I am working on several kitchen and bath projects at the moment so I have been out searching for decorative tile.  Tile can be a lot like other products, once you start looking you realize everyone is carrying the same thing!

That can be very frustrating when you are trying to design something special and unique for a client.  This is why I was very excited when I came across the tile line Pratt & Larson when I was at one of our upscale tile shops.

The company is celebrating 30 years of hand making tiles in Portland, Oregon.  If you are interested in learning more about the couple behind the company, there is a great article here: Portland Tile Makers Pratt & Larson.

Here are just a few of the lovely new collections our local shop, Architectural Tile & Stone, had on display in Austin:

These are various patterns, all available in numerous colors.  The middle one has a subtle tone on tone pattern.

This is part of their ‘Motif’ collection and is crackled with a raised pattern.

I love these liners/borders.  I am thinking about using one of these in a guest bath with a solid tile.

The company has so many colors to chose from, and not only are there different colors, there are also different finishes- satin, watercolor, gloss.  Here are just two examples:

You can see the gloss on the left and the satin on the right.

They also have a process called ‘Colorfill’ which is basically a layering of up to 4 colors over the tile.  Here is one tile done in 3 different ‘color ways’.  With the owners being artists, they love the make custom items!

They also have created the most darling “fly fishing” series.  I wish it had been out when I did the house in Montana which was built specifically in a fly fishing town.  Here are a couple of the pieces in color, but they are really nice in just one solid tone.  They look very sophisticated in person and not too ‘themed’.

I find it very refreshing to see a small, artistic company continuing to thrive by offering unique, custom and creative product produced in the US, by local hands.

If you are working on a bathroom or kitchen design I encourage you to look at their products in person (much more impressive than online) and consider splurging on this unique offering!