intense and enhance the feeling of space and the powerful movement in the agile dancing bodies.

The clients are ecstatic with their latest art acquisition and we are thankful for a commission that is “of the beaten track”!

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The handmade ceramic tiled back splash with French words has refreshed this classic English inspired kitchen, with a surprising French flair.

The incredible and overwhelming  response from her friends and visitors made this client to remark ” It was a bargain!” I am extremely confident that our commodity delivers more value per rand than any of the other appliances and decorative enhancments that a client will aquire for their kitchen!

The uniqueness of our products will always deliver value for your money - our product is more than just a tile, it is a commodity, designed with care and with special attention to your interior needs!

We are the top customization studio around and I believe that no kitchen can be truly One Of A Kind without our commodities.

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The client requested a mix of green tones for these chunky tiles. The greens were customized and has since been a hit with other tile contracts as well.

One would expect these tiles in a country farm style kitchen, but this nothing like that, it is modern with the all important tiles adding soulfulness, a quality so often neglected by professional teams when they design the most important room in your house! It compliments the modern materials like the stainless steel rails and cast concrete work surfaces, but at the same time finds support in the character of the checkerboard wood table where the family sit eat and share!

Green creates an atmosphere of harmony, balance and peace. The green glaze radiates sympathy, kindness and understanding and it is a call for us to come home, to rest and to share precious time with our beloved friends and family. Green develops an awareness of the soul and this next image relate to exactly that quality!

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I created these faces in 2008 and kept them close to my heart for a long time, well till now, when it got sold. The client just “clicked’ with my work, a great feeling when considering the progressiveness of style and emotion.

It is only the face at the top right which display female features, with the rest all male. This was not intentional and only appear as I build a relationship and interact with the 3d canvass during the process of creation.

These faces will be displayed in a penthouse right on the seafront of Umhlanga Rocks and not far from a previous contract at the Oyster Box hotel.

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” Hello Gerrit
Thank you so much for keeping me on your mailing list.   I have so enjoyed going through everything on your web and being able to navigate through it all is a great big plus, as I am not all that “au fait” with IT and yet it was so easy !   I’d love to pop in some time and just browse in your showroom and see all your lovely tiles, and the progress of your studio, if that would not be an inconvenience.    I remember you saying that visits were only by appointment, but I would not disrupt your work schedule !
I hope that you enjoy a happy festive season and lucrative business in the New Year.
Regards …… Kathy Dolpire”

Most interestingly we have found that the bulk of the sales so far were to the older and mostly late adopters of internet, e-commerce and communication facilities.

South Africans opt paying for their purchases by electronic bank transfer from within their own online banking accounts into our bank account and it is important to note that one telephonic conversation will be needed to instill confidence. Credit card payments from international clients are the most popular but even this will change in 2010 when electronic bank transfers from Europe and North America will become possible.

We are new in the e-commerce arena and success depends on dedication to service, promptness, quality and telephonic followup. The good old familiarity of a voice seems to be the most important aspect when clinching the sale. If the delivered  product outshines the image of the product acquired from the website then one can be ensured of a loyal following!

The team at Southern Art Ceramics, and most importantly Martle’ at Aqua IT Consulting  made all these online developments a reality! The perseverance and dedication by the graphics team and others involved with the continuous photographing, editing, loading, sales ….  and development and redevelopment of these websites will make these ceramic art and handmade tile websites a rich and fulfilling shopping experience!

I am grateful to be part of this e-commerce venture, a venture that will need constant nurturing and improvement.

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Pigments from different mines,  small differences in temperature, various clay bodies and the composition of the base glaze will result in different colours.

To formulate the final result within two tests cycles is almost unheard of, and it is a huge relieve, especially with short deadlines, if the colour of the small test tiles match the bigger sample tiles from Peter Kroll .

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The confidence in the use of brushstroke and the proud glittering eye makes for an exceptional arttile. It draws and holds the attention of the viewer as only a champion can!

The rich brown colours of the coat invites the viewer to stroke the strong neck of this powerful race horse at Avontuur Wine Estate and Stud Farm.

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