the collection 2010

Since 1989, Architerra has been handcrafting the finest ceramic tile finishes: piece by piece, step by step. And, while our operations have become more efficient and sustainable with time, the process remains largely unchanged, strongly loyal to the artisan roots that have inspired us and many others to this day. We are a dying breed, yet our love for craft and the demand for this level of beauty and quality remains unending. Each glimse of our artfully crafted work tells the inimitable story of hands that shape, color, kiln and finish each piece on its way to yours, a vision granted in a way that no other ceramic tile can.

-Frank Lloyd Wright

“Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.”

1 | field

faceted diamond field1W × 3* × @ 47.32S × 4* × D 27.12* × 6* × D 20.53D × 6* × D 12.3/sq ft

all × S deep

47.326.320.912.3/sq ft

left wedge (set)4 × 6 × S | 5.2 sets/sq ft

all × S deep

flat diamond field1W × 3*2S × 4*2* × 63D × 6*

16.4 7.55.7/sq ft

2 × 43 × 64 × 6

1@ × 31@ × 6 2 × 6

28.414.511.1/sq ft

flat rectangular field1@ × 1@ 2 × 2 3 × 3 4 × 4

54.531.914.78.5/sq ft

pillowed field3 × 6* 7.44 × 4 8.5/sq ft

all × D deep all × D deep

faceted rectangular field2* × 2* 28.4 3 × 3 14.7 4 × 4 8.56* × 6* 3.7/sq ft

1D × 3 26.3 2 × 6* 10.9/sq ft

2* × 4* 15.1 3 × 6* 7.44* × 6* 5.4/sq ft

field | 2field | 2

double bullnose isc2 × 2 × S

right wedge (set)4 × 6 × S | 5.2 sets/sq ft

single bullnose2 × 6* × S

double bullnose osc2 × 2 × S

tidewashed single bullnose2 × 6 × W

tidewashed vee cap2 × 6 × 2

tidewashed quarter round1* × 6 × 1

tidewashed field1@ × 1@1@ × 3 2 × 2 2 × 4 3 × 3 3 × 6 4 × 4

all × S deep

54.528.431.916.414.77.58.5/SQFT

topo alpha4 × 4 × D | 8.5/sq ft

topo beta4 × 4 × D | 8.5/sq ft

topo delta4 × 4 × D | 8.5/sq ft

topo gamma4 × 4 × D | 8.5/sq ft

dart4* × 4* × @ | 8.5/sq ft

undulating3@ × 4D × @ | 15/sq ft

shell4@ × 4 × W | 12/sq ft

atria4 × 4 × @ | 8.5/sq ft

palmette4 × 4 × @ | 8.5/sq ft

katarina4 × 4 × @ | 8.5/sq ft

aradian4 × 4 × @ | 8.5/sq ft

m

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3 | field

jessinian field6* × 4* × @ | 5.4/sq ft

jessinian scallop5W × 4* × @

jessinian closer3@ × 4* × @ | 16/sq ft

m m m

Relic Our Relic line is handpressed using finely detailed plaster moulds carved by a master sculptor. Clay is skillfully applied to the mould

to achieve our signature fissuring, then tamped by hand to produce a smooth finish. The result is a piece of tile that is reminiscent of ancient stone carvings.

Tidewashed Our Tidewashed line is extruded, exposing the rough particles used in our proprientary

clay mix. The extrusions are then handcut and handpainted and finally tumbled to produce a soft, textured finish similar to suede leather.

field | 4

pearl damask18 × 24 × D | 3.8/sq ft

liberty pearl patternpieces 1-12

Twelve pieces combine to make the seven patterns of the Pearl Damask Series...

m

5 | field

arra lou patternpieces 9 & 12

betsy ann patternpieces 1 & 4

nina miriam patternpieces 6 & 7

georgia belle patternpieces 2 & 3

gracie eva patternpieces 10 & 11

natalie lavon patternpieces 5 & 8

4 1

41

3 2

32

1110

11 10

1110

11 10

8 5

85

7 6

76

field | 6

129

12 9

2” gothic2* × 2* × D

raised moonlet2 × 2 × @

pyramid insert2 × 2 × 1*

skylight insert2 × 2 × 1*

dome insert2 × 2 × 1*

lemon4 × 4 × W

apple4 × 4 × W

pear4 × 4 × W

3” elizabethan3$ × 3$ × D

3” romanesque3$ × 3$ × W

3” regency3$ × 3$ × W

3” gothic3$ × 3$ × D

4” romanesque4 × 4 × W

4” regency4 × 4 × F

4” gothic4 × 4 × D

mm

m

m

m

m

m

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7 | decos

&4” elizabethan4 × 4 × D

cherries4 × 4 × W

field | 8

recessed moonlet2 × 2 × @

recessed moon4* × 4* × @

raised moon4* × 4* × @

ziggurat4* × 4* × F

m m m

victorian right-facing4 × 4 × F

victorian left-facing4 × 4 × F

4” olive branch4* × 4* × D

mm m

gothic old-school3$ × 3$ × D

grapes4 × 4 × W

4” grapevine frieze4* × 4* × W

augusta4 × 4 × D

firenze4 × 4 × D

m mm m

3” olive branch3$ × 3$ × D

archimedian3$ × 3$ × D

3” victorian3$ × 3$ × D

m m m

mm

9 | art tiles

dragonfly8 × 8 × @

heron8 × 8 × @

frog8 × 8 × @

mare & foal8 × 8 × @

stallion8 × 8 × @

stag8 × 8 × @

grapevine panel - 1pc8 × 8 × W

grapevine panel - 4pc8 × 8 × W

fruit basket18 × 24 × $

bistro basket12 × 18 × F

m

m

murals | 10

plain frieze fascia4 × 8W × F

acanthus fascia4 × 8W × F

atlantean wave4 × 8W × F

victorian crown, osc & ffc3@ × 8$ × 1D

olive branch crown, osc & ffc2@ × 8* × 1$

romanesque crown, osc & ffc2W × 8 × 1D

regency crown, osc & ffc2D × 8* × 1*

m m

m

mm

m

11 | mouldings

mouldings | 12

egg and dart crown, osc & ffc3S × 8$ × 1D

cornice crown, osc & ffc2@ × 8* × 1$

tidewashed small crown2 × 6 × 1$

tidewashed modern crown2W × 6 × 1$

tidewashed baseboard3@ × 6 × 1

tidewashed large crown3@ × 6 × 1W

jessinian crown3D × 8$ × 1D

corner block4 × 4 × 1*

chair rail crown, osc & ffc2@ × 6 × 1*

m mfascia osc4 × 1* × 1$

gothic crown, osc & ffc3 × 8 × 1

m melizabethan crown, osc & ffc2@ × 8 × 1*

13 | mouldings

large half round & ffc1S × 6 × 1*

small half round & ffc1* × 6* × F

rope liner & ffc1S × 6 × 1$

basketweave liner2 × 8* × 1*

picture frame liner & ffc1$ × 6 × 1

reeded liner & ffc1* × 6 × 1*

flemish rope, ffc & osc1F × 8 × 1*

tidewashed half round1* × 6 × 1

tidewashed parabolic liner1$ × 6* × 1$

tidewashed flat bar1$ × 6* × W

tidewashed pyramid liner2 × 6 × 1

tidewashed moulding2@ × 6 × 1

pencil linerD × 6* × D

mullion liner & ffc6* × D × 1*

quonset liner & ffc3* × × 1

serpentini liner & ffc1* × 6* × F

serpentine liner & ffc1F × 6* × 1@

bistro liner & ffc2$ × 6 × D

romanesque liner1@ × 8* × W

elizabethan liner1@ × 8* × D

regency liner & ffc1F × 8* × W

olive branch liner1@ × 8 × D

cornice liner1@ × 8 × D

cove mould liner & ffc1 × 6* × W

grapevine frieze liner w/ fruit, w/o fruit & ffc4* × 4* × W

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mouldings | 14

acanthus liner & ffc3@ × 8S × 1

gothic liner2* × 8 × W

victorian liner1D × 8 × D

corinthian grapes liner2 × 8* × D

dianthus liner w/flower, w/o flower & ffc3 × 6 × 1$

15 | small talk

Each order is packed with extreme care before being handed off to our trusted carriers; however, damage or loss from unexpected conditions may result during transport. Please unpack and inspect each piece of tile immediately upon receipt in order to report any damage or loss to the carrier, who will process your claim. Architerra will, of course, assist with recovery of lost or damaged items; unfortunately, we cannot accept financial responsibility for such loss.

Variation in size, color and intensity, and surface are normal and to expected with all Architerra handmade tile products. In order to maximize the appearance of this highly desirable trait, we recommended the installer lay out all tile prior to installation to balance any variation. No adjustments will be made after installation.

We recommend setting the tile with a maximum 1/8” grout joint, over thinset, on an approved backing substrate and notch size as determined by an experienced craftsperson. Use of a penetrating sealer prior to grouting will help to achieve grout release and minimize staining from darker grouts. Apply products recommended for ceramic tile according to manufacturer’s instructions and test any unfamiliar products on a scrap piece of tile prior to committing it to your installation.

We suggest using a grout bag when grouting relief tiles. This minimizes the amount of grout that contacts the surfaces and ultimately aids in cleanup. A squirt bottle and a toothbrush are handy for keeping the surfaces of relief tile clean as you go. Don’t tackle more area than you can handle at a time, and never allow grout to dry on tile.

Once the installation has been grouted and cleaned, a final coat of penetrating sealant is recommended to further protect the tile and grout from becoming soiled or stained. Use a non-abrasive cleaner (such as Bon Ami) and nylon bristled brush to gently clean your tile as needed, and your installation will remain gorgeous for years to come.

Tested and proven: In tests conducted by the Tile Council of North America, Architerra tile shows no visible damage when exposed to laboratory freeze-thaw cycles. It has been proven resistant to chemical substances, including those commonly used in maintaining pools. Our tile is therefore suitable for all indoor and outdoor water applications. Most of our colors* are rated PEI 2, which makes them suitable for low traffic residential floors and both residential and commercial walls. A few are rated PEI 3, making them appropriate for all wall applications. To see more from these test results, as well as which colors are rated PEI 2 & 3, visit our site at architerra.com/color

* - only our standard Washed painting technique has been tested. Please refer to our website for add’l information regarding other finish techniques.

color | 16About our color...

An exception to our standard layering technique is found in our Wax Technique, currently reserved exclusively for our Damask line. As shown below, the details are painted first, then protected with a coat of wax before being painted in the darker background color. The wax protects the lighter details by physically repelling the final coat, then evaporates during kilning, leaving absolutely no trace.

All Architerra tile is tumbled after firing in an abrasive media combined with water until the desired level of weathering and smoothing has been achieved. In areas of high relief, the finish is lightened by revealing more of the natural clay body beneath (which, alone, is referred to as Buff in our color palette) while flatter areas are less affected. The result is a silky smooth finish similar to a river rock.

Our standard painting technique is applies by hand prior to kilning using a thin liquid mixture of earth oxides or mason stains in a clay slip, water and flux base. Color density will vary based on the shape and presence or absence of relief. Color intensifies where the wash pools, while remaining lighter and less saturated on areas where the mixture runs off readily. The colors ultimately form during the firing process, changing the chemical composition and creating permanent hues that do not fade over time.

Multicolor is achieved by handpainting the “basecoated” tile. One of our skilled artisans uses the same washes found in our basecoats, layering the detail color over the base. Due to mixing of these pigments, lighter detail colors cannot be achieved.

wax layer evaporates during kilning, revealing detail color

basecoat is repelled by wax, protecting details

wax is applied over details

details are appliedgreenware

=

result after kilningdetails are applied over basecoat layer

greenware

=applying basecoat

Standard

Wax