Ceramic Tile Murals by Okhyo
15 March 2010
“WALL-WHEE”
This is the sort of product that will seem to make perfect sense or make no sense at all. The Okhyo Company makes tile, but tile that is different, tile with an attitude, I suppose, tile that is innovatively sharp and clear and that actually reproduces photographs on tile, which can then be used in various ways. In fact, you can actually go to their website and get an idea of how various tiles will look in the same kitchen or bath environment with a simple click of the mouse.
What I find myself liking about the product, apart from my usual fascination with all things tile world, is the sharpness of the images. Unfortunately, space considerations mean I can use only a few of the photographs that are on their site, but they have created all kinds of design possibilities with this concept of digital printing on ceramic tile, although I frankly think that is true of tile in general, especially ceramic tile because of the vividness of the colors and the wide range of textures and glazes.
What I like about tile, apart from everything, I suppose, is the many things that can be done with it. In the beginning tile was pretty much relegated to simple backsplashes in kitchens and bathrooms. Now we see it expanding out, and that’s exciting. I think it works particularly well as an accent on a wall where one would not normally expect to see it. But the more of this type of thing a body sees, the more the possibilities of tile in other and different uses suggests itself.
One of the things that might be fun to do, for those with the courage to consider such an idea, is to use these photo tiles for a countertop. Suddenly, one would have one heck of a conversation piece-or a disaster, I suppose, but it’s an idea that might be worth considering if one could get the exactly right image to reproduce not behind a countertop, but on the face of it. That kind of concept would probably be too much for a kitchen, but as a countertop in a game room or Man’s Cave, especially one that picked up a team logo, it might be just the ticket.
That said, though, I do have to say that I very much like the use to which these tiles have been put here, namely, the kitchen backsplash that goes higher than the traditional single row of tile. I also particularly like what they did with it in a bedroom setting, especially the Zen-like photograph we show here. I think this concept would bring a lot of peace and serenity to any room in which it resides, but especially so in a bedroom.
But the other cool thing is something that occurred to me the moment I saw the sharpness of these images and realized that Okhyo had surely mastered the art of transforming photographic images to tile. Suppose I had a favorite picture: first home, first wife (just kidding-still have her!), favorite pet, favorite picture of whatever it may be, so long as it is of good enough quality to be blown up to wall sizes as these have been. Wouldn’t it be slicker than slick to be able to reproduce that photograph in tile and put it on the wall? Well, as it turns out, that is exactly what is possible with Okhyo, so now what was a simple wall covering has become something totally unique and something all your own. This may not be exactly what Virginia Wolfe had in mind, but a wall with some whee could very well make it a room of one’s own.
Joseph
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