By Beth Buczynski, Source: Ecosalon

fireclay1
Tile is an incredibly versatile building material. Put it on the floor, the wall, or the counter-top, and you’ve got a durable surface that’s easy to clean. Like paint and wallpaper, however, tile can be boring if you’re not careful.

That’s why Fireclay, which specializes in recycled glass and ceramic tiles, recently launched the Color-It tool. With just a few clicks, you can choose from hundreds of unique Cuerda Seca-style patterns. (Cuerda Seca is a hand-painting technique used to simulate mosaic and cloisonné enamel effects in colored ceramic tiles that’s very popular in classic Spanish architecture).
fireclay2
Just like a color-by-number, the Color-It tool offers over 100 recycled tile designs available in 4×4 or 6×6 sizes. Choose from style families like Flowers, Geometrics, Knots, Crosses, Old California or Stars. Once you’ve found a pattern that delivers the mood you’re going for, it’s time to move onto color.

The Color-It tool offers more than 80 colors, enough to satisfy even the most unique color profile. Build your own color palette by clicking on colors of available gloss or matte paint, or choose from a series of convenient suggested palettes. Then, simply drag a hue from your palette into the large image of your tile to color it!

The great thing is, although you’re adding color to the large tile, every selection is automatically repeated in a grid of 16 smaller tiles off to the side. This allows you to get a feel for the overall effect of your color choices. There’s also an option for previewing a border configuration if that’s what you’re considering.

Once you’ve decided on a pattern and color you love, Fireclay uses a proprietary wax resist technique to print a black outline on their Debris Series Recycled Ceramic Tile, which features more than 70 percent recycled content sourced from within 50 miles of the factory. Once the pattern is printed, skilled California artisans hand glaze the colors of choice within the selected pattern. In just about four weeks, the one of a kind recycled tile is shipped right to your door.