PORTLAND, Ore. (April 16, 2010) – ANN SACKS, a premier manufacturer and distributor of tile, stone and plumbing products, introduced Starburst and Frame, two new tile designs by internationally renowned designer, Barbara Barry, at the 2010 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago.   Reflecting the quiet sophistication and understated elegance synonymous with Barry’s designs, the new ceramic tiles are handcrafted by ANN SACKS artisans in Portland, Ore. and are exclusive to ANN SACKS.

Designed for interior wall installations, Starburst is a series of embossed ceramic glazed tile designs inspired by “falling stars,” said Barry. The tiles were envisioned by Barry to be installed in a random pattern with the single star tiles at the top then a graduation of doubles, triples and quad star patterned tiles cascading down or, alternatively in a full field, single center starburst design. Starburst is offered in 4x4 Starburst Single Offset, 4x4 Starburst Single Center, 4x4 Starburst Double, 4x4 Starburst Triple, 4x4 Starburst Quad, and 2x6 Starburst Border tiles.

“Starburst has the ability to be built upon – from one star to as many as you want,” explained Barry. “It radiates and shimmers, looking fresh and modern in all white or dramatic and deep in richer tones.”

Joining Starburst is Frame, a glazed ceramic tile with a straightforward design achieved by incorporating raised and recessed edges to form its understated pattern. “Frame is a crisp, architectural statement,” said Barry. “The definition is designed to subtly catch light with the graphic presence to work in modern or traditional installations.”

All shapes come with both raised and embossed edges. Frame is offered in 3½x6 Elongated Hexagon Raised Edge, 3½x6 Elongated Hexagon Embossed Edge, 3x6 Raised Edge, 3x6 Embossed Edge, 4x4 Raised Edge, 4x4 Embossed Edge and 2x6 Border Raised Edge tiles. Designed for interior applications, the tile’s matte and gloss finishes can also be juxtaposed for heightened visual interest. “Texture delights the eye as it creates a conversation of light, play and pattern,” said Barry.

Both designs are available in Barry’s signature ANN SACKS palette of 18 matte or 21 gloss colors, as well as offered in any of the ANN SACKS Ceramic earthenware glazes. ANN SACKS also introduced Moon Shadow, a creamy gray shade, to complement Barry’s existing color series. Barry explained, “I love subtle color and pattern because they create a soft backdrop to whatever else is brought into play yet do not compete with the ever-changing landscape of a room.   I gravitate to soft washes of color inspired by nature, the water and sky – these colors never date.”

“The mood of a room is everything,” concluded Barry. “Color is what we respond to first, selecting colors that we love to set the mood instantly. Then we gild the backdrop with pattern to capture and reflect light and heighten the personality of the surroundings. Working with these two elements is enough to create lasting and alive spaces. This is the foundation of my work.”