freeze thaw resistant
stove backsplash
sink backsplash
interior wall
exterior wall
shower wall
steam shower wall
* see material guidelines guide for specific requirements
for more information, see our tile variation & imperfections guide
minimum order of 16 sqft
product specifications
technical specifications
freeze thaw resistant
stove backsplash
sink backsplash
interior wall
exterior wall
shower wall
steam shower wall
* see material guidelines guide for specific requirements
for more information, see our tile variation & imperfections guide
read before you buy this tile
what type of sealant should i use with my watermark tiles?
clé recommends the use of the clé top coat kit for sealing all applications of watermark tiles. please note that the use of any other sealant may strip the hand painted decoration off the surface of the tile.
please note that watermark tiles come with a single coat of the top coat applied.
for more information about sealing please see our watermark material guidelines.
do you offer trim for your watermark tile?
at clé we follow the international model of no trim and highly recommend our clients to do the same. below are the trim alternatives we recommend for this collection.
- if your project needs to turn a corner either inwardly or outwardly, mitering the tiles to meet seamlessly in a corner gives it the cleanest, crafted finish.
- like with any of our tiles, you can also build out the sheetrock so that the surface of the finished sheetrock is flush with the surface of the tile.
for more detailed recommendations about trim, please see our trim guide.
how do i take care of my watermark tiles?
as with any finely hand painted tile, clé warns against the use of any surface cleansers or scrubbing pads, for maintenance cleaning or during the installation process.
cleaning watermark only requires the use of mild soap, water and soft cloths in most cases.
watermark tiles are chemically sensitive. do not use any cleaners that are not pH neutral and avoid harsh chemicals and acidic or alkaline cleaning products.
see our watermark material guidelines for more information.
what does it mean for me that watermark tiles come with a single coat of the top coat already applied?
watermark tiles have the benefit of a single coat of the top coat already applied when they arrive. the coating provides stain resistance and therefore allows for a longer “reaction” time but will not render your tiles stain-free. please sure to clean up messes quickly.
what types and levels of variation and imperfections should i expect?
each and every hand painted watermark tile is different and unique, with heavy variation in color and pattern to be expected.
our tiles are subject to variations in color, texture, size and finish. it is very important to blend the tiles from all boxes once they arrive and place them in their installation area to ensure you have the layout you want before installing. do not install without blending tiles from all boxes.
variation ratings:
watermark tiles, with the exception of the field tile that is rated 'level 2 slight', are rated 'level 4 heavy' for color variation, 'level 1 smooth' for texture variation, and 'level 2 medium; for size variation.
see illustrations in the technical specifications section above, and read more about the ratings in our tile variation and imperfections guide.
how will my watermark samples compare to my actual order?
as noted in the variation and add on orders sections of our faq, color and size variation between production batches of watermark tile, in addition to variation from tile to tile, is to be expected given the handcrafted nature of the product. this makes it unlikely that your sample will be a perfect match with your actual order.
why do you suggest i order at least 15% more than my measurements?
industry standard suggests adding at least 15% overage due to tile cuts, potential shipping breakage, or future repairs.
for more information related to ordering and shipping, please be sure to visit our shipping and returns and delivery information resource pages.
grout
clé recommends a 1/4" grout joint with this collection.
clé recommends using mortar and non-pigmented sanded cementitious grout that comply with the ANSI A118 or ISO 13007 classifications suitable for your project. Please consult with your installation professional to make these determinations.
grout color selection is always up to our client and/or their design professional. however, clé is often asked for our opinion on best grout selections for our tiles. and due to the large array of grout colors that are now available, clé would like to offer this general guideline on a foolproof grout color selection for any of your clé tiles.
first, have your professional tile contractor complete your tile installation, except for the grout portion.
next, when ready to grout, ask your contractor to bring ALL grout color charts from his preferred grout manufacturers, for your review.
lastly, choose a time of day when you are most pleased with the lighting in your space (either natural lighting, installed lighting or a blend of both). during that lighting and time of day, select the grout color that best matches your tile selection.
any other tips for grouting?
we recommend carefully finger grouting to keep grout in the joints and off the surface of the decorative tiles. you may find it easiest to employ this grouting method by using a grout bag for applying the grout into the joint and finalizing the grout finish with your finger or a soft, wet cloth.
for more information about grouting please see our watermark material guidelines.
collection dimensions
rectangle - 4"x8"x3/8"
disclaimer: please note all dimensions are nominal. additionally, dimensions between tiles can vary +/- 1/4 inch.
dreamy, meditative watermark
tile inspired by japanese shibori
deborah osburn's watermark begins with a hand-cut, slow-fired unglazed porcelain tile, the color of paper, that is then either dipped, stained or washed with authentic indigo and gold verdigris pigments. watermark wash is created with several layers of pigment and is the halfway point in the degradé process between dip and stain. more recently, luca osburn, her son and an avid surfer, has taken over production of the collection and has added his own iteration of colors, inspired by the magical quality of the tides and waves he encounters in the pacific surf. shown here, outer sunset featuirng faded pink inspired by the rows of houses that border san francisco's ocean beach.
why we love watermark
with her signature, award-winning watermark collection, clé founder, deborah osburn melds two tactile and mutually enriching materials – porcelain and pigment – to create an ombre-effect on tile inspired by japanese textile dyeing techniques. the results of this unique process are a hypnotic fade of color from deep to light…reminiscent of the movement of tides. dreamy, meditative, and wildly dissimilar- please expect every one of the tiles from this series to invoke the unique individuality of its namesake- watermark.
a deep well of inspiration
deborah osburn's "watermark" was voted best of year 2014 by interior design magazine.
she has spent her career producing tiles and the act of tile making, along with an affection for art, fashion and design inform her tile collections.
“i enjoy melding opposites- creating historical themes using modern technologies or developing current styles made from archaic methods. for me, the process of making tiles is as significant as the finished product. i'm lucky. everyday i get to take those passions and figure out new ways to produce tile from the depths of my tile making inspirations. because i've been exploring this for some time, that well of inspiration runs deep. ” - deborah osburn
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