Building Products

Alexa Yablonski -- Interior Design, 5/31/2002 12:00:00 AM

Galaxy Glass & Stone: For serious dazzle, consider these glass options with fantastic light-refracting qualities: flawlessly cast glass with a multiwave pattern or artfully cracked laminated glass. Both choices are offered custom-fabricated for vanities, shelves, and tabletops. Robin Reigi/Art & Objects, 601 West 26th Street, 2nd Mezzanine, New York, NY 10001; 212-924-5558. circle 510

COR: Thanks to a patented process of laminating end-grain–oriented strand board, this construction material is stylish and sustainable. It's also lightweight, durable, and ready for custom coloring. COR works especially well for flooring and millwork applications. Robin Reigi/Art & Objects, 601 West 26th Street, 2nd Mezzanine, New York, NY 10001; 212-924-5558. circle 511

Nevamar: This ever expanding line of high-pressure laminates now includes Pure Spun Yarn and Tea Stain Spun Yarn. Both patterns present a textile-influenced image and a subtle visual texture. In addition, the company's serious commitment to environmentally responsible production continues to impress. 8339 Telegraph Road, Odenton, MD 21113; 800-638-4380. circle 512

Amtico: Intense color and sophisticated (meaning subtle) iridescence make Century vinyl tiles eye-catching. Ease of maintenance and installation make them user-friendly. A bold alternative to rubber flooring, Century looks stunning on its own but even more so when installed as a pattern of contrasting colors. These 12- or 18-inch square tiles are available in 12 colors. 6480 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30328; 800-268-4260. circle 513

Timbergrass: These Moso bamboo panels, laminated to form sheets, are offered in flat or vertical grain, natural or caramelized. Suitable for furniture, cabinetry, countertops, and trim. 7995 NE Day Road, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; 800-929-6333. circle 514

Alusion: Used to clad the walls of the Apartment, an ultracool New York housewares boutique, and a new Urban Outfitters nearby, this air-injected aluminum foam has an undeniable hip factor—as well as natural acoustical and insulating properties. The lightweight yet durable material is available in sheet sizes up to 20 feet in length and can be laminated to many skins. Robin Reigi/Art & Objects, 601 West 26th Street, 2nd Mezzanine, New York, NY 10001; 212-924-5558. circle 516

Panelite: When a company whose fans include OMA, Arquitectonica, and HOK introduces something new, we think it's worth a look. The Polymer series of panels is lightweight, translucent, and self-structural and features a seamless edge that eliminates the need for framing. Available in unlimited custom-color options. 600 Broadway, New York, NY 10012; 212-343-0995. circle 517

Klinik: Fans of Jenny Holzer and Ed Ruscha may like the more affordable, artful expressions of wordplay offered in these cast-polymer tiles. Created by Toronto designer Dennis Lin, each 6-by-12-inch tile captures a character of the braille alphabet. Use together to create single words or phrases that make for a striking installation. 188 Strachan Avenue, Suite 200, Toronto M6J 259, Canada; 416-703-5978. circle 518

Cesar Color: Like an architectural mood ring, ChromaTransFusion allows designers to create colored light walls programmed to change slowly or quickly to any hue in the spectrum. The system works indoors or out, as a freestanding wall or a cladding material. 3433 East Wood Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040; 602-437-1201. circle 519

Tile of Spain: Serena tiles combine a base and a decorative inset to form patterns. Sabina inset shown. 2655 LeJeune Road, Coral Gables, FL 33134; 305-446-4387. circle 520

Tabu: The company offers an ever expanding line of dyed and reconstituted wood veneers including Newood, which replicates natural wood grains, and Caleidolegno, made from several layers fused to form abstract and geometric patterns. 485 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632; 866-989-1111. circle 521

Carnegie: With more than 500 patterns and colors, Xorel Surfaces is a textile that still inspires legions of architects and designers. 110 North Centre Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570; 516-678-6770. circle 522

Ceramic Tiles of Italy: Gypsum is a new line from Ceramgres. The tiles feature a plastic base and a clay finish, making them especially flexible and durable. Available in 11 colors and a variety of unusual shapes, including the wavy-edged version shown here. Italian Trade Commission, 33 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021. circle 523

Giovanni De Maio: The Vietri tile collection summons up an iconic image of the Mediterranean. Intricate patterns pay homage to the houses, colors, landscape, and workshops of the fabled (and fabulous) Amalfi Coast. EX, 155 East 56th Street, New York, NY 10022; 212-758-2593. circle 524

Ann Sacks: The Vidrio collection of glass tile is notable for complex iridescent colors and an uneven, light-refracting texture. 8120 NE 33rd Drive, Portland, OR 97211; 800-278-8453. circle 525

York Street Studio: The Architectural Elements line of leather tile, molding, and trim has endless application possibilities: walls, baseboards, ceiling crowns, chair rails and cabinetry panels among them. Water-resistant and easy to install, the pieces are customizable in terms of contour, detailing, and color. 725 Bantam Road, Bantam, CT 06750; 800-967-5811. circle 526

Abet Laminati: The texture of Fiber is derived by incorporating fibers from recycled coffee-bean bags into industrial-strength laminate. (Does coffee culture know no bounds?) Twelve earthy colors have just been added to the range, making a total of 28 tones from which to choose. 60 West Sheffield Avenue, Englewood, NJ 07631; 800-228-2238. circle 527

Tiles—A Refined Selection: The Signature tile line is resin-based and finished with a composite metal that will take on a naturally rich look over time. The tiles are available in a wide range of metals, finishes, shapes, and sizes—appropriate for floors or walls, interior or exterior applications. 227 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022; 212-813-9391. circle 528

Urban Archaeology: These cement wall tiles have an artisanal quality reminiscent of ancient stonework, created by integrating layers of pigmented cement with a top layer providing patina. 143 Franklin Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-431-4646. circle 529

Tile of Spain: Sahara is a glazed-porcelain series that replicates the look of natural fabrics, such as sisal. The 13-inch-square tiles are suitable for walls and floors. 2655 LeJeune Road, Coral Gables, FL 33134; 305-446-4387. circle 530

Walker Zanger: The Cote d'Or collection's decorative stone inlay and aged limestone paving, inspired by French tapestries and the region's wrought-iron gates, are handcrafted in limestone and marble. The line includes an assortment of borders, liners, dots, fieldstones, and moldings, plus a medallion. Variations of motifs, colors, and textures are extensive. 13190 Telfair Avenue, Sylmar, CA 91342; 877-611-0199. circle 531

Crossville Porcelain Stone: Limestone, from the Ecocycle program of porcelain tiles, is made of 95 percent recycled tile, with the texture and appearance of the real thing. 346 Sweeney Drive, Crossville, TN 38555; 931-484-2110; 800-221-9093. circle 532

Ceramic Tiles of Italy: Ghiaia Sotto Vetro 4-inch square tiles, made by Cotto Veneto, are based on the notion of capturing sand and gravel under glass. Hastings Tile, 30 Commercial Street, Freeport, NY 11520; 800-351-0038. circle 533