Revival Hearths
Practical and artistic, tile is preferred for new fireplaces.
Before 1915, fireplace surrounds in both builders’ bungalows and fine Craftsman homes likely were done in brick. What we think of as Arts & Crafts tile really dates to the 1920s, including, for example, the work of Ernest Batchelder and tiles produced by Malibu Potteries and Catalina Clay Products. Art tile is appreciated more than ever in today’s revival, so it’s no surprise that tile is so often chosen for new work that becomes the focal point.
As you’ll see here, new installations run from period-correct surrounds in earthy colors to unique interpretations. Look for nature themes, mosaics, and motifs borrowed from Greene & Greene, C.R. Mackintosh, and others.
LILYWORK TILE For an English Arts & Crafts 1915 home (architect Stiles O. Clements) in Pasadena: running band ‘Iznik’ in Green Tea, Mint, Creme Brulee with 2" ‘Byzantium’ decos. Period design by Kathryne Dahlman (kathrynedesigns.com).
SUZANNE CRANE Remodeled for a 1969 Ranch: botanical 8" ‘Dogwood with Red Berries’ in Amber. Leaf specimens are pressed into wet clay for an impression later used as a glazing template. Eight-inch tiles are handmade, no molds used.
PEWABIC Tiles from the Stratton Collection in the Iroquois palette with a custom ‘Oak Leaf & Acorns’ border.
NORTH PRAIRIE TILEWORKS Update for a brick bedroom fireplace of 1925. Matte Green field tiles custom fit with flaring, coved-end 2" x 12". Tube-lined ‘Prairie Blossom’ accent tiles.
SYZYGY Recent remodel of a largely intact house in Silver City, N.M., built 1890 with additions 1908–12. Hearth (floor) has 6" x 6" field tiles; ‘Random Blend’ pattern on the surround face, in Matte White, Brownstone, Cornsilk, Yellowstone, Wheatstone, and Acorn glazes.
CLAY SQUARED Laid over old brick: 3" x 6" handmade field tile in Pesto glaze color. Center design cued by existing woodwork elements around mirror.
ROOKWOOD POTTERY Design by owner Jon Calderas replaced Home Depot tile in a 1908 Foursquare. ‘Chesapeake Iris’ and ‘Dragonfly’ tiles and Rookwood logo. Custom quote.
PASADENA CRAFTSMAN TILE Redo for a California Craftsman. Center 12" x 12" ‘Twin Peacocks’ tile with Dark Celadon glaze in crevices. ‘Hawks’ 3" x 3" relief tiles; 3" x 6" field tiles in Celadon. Relief patterns from impressions of original 1920s Batchelder tiles. Nice update of tradition using tile in an unpretentious brick running-bond pattern.
Patricia Poore is Editor-in-chief of Old House Journal and Arts & Crafts Homes, as well as editorial director at Active Interest Media’s Home Group, overseeing New Old House, Traditional Building, and special-interest publications.
Poore joined Old House Journal when it was a Brooklyn-brownstoner newsletter in the late 1970s. She became owner and publisher and, except for the years 2002–2013, has been its editor. Poore founded the magazines Old-House Interiors (1995–2013) and Early Homes (2004–2017); their content is now available online and folded into Old-House Journal’s wider coverage. Poore also created GARBAGE magazine (1989–1994), the first unaffiliated environmental consumer magazine.
Poore has participated, hands-on, in several restorations, including her own homes: a 1911 brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and a 1904 Tudor–Shingle Style house in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where she brought up her boys and their wonderful dogs.
