{Mod}ern Style

The visual interest comes from opposites: Rectangles and squares are used to make circles.

  The phrase ’60s Mod conjures up images of go-go dancers in boldly patterned dresses, not artfully designed partitions or visually interesting backsplashes. But lately, the eye-catching geometrics made so famous by the Mod Squad are providing inspiration for new tile and stone applications. “Home trends tend to follow fashion trends,” says Cheryl Orallo, Allied ASID, showroom manager at Bella Pietra. “Geometrics are in fashion now, and we see this theme being carried over in the materials that we now carry.”

But don’t be intimidated by the idea of bold, repeating patterns. The whole look is more chic than psychedelic, more refined than a polyester frock. Take a look at the shape of things right now:

“I see circles, squares, basket weaves and stripes,” says Orallo. All abound in these designs by Mandala. Available at Bella Pietra, the line oh-so-aptly reflects Bella Pietra’s forte: beautiful applications with natural stone. Mandala also carries fused glass, etched stone and porcelain.

	“I see circles, squares, basket weaves and stripes,” says Orallo. All abound in these designs by Mandala. Available at Bella Pietra, the line oh-so-aptly reflects Bella Pietra’s forte: beautiful applications with natural stone. Mandala also carries fused glass, etched stone and porcelain. (above, right) Made of fused glass tile alternated with porcelain, these well-defined squares seem to float and overlap. (left) The visual interest comes from opposites: Rectangles and squares are used to make circles.
	Circle gets the square (above) with this bold, repeating design from Modern Dimensions, while corners dominate the pattern below from Concrete Connections (below, left). Both are available at Daltile, whose showroom boasts a comprehensive collection of up-and-coming tile designs.
	Color blocks of various sizes come together to create this bold yet serene aesthetic, one that reflects what Daltile’s Honolulu branch manager John Pasternak calls “a cleaner, Asian type of style with a lot of symmetrical looks.” This design (at left) comes courtesy of Daltile’s Semi-Gloss line, just one of more than 70 product lines Daltile carries.
	As design of everyday items becomes more streamlined, so do decorating preferences. Case in point: long, slender glass tile applications reminiscent of some of today’s most popular cell phones. (Above) “With all the technology advances like the iPhone and the new Apple laptop, people are looking for this kind of style in their homes,” says Pasternak. “A lot of designers are using rectangles,” echoes Valerie Chau, of LF International Trading, who has also begun to carry porcelain rectangular tiles.
	A mixture of round patterns and rectangles come together to make this partition, also from Modern Dimensions, available at Daltile. Why the trend toward simple shapes? “It definitely gives a more organized and contemporary look,” says Pasternak.
	Circles and imperfect rectangles converge on the countertop at the kitchen island in this Kailua home. “Customers are actually asking us to cut geometric patterns into concrete, and then diamond polish it,” says Jamie McGuire, of Lokahi Stone, a contemporary design studio specializing in custom-created concrete structures as well as countertops and flooring. “The sky’s the limit,” he continues. “It all depends on how subdued, or how far out on the edge, you want to be.”
	Using ecofriendly soy-based stains, Lokahi Stone can apply color treatments to concrete for even more visual interest. “It’s low-maintenance and has a low-environmental impact,” explains McGuire, who advocates soy-based stain methods over traditional acid staining. “[Acid staining] is environmentally dangerous,” he says. “You have to neutralize and rinse the surface after staining. All of that rinse goes into the outflow.” With soy-based stain, rinsing isn’t necessary, so no harmful chemical byproducts are released into the environment.
	Soft-cornered rectangles are etched in repetition on this porcelain backdrop. The effect, though modern, is soft and natural thanks to the patina.
	A bricklaying format gets turned on its side in this design, which features vertically-applied glass tiles. Round fixtures provide a complementary contrast to the linear background.

Where to Get It

808 Stone Inc.
621-2711

Big Rock Manufacturing Inc.
1050 Kikowaena Place
834-ROCK (7625)
www.bigrockhawaii.com

Bella Pietra, the Beauty of Stone
701 N. Nimitz Hwy.
587-7779
www.bellapietra.com

C&J Contracting
32 Kainehe St.
261-3508
www.candjcontracting.com

City Mill
8 Locations on Oahu
660 N. Nimitz Hwy. (Honolulu)
533-3811
www.citymill.com

Daltile
1200 N. Nimitz Hwy.
523-3660
www.daltileproducts.com

Futura Stone of Hawaii
2895 Ualena St.
833-7433
www.futurastonehawaii.com

Hardware Hawaii
3 Locations on Oahu
& 1 Location on Kauai
105 Oneawa St. (Kailua)
266-1133
www.hardwarehawaii.com

HPM Building Supply
3 Locations on the Big Island
380 Kanoelehua Ave. (Hilo)
808-935-0875
www.hpmhawaii.com

Hawaii Glass Block
284 Kalihi St.
Honolulu, HI 96819-3937
841-2565
www.hawaiiglassblock.com

LF International Trading
2855 Kaihikapu St.
833-3825

Lokahi Stone
515 Kamani St.
596-8833
www.lokahistone.com

Marblehaus Hawaii
2933 Koapaka St.
836-3449
www.marblehaus.com

Maru Flooring
727 Waiakamilo Road
Bay B-1-2
Honolulu, HI 96817
853-1717
www.maruflooring.com

Pacific Craftworks
2829 Awaawaloa St., Unit D
www.pacificcraftworks.com

Selective Stone
2979 Koapaka St.
839-2979
www.selectivestone.net