Meanderings of Our Authentic Life

The world renowned Anduze French pottery from Provence was created in the 17th century, when a Provençal Anduze potter was inspired by the Italian Medici vase. Upon returning from Florence, this potter recreated those Medici vases in a singular style: distinctive bulbous shape, colorful glazed finishes and decorations of heraldic shields, garlands of flowers, and horizontal stripes - hence, the remarkable Anduze French vase we see today for home decor and gardens - or aptly known as La Poterie d'Anduze.

Why is there a showroom in Western Massachusetts that is a jewel for French, Italian, Belgian and English reclaimed and antiqued wood, stone and tile materials?  Read our latest blog about a 19-year old's dream in 1989 to find open space, freedom and the shear will to succeed in America.  François Micallef, founder of Pavé Tile, Wood & Stone, Inc. has one of those unique journeys of achieving the American dream, while still keeping France close to home.

Before François and I opened up Historic Decorative Materials, a Division of Pavé Tile, Wood & Stone, Inc. in 2000, I was a French high school teacher. Although I no longer have students in high school, I still have students.  These students are my potential customers and as a teacher, I began realizing the lexicon François and I use to describe our wood and stone materials should be better explained.  With insight behind a vocabulary that François and I take for granted, I hope you, our readers and perhaps possible clients, will enjoy our Historic Decorative Materials wood and stone even more!

"Raising the Bar" begins the title of my latest blog where I discuss in detail why our Kings of France 18th Century French and European Oak Floors are above and beyond what is offered for wood flooring on the market and how highly crafted natural French oak floors help create the serenity we need in our homes today.  As a two-part blog, in Part 1, I also delve into the differences between the Great House and the Country House Collections within the Kings of France 18th Century French and European Oak Flooring.

The Olde Oak Series from our Kings of France 18th Century French Oak Flooring Collection are for those who cherish rustic elegance, superb wood craftsmanship and incredible authenticity.  Our latest French oak wood flooring collection at Historic Decorative Materials not only resembles, but perhaps surpasses reclaimed French oak floors.

Zellige Tile is a remarkable hand made terra cotta tile.  Our authentic Zellige Tile follows centuries old techniques passed down from generation to generation using the famous Moroccan Miocene gray clay. Importing directly from Fes, Morocco, Zellige tile requires relationships made of trust and time. François understands these nuances and has established the bond necessary to bring to stock at Historic Decorative Materials our own collection of hand cut authentic Moroccan Zellige Tile. 

We all agree we aspire to a home that is a sanctuary of peace and beauty. Often times we feel zen in a minimalist space.  This design philosophy uses light and space with minimal details and a limited color palette.  However, these interiors may leave one also feeling cold.  Combining minimalism with classical interiors is what I personally love.  I feel best in an uncluttered space that is airy and light, yet I yearn for also simple beauty, texture, color and history.  Following this eclectic pairing will help one design a space that is not overly designed - but more thoughtfully designed.

Antique Belgian Bluestone is a formidable stone of choice for architects and designers building out their finest projects.  As a durable and historic floor, the satin patina of either the dark black blues or soft matte grey surfaces create the most magnificent ambiance to a room.

This is a LOOK BOOK blog that is a summary of my Historic Decorative Wall Tile Collections that I hand painted for our company. Patterned Decorative wall tiles have been found on kitchen back splashes, bathroom walls and fireplace surrounds for centuries. Focusing on the historic decorative art tiles from 14th century England, 15th Century France, 16th Century Florence, 17th Century Delft and 19th Century France, bring to light incredible patterned wall tiles that should not be lost to trends and mass production. These are not your cookie cutter tiles - but for those who relish in authenticity, history, elegance, subtlety and the desire to create an interior that defines one's own personal taste.  Please rekindle that spark for the historic decorative arts and fall in love with time periods that hold fast to our hearts still - maybe without you even being aware of it.

14th Century Venice is the Voice to this Collection.  Leaving the Middle Ages behind, Venetians have entered a profound rebirth of art and culture.  Where contrasts collide between what life once was to the dawn of where life is arching.  Contrasts that awaken the senses are palpable - beauty takes center stage -  between Earth and Sea...along the Venetian Canals. 

There are many stone companies available that offer limestone flooring from all over the world with various textures and finishes.  As one can imagine, each limestone color and surface has it's place. However, within our repertoire of limestone flooring - we look to limestone from French quarries, where the limestone blocks are held to the highest goals of recreating for our company, 18th century stone flooring.  And just because it's French limestone - this does not mean it makes it into our collection.  With an artist's focus - we cull the most beautiful repertoire of French limestone floors for our clients.

Brushstrokes from Japan is an ethereal and reflective tile collection.  The color palette was borrowed from Japan's Mother Nature - where it's hues bring reverie.  This tile collection is meant to perform in contrast to noble materials of the Earth - stone, wood, terra cotta.  The opaque nature, aged textures and neutral color palettes of reclaimed materials are the only choice to elevate this tile collection into a transcendence of soul restorative beauty.