There are vast suppliers of "ceramic tile" but what you've fallen in love with is hand-crafted, not machine manufactured, and therein lies the difference (and the price differential). Just sourced tile for a client and got samples from 7 manufacturers, including Fireclay. They too, decided on the Fireclay selection, both because they loved the finish and the "hand-crafted" look, as well as the many color choices not available in the other lines (or not the "right" shade of blue/green they wanted). In their case they were comparing the price to marble, as that was their initial leaning. The Fireclay tile was significantly less than the marble (although it was a very high quality marble). If you go with a handmade tile, make sure your installer is skilled installing these tiles with some irregularities. Your contractor can establish a trade account with Fireclay, if they don't have one. The trade discount is 15% which they may pass on some, or all, to you. It is a lovely tile.

Have you checked out Home Depot - they have some tile that looks similar.

We splurged on Fireclay after seeing samples from a bunch of other places. It was worth it....consistently the most complemented thing in our kitchen.

Heath Ceramics is worth a look. I think they will be similarly priced though. You've chosen a striking color for the tile. If it were me, and I could possibly swing it, I would be inclined to economize on a lot of things in order to get those tile.

HKO, there are a lot of beautiful elements to your kitchen. Those cabinets are gorgeous- and of course the Fireclay tiles are fab.

Dragonfly - thank you for the suggestion about installation. I actually don't think my contractor has experience with hand made tiles, because showed him my samples and he looked very impressed and commented that they were super expensive. He's done a great job for us so far so I'm hoping he can install some simple subway tiles if he reads fireclay's instructions.

alerievay1 - thank you for the suggestion about the clé terra cotta zellige tiles. I'm going to check them out. Your kitchen looks beautiful!!

HKO HKO - what other tile samples did you look at? I'm honestly still leaning towards fireclay but now I see I need to talk to my contractor and see if he understands the difference in installing handmade tiles and see if he's up to it. Your kitchen looks sooo nice! That pattern and color is really eye-catching and it making me consider a tile shape other than subway. Although, I do still love the classic subway tile. Decisions, decisions! But so much fun!

Rita - Thanks for the suggestion! I checked out Heath last night after reading your suggestion and they actually are a little more economical. I'm going to send off for a few samples. :-)

Take a look at Syzygy Tile. They are based in Silver City, NM

Thanks. My husband was adamant about no rectangles, and this is a sort of nod to Puget Sound, which we live near.

One more installation tip if you splurge for the good ones—plan ahead and do under cabinet or in counter outlets, as you don’t want to mar the beautiful tile work with an electrical plate, especially if you’re doing a color and not white.

We also looked at Heath, Modwalls, Heritage Tile (they have a new MCM line), Ann Sacks (nice but even more $$) and our local tile store. Heath does have great prices on their seconds room if you’re able to make it to their store.

I got my heath tiles at their overstock store in Sausalito, VERY economical, often $7-$16 per square foot. You will have to road trip it tho, as they only do cash and carry. Every Friday they release a list on their website of what they currently have in stock (if its over 25 sq feet, less than that they don't list it out).

http://www.heathceramics.com/home/pages/tile-build/designing-with-heath-tile/overstock-tile

try winchester tiles in the residential line, very affordable. syzygy is expensive.

How much tile do you need? What is the total differential in cost between the Fireclay and a less expensive brand? A few hundred $$ or a few thousand? I'd get what I wanted unless the differential was very high--you'll forget about the price in time, but if you compromise on something just due to price, you'll regret it every time you look at it.

ocotillaks - thank you for the recommendation. I'm looking into each suggestion as people post. I appreciate it!

snarkyinla - that'd be a heck of a road trip. About 2800 miles! I did a similar trip about a year ago from Florida to Seattle with my 21 year old daughter and 69 year old dad. We had a great time! Too bad the timing is off. I could've swung through Sausalito to pick up a great price on tiles. ;-)

isabel98 - looking into it! Thank you.

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Diana Bier Interiors, LLC - Thanks for weighing in! Boy, do I wish I could afford and interior designer for this project. I'm having fun and I think I'm doing a pretty good job, but I'm very happy for all the posters who are able to pay for some design help. I appreciate the Pros who add their opinions on houzz. It's very nice of you to take the time. :-)

I actually don't have a large area. I only need 35 square feet of tile, but everything I've chosen so far has exceeded the allowance and it's adding up. I agree with you, but my husband is a little more financially conservative. I added organizational features to the cabinets and am super happy with my choices, I added a fancy Kohler prolific sink (out of my budget, but I fell in love with the functionality), and Touch2o faucet, and I haven't picked out the quartz countertop yet. I suspect my choice for that will be over the budget again. I may end up with the Fireclay tile, but I promised my husband I would keep exploring options to see if I could find something I am happy with that would save a little money. If I can't, I think he'll go along with the Fireclay, but he'll be a lot happier if I can find SOMETHING on budget.

We have the Kohler Prolific too. Also worth it!! I had the same issue as you on going over on so many items. In the end, I figure it’ll be a long, long time before I do my dream kitchen again and I was willing to make an extra month or two of home equity payments or defer a vacation to get what I wanted. I only skipped the Miele built in coffee maker and now I wish I’d done that too! ;)

Here, let me help convince your husband with a better daylight picture of our Fireclay. The color variation is what makes it, and you don’t get that in cheaper tiles.

well, I beg to differ, while mostly that is accurate, after I found winchester I couldn't believe what they offered for the price. I think they have beautiful colors, and I priced a 6" square tile and I was quoted $13.95 per foot.

winchester tile

there are lots of options and I'm certain you will have to order from a retailer. I had to specifically ask my tile store as they did not have this tile displayed.

please let us know what you end up with!!!

HKO HKO - Oooh, I'm glad to hear feedback on the prolific. We were given a $200 allowance for a simple under mount sink, but from the moment I saw the prolific in a showroom, I knew I wanted to go over budget for it. Surprisingly, my husband agreed right away. He said it was very functional and not just frivolous. He actually thinks the whole kitchen is a bit frivolous (his word, he keeps using it), but he said he's agreeing to the project because it makes me happy. :-) . :-)

Your kitchen is stunning. Thanks for sending those additional pictures. I'll show him.

isabel98 - Is that a picture of your bathroom? That looks beautiful, too. I followed up on your suggestion and found a dealer for a couple Winchester tiles that look similar to my color scheme. They're shipping me samples. I hope I get them soon! My local retailer quoted me $20/square foot for subway tile. Who did you go through? Maybe I can contact them for options?

Ha. No that is off the website. I’m on the west coast. Not sure that is helpful but I use The Tile Shop in Seaside, CA. Does that price include shipping?

Do any of the fireclay in stock colors work for you? Those were cheaper too but unfortunately I couldn’t make them work.

In the end I would just bite the bullet and get what you want. I don’t think anyone has ever regretted spending more for the tile they love! I don’t think you will really save that much money. Good luck!

isabel98 - Ooooh! We have one The Tile Shop near Tampa, too. I just made an appointment to visit their showroom. Thanks for that info!

The in stock fireclay doesn't work for me. I'm planning a neutral kitchen (white cabinets, gray walls, brown-gray floors and light gray quartz) and the backsplash, bright and vibrant.

You're right in that we won't save much. Buuuut, it's all adding up.

Great. Hope you find something. I went down the same road and ended up choosing Ken Mason which the same price point of fireclay. I also found several options that were way more expensive too. Such a process...

I also love Winchester Tile, but had a hard time finding them in the US. If you have a good supplier, they are a great choice!

Thank you for your suggestions and comments!!

Here's my update. I went out this weekend, looking for other backsplash tiles that would save me a little money. I didn't find anything that came close to the fireclay samples I had. The fireclay tiles are just so strikingly beautiful. I decided they are worth it, and am going with Azurine.

An another note (and I'll be posting to the polls page for advice, too), what are you thoughts on countertops?

#1 - silestone charcoal soapstone suede

#2 - silestone expo grey

#3 - silestone desert silver

#4 - silestone kensho

I like all 4 choices, but I think #1 is too dark and #3 is too light.

#2 and #4 have the nice gray shade I'm looking for, but I want a slight pattern.

I'm going out later this week to look at more samples. I'm open to any quartz brand.

:-)

good call on the tile. of the four counters presented I would go with #4. it blends nice with the floor and is enough of a contrast with the cabinets without being too dark. my second choice would be #3

Hi Renee do you have some completed pix of your kitchen project. I am looking at the Fireclay tile in Azurine or Naples Blue and was hoping you had some pictures.

I like #1 best because of the contrast.

This thread is forever old but @HKO HKO can you tell me what color your Fireclay backsplash is?

It’s Caribbean