This conceptual design was inspired by a back and forth exchange about monkeys. Naturally.

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to tour Arto, a longtime tile factory in Gardena, California, and met owner and “cook” Armen Alajian. I fell in love with their truly handmade process. When I say tile in an art, Arto is a perfect example of what I mean.

Armen is one of the most unique individuals I’ve met in my 12+ years in the tile industry, which is saying something. When you are lucky enough to work with creatives from around the globe, you encounter plenty of personalities. Armen has creativity and quirkiness running through his veins, and his regular emails to customers are full of inspiration and musings.

A few weeks ago, one of those emails led to an exchange about…wait for it…monkeys. You can read it here (it will make more sense that way). That conversation inspired a tile concept I am now determined to use somewhere. There IS a perfect project out there just waiting for these little guys.

Because who doesn’t need monkeys drinking cocktails?

Moment of truth: I have never designed with Delft tile before. The right project just hasn’t come along. But now I need one. Desperately.

Delft tile works with a multitude of colors and styles, but I opted to ground this concept in moody tones; wine colored cabinets, a flamed soapstone countertop, and weathered oak. Nothing here needs to feel sparkling new.

This is a kitchen I would fill slowly, with pieces found in antique stores. Where I would use the old ceramic jug my great-grandma pickled vegetables in every year on her farm. A kitchen filled with things that have lived a little, with plenty of room for a family to keep adding to the story.

And it all started with a conversation about monkeys drinking cocktails.

Inspiration strikes at the oddest times.