ordering

Order decorative ceramic tile / 100% custom hand made tile and create a beautiful oasis in your home today!

How to get EXACTLY what you want...

Example 1

My client Kathy liked our "Down the Drain" design, but not care for the alligator in the design, or the color orange for the koi ceramic tiles. So that left turtle tiles, koi tiles, and lily pond ceramic tiles...very simplistic.

"Down the Drain"

Kathy had specific colors in mind as well, so she sent paint swatches, wallpaper, and pieces of stone tiles.

Note: This is our preferred method. Please, do not ask for color samples. We need YOU to provide color samples.

Based on what Kathy indicated, I came up with this overall shower floor design...turtle tiles, koi tiles, rock tiles, lily pad tiles, and a couple of frog tiles.

Based on her colors, I felt a rock tile perimeter was appropriate to coordinate with her woven tan wallpaper. It helps frame the shower floor tiles, keeping your eye focused on the tiled pond itself. The turtle tiles exactly reflect the Asian green color in her stone tile swatch.

Our client didn't give me a lot of design direction for this unique ceramic tile design. I actually prefer working this way. It allows me to grow as and artist, by permitting me the flexibility to create new design ideas. In this pond, I crossed a couple of koi tiles, have a frog leaping onto a lily pad ceramic tile, and created several new custom glaze colors by double-glazing techniques.

By being allowed creativity, without too much specific data, I feel I created one of my finest lily pond ceramic tile, mosaic designs...thanks Kathy!

Aloha from Hawaii! This is the finished koi pond / turtle pond ceramic tile mosaic that is discussed above. It's always amazing to see the finished installations. The mosaic tile designs really come alive once grouted. Look at the colors pop with the turquoise grout. WOW!

NOTE: If you have a shower, please indicate where the center of the drain is located off each wall.

I recommended that Kathy use a blue grout that is similar to the tiles. Using a "like" color grout makes the water meld together and forces the other tiles to become the focus of the lily pond, while creating depth in the process.

You can have ANY color grout by adding a color pigment to a white or gray-based sanded grout. So don't fret if your local home improvement store or installer can't get a blue, sanded grout. Just go to www.directcolors.com. You can purchase an additive there to use with white and gray SANDED grouts. Specifically see their Concrete Pigment page: http://www.directcolors.com/concretepigment/.

NOTE: If you want a lighter shade of blue, just don't add as much dye to the mix.

This was Kathy's first impression of the finished ceramic tile lily pond photograph:

"All I can say is WOW! It is a truly incredible piece of art that I cannot wait to see installed. You have done a great job matching my color palate and making a beautiful, whimsical, truly unique ceramic tile floor. I am thrilled beyond words. I keep looking at the photos and every time I am blown away."  K. Kimball, San Francisco, CA

Remember to include a telephone number and your MAILING address for the work order. We ship USPS Flat Rate.

Example 2

Bill sent a paper template to us. He needed the overall design to fit around his fireplace. He also included drawings of three custom tile elements, and a list of koi species, one for each fish in his own koi pond.

The special elements can be seen in the center of the lily pond fireplace and the other two in the white diamonds on either side of the ceramic tile ying / yang lily pond on the ceramic tile hearth.

Bill preferred pink flowers and some white / blue lotus flower tiles. I'm guessing that's what is in his own pond outside. He preferred the cobalt blue waters and a couple  frog tiles, along with a few fall, tile leaves.

"I am more than pleased with my ceramic tile lily ponds!  It is truly a unique one of a kind work of art.  The mason/tile master who put in the tiles kept commenting on your attention to detail.  He has your business card and I am convinced that in this area of Southern Pines and Pinehurst you will get more business." W. Banker

This client also sent a paper template along with his field tile and granite countertop material.

payment  policy

I will not start ANY order until payment is received for the tile and shipping. I will notify you when I am ready to start your order and will ask for payment at that time.

Large orders over $4,000 have a contract. 50% down and 50% at finish, prior to shipping.

I DO NOT accept orders paid over time. Don't ask!

Also, if I ship your order freight, it is COD. I have people that won't pay their shipping fees on large orders. I only make about $4 per hour after expenses and can't afford to pay your shipping costs, sorry!

At the time your order is ready to ship, I can send you a photograph of your order. So you can see it prior to shipment.

We prefer a check, but you can pay using your credit card through PayPal!

To place an order, follow the steps below:

E-mail

Send us a detailed email, consisting of type of tiles, sizes, and colors, just as our clients above did.

To calculate your square footage see our Calculate SF link in ANY left hand column. It's easy. Just multiply the height x the width and divide that number by 144 (the number of inches in one square foot.) That number will give you your square footage. Then you can multiply that number by the square foot cost under the Pricing link.

If you need help, PLEASE feel free to call 716.870.7172 with the details of your order. We always like hearing from you!

"I received the tile yesterday, and oh, they were so worth the wait!! Thank you so very much to you and your crew for doing such a great job, and thanks for the cute little gecko…it was a nice touch." Wendy Honaker, New Castle, Delaware

Payment

We prefer to be paid by check, but we are...

See our Payment link for details...

Our products and raw materials are 100% made in the USA!