Design Inspiration Blog

Tesselle Cement Tiles are hand-made on a hydraulic press. Here is a general overview of the process: A mixture of cement, sand, and pigment is prepared. The mixture is poured into a mold in thin layers; first liquid colored cement is poured into a mold specific to the design, and then dry cement and sand are placed above. The mold is placed in a hydraulic press, which applies pressure to compact the mixture and remove excess water. The tile is removed from the mold; this process takes 2-4 minutes, depending on the complexity of the design. The tile is then and allowed to cure;...

Aperiodic tilings are a type of tiling where the tiles can fit together in a specific, non-repeating way to cover a surface. Aperiodic tilings were first introduced by mathematician Roger Penrose in the 1970s and have since been studied extensively in the field of mathematics. One of the most famous aperiodic tilings is the Penrose tiling, named after its creator. These tilings are formed using two different types of tiles: fat rhombuses and thin rhombuses. The tiles are arranged in a way that allows them to fit together without forming a repeating pattern, creating a highly intricate and complex tiling. Aperiodic...

"I've created hundreds of water-themed tile designs that have never seen the light of day, and finally found the right inspiration in The Blue Grotto, a naturally underlit cave on the Italian island of Capri, where I witnessed the brightest, deepest shades of blue I've ever seen in nature. I'm excited to finally introduce Grotta Azzurra 8" Cement Tiles by Tesselle," says Karin Jeske. Scroll down to see an additional colorway and to learn more about The Blue Grotto (La Grotta Azzurra in Italian). Above:  Grotta Nebbia Cement Tiles in a random layout. Above:  photo of The Blue Grotto, taken by...

Breeze Blocks are decorative concrete masonry units (CMUs) that are used outdoors and indoors around the world to divide spaces, provide privacy and add sun protection, while maintaining airflow.  Sometimes called Screen Blocks, they have been produced in hundreds of designs. Architect Edward Durell Stone pioneered the technique of manufacturing and installing these blocks in the 1950s, and introduced them to the world with the unveiling of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India in 1959.  Unlike most concrete blocks, Breeze Blocks are non-structural, and must be externally reinforced.  More information: Concrete Screen Block by Ron and Barbara Marshall Tesselle's current Breeze Block assortment...