Encaustic cement tile : Stylish tiles for stylish people

Zillij tile: Moroccan tile elegance and timeless beauty

calvdavid — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:20:27 +0000

Zillij (tile) is an important element of decoration. The word tile is derived from the French word tuile, which is, in turn, derived from the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile composed of baked clay. The process of production begins by mixing clay and water and kneeling them by hands and feet until they reach a high level of flexibility and homogeneity. Then, the mixture is cut into squares of 1 cm thickness each. The squares get dried up under the sun before they are put in a special oven for their first phase baking. The tiles are placed in different levels according to the degree of temperature required to attain a particular color. The white tile is often placed in the bottom followed by the blue, yellow, and the green on the top. The second phase starts when we remove the tiles from the oven and separate them by their colors; once we are done with this process, we start drawing the patterns of the intended design directly on tiles; this is done by ‘rasham’ followed by the cutting process which is performed by ‘naqqash’ who carefully separate the drawn pattern by a sharpened hammer. Last but not least, ‘khallas’ or finisher finishes the work by cutting the tiles’ edges assuring that they meet all requirements for production. With the help of our design team, the zillij master draws the design layout on the ground and places each furmah or piece of tile in its exact place in the overall pattern. Interestingly enough, the placement of tiles is done upside down, which makes it even more difficult to absorb.

Zillij usually covers the walls, floors and columns of many spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, living and dining rooms and many other spaces. These spaces do not only include residences, but also restaurants, hotels, theatres, and so on. Zillij takes different motifs (geometric, floral and chiseled) and colors. Each motif and color remains a symbol and has a special significance in the iconography of the Islamic/Moorish art. However, we understand that our clients’ needs and tastes vary, and so are our motifs and colors.

Apart from the floors and walls, zillij can be used to produce beautiful tables and fountains with a wide variety of motifs and colors. The fountains can either be central or part of a wall. It is usually placed on the wall opposite the main entrance, immediately facing the visitor, as the focus of the zillij decoration. The fountain is a very important element of the Moorish house because water is an epitome of life in Islam. In the hot Islamic climate, the water from courtyard pools and fountains cools as decorates. Water does not only reflect architecture and multiply decorative themes, but it can also serve as a means of emphasizing the visual axes.

Benefits of Zillij (Tiles)

Creative benefits

* Feature historic, cultural, artistic, and architectural themes.

* Create unique atmosphere by combining various designs, colors, shapes, and textures.
Economic and Technical benefits

* Structurally, tile is one of the strongest mechanical finishes, interior and exterior.

* It is fire-resistant and it does not burn at any temperature or produce toxic fumes.

* Its colors are permanent, unaffected by UV rays or fading from sun exposure.

* It is non-conductive and it will not produce an electric shock. It is ideal in sensitive computer installations in corporate settings or home offices.

* It offers high insulation values; it acts as natural cooling element in the summer and retains ambient heat in cold weather.

Environmental & Health benefits

* Slip resistance for improved safety on interior and exterior surfaces.

* It is made from a 100% plentiful and natural raw material that, when removed from a site, is not harmful to the landfills.

* It reduces allergies and improves indoor air quality

For more information on Zillij tiles and Moroccan mosaic tiles feel free to contact :

Saint Tropez Boutique

25 Evelyn way

San Francisco, California 94127

Phone: (415) 513-5920

Email: sales@sainttropezstone.com

Web:

http://www.sainttropezstone.com

http://www.sainttropezboutique.us

http://www.sainttropezboutique.net

Moroccan themed party: The Moroccan tent

calvdavid — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:37:18 +0000

Moroccan tents traditionally belonged to the palace and were erected to welcome kings and sultans as they traveled the kingdom and entertained their guests.

Today, although still used by the palace, Moroccan tents gained popularity among event and themed party planners worldwide.

The tent interior and exterior decoration is an emblem of authority, spirituality, and beauty. The Marriage of national colors, namely red ( symbol of power), green ( symbol of the sacred) and gold ( symbol of wealth) reflect the Moroccan ethos.

The tents are hand-made by a group of forty artisans that live and work together for a month. The artisans weave with their own hands, showing the history and unique tradition of the Moroccan people: past and present. The tents authentic character allows them to become the homes of extraordinary feasts and the perfect showroom for the most luxurious products.

When you acquire a Moroccan tent, you are not just getting a simple shelter but a part of Morocco itself. Its plush qualities reflect the labor of each artisan.

For more information on Moroccan tents, please contact :

Saint Tropez Boutique

25 Evelyn way

San Francisco, California 94127

Phone: (415) 513-5920

http://www.sainttropezstone.com

http://www.sainttropezboutique.us

http://www.sainttropezboutique.net

ENCAUSTIC TILES

calvdavid — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:28:40 +0000

Encaustic cement tiles are the new trend among architects and interior designers.Encaustic cement tiles also known as cement tile, encaustic tile, french cement tile, spanish cement tile, mosaico hidraulico, carreaux ciment .In the mid-19th century, a revolutionary technique was discovered to mass produce tiles without the need for firing to harden them. This new technique involved the use of a hydraulic press and mould to apply a multi-colored pattern.

The great advantage of this method was that the tiles could be manufactured in one go. This in contrast to the traditional technique to produce ceramic tiles that involved the application of each color separately and repeated firing -a labor-intensive and time consuming practice.’ Hydraulic tiles’ were simply left to dry for some weeks after pressing.

Hydraulic tiles are 2cm thick and consist of three layers. The top layers is decorated surface, about 4mm thick made from a mixture of white Portland cement, marble powder, fine sand and mineral base pigments. For each color, the pigments were blended with water and placed in the corresponding section of a mold. The second layer, the intermediate layer, is about the same thickness as the top layer and made of a mixture of grey Portland and fine sand; its function was to absorb the excess of water from the top layer.

The third layer is approximately 12 mm thick and was made of a mixture of grey Portland cement, regular cement, sand and limestone powder; its porosity made it easy for the tiles to adhere to the floor during installation.

The first reference to a manufacturer of this type of tiles is the factory “Butsems Compania” in 1857. At the 1867 Paris Universal Exposition, hydraulic tiles were introduced by Barcelona based Garret, “Rivet Compania”. Later on ,”the company Orsola “, “Sola y compania ” was established, which made this type of tiles popular in Barcelona. Thanks to its modern machinery and capacity for mass production.

Another prominent manufacturer is Escofet, ” Fortuny i compania”, founded in 1886, which was soon noted for its innovative, Art Nouveau-style designs, and whose rapid expansion throughout Spain and Latin America contributed to making this type of flooring so popular.
The popularity of hydraulic tiles fortuitously coincided with the rise of Modernismo, the local version of Art Nouveau; innovative, bold designs were created that would have been unthinkable I other periods. Many factories had specialized draughtsmen on staff, and occasionally commissioned prominent artists to design tiles.

A wide variety of designs elements were employed: geometrical shapes, stylized floral, vegetal and other organic motifs, and on rare occasions, animals or human figures. The most widely used colors were shades of: maroon, green, pink, yellow, brown, cream, grey, white and black, although other colors such as red, blue, orange and even purple can be found. The tiles were made in variety of sizes and shapes; the most common is squares measuring 20×20 cm and hexagons with each side measuring 11.5 cm.

The designs devised to create a flooring pattern using hydraulic tiles often bear some similarity to carpet design: a central panel consisting of a repeated pattern, framed by tiles with a length -wise repeating design with matching corner pieces. The design would be complemented by an outer border, made of plain tiles in subtle colors, these elaborated design “carpet” were mainly used in the rooms in the main part of the house, such as the entryway, the living room, dining room, bathroom and patios. In the secondary quarters, designs tended to be simpler.

The construction boom in the 1960’s required buildings materials to be manufactured more economically and hindered the customary focus on quality. Thus, hydraulic tiles gradually stopped being used. As since older buildings have been torn down or remodeled ,many beautiful mosaics have disappeared. So, although still a familiar sight, there is a risk of this elaborated art to vanish. Fortunately, in recent years some construction companies and interior designers have once again shown an interest in hydraulic tiles, viewing it as a beautiful an high-quality alternative to modern industrial products.

For more information:

Saint Tropez Boutique
25 Evelyn way
San Francisco, California 94127
(415) 513-5920
http://www.sainttropezboutique.us
http://www.sainttropezboutique.net
http://www.sainttropezstone.com

Be seduced by Moorish interior design

calvdavid — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:05:22 +0000

Interior decoration is one of the most fascinating topics that concern with our homes. Every one wants to live in a beautiful home. Infact, we all try to give our homes a special look and feel so that every member of the family feels special. As a result, various themes and decoration styles have been inculcated to all types of contemporary home decors for that special feel. One such home decoration theme is the Moroccan style. The style comes from the Mediterranean country Morocco, which has a vibrant and beautiful history. Infact, the Moroccan style is as vibrant as the place of its origin.Moroccan furniture and home décor is being used nowadays for giving the house a vibrant and dramatic look. The style is almost synonymous to seductiveness and charm that is clearly reflected in its colors and decoration style. The house that uses the Moroccan style for decorating is richly decorated to give a royal and elegant look.

Moroccan décor involves the use of rich and vibrant colors like red, yellow, blue and their shades for the wall texture. Use of such colors gives the walls a look of the old world, which was full of natural warmth. The colors that are most preferred are creamy yellow and the beautiful all time favorite lavender. The colors are usually applied over a base of a neutral sand paint. The walls can also include columns, cornices and moldings. The rooms also include the use of various accessories that are bright in color but also have an old metallic touch. These include mirrors with beautiful designed frames and light shades that can be placed on the bedside tables or hanged from the ceiling. But make sure that these lights also have metal shades molded in beautiful designs or cloth shades that are bright in color and compliment the wall texture. Apart from these, the rooms can be decorated with showpieces that give an antique look. The main purpose is to give the whole room and its atmosphere a unique laid back antique appearance.

The doors and windows are constructed in arched shapes. The windows are also fitted with wooden slides. These wooden slides and doors are engraved with beautiful engravings. They are usually dark in color like black and tan with a lot of shimmer that can easily reflect backlight giving the doors and windows a unique look. Moroccan furniture style is unique with rich engravings. All furniture, tables, chairs and armoires are engraved with rustic designs. These designs are also colored with rich colors like red, yellow and blue. The mosaic of colors can also be found on the floors that have mosaic designs made from colorful tiles. The predominant color used for floor tiles is terracotta red. The mosaic is also used for decorating small fountains that can be added in the interiors of the house.Moroccan décor is incomplete without the use of large size pots, vases and decoration pieces made from terracotta. Infact, pottery is an integral part of Moroccan décor.

The furnishings are also rich in color. The material that is usually used for furnishing purpose includes rich cloth material like silk and crape. This gives the furniture a larger than life royal look. But it is not necessary to furnish every furniture piece. Infact, chairs can be decorated with colorful engravings that easily compensate for the absence of furnishing. The style is simply irresistible and can be easily incorporated in one”s lifestyle.
For more information on quality handcrafted Moroccan furniture and home decorating products contact SAINT TROPEZ BOUTIQUE AT (415) 513-5920

or visit their website at:

http://www.sainttropezboutique.us

http://www.sainttropezstone.com

http://www.sainttropezboutique.net

Moroccan inspired Mosaic tiles: Style & elegance to your kitchen & bathroom

calvdavid — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:40:56 +0000

Morocco’s rich architectural and cultural traditions , sefegarded in old cities, atlas mountain villages, and sahara desert oasis settlements, have facinated western visitors for more than a century.
Morocco style is facinating with its decorative arts and richness of beautiful colors and patterns. moroccan inspired interior design is gaining the momentum of major international design trend due to its blend and fusion of Afriacan, Andalusian, arabian, berber, and european style that created a unique & timeless. One of the main elements in Moroccan interior design and home decorating is zillij also known as zellige,Zellidj, Zillij, Zellij is the art of hand cutting geometric and miomorphic mosaics may not be unique to Morocco, but the Moroccan master craftsmen have elevated this essentially islamic art to its highest form of expression. More importantly , they have safegarded that level of expression throughout the centuriesto present time.This art form , developed over so many centuries, is not only sublimely beautiful , but it also contains many layers of meaning, both artistically and scientifically. we cannot presume, therefore, fully to understand it in a few days, months or years of study. The art of zillij is essentially a Moroccan art form. Although its roots are in the universal language of two-dimensional mathematics which can be traced to levant , Egypt and the Roman mosaics of volubilis ( The Moroccan Roman city) located few milles outside the city of Fez, it has all the characteristics of a unique art form. This is the Moroccan genius . It will always remain a mysterery how one is able clearly and unequivocally to describe such pattern art as Islamic while also being able to define it with equal clarity as Moroccan.
after years of intense researche, Saint Tropez Boutique one of the leading manufacturer of fine Moroccan tile and Moorish inspired architecture & home decorating has just lunched its new line of pre-assembled zillij mosaic tiles. Now it is possible with have Zillij Mosaic tiles installed anywhere in the world without having zillij mastercraftsmen do the instalation for you. Saint Tropez Boutique’s Zillij technique is to pre-assemble the zillij mosaic patterns into 12″ x 12″ panels and all you have to do is install them as normaly installing any tiles or mosaics.

For more info, please contact:

Moroccan Tile & Moorish interiors By Saint Tropez Boutique:
Mr David Stevens
25 evelyn way
San Francisco, California 94127
Phone: (415) 513- 5920
Email: sales@sainttropezboutique.us
Web: http://www.sainttropezboutique.us
http://www.sainttropezboutique.net
http://www.sainttropezstone.com

Encaustic cement tile, Mosaico hidraulico, Carreaux ciment, Cement tiles

calvdavid — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:59:59 +0000

Encaustic cement tiles are 2cm thick and consist of three layers. The top layers is decorated surface, about 4mm thick made from a mixture of white Portland cement, marble powder, fine sand and mineral base pigments. For each color, the pigments were blended with water and placed in the corresponding section of a mold. The second layer, the intermediate layer, is about the same thickness as the top layer and made of a mixture of grey Portland and fine sand; its function was to absorb the excess of water from the top layer.

Another prominent manufacturer is Escofet, ” Fortuny i compania”, founded in 1886, which was soon noted for its innovative, Art Nouveau-style designs, and whose rapid expansion throughout Spain and Latin America contributed to making this type of flooring so popular.
The popularity of Encaustic cement tiles fortuitously coincided with the rise of Modernismo, the local version of Art Nouveau; innovative, bold designs were created that would have been unthinkable I other periods. Many factories had specialized draughtsmen on staff, and occasionally commissioned prominent artists to design tiles.

For more information:

Saint Tropez Boutique
25 Evelyn way
San Francisco, California 94127
(415) 513-5920
http://www.sainttropezboutique.us
http://www.sainttropezboutique.net
http://www.sainttropezstone.com