This kitchen is a triumph of craftsmanship. The homeowner designed and installed the stunning backsplash using a combination of handmade tiles from two different sources. The dark brown feature tiles are 4x4 and 6x6 inch tiles that I made; the multi-toned field tiles were made in California by Fireclay Tile. The warm red herringbone quarry tile floor harmonizes beautifully with the backsplash and cabinets.
The tiles are not the only handmade element in this kitchen, though. I was impressed to learn the homeowner built the cabinets himself! When he shared that bit of information with me, I assumed he was a professional woodworker and I offered to link this post to his business website. He laughingly replied that he was 100% amateur, but obviously there is nothing amateurish about these results.
I find that people who create things with their hands, whether for work or for pleasure, tend to appreciate handmade objects more than most. That appreciation is evident in the picture above, which shows off an artful installation of handmade tiles and woodwork, as well as a beautiful pottery collection and handmade basket. Tile installation is an art all its own, and you can see some of the process in the next two pictures:
This kitchen is new, but thanks to good design, it feels timeless. For me, the combination of colors and patterns evokes the best of multiple eras: Arts and Crafts, Midcentury Modern, and the present. Big thanks to R.R. for making my tiles part of your beautiful kitchen!
