At Coverings 2013, 13 lovely benches tiled by TCNA members were on display in TCNA’s booth (#7141) and the Art Tile Courtyard (#6831). Each of these unique works of art were installed over bench forms donated by wedi corporation (booth #7541) and TCNA.

The benches are wonderful displays of creativity using tile and are always very well-received by Coverings attendees. After the show, the benches will be displayed at TCNA for all visitors to enjoy.

The following descriptions were provided by the companies/artists that tiled the benches.

AlysEdwards Tile & Stone (booth # 7131)
Description of Bench

We are Man-about this bench, just like we are Man About You! Slip into a bubblicious bath with a glass of champagne and reminisce on Alyse’s groovy days in the Height-Ashbury district where she left her signature mark with Cara Mia Crimson lips made out of Gigi’s Stixx. Soak up in these second honeymoon suds.

Designer: Kristin Bradshaw
Installer: AlysEdwards Sample Department

American Marazzi (booth #s 2807 & 6939)
Description of Bench

Marazzi’s travertine-inspired SILK porcelain series with its intricate veining sumptuously flows over the smooth lines of this versatile bench. Planks in the “Sophisticated” color form the base while “Mixed Strip Mosaic” sweeps over the curved seat and down the upper back. The light-to-dark combination in the mosaics continually moves the eye, even more so as room or exterior lighting changes.

In addition to being frost resistant and extremely durable, SILK is truly eco-savvy. It has a very low life cycle cost, emits no VOCs, contains 21% recycled content and is domestically produced. All these factors can contribute to the LEED credits so commonly desired by today’s design-build community.

Designer: Shelly Halbert
Installer: Gonzales Tile

B.A. Schmidt Arts & Enterprises (booth # 6936)
Description of Bench

The Arts & Crafts Bench

Barbara Schmidt, president of B.A. Schmidt Arts located in Highland Park, IL, created a bench inspired by the artists of the Arts & Crafts movement. She hand-pressed each decorative tile in her original handmade molds and then hand-glazed each tile. Her tiles are porcelain and are set on the bench surrounded by travertine field tiles.

The tapestries of William Morris provided the inspiration for the animal and bird tiles on the bench. Morris (1834-1896, British) was one of the founders of the Arts & Crafts movement and a hugely influential designer. The Lion Tile, Raven Tile, Fox Tile, Hare Tile, and Peacock Tile are all images based on Morris’ “The Forest Tapestry,” first shown at the 1890 Arts & Crafts Exhibition in London. The Yellow Bird Tile and the Woodpecker Tile are images based on Morris’ Woodpecker Tapestry woven in 1885. His Artichoke wallpaper is also the basis for one of the floral tiles.

William de Morgan (1839-1917) was an English potter and tile designer. De Morgan was a friend of Morris and also designed tiles for his firm. Ms. Schmidt’s carnation and sunflower tiles are variations on some of his designs.

Designer & Installer: Barbara Schmidt

Coatings by Sandberg (booth # 7124)
Description of Bench

You’ve heard of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, well now you can experience Art-Dichro.

This Art-Dichro bench is a design fusion of past and present, art and science, black and color. We apply high-tech, scientific dichroic coatings to the tiles and combine them with a turn of the century design motif to create this one-of-a-kind art bench for your viewing pleasure. This dichroic coating is extremely durable, so feel free to use this bench as you would any other type of outdoor furniture.

Designers: Jim Dunham and Don McKinney
Installer: Don McKinney

Crossville, Inc. (booth # 7259)
Description of Bench

Laminam by Crossville’s lean profile, porcelain panels in an array of colors and finishes converge to create a beautiful “skin” for this unique bench. The Laminam tile panels, just 3mm in thickness, are scored and cut much like glass to achieve the sleek, striped design and clean edges.

The overall look and color scheme are inspired by the muted rainbow of diagonal leather pieces as found on accessories crafted by Berlin accessory designer, Alexandra Bender. This bench mimics Bender’s artful creations and illuminates the versatile applications that Laminam by Crossville panels offer to those who love to incorporate tile into fine design.

Designer: Irene Williams
Installer: Clarence McElhaney

Florim USA (booth # 1931)
Description of Bench

Florim USA’s bench features Florim’s Stratos Cenere 6 x 24 planks with Gems Smokey Quartz glass.

Designers & Installers: Florim USA’s samples department

Hirsch Glass (booth # 6765)
Description of Bench

Featuring Hirsch Glass’s Silhouette and Linea Collections, this bench evokes the true beauty of “art glass.” Inspired by the sea, the three dimensional color swirls are captured in this piece, uniting magnificent color and the motion of art glass. Dream of paradise.

Designer: Tracy Kowalchuk
Installers: Hirsch Glass

Images In Tile (booth # 6931)
Description of Bench

Bench Title: Literary Seating

We created original seat-themed vintage books to provide novel accommodations. The books sit atop a classic wooden bench that has been passed down for many generations. It is no ordinary bench, however; for the back is adorned with designs for decoration. Underneath sits a clever feline who collects what has been left behind for her makeshift habitation.

Designers: Chris Auckerman and Jon White – Joplin, MO
Installer: RC Tile – Randy and Cindy Wagner – Joplin, MO

Status Ceramics (booth # 6836)
Description of Bench

Status Ceramics’ bench features the new glaze line “Silk” and Nouveau inspired designs to go with Silk. It is decorated with Era 6×6 with Silk glaze, Dove, using Status’ dual tone process. The top trim piece is Designer Cornice, and the bottom trim is Semi in Dove also. The field tiles are in Sand.

The glazes are by Zsuzsa Bansaghi, and the Era Design is by Susan Boyd. Layout and installation are by Alex Zimmerman.

StonePeak Ceramics (booth # 7044)
Description of Bench

With a resemblance to that of aged wood, the StonePeak Crate collection is thru-color, rectified, high tech porcelain wood planks. Three colors are available in two sizes (including a 48″ plank), in addition to a classic, yet modern strip mosaic featuring combined colors, and complete trim system.

Designers & Installers: StonePeak TN samples department

Studio Vavoom (booth # 6837)
Description of Bench

Studio Vavoom has transformed the shower bench into an art furniture creation to be used as a bench or coffee table. Bench fabrication and tile installation was executed by Studio Vavoom’s designer/craftsman, Noel Dent. The bench features tile from the “Free Love” line created by Finnish ceramic artist, Anne Terhokoski, for Studio Vavoom. These tiles, designed and engineered for use as wall tile in showers, kitchen backsplash, pool or exterior applications, also create a museum quality modern art composition wherever they are installed.

T Davlin Glass, Inc. (booth #7212)
Description of Bench

T Davlin’s bench is clad in 5 panels; two sides are laminated quarter sawn Sapele, and the other three sides are genuine laminated 24k Rose Gold Leaf.

Wizard Enterprise (booth # 7041)
Description of Bench

Wizard Enterprise’s Spa Bench – Soothing, yet playful, the Wizard Spa Bench is a mix of color and patterns that is right at home in any luxury environment. Wizard’s bench was designed by Michael Meager and Karim Motawi.