Dwell and Concrete Collaborative Announce a New Line of Tiles Inspired by Surfboard Design

The partnership builds on each company’s design-focused ethos to create encaustic patterned tiles in versatile shapes and colors.

Drawing from their like-minded ideals and shared roots in the Golden State, Dwell and Concrete Collaborative have joined forces to launch a multipurpose line of handcrafted tiles inspired by California surf culture. The current patterns feature bold midcentury colors that are inlaid into each concrete tile using pigmented clay, not glazed on top. Also known as an encaustic approach, the traditional process creates a durable finish for bathroom floors, kitchen backsplashes, courtyards—or other standout surfaces.

The new partnership between Dwell and Concrete Collaborative brings together two women-founded companies to launch a line of imaginative tiles designed by architect Chris Deam. Each handmade in California, the eight-by-eight-inch tiles are available in five versatile, statement-making designs—allowing for innumerable combinations of colors and patterns.

The new partnership between Dwell and Concrete Collaborative brings together two women-founded companies to launch a line of imaginative tiles designed by architect Chris Deam. Each handmade in California, the eight-by-eight-inch tiles are available in five versatile, statement-making designs—allowing for innumerable combinations of colors and patterns.

Each tile is manufactured in small batches using an encaustic method that adds color as an integral part of the form—not as a surface glazing—with all of the components fused together by pressing the cement mixture into metal molds under high pressure.

Each tile is manufactured in small batches using an encaustic method that adds color as an integral part of the form—not as a surface glazing—with all of the components fused together by pressing the cement mixture into metal molds under high pressure.

"I've always been inspired by Dwell, and now that our residential customer base is growing, it was an obvious choice to collaborate," says Kate Balsis, a founding partner at Concrete Collaborative. The company’s extensive knowledge of concrete yields a wide range of products, from posh wall textures and distinctive tiles to modern pavers and pour-in-place terrazzo floors, among other complementary offerings.

Building on Concrete Collaborative’s Strands Collection of floor and wall tiles, the Dwell line also continues a tradition of teaming up with the architecture and design community to develop creative new looks. "We often partner with different designers to provide sources of inspiration for both us and our customers," Balsis adds.

The concrete solution is specifically engineered for use in wet areas, such as bathrooms, as well as high-traffic spaces, such as courtyards or kitchens. "We want each tile to have an organic quality and handmade feel while still providing customers with a long-wearing, commercial-grade finish," says Balsis.

The concrete solution is specifically engineered for use in wet areas, such as bathrooms, as well as high-traffic spaces, such as courtyards or kitchens. "We want each tile to have an organic quality and handmade feel while still providing customers with a long-wearing, commercial-grade finish," says Balsis.

A pressurized chamber molds the concrete mixture into a durable finished product suitable for use both inside and out. "Not all concrete is created equal," Balsis adds. "The most important thing to understand is the mix. Our formula is specifically engineered to create a high-density, low-porosity product that still looks sophisticated."

A pressurized chamber molds the concrete mixture into a durable finished product suitable for use both inside and out. "Not all concrete is created equal," Balsis adds. "The most important thing to understand is the mix. Our formula is specifically engineered to create a high-density, low-porosity product that still looks sophisticated."

The final step includes polishing the concrete surface for a smooth finish with an inherent sheen.

The final step includes polishing the concrete surface for a smooth finish with an inherent sheen.

The current tile designs were imagined by Chris Deam, architect and husband of Dwell founder Lara Deam. "I’ve been fascinated with pattern-making for a long time, and it probably started with looking at William Morris’ wallpapers and tiles," explains Deam, referring to the nineteenth-century designer who heavily influenced the Arts & Crafts movement in both Great Britain and the United States. "As I tried to understand how he achieved his repeating designs, I started to see a whole different layer of beauty that was not just aesthetic." 

Various shapes in the Dwell line of tiles can be combined to create endless combinations of alternating patterns. "When considering tile for a space I’m not just thinking about the visual presentation, but rather how the geometry of the repeating structure relates to the architecture," Deam explains.

Various shapes in the Dwell line of tiles can be combined to create endless combinations of alternating patterns. "When considering tile for a space I’m not just thinking about the visual presentation, but rather how the geometry of the repeating structure relates to the architecture," Deam explains.

Shop the Collection
Dwell x Concrete Collaborative Tails Tiles
Dwell x Concrete Collaborative Tails Tiles
Dwell has partnered with concrete collaborative on the ultimate California modern collection.  Taking inspiration from surfboard shapes and the California surf culture.
Dwell x Concrete Collaborative Wave Tiles
Dwell x Concrete Collaborative Wave Tiles
Dwell has partnered with concrete collaborative on the ultimate California modern collection. Taking inspiration from surfboard shapes and the California surf culture.
Dwell x Concrete Collaborative Stringer Tiles
Dwell x Concrete Collaborative Stringer Tiles
Dwell has partnered with concrete collaborative on the ultimate California modern collection. Taking inspiration from surfboard shapes and the California surf culture.

Deam, who is also an avid surfer, spent parts of the COVID-19 lockdown researching the history of surfboard design and constructing his own. "I was trying to understand how different surfboards affect the feel of riding a wave, and the subtle beauty of each board I tested led me to interpret various tail shapes as tile designs," he says.

Shown here, the Squash, Swallow, and Pin designs offer myriad options for mixing or matching various shapes. "The tiles have an amazing feel to them—matte but not delicate," Deam says.

Shown here, the Squash, Swallow, and Pin designs offer myriad options for mixing or matching various shapes. "The tiles have an amazing feel to them—matte but not delicate," Deam says.

Each style is also available in five standard colors—from ochre, navy, olive, and taupe to a cool blue (shown here in the squash and pin designs).

Each style is also available in five standard colors—from ochre, navy, olive, and taupe to a cool blue (shown here in the squash and pin designs).

The five styles currently available can be purchased as individual boxes, or a mixed tails box combines all three for serendipitous combinations. "I hope people find these tiles smart, fresh, functional, and, most of all, versatile," says Deam. "The main idea with the line was to provide a starting point for people to express their own vision—which aligns with the founding principle of Dwell as well."

Another tile in the collection, the Wave, features clean lines and a distinctive pin stripe detail for even more choices when creating a graphic wall or floor.

Another tile in the collection, the Wave, features clean lines and a distinctive pin stripe detail for even more choices when creating a graphic wall or floor.

The Stringer, a final member of the collection, takes a more subtle approach by utilizing a classic hexagonal form with simple tick marks in one corner to reinforce the geometry.

The Stringer, a final member of the collection, takes a more subtle approach by utilizing a classic hexagonal form with simple tick marks in one corner to reinforce the geometry.

For more information about the Dwell collection or to order samples, visit the Concrete Collaborative website. Specs and other style information can be found here.

This content was created by Dwell Creative Services, the brand marketing arm of Dwell.

Published

Last Updated

Get the Pro Newsletter

What’s new in the design world? Stay up to date with our essential dispatches for design professionals.