Our Studio
Welcome to Black Rock Studio
Using old-world-techniques and hands-on details from start to finish, Black Rock Tiles offers you beautiful, one-of a-kind tiles that will transform any residential or commercial space into an extraordinary dwelling.
Our Story
My studio was named after a road in the beautiful coastal Irish town of Bantry in County Cork, where my father, Cornelius Finbarr Carroll, was born. My tiles recall the colours of Bantry – the rich greens of the surrounding hills, the deep blue waters of Bantry Bay, and the delicate shades of the town’s nineteenth-century rowhouses.
- Ceramic Tile Making
How We Hand Craft Tile
All of our handmade tiles are produced right here in our studio in Toronto. Each piece is hand-cut, hand-glazed, and fired to a beautiful sheen. Our tiles are handmade with the intention that there is variation in shape, texture, hue and shading from piece to piece. Once properly installed, the beauty of these handcrafted tiles is enhanced by such variation.
Our Process
Every piece of tile is made by hand in our studio by skilled artisan and we’re showing you how it’s made!
(1)
Tile Design
We work with you to decide on the perfect tile for you and your space! We help you decide on shape, colour, and can help with working within a budget and can assist in how you will measure your space.
(2)
Make
Once your order is placed, our Artisan gets to work on making your tile. Beginning with a box of solid clay cut down to your specific tile and mosaic shapes. If your designs include textured tile, this is also the point where we apply your custom texture!
(3)
Glaze
After the clay has dried, tiles are hand-brushed with glaze. Because each tile is glazed by hand, this is the point where your tile receives its unique character! Some glazes are thicker and look very similar on different clay bodies, and some react differently in the kilns and can vary on different clay bodies.
(4)
Fire
After the glaze has dried, the tile is loaded into the kiln where it is fired. It takes roughly 8 hours for the tiles to bake in the kiln. All that heat is what makes your tile durable and long lasting for years to come!
