Merry Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of year when we celebrate the gift of love that was given to mankind so many years ago by giving gifts to those that we also love and the people that have touched our lives in so many special ways. It's a time of reflection and taking time to thank God and others for being there for you and making a difference in your life. It's a time for family, to love and cherish those around you who lift you up and support you every day in the good times and bad. It's a time for friends to say thank you for the many good times that we have made together and the wonderful memories that we have created. For coworkers to show their appreciation for the support and the many hours of hard work that have been given through the year.

So I want to say thank you to all of you who have touched my life this year, either in business or in a more personal way and may the joy of this season fill your hearts and may your lives be filled with peace and happiness throughout the year to come.


Merry Christmas from my family to yours,

Perry Holder
Design Materials Inc.
perry@designmaterialsinc.com

Two Tiles Too Love

In the ever changing world of interior design, the role of the tile makes a huge impact in the overall look of a home, office or commercial space. In my dealings with the public over the years, I find that people don't realize that their flooring is a huge part of the overall palette of their room and that the color, style and texture that is set with their flooring can drive the style of the area that they are working with.

In years past the selections were sparse and the manufactures were few. The ceramics looked like ceramics and there were a few stone look alike that were a poor representation of the real thing. But in today's world, the selections are only limited by the amount of time you want to spend searching for the right product for your project. Technology is moving along at record speed and tile manufacturing is moving right along with it.
Duplication of the stone look on tile is so realistic now with new photo technology that  most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the natural stone and the porcelain.

Today I want to share two lines of tile with you from one of my favorite manufactures, Emil Ceramica.
The first line is their Silverstone series, which is a beautiful clean look with rectified edges and a light linear texture that just sets this tile right at the top of my list of all time favorite tiles. This tile is available in either a polished or matte finish in sizes that range from 24x24, 12x24,18x18 and if needed 2x2 mesh mounted mosaics and also some linear cut mosaic patterns. To top off this incredible line it also contains over 40% pre-consumer recycled materials that can contribute to two leed points on the Green Building Ratings. (4.1 and 4.2)

Silverstone Beige

Silverstone Bianco

Silverstone Antracite



The second Emil line that I wanted to highlight today is the Keystone Series. As with the Silverstone series, the Keystone series also has at least 40% pre-consumer recycled material, but with a completely different look.

With a wonderful movement that resembles natural stone and colors that are as exciting as the natural elements that they are named for. Their lightest color, which features light beige tones is called Wind. This is followed closely by Iron that has incredible gray tones and then finishing up with Fire and then their darkest tone which is called Earth. All of these are great colors and come in a variety of different sizes from 18x36 to 6x6.

I am including some great pictures below, just to wet your appetite.

Keystone Wind

Keystone Iron

Keystone Earth

This is just two of so many of Emil Ceramica's wonderful lines. I hope that you have enjoyed them and please keep an eye out for more Blogs to come.

Making your mark

In today’s ever shrinking world there are millions of architects and designers, and they are all sending out project after project and looking for a way to set their work apart from others. I believe our creative instinct longs to do something different, to create something that leaves our mark on the world and lets the next generation know that we were here and that we made a difference.
　
There are those who have gone before us with names like Frank Lloyd Wright, Kevin Roche or Robert Venturi. All these have made their mark by stepping out of the box and creating a look or design that is different and extraordinary. Their ideas and designs have opened eyes, challenged thought and expanded minds.
　
Today I am posting a few pictures with some great ideas from Sicis Glass that can set your special project apart from most others. There are thousands of designs in their catalogs, or you can create your own and have it custom made. The limits are only within our own imaginations. Picture the San Antonio skyline with your new building in it on the entry wall  of your new building.
　
Below I have attached a few samples of their new Skyline Collection. These are installed on full walls and can make a huge impact on a room or an entry wall in a building. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.



Skyline Collection - The Window

 




Skyline Collection - Amo Ney York



                                                                                                                                           





 



Skyline Collection - Taxi






Skyline Collection - Venice