DESIGN STORIES | PEAR SONGBIRD KITCHEN

Perhaps a better title for this project could be "Simplicity at Its Best." Either way you look at this stunning kitchen, its simple craftsman style and beauty catches your eye...and holds on.

Your tile just has so much diversity to it

Our local client came to know Motawi when he and his wife wandered into a store out in California and fell in love with the craftsman style of the tiles. "The Motawi tile had a very distinctive look that you could pick out. It spoke to us, we just kinda gravitated to that. Your tile just has so much diversity to it, you can use it for so many things." After returning home, they searched for tiles on the internet and were shocked to learn that Motawi is in Ann Arbor...practically their backyard! The very next Saturday, they made the short drive to the Tileworks where they learned of the design process. By Monday, they had spoken to Motawi designer Julie Baty and the ball was officially rolling.

Polychrome accent tiles: 4x8 Songbird Facing Right, 4x8 Long Stem 8x8 Songbirds, 4x8 Songbird Facing Left all in Olive colorway; field tile in 5153 Pear and 5115 Oak

Coming into the design process, the clients knew they wanted certain elements incorporated into the design: they wanted it to be simple, they knew they liked the Songbird tiles, they knew they wanted the design to go up to the ceiling over the hood and they knew they liked cooler colors. With that information, Julie "took the ideas and ran with them...she exceeded our expectations."

The cabinetry deserved more out of a tile than a mass produced product

As you can see by the images, the client had beautiful custom wood cabinetry installed. This was actually done long before the tile design. The clients wanted to first see how the cabinetry looked before they installed the backsplash. "The cabinetry deserved more out of a tile than a mass produced product." Julie mocked up a few different options and with another quick trip to the Tileworks to look at colors, the design was finalized and the order was put into production.

Design options

The clients have owned the late-90s ranch home with a high-pitched roof for only a few years. The kitchen is just one of the major projects they've done since moving in and they knew they wanted to accentuate the high ceilings with the backsplash design extending up the entire way vertically.

As with any Motawi installation project, the boxes of tile were carefully packaged and included with very detailed instructions for the installer. According to the homeowner, the installers for this project had not worked with Motawi tiles previously. The installers were floored by the tile and the ease of putting them in as the kit enclosed made it very simple. In fact, they told the client they would be talking to contractors and designers about Motawi in the hopes of working with the tiles again.

The client and his wife were thrilled with the finished product. "That backsplash is a piece of art in our kitchen...you can feel the energy from the tiles and it passes on to all who come in and see it."

How Can I Get My Own Motawi Tile Design?

Our designers are happy to help! Send us an e-mail to installationdesign@motawi.com to set up your consultation today!

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If you've got a Motawi tile project you'd like to see featured in an upcoming edition of Design Stories, contact us at designstories@motawi.com, or call us at 734.213.0017.