☞ BESPOKE: Carreaux d'Octagones Tiles

In the design world, history plays a big part in what is considered classic so Harlem Bespoke will start reviewing some motifs and patterns that might be useful for those working on a townhouse renovation.  We are constantly looking for bold original patterns when we do get to travel and the above photos are some example of the classic Carreaux d'Octagones (diamond and octagon motif).  Encaustic tile variations of this pattern would have been found in a good majority of Harlem brownstones but since they are expensive and hard to find, many renovations in the past decades just replaced them with less expensive materials.

The top photo is of a foyer in Buenos Aires (where we found many historically accurate floors) which shows the original black and white marble pattern that was standard throughout the 18th and early 19th century (Georgian and Federal). At center is a photo of the vestibule in the recently sold brownstone at 260 West 121st Street which shows the colorful 19th century update laid out with encaustic tiles.  Finally, the  lower image is another example of colorful encaustic tiles that were in a Victorian kitchen discovered on a past excursion to San Francisco.

These floor patterns in general are designed like a classic rug with "fill" repetition at the center and a solid or contrasting pattern border around the perimeter. Darker colors probably made more sense for high traffic areas but white and black was the ultimate cleanliness test since dirt was more visible on the lighter floors.  Carreaux d'Octagones marble is easy to find at most marble floor showrooms but encaustics are less common.  Those looking for encaustic tile patterns and replications should check out Tile Source Inc. which is the major supplier in the U.S. for this traditional look: LINK