Historic Tile Installations

A Close up of Sweet Border, Corner and Field Cement Tile

This straightforward, charming daisy pattern looks out from its hexagonal cement tile. The historic border and corner is also clean and bold, though entirely geometric, not floral.

Designer: Carl Lindbom

A Glorious Field of Cement Tile Daisies at Casa Romantica

Ever seen a field of daisies made of cement tile before? I hadn't before I came to Casa Romantica. This cement tile daisy field just makes you want to smile and skip around. Check out the next two detail shots of this same corridor.

Designer: Carl Lindbom

An Electric Historic Cement Tile Arcade

This is a most unusual cement tile design, part floral and part electric (see the jaggedy red line that races around the floral elements?). The cement tile border tile provides some calm and stability with what appears to be a chess motif.

Designer: Carl Lindbom

Another Splendid Historic Tiled Arcade at the Casa Romantica

It seems that every door from the Casa Romantica leads out onto a splendidly cement tiled arcade. This particular example of historic cement tile features a star and cross pattern. For a better look at the field and border tiles, check out the next photo.

Designer: Carl Lindbom

Detail of Floral Wheels in Cement Tile Arcade

This historic cement tile pattern looks like wheels of flowers. It is one of a dozen such ornate field tiles decorating the arcades at Casa Romantica.

Designer: Carl Lindbom

Detail of Moroccan-Inspired Historic Cement Tile

The border and corner shapes in this historic cement tile arcade were definitely borrowed from Morocco. The other fireworks field tile, though, is surprisingly contemporary for a floor installed in the late 1920s.

Designer: Carl Lindbom

Fancy Exit Cement Tile Carpet at Casa Romantica

Well, when you've got to leave Casa Romantica - with a sigh - at least you get to exit on this splendid green, yellow and chocolate floral cement tile. The grape leaf border tile is lovely as well in its simplicity.

Designer: Carl Lindbom

Historic Cement Tiles Set the Scene for a Cozy Nap

This outdoor-indoor room is defined by its two main elements: a large chimney (and wood pile) and a glorious floral carpet of historic cement tile. Sweet dreams!

Designer: Carl Lindbom

Intricate Medallion in a Field of Cement Tile Daisies

This historic cement tile medallion deserves a photo all to itself since it is so full of intricate details. The other fascinating part to it is to figure out just how many metal design molds they used to make the medallion. (I'm not telling; I don't want to take away the fun.)

Designer: Carl Lindbom

Splendid Historic Cement Tile Detail at Casa Romantica

This playful field cement tile design has a star and cross motif that emphasizes the stars and decorates them with all kinds of colorful doodads. The border cement tile is completely different in style, but unified in color. Perhaps the border is a discreet nod to the great trumpeters or sax players of the 1920s and 30s.

Designer: Carl Lindbom

Welcome to WOW! Casa Romantica in San Clemente

One of the finest places to eye historic cement tile happens to be right in the heart of California at Spanish Colonial Revival estate Casa Romantica in San Clemente. Originally built in 1927 by Ole Hanson, the city’s founder, as his family home, the spectacular bluff-top building is now a cultural center offering educational programs. Designed by architect Carl Lindbom (who designed Nixon’s former mansion nearby), the oceanfront property is outfitted with a superb collection of cement tiles throughout. In both square and hexagonal shapes, the designs feature a rainbow of shades from deep maroons to sky blues to earthy oranges to grassy greens.

Designer: Carl Lindbom