Ancient and Modern
Stones and marbles are formed by compression of the earth's crust over millions of years. They are so highly compressed that they are amongst the hardest materials known to man. This makes them highly suitable for floors because they can last for hundreds if not thousands of years. Terracotta is formed by baking clay in a kiln. Softer than stone, it was used by many ancient civilisations including the Romans and is also remarkably durable. Paris Ceramics has pioneered the reclamation of both antique stone and terracotta from its inception in 1981. We have developed a network to discover and preserve original floors from around the world. Newly quarried stone is also available to order in any quantity. Whilst it pays homage to the rare antique originals, the uses of newly quarried stone have evolved to suit the needs of today. Whether ancient or modern, flooring supplied by Paris Ceramics will be a unique, hard-wearing embellishment to any home.
From the ends of the earth
From Britain’s own native riches to exciting finds in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we have a vast range of unique limestones, marble, terracotta and decorative accents.
We use the traditional skills developed over the centuries in many different countries and cultures. For example, in Rajasthan in India, we commission intricate stone inlays from the descendents of families who embellished the Taj Mahal. We ship stone from France and Bulgaria to highly talented carvers in China. We carefully remove floors in France from buildings which are about to be demolished. We have mosaicists skilled in this painstaking traditional art who have their workshops in Israel and in India.
Wherever we find a new source of exciting floors or find out about local skills, we try to develop a new supply to complement the rest of our collection. We have always found that a shared philosophy of excellence is the only real foundation in developing longstanding relations with our partners all around the world.
Fine & rare
We travel to the ends of the earth to seek out the most original and unusual stones and marbles. We have discovered many fascinating materials including stone from lost quarries and mines.
We have revived ancient craft techniques and invented new ones. For example, the skills we use to restore antique floors also allow us to distress new-cut stone to give an authentic patina of age.
Our experience, product knowledge and sheer curiosity guarantee exceptional products, our attention to detail absolute. For instance, we offer three beautiful white marbles: from Italy, from Spain and from India. Each is renowned in its own way, with innate qualities which dictate when and where it should be used. We also assure the quality by setting up our own supply lines, because we are extremely discerning about who and what we want to work with. We only ever choose sources and materials which are reliable and of high quality.
Function & creation
Since 1981, Paris Ceramics has had a design and manufacturing capability which allows us to create virtually anything in stone. Working closely with project architects, engineers and builders, we utilise all the aesthetic and structural capabilities of our products.
Our in-house design studio also fulfils many commissions for three-dimensional decorative and structural elements, from swimming pools and staircases to balustrades and facades complete with specially designed and fabricated profiles.
We work with flat surfaces; simple or ornate; making a copy of a Roman mosaic floor, for instance, or a complex trompe l’oeil wall. We believe that we offer our clients access to unique products and services which cannot be rivalled by any other company.
Daring to be different
From the very beginning, Paris Ceramics has been different. Unlike most stone and tile companies, we take control of every step of our products’ lives from quarry or kiln, through cutting and finishing, to final delivery at our client’s worksite.
To do this, we have invested heavily in building an infrastructure in many countries, allowing us to guarantee our quality. We have the facility to transform rough quarried stone into extremely sophisticated products in order to manage complex projects at competitive cost to our clients.
Some of our more sophisticated workshops we are affiliated to have married state-of-the-art technologies with our unrivalled expertise in product sourcing, while maintaining our traditional skills in hand-finishing techniques.
By integrating materials and craftsmanship from the old world with technology from the new, we create flooring which is both new and unique.
Inspirational showrooms
Each Paris Ceramics showroom is also a studio, reflecting the creativity of the designers who work there and the way that they choose to put our products together.
We are, above all, a craft-based company with a vision which expresses an eclectic mix of materials and ideas. We set out to challenge pre-conceptions of what can or should be done with decorative stone.
The showrooms are not only inspirational studios but are also the operational heart of Paris Ceramics in the locality. It is from here that the designers and managers organise and design each project.
PARIS CERAMICS
South Park Studios - Suite 10
88 Peterborough Road, London SW6 3HH
United Kingdom