Tile these days is moving. It’s shifting away from the standard, functional floor and wall covering we’re all used to seeing, and towards becoming an art form in its own right. Out are the endless seas of tooth-white square tile of the past, and in its place have come pieces so striking that they’ve become a focal point all their own. Feel free to finally take down last decade’s framed prints of cappuccino mugs and super-sized onions, and let the tile do the talking — the latest pieces can update that tired kitchen and bath décor.

Living Color
Gone are the pale, genteel palettes of the ‘90s. Today’s homeowners want color — rich, vibrant color. And that’s especially true here in the Northwest. Let’s face it, the sun doesn’t dominate the skies here every day. We want a little bit of cheer to greet us when we arrive home to the cozy nests we’ve worked so hard to create for ourselves. Maybe even a little of the humor that’s provided by a carefree, eclectic grouping of knock-your-socks-off hues.

Colors are still inspired by nature, certainly, but they’re not necessarily limited to the pastel celery and wheat colors that first come to mind. What about the punch of a saffron leaf? The dreamy blue of a spring sky in Portland or the deep azure of an evening tide at Cannon Beach? Daffodil yellow, wetlands green, and leek green are all hot. Last decade’s cobalt blue is still a popular choice, but recent installations have seen it paired with shades such as lemon yellow and terra cotta for a little visual interest.

Gleaming metallics — glazes that bring the punch of metals such as copper and pewter— are becoming popular.

Timeless Shapes
Keeping in mind that a room’s tile is made to last decades, how can a homeowner choose colors and patterns that won’t look dated in a few years? The trick is to take a look back at history. Designs that have stood the test of time are boldly colored geometrics like cobalt diamonds and black hexagons, and simple shapes like the classic square. Another time-honored choice is the rectangular subway tile, still going strong after its surge in popularity in the late 1800s.

Sought after in the Northwest and nationwide right now are organic images: frogs, roosters, salmon, starfish, and garden vegetables, for example. They’re a little trendier than the classic geometrics, so they’re often best in smaller, more focused areas, like a single kitchen backsplash. A tile-inlaid bathroom mirror surround or a rectangular kitchen grouping is a good place for the trendy stuff, especially for the faint of heart. If the installer plans ahead, the entire piece can be mounted like a picture frame and easily replaced when styles change.

Another trick to updating your home’s tile work, without inadvertently dating it, is to take a cue from your home’s own unique architectural style. A typical stumptown bungalow gains a real boost in character with the addition of a grouping of rich, historically appropriate Craftsman-style pieces along a kitchen oven hood or fireplace mantel. An early 1900s farmhouse seems at home with gleaming, sunny-hued tile squares along the kitchen countertops. Even a seemingly anachronistic ranch-style home can warm up nicely to a cowboy-style log mantel trim. Or add a southwestern ranch-style terra cotta floor, punctuated with cobalt and yellow diamonds.

Hands-On Pieces
As in computers these days, the biggest trend in tile is 3-D. Look for tactile appeal in high-relief tile pieces like round, rough logs, lumbering out almost two inches from the wall’s flat surface. Or life-size dragonflies mounted on crackly, glossy squares. Looking for new window moldings? Replace the old ones with rich, durable, deep-etched tile pieces.

In fact, tile has really returned to its functional roots. It was originally favored by the ancients for its durability, and that hasn’t changed. But what about a tile that holds your bath towel — or the family’s array of toothbrushes? Check out the matching ceramic soap holders that nestle right into the surrounding tile’s design. There’s even an elegant, cozy little inset to hold a roll of bath tissue that looks gorgeous laid into a wall of glazed tile.

No Place Like Home
Whether you’re a homeowner or a pro renovator — or both — you’ve got one of the nation’s hottest tile makers right here under your nose. The pros know Pratt and Larson tile as one of the big names in high-end, handmade ceramic tile, but most homeowners don’t deal in tile every day. If your last experience with the stuff was a walk down the aisles at Home Depot, you owe it to yourself to stop by the local company’s SE Portland showroom.

Portland artist Lou Scorca.

Dolma Tsering at the tile press.

First, there are the factory tours. These tiles are designed and manufactured by artists, and the tile-making process is a pretty interesting one. Ribbons of soft brown clay ooze off the extruder, and then designs are stamped and inspected one by one on a hand press. Edges are hand-finished and larger pieces, like ceramic sinks, are smoothed and shaped in a fairly time-consuming process. Back in the showroom, you’ll get the chance to glean valuable decorating advice from the people who actually design and make the tile.

The little-known treasure trove in the back of the shop is a factory seconds room where budget-savvy do-it-yourselfers can cull through the racks and pick up stacks of high-quality single-color tile for a measly $1.50 a pound.

Gorgeous, hand-colored relief tiles here in tile heaven go for a few dollars a pop, as labeled on the back. Pratt and Larson makes each batch of tile as it’s ordered by the homeowner or contractor. That’s how they are able to offer over a thousand designs, each available in any of the maker’s 300 colors. As a result, the variety here is immense, and the stock changes day by day. So a Manhattan couple doesn’t think the shading on a bas-relief pear matches what they saw in the catalog? That Bartlett yellow, crackle-finish 2×2 looks positively delicious to us.

Bringing It Home
Intrepid do-it-yourself homeowners may want to tackle an installation project themselves. There are a number of excellent books on the market that outline the step-by-step details — almost any how-to book with photos will do. The important thing is to keep in mind that you’re taking on a time-consuming, messy, and wet project and to plan accordingly. Allow a good, solid weekend to complete a small project, as the unexpected is inevitable and you won’t want to limit your family’s access to important rooms like the kitchen any longer than you have to. Always buy an extra 10% to 20% more tile than your project requires in case of breakage or future wear. And consider renting a portable toilet if you’re undertaking a large bathroom project like a floor.

Leigh O’Dell, Pratt and Larson’s marketing director, recommends hiring a pro, especially for the bigger jobs. A list of installers familiar with the Pratt and Larson line is available in the showroom, or check with your local contractor.

The key to finding the best deal — and a contractor who’ll do the job well — is to shop around according to O’Dell. Take the time to secure a few bids, because the same installer’s rates may vary over time depending on how busy he is during any given month. And be certain to discuss the details ahead of time. A cheaper installer who charges extra for cleanup is no bargain in the long run, unless you’re willing to do the work yourself.

Whether your home is in the West Hills or on a farm in the Estacada countryside, today’s tile can add a touch of the artistic to any room — without breaking the bank.

Visit Pratt and Larson’s showroom at 1201 S.E. 3rd Ave. in Portland, just south of Grand Avenue and Salmon Street. Showroom hours are 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. For more information call 503-231-9464 or logon at www.prattandlarson.com.