Wood tile, a warm and organic look

Furniture restorer and decorative painter Jacqueline Moore was so intrigued by the Malibu tiles she saw at the Montecito garden Lotusland she was inspired to craft tile in her medium: wood. She's pictured here in her Santa Monica studio.

Furniture restorer and decorative painter Jacqueline Moore was so intrigued by the Malibu tiles she saw at the Montecito garden Lotusland she was inspired to craft tile in her medium: wood. She’s pictured here in her Santa Monica studio.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Share

Subway tile made of aged maple at Handsome Coffee Roasters in Los Angeles is a custom variation of a trend we’re seeing in the home design marketplace: wood tile as an alternative to ceramic, stone and glass. Here are some examples of the wood look:

Jacqueline Moore's handmade wood tile

Jacqueline Moore uses 12 to 20 layers of conditioners, glazes, paints, inks and sealers on Baltic birch.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Hearst Castle Collection

Jacqueline Moore designed the Hearst Castle Collection of wood tiles for Tilevera, a Sausalito manufacturer. Moore said she “burst a blood vessel” in excitement upon seeing Hearst Castle architect Julia Morgan’s drawings and realizing the potential of tiles inspired by Morgan’s work. “I said, Let’s not copy it. Can I sing a duet? I don’t want to sing her song,” Moore said. Full story on Moore’s designs.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)