Mosaic Theme

• The beautiful handmade ceramic tiles and mosaic combinations produced by California-based Manet Tiles are the accomplishments of its skilled artisans in the company’s workshop in Armenia. Armenia’s natural stones include basalt, granite, marble, onyx, travertine and limestone. They provide the resources and colors for a wide array of products suitable for residential and commercial projects. After hand molding, the rolled clay must dry thoroughly before the first firing, after which comes the hand glazing process followed by a second firing. The result is tiles of impeccable quality, no two being identical. Manet tiles are also highly durable and resistant to water, heat and freezing temperatures.
  
  

Rustic Theme

• Basic colors define rustic, handmade tiles manufactured by companies like ARTO. The company uses local materials to produce handcrafted concrete and clay tiles in Southern California. ARTO’s tiles come in a range of textures to suit individual tastes and looks for walls and other applications. Artobrick.com shows how selected tiles work individually or together to create various effects and moods. “Artillo” is the most popular choice for walls and floors. “Van Goghs Ear” produces a mosaic effect in the grout joints by breaking up any colored tiles. As its name indicates, “Diamond” or “Harlequin” creates a pattern of diamonds.
  
  

Modern Theme

• With a design portfolio that ranges from ancient to current, handcrafted tiles cater to all tastes, architectural and project requirements. For instance, ModCraft creates handcrafted stoneware tiles in its studio in New York’s Hudson Valley area to suit modern day tastes. Each handmade tile is a product of the combined processes of computer 3D design and traditional clay craft that results in unusual shapes, no two identical. Tile designs produce an optical effect that highlights the raised parts of the tile and casts shadows on the low spaces.
  
  

Color Theme

• The popularity of handcrafted color tiles is apparent from their prominence worldwide. Massachusetts-based Gustin Ceramics, LLC, for example, offers handmade ceramic tiles in various sizes and colors for applications from art to large residential and commercial properties. Company owner Chris Gustin's production process creates tiles of the highest quality and durability. Rather than focusing on decorative elements, Gustin's tiles bring rich color to architectural projects through the glazing process, with 50 glazes from earth tones to blues and greens and neutrals.
  
  

Victorian and Children's Themes

• Handmade tiles are part of English history. For example, the forefathers of England’s Tile Source Inc. were 18th century potters in Staffordshire. The clays used by Tile Source to manufacture Victorian-inspired tiles, is similar to the 19th century clays that created tiled entrance hallways, porches and bathrooms in England.
  
  Among Tile Source’s many other handmade tile creations, KidsZone offers tiles to enchant every child in the nursery, bedroom, bathroom and playroom. Some of the themes of special tiles for children are: "Nursery Rhymes," "Marching Soldiers," "Noah’s Ark," "Clowning About," "Jurassic World," "Jack's Farm," "Jungle Rumble," "Fairyland" and "Hocus Pocus."