Tammy, this is the most stunning showroom. Tell us a bit about Tile America.
We’re a family business and we’ve been doing this for 60 years. We have seven locations around the state including Manchester, Brookfield, Stamford, New Haven, New London, Fairfield, and right here in West Hartford.
Tile generally seems to trend pretty neutral but things are changing. What’s unique about the products here at Tile America?
We get tile in from all over the world and while our customer service offers that small business feel, we have people dedicated to trends that are happening globally. Most of our team has an art or design background and our customers choose us because they are looking for something unique that tells a story about their individual style.
How would you describe the Tile America experience?
We are so different than the big box stores. The average Tile America showroom design consultant has been with us for eight years and has at least 10 years of experience designing with tile so we definitely know what we are doing! We are very family oriented and we have customers who have been with us for as long as they’ve owned their homes. Even though we have been in business for over 50 years, we are constantly paying attention to trends and style, so we really have one of the most modern selections that you’ll find anywhere. We love when people bring in plans and inspiration and we get to work with them to make their project a reality.
What’s popular in terms of design right now?
Tile patterns are huge right now and people are really loving the visual effects that tile can offer as light and people move through a room. Warmer, more saturated colors are also becoming popular as homeowners are looking to make a statement in a unique way. Greens and blues create a luxurious mood and some of the bigger tiles are really impressive which is quite different from what we’ve seen in the past.
What should people know about when shopping for tile?
Make an appointment! We love when people bring in their mood boards and photos of their space and while we are happy to help people who stop by, it’s great to be able to have the time to really dig deep into a homeowner’s aesthetic, their lifestyle, and the functionality of their room.
What surprises people about tile?
Definitely the versatility. People don’t realize that tile can mimic most materials and because it’s so multi-faceted, it really makes a great choice for flooring. An example is our wood grain porcelain which looks just like a wood floor but won’t get ruined if you have pets or young children. We love showing customers beautiful products but they always have to be functional and work for their life and style.
Finally, you’re here on New Park Avenue, also known as the Design District. What do you love about the area?
This is such a fantastic community of independent business owners and because everyone is in the home design industry, it’s great to be able to collaborate and offer customers so many resources outside of tile. This area offers the convenience of the big chains with decades of experience from a group of business owners who treat customers like family.
Tile America is located at 585 New Park Avenue in West Hartford. Check out their website at www.tileamerica.com to learn more about their products and don’t forget to check out their interactive room visualizer.