Colonial Style Ceramic Tile: Ceramic Tile With A Unique Sense Of History

(HIT) - It's hard to think of a room that couldn’t benefit from a touch of the past. Even devotees of contemporary minimalism agree that it often takes a mix of styles and periods to achieve a personal, comfortable look in a home. Newer homes, in particular, often present a "blank canvas" just begging for architectural interest.

Accenting a room with colonial style ceramic tile is one way to add lasting design interest, and—according to designer Jackie Smith—the Governor’s Palace Delft series now produced by Summitville Tiles under license to the Colonial Williamsburg foundation is an excellent choice for achieving a colonial style, or flair in a home.

"The colonial style is a classic look that will be at home anywhere," notes Smith. "It epitomizes the great versatility of the Williamsburg style. It’s amazing, but with the tile designs authorized by the Foundation, any room instantly becomes more livable."

Smith feels that Summitville’s Delft series colonial style ceramic tile would be especially charming framing a fireplace opening, but the owners of a country home might well adopt the old-world custom of framing windows and doors with tile, too. The Delft tiles would look elegant standing in for the chair rail in a dining room, she continues. And, of course, they look wonderful on kitchen and bath countertops and backsplashes.

A Rich Tile Tradition

The Delft series is based on fragments of 18th century ceramic tiles found during archeological excavations on the grounds of the Governor’s Palace, one of the most visited buildings in Colonial Williamsburg. In fact, tile based on these finds now lines and frames the fireplace in the governor’s bed chamber, a treatment openly admired by many visitors.

The series’ decorative themes include a harbor, mill, farm, tower and castle, all in the immediate proximity of the sea and each depicted in the realistic fashion of historic Delft designs. The tiles are also decorated with tiny corner motifs, and the color is the well-known Delft blue on a bluish-white background that duplicates early glazes.

According to the Colonial Williamsburg foundation, Delft items were among the most popular ceramic wares in the British colonies in America. Their name was due to the strong influence of Dutch potters, who came to England to ply their trade.

While ceramic tiles were strictly for aristocrats in other countries, middle class culture made its mark on the Dutch versions. Country landscapes and themes found their way onto Delft tiles, but since both Holland and England were great seafaring nations, an oriental influence crept in as well. It was expressed in the stylization of the motifs and in the curlicued corners.

Whimsical Tiles

Summitville’s Williamsburg collection also features the Macaroni Series, which interprets 200-year-old English caricature etchings. These tiles are great accents for kitchen or bar backsplashes, tabletops and counters for the family room, and other places that call for a note of whimsy.

According to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the name "Macaroni" originated among young Englishmen travelling throughout Europe, and who, upon their return, affected the manners, clothing and lifestyles they had admired on their journeys. Extremes soon developed, including absurd hairstyles and clothing. Not to be left out, women soon followed suit.

These colonial style tiles depict 15 of these characters in a variety of amusing activities. They include the Pillar of the Church, a pious colonist, who sets lofty moral codes for his fellow man; Mon’ Le Medicin, the physician, who is in charge of the health of his community; and the Fly-Catching Macaroni, who will go to any length to add specimens to his insect collection.

The Williamsburg collection is available from Summitville tile dealers throughout the country. For where-to-buy information, contact Summitville Tiles, P.O. Box 73, Summitville, OH 43962. Or visit the company’s website at www.summitville.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center