A Guide to the Best of Southern California : HANDMADE : A Bunch of Squares

Custom tiles can bring a decorator staple into the realm of art. Though considerably more expensive than standard-issue tiles, Formica or linoleum, hand-painted varieties add value to a home. All Tiled Up is devoted exclusively to custom-made tiles, which can be painted to coordinate with wall coverings, fabric, logos or simply to express an abstractly artful notion. The company paints single tiles for random placement and creates whole murals at costs ranging from $300 to $5,000.

Although All Tiled Up has completed public commissions in venues as disparate as the Beverly Hills Hotel and a West Hollywood senior citizen housing project, 80% of its business is private homes. One home, formerly owned by Charlie Chaplin, features an English cottage scene along one kitchen wall, a concept developed by the artist in conjunction with the interior decorator. A ceramic version of Monet’s “Water Lilies” graces the short wall separating the pool from the Jacuzzi at another private home, whose owner wanted “something impressionistic.”

Others have requested more contemporary designs for showier interiors, indicating little more than color preference to the artist involved. The most common request? A still-life mural for the kitchen--wine, bread, cheese and a bowl of fruit--it seems, remains the most basic of creature comforts.

All Tiled Up, by appointment only, (818) 363-2624. Color brochures are available.