Italian tile manufacturer Casalgrande Padana have created a wonderful porcelain plank tile that mimics the look of the centuries-old Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban, which means burnt cedar beam in Japanese. Originating in the 1700s, the method where cedar planks are charred and then sealed with natural oils, making them a unique material for building, is also known as Yakisugi.
And Casalgranda Padana captures the rusticity and marvelous darkened wood grain in a porcelain tile. Available in 9mm thickness, the planks are made in a single standard size of 8" x 48".
The planks come in six different colorways but the ones that look most realistic are black and brown...
I can see some great uses for this product, adding warmth and an organic sense to any space whether on a floor or wall!
As part of Copenhagen's Snedker Studio, textile designer Pernille Snedker Hansen creates marvelous painted wood floors using the ancient handcrafted art of marbling (the technique used to create classic endpapers for books). By swirling paint onto a fluid surface and dipping planks onto the paint, the marbling design is transferred.
Her Refraction Series #1 fits together beautifully and can be configured in a bookmatched pattern...
...and Refraction #2 can be configured into a chevron pattern.
I think her Wave pattern might be my favorite. She says her aim with this technique is to invoke old-growth tree rings and this pattern feels wonderfully organic.
And for some curves, the Arch series creates a pleasing, rhythmic pattern.
Here's how she does it!
I would love to use these incredible, one-of-a-kind planks for a project. Anyone?
Happy designing!
