We are just blown over by all the love that Google has been showing us lately!
(YES, THAT GOOGLE!)
We’re so proud to be featured for our state of Alabama in Google’s Economic Impact Report. The purpose of the EI Report is to highlight Google’s local economic impact across America and they chose Villa Lagoon Tile as an example of a small business that has utilized the web to build and grow. They sent out an awesome photographer, Rick Olivier, to get some shots for the report and are even flying two VLT team members out to Cali for a visit to the Googleplex, to learn, network, and explore with the other successful businesses representing their states.
Google photoshoot fun!
Google also featured VLT in their Instagram series: “Small Biz Stories”!
THE WAIT IS OVER! Our new cement tile design tool is now up and running! You can get lost for hours (and hours and hours) with the endless possible colorways!
100s of Cement Tile Patterns Available! Step One is to pick the patterns you want to play with, don’t forget to consider a border pattern for a truly show-stopping design! Feel free to let us know if you don’t see the pattern you’re looking for.
SO Many Colors! Step two is to get your color on! Our South Beach Palette has 80+ colors for you to design with so you’re sure to find the perfect combo.
Lay It Out! Step three is where the magic happens. Now you can see how your tile looks grouped together! Add a patterned border or a solid color tile to really enhance your cement tile design game.
Floorify for Fun! Toggle that “on/off floorify” button – you know you want to!
Save Save Save! Step four is a real life saver! With a click of the “Download/Print” button, you can have the perfect tear sheet for your client or vision board!
Voila! Step five for the finish! When you’re ready for a quote or to place your order just email us the tile tool generated tear sheet along with your contact info, your project’s location and the quantity need for each tile and we can get started with turning your creativity into reality.
Just another day in the office… Dude and Walter stopped by in search of new flooring after The Dude’s rug was micturated upon. When told we are an online retailer only, mayhem ensued.
Happy Halloween from a few of the NUTS at Villa Lagoon Tile!
In historic cement tile floors one sees many variations of colors formed using iron oxide and a few other simple natural earth pigments. These old tile floors have a rich but often deep color range. Now with earth-wide connectivity and speedy transportation of goods from country to country, we are able to find pigments to create just about any cement tile color needed by a designer or architect.
We are in love with these gorgeous new shades that we have added to our cement tile standard palette.
These super saturated cement tile colors would have been impossible just a few years back. Disney wanted some vivid colors for a special project in Hong Kong. We got busy and came up with just what their designers needed for a bright, fun floor in a Disney hotel restaurant. It is still under construction, but we know we will have finished project photos in a few months. The floor will amaze you.
Shown here: Sunshine SB-9000, Cherry Red SB-9001, Violeta SB-9002
If your project calls for new or unusual colors, just ask, there is a really good chance we can achieve your desired hues just as we did for this special Disney job.
Villa Lagoon Tile’s current complete standard colors are shown below. Click the image to see it gigantic in a new window.
Introduction
The presence of cement tiles as floor and wall covering indoors is established and continues to grow as architects and designers find new uses that enhance their projects. To a lesser extent, the uses of these versatile, colorful tiles outdoors are slowly being discovered. Their use on building facades and walls creates a work of art that compliments the building architecture and design. Cement tiles are prominently used outdoors in a few hotels such as the SLS Miami and SLS Las Vegas as pool decking. The stunning addition of patterned tiles in those areas creates a bright colorful background to the pool designs as bathers and sun worshippers relax sipping Pina Coladas.
An important factor to consider when using cement tiles is the use of the appropriate sealant for indoor or outdoor installations. We have conducted tests that provide clear evidence that the use of a top coat with UV filters is vital to maintaining the vibrant colors in cement tiles. Without the UV filters, the colors can noticeably fade in as little as four to five months.
Testing Method
A colorful cement tile was selected and prepared by marking off spaces where two sealant treatments would be applied. A Control section on the tile with no sealant was allotted. The test articles were:
Dry-Treat – Stain-Proof, a premium Impregnating/Penetrating sealant.
Villa Lagoon Grout Release and Top-Coat Sealant, a co-polymer top-coat sealant containing UV Filters.
The products were applied as directed by the manufacturer. Two coats of the VLT Grout Release/Top-Coat were applied and allowed to dry for 24 hours. The Dry-Treat/Stain Proof was applied in succession 3 times and allowed to dry for 24 hours.
On May 9, 2016, the tile were placed outdoors in an open space, no shade or covering. The tile was exposed to all weather elements present in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The weather there is typically hot, humid, lots of sun and lots of rain. Temperatures ranged from 70 F to 95 F with heat indices of >105 F. The tile was not maintained or cared for in any manner. The tile was often in direct all-day sunshine from May 9, 2016, thru September 21, 2016. Periodic rain and thunderstorms occurred, no hail or other weather events were present.
Results
Initially, on the test tile just after application of the Dry-Treat a slight change color (enhancement) was noticed but faded over the course of the 24 hour drying period.
The VLT Grout Release/Top-Coat Sealant showed a marked color enhancement that continued through the entire test period.
The test tile was brought inside on Sep 21, 2016, after 19 weeks+ 2 days exposure.
The tile was allowed to cool to room temperature prior to observations being recorded.
The test (Treated) tile was compared to an identical tile (Control) that had been stored in a sealed box in a warehouse. It had never been exposed to sunlight.
The Treated tile showed obvious effects of weather. On the Treated tile, the Control section where no sealant was applied showed fading in all the colors except for the white portions of the tile.
The VLT Grout Release/Top-Coat treated section of the tile showed no fading and the color remained vibrant and rich.
The Dry Treat/Stain Proof/Impregnating sealant showed comparable fading as in the Control (no Sealant section).
Discussion
The results of this simple test demonstrate that for outdoor use of cement tile, the VLT Grout Release/Top Coat co-polymer sealant with UV filters prevents fading and we consider it to be a superior treatment than the Dry Treat/Stain-Proof product for outside use.
The use of the VLT Grout Release/Top Coat co-polymer sealant provides an appealing color enhancement effect on cement tiles.
The UV filters prevented the colors from fading when exposed to bright sunshine for a long period of time. Though not tested in this experiment, we believe the VLT Grout Release/Top-Coat co-polymer sealant will prevent staining from bird droppings and other organic stains from leaves and natural debris.
Alfred, the well known brand of LA coffee shops has opened a new tea shop in Melrose Place with the most relaxing decor. Read about it in Hollywood Reporter.
Owner/ designer Joshua Zad came back to us once more for the perfect tile for his vision for Alfred Tea Room.
Designer Melissa Adams at Villa Lagoon Tile came up with this soothing, fun fantasy vine exclusively for Villa Lagoon Tile and it is a lovely compliment to the pink decor in the new Alfred Tea Room.
Stop in for a refreshing sip and let them know that you noticed the tile :o)
The buzz about Austin’s new Hotel Van Zandt is really hitting the airways. Mark Zeff’s music driven design is a true chart-topper and keeping in harmony with Zeff’s vision you will absolutely find Villa Lagoon Tile. As explored in the most recent issue of Interior Design, cement tile is among The Van Zandt’s hits.
Our Exclusive Ikat Patterns Take Stage
Also available at Villa Lagoon Tile are the traditional patterns we call Marrakesh B and Charlotte as seen below.
We spotted a few of our cement tiles while flipping through the March 2016 issue of Bon Appetit.
In fact, you’re likely to find our cement tile wherever you find amazing food or is it the other way around….you decide.
Spot it below: Lisbon (Third down on the left), Tangier (Third down center), Kismet (bottom center)
As the song says, “everything old is new again”, and cement tile is no exception. As the cement tile craze ramps up in the West you can find this old world tile used in new school ways at many of your favorite eateries. Check out a few examples of the bite Villa Lagoon Tile has taken out of the food world.
We are frequently asked if cement tile are durable. In general terms we always say “yes”, and tell clients about the many installations over 100 years old and still in service.
Not so long ago Dave and I were passing through the PARIS CHARLES DE GAULLE airport and immediately upon disembarking the airplane, we were walking over colorful cement tiles in the concourse. Now, where in the world is there more foot traffic than a big international airport ? And these tiles look really good considering all the suitcases and strollers rolling over them daily.
These energetic abstract patterns were a delight after a long airplane flight. We think the cement tile installation in Paris’ Charles DeGaulle Airport in Paris are a testament to the durability of well made cement tiles.