ASPIRE’s ExpertEase: Miles of Tiles

Monmouth-St-TileAvra-KarakAvra Karak is the owner and founder of Monmouth St. Tile, with locations in Red Bank and Sea Girt, NJ. When you’ve been in the tile business for 17 years, you know a thing or two, so Karak laid down the facts about the current designs, trends and materials on the market.

What are some of the major trends right now in the tile world?

It’s important to help clients create a tile design influenced by their tastes, as well as the tastes and styles in their homes. When choosing a tile just because it’s “trendy,” you run the risk of having a beautiful design marred by the fact that it doesn’t “fit” with the rest of your home.

That being said, there are some designs and materials that are always in demand. Stone is always a solid choice – usually limestone or marble. Most people choose a more honed finish for these, rather than a polished one. Porcelain is popular as well. It all depends on personal preference. Glass tiles are great for mosaic patterns.

What do people often look for when choosing tile shapes and design patterns?

monmouth-st-tile-2Basketweave tiles are still popular and very traditional. Hexagonal tiles are also great for traditional patterns. Transitional looks are often accomplished with a herringbone patterned tile, or even penny rounds. The Arabesque shape, whether in glass, stone or ceramic, is an old pattern brought back to life, so to say. We’ve also been seeing a demand for sleeker, longer, more rectangular-shaped tiles.

Are there any particular suppliers or companies your clients prefer?

monmouth-st-tile-1We often order from New Ravenna, a high-end mosaic company. They have a huge, beautiful selection with some beautiful lines, and can do basically anything with your design if you come up with something unique. Another company, Tarbarka Studio, has a great hand-painted terracotta line and offers many of the popular shapes. They even have some interesting combinations with wood and stone that can make for a really cool effect, especially on floor projects.

What is the design process like?

monmouth-st-tile-3There are so many options and so many possible creations that clients can feel a little overwhelmed at first. We quickly put them at ease by helping them find the right colors, shapes, patterns and materials for their space and for their home. We pretty much start from scratch, gather all the information and work to fit that person’s style and personality. Sometimes I even find myself trying to match the coloring of a client’s persona. Those with warm coloring often feel comfortable with warmer tones. It’s as if you’re dressing a person’s space. Above all, we want happy clients at the end of each project.

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