The Art of the Tile by Jen Renzi

Ceramic tiles, glass tiles, mosaic tiles, porcelain, metal and wood tiles, tiles have long been one of the most seductive ways to enhance one's space, but how best to use them?

HOW TO DESIGN WITH TILES

In her book, The Art of the Tile: Classic and Contemporary Designs for Every Interiors, Jen Renzi tackles this subject comprehensively, looking at the best materials for certain spaces, installation and maintenance considerations and different uses for your tiles. The book begins by looking at how to design with tile, detailing how to create continuity, use accent walls, use the tile as the defining element of the décor, apply colour, deal with pattern and shape and use texture to add another design dimension. Along the way, Renzi picks out different materials, giving the historical background of each before breaking each down into ‘pros', ‘considerations' and ‘nuts and bolts' stuff covering pre-installation, installation, finish and maintenance. The little details, such as insterts, cut corners, liners, trim pieces and grout, are dealt with in their own chapter.

BROWSE TILES

Alongside a wealth of valuable advice and information, Renzi has created an attractive coffee table book, which can be used as much as a resource and reference when carrying out an interior design project as a book to browse at the reader's leisure. The last half of the book is filled with pictures of different types of tile with a manufacturer's key that lets you track down any ones which may catch your eye. From Whites, to Dimensionals, to Animals, Plaid and Basket Weave designs and more, you'll be itching to get started on a tile makeover of your own home.

Buy from amazon.co.uk

Emily Jenkinson

30 July 2010