Tapestry Brick and Tilework for Floors and Interior Walls | ■■■ Ls : 1 ■ 1 ■ i ■ l P"i ■ ■ 1 1 ■ ■ 1 1 ■ ■ 1 1 ■ i ■ i ■ 1 ■ ■ 1 1 > ■ 1 1 j._i "i - — ■■■ I— !-. . . . Tapestry Brick and Tile work for Floors and Interior Walls No. 29 pISKE 6- COMPANY INC ACE BRICKS? ESTABLISH Lire bricks i ed in 1664 25 Arch St., Boston Arena Bldg., New York AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA PANELING IN GRAND CENTRAL STATION New York City Reed & Stem — Warren & Wetmore, Assoc. Architects A simple and inexpensive use of “Tapestry” Brick and Tilework for wall decoration. These panels are inserts — high spots of color in a room contain- ing otherwise only monotones. There are thirteen panels, all of the same design, but of various sizes and shapes, each fitting its own particular location. Copyright, 1913 J. Parker B. Fiske f S^tbute GENERAL INTRODUCTION RICK as a material for interior finish is just beginning to assume a position of prominence in the building world. The reason why it is now appearing in decorative schemes as a rival of wood paneling, faience or plaster is because at last a brick can be obtained which equals or even surpasses these materials in beauty of texture and variety of tone. Such is “Tapestry” Brick. Before its advent, the colors obtainable in the brick world were limited to a comparatively few, set shades, and the surfaces had little or no texture. More- over, the manufacture of pressed bricks required a separate and expensive steel mould for each shape, thus making a great variety of shapes impractical. So limited in decorative possibilities was the available brick material that the designer was often forced to use inserts of tile, marble, limestone or other “foreign” materials. “Tapestry” Brick has done away with all these limitations. We have abandoned the absurd standard of mechanical accuracy which required every line to be true and every edge and surface to be perfect, have abolished the expensive brick mould and have substituted for it the simple cutting wire, with which we are now able to cut the soft clay into almost any desired shape and size. Instead of a single, uniform shade, we burn our multi-shaped units in soft, beautiful colors covering nearly the entire chromatic range. All this has opened up a new world of decoration to the artist in burned clay. In order to secure the best results with the least expense, however, due considera- tion must be given, not only to the design, but to ways and means for manufac- turing and laying the material, and we have often been called upon by architects for advice and assistance in these matters. These calls became so frequent that we found it advisable, some two years ago, to establish a Department of Brick Design, in which we could bring together un- der a single head, expert knowledge along the three lines mentioned. This Depart- ment has rendered good service to many of the leading architects of the country. Much difficulty was still encountered, however, in the execution of the work, be- cause most bricklayers are not skilled in the handling of brick decoration. To meet this condition and to relieve the architect and his client from the trou- bles heretofore encountered, we have now organized an Installation Department. With the complete development of a new and artistic material — “Tapestry” Brick — and with a Department of Design for the skillful determination of its use and an Installation Department for its erection, we are now prepared to give the architect and his client complete service from start to finish and to guarantee that each step shall be handled with skill, economy and to their satisfaction. 3 PART I. “TAPESTRY” BRICK AND TILE WORK FOR INTERIOR WALLS A recent writer on interior decoration says: “There is a notion that bricks cannot be used for interior walls without a feeling of coldness or publicity; quite the reverse is true. In some of the most homelike rooms, bricks of unusual texture and color have been used, and their soft rich colors have been carried into the woodwork, hangings and floor coverings, with the most charming results. Such an interior will stand any amount of light without becoming garish, and is always restful to the eye and quieting to the nerves. We are beginning to realize that color and texture have a very posi- tive effect on mood and temper, and that harmony of visual motives is quite as essential as the harmony of sound.” Measured by such a standard, “Tapestry” Brick and Tilework, properly de- signed and installed, is a wonderful material for the finish of a loggia, vestibule, hall, dining room, library or billiard room of a private house and for a great variety of rooms of a public or semi-public nature, such as schoolrooms, lobbies of hotels and office buildings, rathskellars and grill rooms, waiting rooms in railway sta- tions, and many other places too numerous to mention. “Tapestry” Brick and Tilework may be of plain soft colors, in almost any desired tone, or it may sparkle with decoration. It lends itself to an almost infinite variety of treatment, and responds to every aesthetic impulse of the designer. “Tapestry” Brick and Tilework is, moreover, an economical and absolutely permanent material, never requiring paint, varnish, redressing or repairs. In the frontispiece and on the following pages are shown three examples of this material as an interior wall finish. In each case the designs and complete working drawings were made by us. In one case we contracted for the in- stallation of the material, while in another we supervised its erection. As to the cost of “Tapestry” Brick and Tilework, we can give no exact figures until the character, extent and location of the work is studied. In a general way, however, it compares favorably with the cost of high grade wood paneling or marble. With each of the following examples we have given an approxi- mate idea of the cost of that particular design under average conditions. These figures include preliminary sketches, water colors, working drawings, and the manu- facture and delivery of the material. A separate figure is also included for installation. We now solicit an opportunity to furnish, without charge, special designs, color schemes and estimates for any work which the architect may have in hand. 4 yr wmSSffl mm$ 'PSSS- :'"■•( ^i!«S*J®3SiS5j5il*s;* ; , ^5V / . J "! ,, "^i.:l -'! * iS^ST Ms • V r .'Sv > s 'iff • "*: •<£'' .■la. •• . 4 !*|*!!»hi£* 2 ”«m»t fi -gSgSu TAP ROOM, HOTEL BELVEDERE Baltimore, Maryland Parker, Thomas & Rice, Architects This room is about 50 feet long by 30 feet wide, and is finished from floor to ceiling in “Tapestry” Brick and Tilework. The ceiling is latticed between heavy beams. The room has a tile floor, and is furnished in brown Flemish oak. The walls are wainscoted 9 feet high with standard sized “ Tapestry ” Brick in full range of color, varying from a rich red to a deep blue, with intermediate shades of light and dark brown, purple and bronze. The brick is laid in Dutch bond, with a ^2 inch cream white mortar joint, rough-cut-flush. The window and door openings are outlined with plain or decorated bands; at the top of the wainscot is a dark band made up of two rows of plain brick separated by a row of Pony brick, 1 inch in thickness, to accentuate the joint. Above is a wealth of rich panelwork in various sizes and patterns, some suggestive of a rug, others of the stained glass window, yet all in perfect harmony. The work is crowned with an interesting frieze about 3^2 feet wide. The cost per square foot of work of this general character is about $1.50 for the designs, drawings and material, and about $1.50 for installation. 5 1 1 j [• 1 1- wu. ENTRANCE LOBBY, OTIS ELEVATOR BUILDING New York City Clinton & Russell, Architects Wholly different from the work on the preceding page is that shown in this pic- ture. This is the lobby of a commercial building. The architect and owners, desiring something unusual and at the same time ap- propriate, adopted for these interior surfaces the same general material as used on the exterior of the building. The effect is unusually pleasant. All four walls and the floor are finished in the same soft, mellow tones. The dado and the door trims are of dark, rich brownish shades, while each of the walls is paneled by a border, figured in soft, reddish- and blue tones. How much more inviting and friendly than the cold, uninteresting marble and plaster of the ordinary city building! The cost per square foot of work of this general character is about 75 cents for the designs, drawings and material, and about 75 cents for installation. 6 PART II. f ‘ TAPESTRY” BRICK AND TILE WORK FOR FLOORS The brick and tile floor is coming more and more into general use. Burned clay is proving itself superior to all other materials. It is not only capable of most varied and artistic treatment, but it is absolutely durable and sanitary. “Tapestry" Brick and Tile are particularly suitable for this kind of work. They have the soft and rich effect of the Turkish rug combined with all the prac- tical advantages of ordinary clay prpducts. Where the ordinary size of. “Tapestry” Brick does not lend itself properly to the scale of the surroundings, the designer has the choice of the Real Roman “Tapestry” Brick, 18 inches by 2 inches by 6 inches; also of the Pony “Tapestry” Brick, 6 inches by 1 inch by 2J^ inches; the Norman “Tapestry” Brick, 12 inches long and also of “Tapestry” Tile, either 6 inches or 8 inches square. Each of these units (except the Real Roman Brick and the 8 inch tile) is made in three distinct groups of color — red, gray and golden-buff — each group containing a wide variety of shade. By combining “Tapestry” Brick of various sizes with “Tapestry” Tile, an endless variety of decorative floor patterns can be worked out, each suitable in color and design for its own particular place. “Tapestry” Brick and Tile never fade in color, and, when laid according to our directions, are never disintegrated by frost; we are prepared to give any reason- able guarantee in respect to these matters. Wherever a few pails of water, or still better a garden hose, can be used, as in the case of all out-of-doors work, a “Tapestry” Brick and Tile Floor can be quickly and thoroughly cleansed and all its beautiful colors brought out in their original freshness. For interior use, where water cannot be freely used for cleansing purposes, we manufacture a Repressed Floor Tile, much smoother than the “Tapestry” prod- ucts, but without the disagreeable shiny surface of the ordinary quarry tile. Thus we combine good sanitation with a higher art, W e not only offer the materials above described, but we are prepared to submit designs and to contract for the laying of both plain and decorative floors. Some idea of the cost of material and the labor of laying these floors is given in connection with the following illustrations. Correspondence is respectfully solicited. 7 THE RED ROOM New York Offices of Fiske & Co., Inc. This picture illustrates our Red Repressed Floor Tile for interior use only ; as an example of wall decoration it is also full of interest and suggestion. This tile is 6 inches square and 1 inch in thickness. It varies in color from a medium red to a deep purple; many have dark edges gradually toning to red in the centre. The surfaces are purposely made slightly rough and irregular to obviate the paint-and-varnish effect of the ordinary quarry tile; at the same time they are impervious to water and are therefore perfectly sanitary. This tile is manufactured also in gray and golden-buff, each with a considerable variation of shade. Tile, scored for y 2 diagonal, % diagonal and y 2 rectangle (approximately 6 inches by 3 inches) can also be obtained. The cost per square foot of plain Repressed Floor Tile, without any designing or drawings, is 30 cents in carload lots, loose in car and 40 cents in less than carload lots, in packages, all f. o. b. our factories in Western Pennsylvania. The cost of laying a plain floor is 30 cents per square foot and upwards, de- pending upon conditions. 8 RAMPS IN GRAND CENTRAL STATION New York City Reed & Stem — Warren & Wetmore, Assoc. Architects This work is of “ Tapestry ” Tile 6 inches square, 1 inch in thickness, laid with a Yt inch gray mortar joint, rough-cut-flush. The colors are similar to those described on the opposite page. These ramps have an average traffic of about 150,000 people per day. They lead from the street to the lower track level and are inclined at an angle of 10 degrees. It is therefore necessary that they should be absolutely non-slipping and of extra- ordinary wearing qualities. “Tapestry” Tile fulfills these requirements perfectly, and at the same time pre- sents a soft, beautiful appearance. No other material has this unique combina- tion of utilitarian and artistic qualities. For the walks about a private house, also, and for porch or pergola floors, or wherever a beautiful and permanent pavement is desired, “ Tapestry ” Tile is the ideal material. Where a red tile of larger scale or greater thickness is desired, the 8 inch by 8 inch by 2 inch size is available at the same cost per square foot. The cost of “Tapestry” Tile in either size is the same as that of the Repressed Tile described on the opposite page. 9 This is one of many equally pleasing designs which can be made with “Tapestry” Brick and Tile. The centre is of 6 inch tile, either “Tapestry” or Repressed, as the conditions may dictate, and the border is a combination of plain “Tapestry” Brick in suitable colors with cut work at the intersections. The mortar joint should be at least H inch in thickness and of lighter or darker color. A golden-buff floor like that illustrated above is pleasing in a room with Flemish oak, fumed chestnut or mahogany finish, the general color tones harmonizing with the woodwork while the decorative border can be made to match it. The red group of colors or the gray group can be used if more suitable. If the scale of the work requires a larger tile, the 8 inch by 8 inch by 2 inch size may be used; this tile is made only in the red colors, however, and with a rough surface; it is therefore suitable only for exterior use. The designs, drawings and material for a somewhat plain design, like that shown above, cost from 50 cents to 75 cents per square foot, and the laying from 30 cents to 50 cents, depending upon the size of the floor and other conditions. 10 DECORATIVE DESIGN FOR FLOOR This design is of standard size “Tapestry” Brick with blue pieces 1 inch square at the intersections. The field is of brick specially roughened and burned on the flat side to give good texture and a pleasing variation of color; the border is a combination of these “flat-sets” and ordinary “Tapestry” Brick. A similar design can be furnished in gray or golden-buff shades, or the border may be of one group of colors while the field is of another. Where units of a larger or smaller scale are desired, the Real Roman “Tap- estry” Tile, measuring 18 inches by 6 inches, or the Pony “Tapestry” Tile, measuring 6 inches by 2^ inches, can be used, and the border design can be changed to correspond. The designs, drawings and material for a floor of this character cost from 75 cents to $1.00 per square foot, and the laying from 50 cents to 75 cents, depend- ing upon the size of the floor and other conditions. These designs are offered as suggestions only — as illustrations of what we can work out after we have learned all the conditions governing the case. li 1 1