Here is an example of a unique and beautifully effective use of a decorative frieze as a stand alone design element. The tiles are our Koi Frieze from
the Kyoto Series, used to great effect in the Design Bar at
Path Design in Santa Ana, California. The designer,
Rachel Hulan, has cleverly combined textures and materials to highlight these gorgeous tiles in her showroom. A frieze is simply the architectural term for a continuous horizontal running pattern. From the great abstract running patterns in Islamic architecture to the more humble Arts and Crafts fireplace, the frieze has been used often, and beautifully, in architectural ceramics. Hand pressed tiles lend themselves well to the creation of a running frieze pattern. The pattern may be created by the repeat of a single tile (as with our
Alhambra border tile) , or may be created with two or more tiles to give the effect of a continually changing pattern (as with our Bamboo Forest and Koi patterns from the
Kyoto series.)
The frieze creates an effect of rhythmic, but interesting, repetition that can't be achieved with the simple repetition of a single motif. Making an effective and graceful continuous pattern is a tricky bit of design work. Both edges of the pattern must meet up flawlessly without a visual break. The motif must stand alone as an effective composition, without sacrificing grace and fluidity in the overall rhythm of the repeat. The eye must flow along the horizontal with ease.
Creating the patterns for the sophisticated friezes in our
Kyoto series was a long process of trial and error, but I think the results are worthy. In creating the Bamboo forest set, I wanted to achieve a pattern that emphasized the graceful verticals of the stalks and the dynamic horizontal reaching of the leaves. I wanted the pattern to communicate the serene feeling of standing in a grove of bamboo, and to represent the nature of the plant as both erect and supple. For the Koi pattern, my goal was to capture the abstract elegance of the traditional Japanese water/willow pattern, often seen on textiles. Here are some examples of installations using the Koi Frieze; you can see how custom colour can really change the feel of the tile, from elegant to whimsical.
There are many ways to use a decorative frieze of ceramic tile in your home. They make a beautiful backsplash, as in the bathroom shown here, or a featured accent combined with other materials, as in
Rachel's
Design Bar. Use friezes on stair risers, fireplace surrounds, fountain surrounds, above doorways or decorative niches, or inset into furniture. Tile friezes can be used in place of baseboards and window trim, or as a border on a ceramic floor. So many possibilities! For more information about the friezes in our
Kyoto and
Alhambra series, visit us
here.
Here is an example of a unique and beautifully effective use of a decorative frieze as a stand alone design element. The tiles are our Koi Frieze from the Kyoto Series, used to great effect in the Design Bar at Path Design in Santa Ana, California. The designer, Rachel Hulan, has cleverly combined textures and materials to highlight these gorgeous tiles in her showroom. A frieze is simply the architectural term for a continuous horizontal running pattern. From the great abstract running patterns in Islamic architecture to the more humble Arts and Crafts fireplace, the frieze has been used often, and beautifully, in architectural ceramics. Hand pressed tiles lend themselves well to the creation of a running frieze pattern. The pattern may be created by the repeat of a single tile (as with our Alhambra border tile) , or may be created with two or more tiles to give the effect of a continually changing pattern (as with our Bamboo Forest and Koi patterns from the Kyoto series.)
The frieze creates an effect of rhythmic, but interesting, repetition that can't be achieved with the simple repetition of a single motif. Making an effective and graceful continuous pattern is a tricky bit of design work. Both edges of the pattern must meet up flawlessly without a visual break. The motif must stand alone as an effective composition, without sacrificing grace and fluidity in the overall rhythm of the repeat. The eye must flow along the horizontal with ease.
Creating the patterns for the sophisticated friezes in our Kyoto series was a long process of trial and error, but I think the results are worthy. In creating the Bamboo forest set, I wanted to achieve a pattern that emphasized the graceful verticals of the stalks and the dynamic horizontal reaching of the leaves. I wanted the pattern to communicate the serene feeling of standing in a grove of bamboo, and to represent the nature of the plant as both erect and supple. For the Koi pattern, my goal was to capture the abstract elegance of the traditional Japanese water/willow pattern, often seen on textiles. Here are some examples of installations using the Koi Frieze; you can see how custom colour can really change the feel of the tile, from elegant to whimsical.
There are many ways to use a decorative frieze of ceramic tile in your home. They make a beautiful backsplash, as in the bathroom shown here, or a featured accent combined with other materials, as in Rachel's Design Bar. Use friezes on stair risers, fireplace surrounds, fountain surrounds, above doorways or decorative niches, or inset into furniture. Tile friezes can be used in place of baseboards and window trim, or as a border on a ceramic floor. So many possibilities! For more information about the friezes in our Kyoto and Alhambra series, visit us here.
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