Introducing Scraffito

 Inspired by an ancient technique where the surface layer is scratched to reveal a contrasting color, the Scraffito collection was created by Michael Pratt in celebration of our 30th anniversary. Using an etching process to explore the Scraffito technique, Michael created patterns with wide ranging influences from medieval Europe to Arabic geometry. The designs all have a wonderful hand drawn quality to them which is rarely seen in ceramics, and they are continuous to create large fields of beautiful pattern.

There are 4 patterns available in the new line; each comes in an 8x8 and a 5x10 format:

 The Scraffito series can be ordered in any of our glazes. They all work beautifully - the opaque glazes create a more subtle pattern and the translucent Watercolor glazes pool in the recesses which brings out the design.

Scraffito pattern C in C607

 You can also use our new hand painting technique - Polywash to add an accent color and really bring out the patterns:

Scraffito pattern B in PW1 with Golden accent

There are 8 accent colors carefully formulated for Polywash. Each accent color has a name. The palette below shows the accent colors under W1 Watercolor glaze.

 The accent color is applied and then rubbed away leaving the accent color only in the recesses. The over glaze color is sprayed over the top, adding a layer of transparent color. You can use the 8 accent colors under any of the Watercolor glazes, just keep in mind the darker glazes will obscure the accent colors and the more contrast between your accent color and your over glaze color the bolder the pattern will be.

Here are some new concept boards showing different ways of using this versatile new line. We can't wait to see how you use it in your next projects!

Stop by and see these great new designs in person!

New Displays in the Pratt & Larson Showroom

We've been doing some rearranging in the showroom and there's lots of new products, displays and work areas. Scraffito is a brand new line which will be officially released soon but you can have a sneak preview in our Portland showroom. We installed a beautiful new floor pad and there are 12 new concept boards to showcase it. I'll blog all about it when it's officially released.

Setting the new Scraffito floor

Laying out the tile to make sure the variation in color is spread out evenly.

Grouting the new floor

The new Scraffito floor in S14

New Scraffito display boards

There is a new Pratt & Larson color wall with our glazes shown on 2x4's and organized by glaze family. It's next to the new work table and hangs over the credenza with all the parts and pieces so everything is close at hand while you're designing.

The new work table and color wall

New Shapes and Shadow Boxes

All of the tool boards have been rehung. I think the gray wall helps to make the pieces easier to see.

The Intaglio display has been rearranged too and there are 6 new display boards.

The Intaglio series

Here's two of the new Intaglio boards. 

Decorative tile themes

Craftsman glazes and themes

Simple Solutions

There are still more changes in the works including new display for some of our vendors too!
Stop in and tell us what you think! 

Pantone Color of the Year - Emerald

Emerald Green
Pantone tells us that Emerald is the color of the year for 2013. I took a look at our palette and while we've been known for our rich earthy Craftsman greens Pratt & Larson also makes quite a few brighter, more Emerald greens too.

R210 4x4 field tile

 There are beautiful greens in all our glaze families.

Green Motif

 

Green Paisley

 Green Small Fans

If Emerald is a little too dark for you we have a green for everyone. 

And of course we can custom color match too!

There's more Emerald green pictures on our Pinterest page too, be sure to follow us for lots of great pictures.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day ~ It's a red roundup!

Nothing says love like the color red, and we have some great red tile in the showroom. 

1. Chiaro Glass by M2

2. Oceanside Tessera

3. Oceanside Muse

4. McIntyre

5. Sicis

6. Bedrock Glass

7. Kaleidoscope Glass by M2

8. Pratt & Larson

Hope you have a great Valentine's Day! 

The New Mosaic Room

We finished the floors in the mosaic room over the holiday break. It looks terrific, and it's really great to have a whole space dedicated to our mosaics.

There are 9 new floor pads using our mosaic patterns in glazes suited for the floor. We've used some larger scale mosaics on the floors so you can compare the patterns in different sizes.

 The Mosaic credenza is filling up too - the compartments on top hold boards that show many of our mosaic patterns in white so you can focus on the patterns first. In the drawers are 1x1 color samples so you can play around and create you own color blends to use with the pattern you choose.

 Above the credenza are grouted mosaic boards, each showing a finished square foot of mosaics in exciting colors. I'm hoping to switch those out often so we can keep the display looking fresh and new, plus it's so fun to play with the patterns and colors we just keep coming up with more!

Here's a closer look at the new floor pads - 

 

As always - they look best in person so come on in for a visit!