Laying ceramics beyond bathrooms and kitchens

Ceramic tile is a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms, but tile is popping up in unconventional places such as family rooms, dining rooms, home offices, media rooms and exterior patios and entrances.

Homeowners can find out more information about ceramic tile at Pillar Ceramics at its new store-front location at Four Corners Square in the city's South End.

Owner Christian Romero Herz has many years experience working with ceramic flooring and natural stone. His showroom manager Terry Vendetti is a well known interior decorator. Both know how to turn customers' ideas into reality.

Ceramic tile is the hottest thing in flooring choices for kitchen, bathroom and family room decor in Canada right now, but it has been around for thousands of years.

The tile industry is very exciting these days with new products such as 24 by 48-inch tiles that look like natural stone, narrow 36-inch tiles that look like hardwood, glass tiles 24 by 12 inches, and even round tiles made from metal.

Romero Herz, who trained in Florida, says he is excited to show off his showroom that features many diverse products.

He shows before-and-after photos on his wall-mounted flat screen television set in natural stone. Pillar Ceramics staff say they listen to customers' needs and try to bring them the fashion-forward products they see on television shows and in decorating magazines. For more information phone 522-4141.