A Backsplash Is More Than Pretty Tile
Making a tile selection is never just selecting something pretty, for that would be too easy. I choose to find meaning in the selections knowing that their energy will stay in a home long after our design consultation has past. I often find my inspiration in nature. Sometimes from travels or an unfamiliar place, other times as simple as looking out the nearest window. I recently found myself working with a client whose goal was to create a warm modern home with a simple palette. This home would then become a retreat center for guests to come and discover themselves without the distractions of of too much art or decor, just the right amount of beauty anchored in nature, reflecting the simplicity of the day to day activities that would occur in time.
This home naturally was already beaming with a story. Strategically placed in a canyon it felt protected by the foothills, views opening up toward the south give way to the pine trees and grasses beyond. The owners inspiration rooted in a home that his father had built. Stories unfolded of woodwork and finishes leading to my own questions and design direction.
He named it “The Now Haus” a place to play, be, and see [for] your self. Each meeting revealing more of the choices that would complete the home.
So much of what I do is to help one discover their own story, one of comfort, space, and inspiration. Sometimes it has to do with play and bold details, other times a softness of peace and relaxing calm.
Many times a person doesn’t yet know what they want and it’s only through story, energy work and experience that the layers of design reveal themselves into a form that’s the most supportive to the people that dwell there.
I HAVE NO DESIRE TO COMPETE WITH NATURE, ONLY TO COMPLIMENT ITS INNATE BEAUTY, GETTING IT CLOSER TO WHERE ONE CAN FEEL IT REFLECTED BACK.
Nature, the environment and the beauty of the natural surroundings is what kept “showing up” for this homeowner, so our accent was obvious. The one color we brought into the home and integrated into the finish palette was green. A rustic, evergreen pine needle variety. We found it in the tile.
In our fast, technology driven world we are often drawn to elements that our hand made. These accents often showing us a time when things were made to last, with love and it was ok to wait longer than prime day shipping norms. I was drawn to the Ensō Collection because of its rich deep colors. The surface of each tile has a rustic, hand made quality to them with different organic patterns that compliment and deepen the interest. In Zen Buddhism Ensō, is an ancestral symbol that means “circle”.
Instead of feeling mass produced these tiles feel purposefully slow. You can get lost in their details. They somehow give your mind a sense of pause and calm, setting the backdrop for your daily meal prep.
“The Ensō Collection represents enlightenment, elegance and emptiness while being linked minimalism. It reminds us that a Circle does not lack or have anything left over, as it embodies perfection.”
Looking back at the design process now, along with the name of the tile; the statement above may just hold true for the Now Haus, hopefully our own homes and eventually ourselves.
A PLACE YOU’LL GO SEEKING ENLIGHTENMENT, HOPEFULLY ONLY TO RECOGNIZE YOUR OWN ELEGANCE AND EMPTINESS, FULL OF LOVE, NEITHER LACKING OR HAVING ANYTHING LEFTOVER, REALIZING YOU EMBODY YOUR OWN PERFECTION.
Diving deeper: the the lines brand we used Nakama, Wabi, and Kintsugi all in different ways complimenting and playing with one another as we used this one subtle accent as a way to bring an added refinement to the home. Which one is your favorite?