Cement tiles have been all the rage over the past few years. Popping up, regularly, in backsplashes and bathrooms. I have adored seeing cuban tile flooring adorning the likes of hotels in Miami, FL and Bahamas. Ranging from colorful patterns to solid color flooring that reads like a watercolor painting with variation in color. Cuban tile flooring is a mixture of Portland cement, marble powder and earth pigments for coloring. It's also known as cement tile or encaustic cement tile. While I am, in general, a fan of cement tiles I prefer the solid color palettes and unique shapes over the heavily decorated tiles. To me, the solid colors are less likely to tire over time. I love the idea of a monochromatic floor and wall installation.
I love a solid hex for all over floors and walls. Zia Tile has excellent options.
This is an example of a tile that you might be sick of minutes after it is installed.
If done correctly and paired with a field tile that is simple and might otherwise be generic. Another find from Zia Tile.
Generic wall tile to put with yellow concrete tiles above. Dal Tile Keystones in Biscuit unglazed 1” x 2.” Also available off-set.
This new product from villa lagoon scratches two itches...terrazzo and cement. My heart skips a beat for terrazzo. Italian for Terrace, origins date back to the 15th c. The Italians would often use broken marble pieces from jobs and place them into cement and grind the floors smooth. I love the poured terrazzo floors.
J’adore the green floor in this mid-centry home. Floors are durable, can stand up to high-traffic use and are easily maintained. Layered with sisal area rugs or my favorite, a zebra rug, terrazzo flooring is an excellent flooring material choice.
An image I took in Harbour Island at the Rock House Hotel. These original cuban cement tiles still adorn the floors of the main lobby today.
Should you be inclined to dig a little deeper, you can find a wonderful history of the encaustic cement tiles here.
