Heritage Tile

At Heritage Tile, our passion for tile extends beyond aesthetics and function. We care about the craft and preserving historic tile designs. That's why we jumped at the chance to replicate the French Art Deco tiles from Ernest Hemingway's Key West home and used traditional casting methods and authentic reproduction techniques to do it. The inspiration behind this project began when we saw a photo of the historic tiles in Ernest Hemingway's Florida bathroom. We couldn't resist recreating such beautiful historic tile, especially since Hemingway's boyhood home is just a stone's throw away from our Oak Park office. Final tile reproductions created by Heritage Tile. The original tiles were imported by Hemingway's second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, when she renovated their...

The Pleasant Home Foundation recently approached us to repair their damaged porch tiles. While we knew this would not be an easy task, we were thrilled to take on the custom restoration project for this nationally-significant historic home! According to its National Historic Landmark nomination, Pleasant Home is “one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of the Prairie School.” Situated on the corner of Pleasant Street and Home Avenue in Oak Park, the birthplace of the Prairie Style of architecture, the 1897 mansion is also considered one of the finest designs by prominent architect George Washington Maher. Maher designed the home for John Farson, an investment banker, and it was later sold to Herbert Mills, who made his fortune...

A Parisian client recently used our Subway Ceramics and Subway Mosaics collections to bring a bit of the American Bungalow style to the City of Light! The building was once a furniture factory in an area of Paris that was a center of craft work. Seven years ago, it was converted into a five-story apartment building. This duplex still has the original tall windows from the days when they were necessary to bring natural light into the production space. According to our client, the previous owner’s style could be described as industrial with many recycled items and rough finishes. While she also appreciates this look, her aesthetic is more oriented towards the fine craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts and...

We are pleased to announce that Heritage Tile has won this year's Philander Barclay Award. Each year the award is presented by the Historical Society of Oak Park & River Forest to the person or business that shows a great passion for local history. We couldn't be more proud of this recognition. The award is named after Philander Barclay (1878-1940), Oak Park's original historian. Mr. Barclay was a bicycle repairman by trade, but his passion for local history led him to collect old photographs, befriend older residents and gather historical documents. He also dedicated his time to taking hundreds of photographs around the community to document everyday life. His photograph and document archives are a key part of the Historical...

Heritage Tile is so excited to present our newly launched website for Batchelder Tile. These stoneware pavers are an authentic reproduction of the tiles created by Ernest Batchelder in the early 1900’s. We spent years researching and creating the collection so it embodies the warmth and rustic charm of the Arts & Crafts movement and remains true to Batchelder's vision. The site includes information about the patterns, shapes and color palettes for the pavers, a complete product catalog that can be purchased online, and useful resources to assist you in planning your Batchelder design. We encourage you to register on our website for a free Trade membership to receive complimentary samples and the exclusive benefits that Heritage Tile has to...

Although Heritage Tile works with businesses, designers, architects, and homeowners all over the world, our headquarters is proudly situated in Oak Park, Illinois. Oak Park is often described as a “living museum” because it features the world’s largest concentration of historic buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and other architects hailing from the Prairie School—a late 19th and early 20th century architectural style with Chicago roots. In celebration of Oak Park’s incredible architectural heritage, we’ve rounded up the eight must-visit historic buildings in the village. Clockwise from left: Ernest Hemingway's birthplace, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Unity Temple, and Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. Pleasant Home The jewel in the crown of Oak Park architecture is Pleasant Home. This large Prairie-style...

Authenticity and the Period Home Times change and you can find those changes preserved in the tile of the times. An essential element of our built environment for the last 120 years, American ceramic tile has demonstrated a unique ability to adapt and innovate to create new forms, new fashions, and new solutions to the meet the architectural challenges of the day. Fashions change. Tile endures. How will we feel about the tile choices we make today, say 5 or 10 years into the future? Consider the one (and only) timeless tile fashion choice; the tile that was (or could) have been in your home when it was first built.  For the pre-war home, Subway Ceramics is your timeless choice...

Tile texture is often overlooked when planning the redesign of a space, but it is just as important as color, shape, and pattern. In addition to adding a visual element to your installation, texture can also play a practical function. The Japanese Tile collection has a range of textured tile, from concave hex tile to earthy textures like sand and stone. To help you decide what textured tile is best for your space, we’ve put together these tips. Functionality. One of the most important things to consider when choosing the texture for your tile is where the tile is going to be installed. Smooth glossy tile is great for walls that need a lot of cleaning because there is nowhere...

Penny-round tile has been a staple of American architecture since the early 1900s. Similar to subway tile, penny-round tile is affordable and classy, and the two styles are often paired together to create that classic bathroom look. The Interiors Addict listed "nostalgia" as one of the top six tile trends for 2017 and retro, which includes subway tile and penny rounds from the 1930s, is part of this nostalgia trend. It's no surprise that the versatile penny-round tile is basking in the spotlight. Made from unglazed porcelain, penny rounds bring a timeless style to any home. Their ultra flat, durable surface works perfectly in any wet area. Ranging in size from 3/4 inch to 1 inch, these small tiles spice...