Genuine Moroccan Tiles vs Cheap Replicas

Moroccan style is a much desired theme in home interiors these days, and there’s no doubt why.  The colorful patterns of Morocco can totally transform a room.  But, it’s important to be careful about where you buy your Moroccan tiles here in the USA and ensure you’re getting the real deal and not just cheap replicas.  Unfortunately, just because they look the same, it doesn’t mean you’re getting a top quality Moroccan tile that will last the distance.

So, what is the difference between genuine Moroccan tiles and cheap replicas?

At Zellij Gallery, we employ highly skilled Maallems, talented stonemasons who create each and every one of our Moroccan tiles.  All of our tiles are made in Fez, Morocco, and then shipped here to LA for our customers.  So you can rest easy when you buy Moroccan tiles from Zellij Gallery that each tile was designed very precisely by a seasoned craftsman, using techniques that have been used for centuries.

Unfortunately, with cheap replicas, the quality is often compromised and instead of the handcrafting process that genuine Moroccan tiles go through, mass production is the aim.  This means your imitation Moroccan tiles are likely not to last the distance.  In the end, it will cost you more to replace your tiles more regularly than it will to buy genuine Moroccan tile products to begin with.

If budget is of concern, consider installing a Moroccan feature in your tile design.  It’s not necessary to install Moroccan tiles throughout a whole room to make an impact.  What about a stylish row of Moroccan tiles in your bathroom? A feature in the shower? An impressive colorful backsplash in the kitchen? Or some Moroccan borders to create interest among more neutrally toned tiles.

Come and see us at our West Hollywood showroom, to find out how you can create a Moroccan effect use top quality, genuine Moroccan tiles.  Alternatively, give us a call on 333-804-0503.

 

Tips & Tricks – Tile Selection for a Small Bathroom

Choosing tiles for your new home, or home renovation, is an exciting time.  But, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the myriad of options available to you.  There’s choosing the shape, the texture, the pattern, the color and, then, when you think all the decisions are done, you need to choose the grout!

One of the questions we are often asked is how to infuse a bit of a Moroccan style into a small bathroom.  So here’s some tips and tricks for selecting the right tiles for your small space.

1. Remember dark-colored walls will make a room appear smaller

If you have a tiny bathroom, the best idea to create an impression of space is to paint the walls a light color.  Dark colors will make a room appear even smaller than it really is, whereas a light-colored wall will enhance the space.  That’s not to say you can’t inject a little bit of color, perhaps as a Moroccan tile border at the base of the wall, or even a Moroccan tile feature behind your taps and basin to create a feature.

2. Use dark floor tiles to make a room appear larger

Dark floor tiles offer a great contrast to a light-colored wall, and they create the illusion of space.  Whether you choose a decorative, patterned tile, or a more neutral tone, dark toned floor tiles will add warmth to the space and make the light-colored walls appear even more expansive.

Light-colored floors do also give the impression of space, but teamed with light-colored walls, your room is likely to appear too plain and ‘hospital-like’.  So, if you’re looking to incorporate Moroccan style in your home, try to avoid this.

3. Consider a Moroccan shower feature

This depends on the configuration of your shower and bathroom, of course, but installing a Moroccan-themed shower feature is a very stylish way to cleverly incorporate the colors and patterns of Morocco into a small room.  Choose the shower wall that is most noticeable from the entry door for the best effect and team the Moroccan tiles with complementing neutral tones that suit the space.

To find out more about upgrading your small bathroom and injecting some Moroccan style into your space, contact us at 333-804-0503.  You can check out our online gallery for inspiration as well, or stop by our West Hollywood showroom to see our extensive range.

What Color Grout Should You Use?

Grout is often an afterthought, but it actually makes a big difference to the overall look of your Moroccan tiles in your home.  It also plays a crucial role in bonding your tiles together and preventing the edges of tiles from suffering damage. Aesthetically, the color of the grout you use can have a major impact on the final appearance of the area you wish to tile.

There are two main options when making decisions about grout color:

Same/Neutral Color
The great thing about choosing grout in either a neutral color or the same color as your tiles is that it can make a space feel larger. This is ideal for smaller bathrooms or kitchens. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen neutral colored Moroccan tiles, neutral grouts are likely to blend in. This means the actual tile pattern may be less visible. Another thing to take into consideration is that lighter colored grouts and tiles can result in higher maintenance in terms of cleaning.

Contrasting Color
The use of contrasting colors in grout can highlight your Moroccan tile patterns and colors.   So, if you want your tile designs to stand out, contrasting grout is a great choice.  It can also reduce the appearance of stains, so can be a great choice in areas that are likely to be stained by water or food, or even from the chemicals in different cleaners.

What We Recommend
In Moroccan architecture, Moroccans only use concrete to bond and install zellige.  This means the joints appear grey.  So, we definitely recommend grey grout for our clients if you’re looking for a traditional Moroccan style look.  Sometimes we may recommend other colors, especially for contemporary projects where a monochromatic color scheme is used, but overall grey is a definite favorite.

With a multitude of grout choices available in today’s market, it pays to give as much consideration to the color of your grout as you do with your Moroccan tile selections.  Grout color can dramatically change the look of a room – they can make or break it!

If you would like some help in identifying what grout color will best suit your Moroccan tile project, feel free to give us a call at Zellij Gallery.  We can help you to create the look you’ve been dreaming of.  You can also stop by our West Hollywood showroom to see our expert team, who would be delighted to discuss and advise on appropriate choices.

Zellij Mosaic Tiles – Planning Your Tiling Project

Zellij is a type of mosaic that uses pieces cut very precisely from monochromatic enameled tiles, after being baked.  The Zellij Gallery range of Moroccan zellij mosaic tiles add beauty and texture to any decor, as well as adding functionality and purpose.  When planning to use Moroccan tiles in your home, be sure to take the following points into consideration.  This will ensure that your tiles continue to enhance the atmosphere of your home for many years to come.

Surface preparation is all important
Ensure the surface on which your mosaic tiles are to be laid upon is pristine.  If possible contaminants aren’t completely removed, this can interfere with the bonding of the tile to the substrate.

Protection from water damage
Waterproofing membranes and adhesives should be used where appropriate to ensure both your Moroccan tiles and surrounding structures are safe from possible damage, mold and mildew.

Take expansion into consideration
Both your Moroccan tiles and the substrate will expand and contract under the influence of temperatures and any direct sunlight.  Incorporate an expansion allowance into the spacing of your tiles to allow for this.

Grout considerations
Ensure the grout you use is anti-microbial to reduce the risk of mold and mildew.  We can provide some advice about which grouts are best for your mosaic tile selections.

Accents and features
If you’re considering any kind of accent or feature for your Moroccan tile project, make sure you factor this in, and cost it properly from the very beginning.  Failing to consider the size and style of your mosaic tile selections and how they all fit together may cause unwanted surprises at the installation stage.  It might also cause an unwelcome and unexpected impact on your budget as well, so it’s definitely best to plan ahead.

Thorough preparation and planning will ensure that your Moroccan tile selections will last the distance and look beautiful for many years to come.  If you need advice on any aspect of our Moroccan tiles, visit our West Hollywood showroom or contact us at 323-804-0503.

Setting the Mood with Moroccan Tiles and Color Theory

So many magical, exotic Moroccan tiles, so many choices. Trying to make the right choice from such a vast array of colors and patterns can be overwhelming.  A little color theory can be of enormous help when deciding how to use the splendor of Moroccan tile in your home. This includes learning which colors combine well and how intense the combinations should be.

Base your tile color palette on the way you intend to use your space. What feelings do you want to evoke? What’s your space going to be used for? Certain colors are traditionally associated with different feelings. In Western culture, red is often associated with passion and warmth, yellow with sunshine and blues/green with tranquillity and relaxation. Utilizing color theory can make selecting a harmonious color scheme easy by indicating which colors work best together, based on the atmosphere you wish to create.

COLOR THEORY BASICS

A monochromatic color scheme uses one color in varying intensities. A bathroom could be all blue, for example.

Sala

Analogous colors are those that sit next to each other on a traditional color wheel, such as yellow, orange and red. They combine well together, but one should always be used as the feature color, with the others complementing and accenting it.

Kimiya

Complementary color schemes use colors opposite on the color wheel.  For example, purple and yellow. These can create bold, dramatic statements, but need to be used with care to ensure you don’t overwhelm your space.

Ahram

These principles will allow you to accentuate the beauty of your Moroccan tiles and create a harmonious and beautiful atmosphere.  To see our wide range of Moroccan tiles and obtain advice from our friendly staff, visit our West Hollywood showroom.  If you’d like to do some planning beforehand, check out our online gallery at http://zellijgallery.com/

 

 

 

 

My Moroccan Tiles – How Many Tiles Will I Need?

Estimating how many Moroccan tiles you’ll need for your project is much easier than you might think. In order to calculate the final amount, it’s important to be familiar with some basic terms and to do some basic math. Follow our handy summary below to get an idea of what’s involved.

COMMON TERMS

Accent tiles: Are you using a particular type of tile as a feature or to highlight a particular area? This is known as an accent tile and needs to be calculated separately, not included in the ‘normal’ tile calculations. An example would be the use of a mosaic border in your tile design.

Overage/wastage/allowance: These are different names for the same thing. It’s customary to include an extra 10% on top of your calculated estimate to account for the need to cut tiles to fit, spares that you may need for replacing broken tiles in the future and breakages that may occur during transportation. It’s always better to have too much than not enough, particularly when ordering handmade Moroccan tiles.

HOW MANY TILES?

To estimate the quantity you need, both the tile size and the size of the area you wish to tile should be measured.

Start by obtaining the width and the height of the tiles you would like to use. You’ll find this information under the Collections tab on our website.  Click on the type of tile you want and then click on the name of the individual tile.  A window will open indicating the size of the tile or whether it’s possible to order a custom size.

The ‘Sultan’ from our Arabesque collection

Measure both the width and the length of the area to be tiled. Divide this width measurement by the width of one of your tiles to calculate how many tiles wide your area is.

Do the same for the length (or height) of the area you want to tile. Again, divide this by the height of one of your tiles to determine how many tiles high your area is.

Now multiply how many tiles high by how many tiles wide to give you the total amount.

Add 10% to this as your wastage allowance and you’ll have the final number of tiles needed to complete your project.

Of course, if you need assistance, one of our friendly team will be more than happy to help you work out exactly how many Moroccan tiles you need for your home renovation project.  Please feel welcome to give us a call on 323-804-0503 or drop into our showroom located in West Hollywood. Zellij Gallery’s opening hours and address details are available here.

 

The Moroccan Effect

There’s something quite magical about Moroccan tiles.  Perhaps it’s the extraordinary fact that authentic Moroccan tiles are made using ancient techniques utilized centuries ago.  Maybe it’s that each Moroccan tile is expertly handcrafted by ‘Maallems’ – experienced mosaic masons who actually live and work in Morocco.  Or, maybe it’s simply the beauty and mystery of the intricate designs and the beautiful colors.

It’s all of these features that make the Zellij Gallery range so popular.  Genuine Moroccan tiles offer outstanding quality, and the best quality finish is something everyone wants for their home.  Whichever way you look at it, there is well and truly a ‘Moroccan effect’.  Choosing Moroccan tiles for your home is sure to result in that ‘wow factor’ for both your family and guests. 

Moroccan tiles are very versatile and you can use them in many different places within your house.  They are suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, laundries, wall features, and even for flooring throughout your home.  You can also use them outdoors to create a magnificent entertaining space, or for your pool or water feature.

To find out more about the great range of Moroccan tiles at Zellij Gallery, give us a call on 323-804-0503 or visit our showroom located in West Hollywood.  Our friendly staff will be pleased to provide you with advice on the range of colors and designs available.  You can also check out our online portfolio and comprehensive catalogue on our website: www.zellijgallery.com

Patterned Perfection

One of the most beautiful features of Moroccan tiles is the amazing patterns and the intricate designs.  It’s a truly unique look for any home renovation or new build.  At Zellij Gallery, we have a huge range of patterns and designs to choose from.  Whether you’re looking for a classy two-color design or a more colorful pattern to make a bold impact, there really is something to suit everyone’s tastes. 

One of the best ways to decide which pattern will suit your space is to, firstly, look through our online inspiration gallery.  Ideally, it’s a great idea to shortlist no more than 10 styles of Moroccan tile to then look at further.  Any more than 10 could be too overwhelming.

The next step is to look at your color samples for the room you’re decorating (or building).  Also, look at the style of furniture you wish to have in the room.  Gradually your shortlist will become shorter and shorter, as you hone in on the perfect Moroccan tile style for you.  Choosing which pattern will work for you is not, by any means, a quick and easy process.  But, taking the time to make the right choice is something you will be thankful for in the future.

Moroccan tile patterns are a breath of fresh air in any home.  They make a statement and are something that will set apart your home interiors from everyone else’s.  Authentic Moroccan tiles also ooze quality, sophistication and style.  It’s a great feeling to know that each and every Moroccan tile pattern has been handcrafted by a highly-trained artisan.

To check out the Zellij range of Moroccan tiles featuring a vast array of stylish designs, visit our website: www.zellijgallery.com

If you would like to see the range in person at our West Hollywood showroom, feel free to stop by.  Alternatively, you can contact us on 333-804-0503.

The Great Outdoors – Moroccan cement tile designs to suit your entertaining area

When planning to create your very own outdoor sanctuary, there are many decisions to make.  You will be faced with a myriad of possibilities with the numerous outdoor decorating options available to you.  Firstly, it’s important to ask yourself what the purpose and function of your outdoor space is.  Will you be doing a lot of entertaining? Do you want your space to be low-maintenance to fit into your busy lifestyle? What is your priority – comfort or style? 

Next think about what look you desire for your outdoor space.  Creating a mood board can be a very effective way of collating your ideas.  Add samples of your preferred colors and designs. Photographs of outdoor areas that suit the look you’re trying to create are also a welcome addition to your board. 

When it comes to tiles, you can’t go past the authentic Moroccan cement tile designs made by Zellij Gallery.   These tiles are 100% top quality designs made in Morocco by highly skilled artisans.  Besides their natural beauty and decorative design, they are also a very sturdy choice for any outdoor project.   

ECT201

ECT301

ECT203

To see the full range of Moroccan tiles available at Zellij Gallery, check out our online catalog.  You can also see some stunning finished designs featured in our inspiration gallery on the Zellij website.   The highly trained team located at our West Hollywood showroom can show you the range in person if you’re in the Los Angeles area.  Contact us today to make an appointment or feel free to stop by during business hours so we can help you to find a cement tile design to suit your outdoor decorating needs.

Moroccan Borders

Moroccan tiles are an amazing way to add style and pizazz to any home renovation.  Moroccan tiled feature walls and floors can make a tremendous impact that truly demonstrates the ‘wow factor’.  Nevertheless, if you’re looking for something a little more subtle, then Moroccan tile borders may be just what you’re looking for.  The Zellij Gallery Moroccan tile borders collection features an extensive range of top quality, handcrafted tiles to rival all competitors.

The collection oozes style and grace, and creating a Moroccan feature with these stunning tile border designs is so simple for any homeowner.   Just mix in with your current color scheme or décor.  Whether teamed with neutral colors or brights, these tiles will look amazing in your home.   To get a taste of what’s available, check out these Moroccan tile borders featured in the Zellij Gallery collection:

Majnoun

Quitar

Fes

Zelzoul

Annil

To see more of the Zellij Gallery Moroccan tile borders collection, visit our West Hollywood showroom.  Our highly trained staff can help you to select the perfect Moroccan tile to suit your home and style.