Handmade Tile: 2009.05

I just wanted to extend an invitation to all of you to drop by the studio this weekend, as we open our doors to show you how we make our tiles and wares, and to offer you a sneak peek at new Blossomware as well as great deals on tile overstock. Here's the press:

If you love beautiful hand-crafted objects, have a special interest in ceramic art, or are on the lookout for a memorable day-trip, then mark Saturday and Sunday, May 16 & 17, on your calendar. This is the weekend of the 22nd Annual Denman Island Pottery Tour, which runs from 10 - 5 daily and is FREE.

This long-running Tour is only getting more popular as the global mood shifts more and more towards simplicity, authenticity and sustainability. As an alternative to mass-production, what better than a hand-crafted bowl or mug, made from earth, water, fire, air and the touch of the human hand?

"There's a hand-made revolution going on right now," says Bronwyn Simons, who along with her partner Bob runs Terra Home, producer of beautiful art tiles and hand-built tableware. This is the Simons' first year on the Pottery Tour.

"I think there's a hunger for simplicity and connection expressed through these trends. We're paying more attention to where things come from and what they're made of.

"Is it sustainable? Is it ethical? Does it have enduring value? Does it connect me with others in a positive way? Is it special and unique? A well and lovingly hand-made object usually answers 'yes' to all these questions," says Simons. As a result, she says, micro craft and artisan businesses are becoming increasingly viable as a livelihood.

The Simons' hand-made art tiles feature relief designs inspired by Japanese fabric design, Moorish motifs and Buddhist images. This year they have expanded beyond tiles and added a new line called Blossomware. This collection includes plates and platters, bowls, tumblers and pitchers. These pieces are hand-built from sheets of clay that are cut and slumped over plaster forms. Delicate garden colours and wavy lies give Blossomware a fresh and contemporary feel.

Bronwyn, who has a background in visual art, art history and dance, designs everything, while Bob focuses on production. He also built their airy, light-filled studio, which nestles into the forest next to their home. A visit to Terra Home is likely to give you abundant inspiration for your own island sanctuary.

This year's Pottery Tour features 11 studios in nine locations, including five potters who have never been on the Tour before.

Maps for the self-guided tour are available at the Buckley Bay ferry booth on the way to the Island, as well as at the Denman General Store and Abraxas Books on Denman.

Terra Home Architectural Ceramics

All of our tiles are designed and created here, in the Terra Home studio. Each piece is made by hand, with care and love invested in each step of our labour-intensive, traditional process. Our tiles are grouped in collections, with different themes, to complement different design schemes:

Kyoto
Inspired by the natural serenity of the Japanese garden, these tiles, in colours of stone and lichen, feature koi fish, plum blossoms, bamboo, pine, and Buddhist imagery. CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE TEAR SHEET OF THE KYOTO COLLECTION.

Alhambra
Inspired by the timeless beauty of Moorish architecture, this collection of rich cobalt and turquoise tiles feature stylized floral motifs and traditional arabesque patterns. CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE TEAR SHEET OF THE ALHAMBRA COLLECTION.

Firenze
With motifs drawn from the designer’s Italian sketchbooks, these tiles, in rich colours of marble and plaster, feature designs borrowed from Renaissance stone carving. CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE TEARSHEET OF THE FIRENZE COLLECTION.

Hanabi
Inspired by the modern sophistication of Japanese textile design, these unusual tiles feature stylized chrysanthemums, waves, and cherry blossoms, in a soft but colourful palette reminiscent of antique kimono silks. CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE TEARSHEET OF THE HANABI COLLECTION.

Italian Sketchbook
A more whimsical take on the Italian theme, these wax-resist decorated tiles feature charming line drawings which capture the essence of the Tuscan kitchen and countryside.

Hacienda
Inspired by the courtyard gardens of Old Mexico, the bold graphics and floral motifs of these tiles capture the brilliant colours of the tropics. CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE TEARSHEET OF THE HACIENDA COLLECTION.

Vancouver Island
Inspired by the natural beauty of the Northwest Coast that surrounds us every day at Terra Home, the relief images on these hand pressed tiles are cast from actual natural objects gathered from forests and beaches.

In addition, we produce a full line of hand pressed field (plain) tiles in various shapes and sizes, including 4” square, 4” hex, and 3” x 5” traditional subway, as well as border, corner, and listello tile for most applications.

We are happy to work with you on your installation. Projects are priced individually, depending on glaze choices, custom elements, design time, and deadline. Visit our "How to Order" page for more info on ordering. We are happy to provide you with a quote for your project. We also offer fully custom project design. For a quote, contact bronwyn@linguaterratile.com

Welcome to Terra Home!

Exquisite Artisan Tile
From our sunny post-and-beam studio nestled in meadow and forest on lovely Denman Island, we send our traditionally made artisan tiles across North America. We offer hundreds of original designs in six gorgeous collections. Along with our exquisite decorative relief tiles, we create hand painted accent tiles, tile murals, field tile in square, hex, subway, and mosaic, as well as borders and listellos. Custom design is a specialty. We believe in quality, tradition, sustainability, beauty, craftsmanship, and an artful approach to life and business. Our website and blog is designed as a resource for our friends and clients, and anyone interested in creating a more beautiful, serene, hand-made, and eco-positive living space.

testimonials

"I get wonderful compliments every time someone comes into the kitchen. In addition, the tile installer stated it was the very BEST quality of tile she ever worked with!! Thank you so much for your talent and vision!!" R.M., New Jersey, 2008.
View this job here.

"Your tiles are the highlight of our kitchen!" B.C., Florida, 2008. View this job here.

"The tiles are SO worth the wait! They are absolutely exquisite; there is no way that their beauty and uniqueness could possibly be captured on a computer monitor. They are so gorgeous." E.H., Connecticut, 2009.

"Thanks again so much for the gorgeous tiles. I'm especially enjoying the many ways the Koi and Willow tiles can work together. I've really appreciated working with you both..." J.H., Colorado, 2007.

"Thank you so much for everything! We were delighted with the ease and enjoyment of the custom design process..."
M.G., Ontario, 2008. View this job here.

"The clients already had a stone back splash installed in their butler's pantry when I was brought in on the job, and were really unhappy with how monolithic it looked. I suggested an insert of your tile, and now they LOVE how it looks..." R.H., California, 2007. View this job here.

"I received the box of tiles yesterday... The colors of your glazes are so beautiful! You do good work with your art. Thank you so much. You inspire me to work in clay!" J.A., Colorado, 2009.

Open Studio: A Fantastic Weekend!

Pottery Studio Tour This Weekend!