Artistic Tile’s New Collection Channels Ancient Architecture, Roman Antiquities, and the Grand Tour

As designers continue to be braver and bolder in their choice of stone and tile, Artistic Tile is a go-to for designs that push the envelope with inventive collections that also speak to the traditions of the past. For the brand’s latest collection, ancient architecture, antiquities, and art proved to be fruitful sources of inspiration.

Nancy Epstein, founder and CEO, explains how these ideas were transformed into the most eye-catching new releases of the season.

Flute Deco Nero by Artistic Tile. Photo: Courtesy of Artistic Tile

Flute Deco Nero and Flute Lilac

Resembling the fluted columns seen in ancient Roman architecture, Flute Deco Nero and Lilac are dimensional tiles with undulating waves and inlaid brass. “The aesthetic is as classic as you get,” explains Epstein. “We gave it a twist that speaks to tiles of the 1980s as well as the recent piqued interest in geometric tiles.” The size of the flutes goes from small to large and back to small on each tile, creating visual movement. “I like when the tile is laid horizontally to form repeats that go up and down in size.”

Artistic Tile recently debuted Vitruvius, a new tile inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. Photo: Courtesy of Artistic Tile

Vitruvius

Echoing the overlapping circles of Leonardo da Vinci’s famed Vitruvian man, the Vitruvius pattern plays off the brand’s successful collection of multicolor stones, which launched last year. “When you walk through the ancient part of Rome, you see floors with so many mixed colors,” says Epstein. “When you look at all the tiles together, you see subtle interlocking circles that are almost an optical illusion.”

Grand Hotel by Artistic Tile. Photo: Courtesy of Artistic Tile

Grand Hotel

Inspired by the floor of the St. Regis in Rome, Grand Hotel is a fresh rendition of a mosaic pattern in a hand-worked tesserae. “The design director took a photo of the pattern on the floor,” recalls Epstein, “We changed it, of course, but we love the little mosaics that are quite grand.”

Spin in Calacatta Gold by Artistic Tile. Photo: Courtesy of Artistic Tile

Spin

Inspired by another “grand tour” hotel, Spin is also a common type of tesserae mosaic but in updated colors. “What I love about a mosaic is seeing it twinkle. It’s all about the way the light is bounced off the combination of shiny and matte.”