Design Q&A: Clayhaus
Read more about this color-based tile company.
Founded by Jason and Megan Coleman, Clayhaus is a color-based tile company geared toward modern and mid-century design. We believe there is nothing more striking than a large field of mosaic tile with undulating color and texture. This is what Clayhaus is all about.
Can you expand on this line? “All of our products are handcrafted and made to order.”
Our ceramic tiles are not mass-produced or warehoused at our production facility. We are not a distributor or a retailer. We don’t stock any of our tile collections. We make every piece of tile, every square foot of tile, every design from scratch. Nothing is made in advance. All custom and made to order per customer's design selection.
Are there any unique or signature products that set the company apart/ or that you really like?
Our Cassette deco tiles are one of a kind and exclusive to our brand and are featured in an Atlanta tech company’s employee break room “cafes” throughout the space. Each cafe has its own unique color scheme, including custom glazes we mixed up to match designer-supplied color chips, a service we’re happy to offer at no added charge for projects of significant square footage, like this one.
Any tips on how to choose tile for a kitchen project.
Explore the idea of hiring an interior designer if budget allows. If not, we encourage our customers to view our color palette and test out our You Design Tool feature on our website. Most of our direct to consumer orders come simply from ordering a sample kit that includes up to eight colors of their choice. We are color based and it usually starts there and then the pattern reveals itself based on the aesthetic or theme of the space. Here’s our color pallete and You Design Tool.
How can tile and cabinetry (like Kokeena!) complement each other?
Typically, cabinets are the anchor/foundation for the kitchen or bathroom vanity. But WALL tile is what you see when you walk in and your eye is drawn to it, especially if it’s colorful or unique. There is definitely a relationship between the cabinets, the countertop and the tile. Only one of those design elements can be the star of the show! (This sounds like a design-off challenge! –ed.) 😀
How does being based in Portland (or Central Eastside) influence the company's aesthetic or design choices?
We’ve teamed up with two local product designers to create our Signal and Topo Collections, which are popular selections with the design community both locally and nationally.
Ironically, where we are located has little to do with our aesthetic. In fact, we’re kind of the “Lone Wolves” of the Portland tile maker scene. We mostly serve customers outside of Oregon since there are many other tile choices in town that are known more for “craftsman tile” as opposed to Clayhaus, which lends itself more to the midcentury and modern design community.
What are your future plans or goals for expansion?
We have about two more years left on our lease in the Central Eastside. We originally had 4,000 sf of space and we annexed the space next door in 2021, so now operating in 8,000 sf, so I think we are set in terms of warehouse space. Now it's just a question of whether or not we relocate the business and that's the million dollar question right now for the company.
Any 2024 design trend predictions?
In November, we were reminded by our friends at Portland architecture and interior design studio RALLYMADE that adding color to our lives is, as the firm’s newsletter put it, “a time-tested way to change your mood and boost productivity.” The newsletter goes on to say “…after our COVID hibernation, we’re all craving a brighter environment!”
We couldn’t agree more!