about clé

at clé, tile is so much more than a surface. it is the embodiment of history, craftsmanship, tradition, art and culture, all within a piece of earth. in fact we consider every tile a miracle, be it clay, stone, glass or metal molded into a form then fired into a small piece of art, each–alchemical markers of civilizations past and present. our aim is long-term: to create and curate heritage pieces that will stand the test of time.

it is this historic reverence that informs our fascination with stone relics, worn terracotta floors and burnished marble finishes, all surfaces that have endured over centuries. we have discovered that it is the patina, hand-chiseled edges and imperfect glazes that showcase tradition passed down through generations that people respond to most in our tile. in short, it’s a way we feel connected to the earth and to humnanity.

when tile industry veteran Deborah Osburn started her blog ‘tile envy’ in 2009, it was an outlet to showcase her admiration for all sorts of artisan tile from far flung corners of the world. her findings resonated with readers and, before she knew it, clé was launched as she began selling tile online and shipping out pallets from her garage in northern california.