The Workshop: Raising the Tilebar

In the bright and airy upper level, walls are outfitted with rows and rows of tile in all manner of material, color and size. Tall display fixtures and installations allow visitors to view collections in several layouts, and adjustable Wi-Fi lighting provides customers with a realistic look at each design in all possible light conditions. Large tables and iPads provide workspace for collaborative planning and ordering.

On the spacious lower level, there's room for events, a conference room, and abundant sample storage, a boon to trade clients who need grab-and-go samples on their way to meetings.

Opened in 2018, the company designed the massive showroom to serve as an extension of their e-commerce site that had grown to become a favorite designer destination.

TileBar has grown rapidly to become one of the key players in the industry, offering nearly 4,000 products used in both residential and commercial applications. From that small Brooklyn facility that served as both office space and warehouse, the team now enjoys the vast Flatiron flagship as well as a state-of-the-art 300,000-square-foot fulfillment center in New Jersey.

Today, the brand is regularly featured in top design publications, such as Dwell and Architectural Digest, and, on a number of television shows, including Tiny House Nation and Property Brothers. "We're proud to be at the point where we're a real name brand," Herskovits says. "Whether it's residential, hospitality, commercial or co-working spaces, we've really made our mark in this industry."

"When I came on board to launch the trade division, the goal was to let every designer, architect and builder in the country know about TileBar, and we thought, 'Why not have interior designers design tile collections for us?'" recalls Herskovits. "I reached out to Kelli Ellis, a celebrity designer I followed on Instagram. She has a huge following, and she's been so supportive in helping us grow in the residential market. She's really made a huge impact for us."

The Kelli Ellis Collection for TileBar is a true representation of her "livable luxury" approach to design and features rich Calacatta marble in unexpected shapes punctuated by antique mirror accents. Herskovits names the collection's Soli tile among his favorites. 

"That's one of the reasons we really like it," adds Rachel Wolff, Dixon Projects Director of Interior Design. "A lot of large format tiles don't have a matching mosaic, but Instinct does. We use the larger size on walls and bathroom floors and the mosaic tiles in shower floors to prevent slipping and accommodate the slope to the drain."

A preference for neutrals with universal appeal doesn't mean a complete absence of pattern, however. Take TileBar's Cascais line, a porcelain design inspired by Portuguese azujelo tiles that add a substantial wow factor to the Sherman Street bathroom. 

"Sometimes we use a pop of pattern in a laundry room or powder room, and printed porcelain is a good stand-in for a handmade cement tile. It's an option that wears a little better for us in high-traffic areas, but with that same great color and design," says Dixon Interior Designer Addie Sandidge.

That's a level of above-and-beyond service that doesn’t just apply to large accounts; the TileBar team is devoted to exceptional service, quality and reliability for all clients. As Herskovits explains, their tagline — “Raising the TileBar” — reflects their willingness to promise a standard of excellence. "In service, experience, design, everything. No matter how well we're doing, we want to do better!"

Looking ahead at upcoming tile trends, Herskovits notes that innovative colors, textures and dimensionality will reign supreme. TileBar's Lava Stone line ticks several trend-alert boxes, especially in Aegean green and Adriatic blue colors that he describes as "so hot right now."

The Arcade Collection, created by Marcos Cecchetto, TileBar's Senior Graphic Designer, takes a classic chevron pattern and changes the angles and textures. "The combination of polished and unpolished Carrara marble just adds so much dimension."

As for TileBar's future, Herskovits gives founder Mechlovitz ample credit for creating the company's current momentum and optimistic outlook. "He's a visionary and a real leader. Eli is an entrepreneur, and he allows people to grow and create success," he says.