Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend.
This kitchen – one of my all time favourites – is a stand-out in my mind thanks, in part, to the backsplash tile. They are hand painted tiles in a traditional pattern which look very much at home in this modern-vintage kitchen. The tiles are the work of Walker Zanger, one of the BlogTour Las Vegas sponsors.
Walker Zanger is a family owned business that has been providing their clients with marble and stone from around the world for over 60 years. You can read about their philosophy and artistry here. I love this: “This human connection is the bedrock of our company: the relationships with families who have worked the quarries for generations, the fathers and sons who hand down the intricate knowledge required to select and judge stone, who work each day in the quarries and block yards, hand selecting the perfect block, the most beautiful slab, the finest tiles.”
You usually take for granted that there are people, perhaps on the other side of the world, who have worked thoughtfully to choose and finish the stone that is in your home.
Leon Zanger (founder), second from right, in the carrara marble quarries c. 1955.
Read this interesting blog post with some photos showing the process of quarrying marble in the town of Carrara.
I will just let these images of Walker Zanger products (via their site and Pinterest page) speak for themselves.
Love these 24×24 porcelain tiles made to mimic concrete:
How stunning would these tiles look in an entry way?
This is one of the tiles in their newest collection. Love the intricate geometric:
I would love these marble tiles for my own backsplash. They have an antique finish – somewhere between honed and polished.
And how unique are these AnTeak Round Mosaic tiles in Natural (shown with Studio Moderne Ming Blue 4 1/2” x 11 1/2” tiles) which are part of their new collection of FSC certified reclaimed teakwood tiles and mosaics. Not your everyday penny round! Also comes in other patterns including herringbone.
I’m always on the hunt for beautiful and unique products and I can’t wait to spec these for future clients. Check their website for a showroom/dealer near you. (If you are in the Toronto area, Tiles Plus in Mississauga is the authorized dealer.)
Have a great week everyone!
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If you require design advice, please contact me at vanessa(at)vanessafrancis.com.
Hollie Cooper
January 20, 2014I love WZ products they are absolutely stunning!
Country Chic
January 20, 2014This could be dangerous, Tiles Plus is practically down the street from my work! Must check them out! Thanks!
Jen @ RamblingRenovators
January 22, 2014Those are gorgeous. I might have to make a trip out to Tiles Plus!
Sabrina S
January 23, 2014I have a thing for beautiful tile! Must check them out!
Tim
January 23, 2014love their tiles!! That stone subway … it may just be what I need for #ProjectChris!!
Daniela Duriavig
January 25, 2014Wow, love all of these. Impossible to choose just one!