The 2022 Kaleidoscope Project
This year, the Kaleidoscope Project tasked four accomplished interior designers and their teams with reimagining a once-abandoned 1906 Firehouse in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The historical Tyler Street structure was repurposed into four residential units featuring the designers’ transformations, including pieces of artwork created by BIPOC artists. The story didn’t end after the showing — the four unique apartments will continue to make a positive impact by helping to address the area’s need for affordable housing.
Crossville Collaborates with Austin Gray Design Group
The Austin Gray Design Group worked with Crossville in selecting a beautiful array of tile products for Apartment A’s kitchen and bathroom. AGDG is a New York-based Black woman-owned interior design firm specializing in creating eclectic, elegant interior spaces that evoke emotion. The teams’ design inspiration for Apartment A’s renovation was the historical significance of the Berkshires to the African American cultural experience and the established artistic community in Pittsfield. Their goal was to create a sanctuary for a working artist, art lover, or art collector. “Every detail was deliberately chosen as though each was a work of art,” explains Denise Gordon, Founder and Creative Director of Austin Gray Design Group.
Crossville Tile Collections Specified in Apartment A
Kitchen Tiles
The design team selected Crossville Porcelain Slabs in the stunning State of Grace color for the countertops. With stone-inspired gray veining mixed with subtle touches of black and brown hues, the porcelain countertops look just like natural marble (but without the upkeep!). The 12 mm thick 100 percent porcelain slabs offer easy maintenance and eliminates worries of staining, cracking, chipping, and yellowing that are common with natural stone.
For the full-height tiled backsplash, our Swatches wall tile, comprised of four hues in the Necessary Objects color grouping, beautifully compliment the porcelain slab countertops. The designers selected the ceramic wall tiles in the 2” x 8” size option in Cotton, Eggshell, Stone, and Coal. The multi-hued tile backsplash installed in a unique pattern creates an eye-catching focal point.
The waterfall island is clad in our porcelain slab in Sugar Coat with the mitered-edge option. The stark white color provides a modern contrast to the marble-look countertops, and as a bonus, the durable porcelain material protects the kitchen island against dings and nicks.
Bathroom Tiles
Inspired by jazz artist Miles Davis, the design team opted for sparkling glass tiles from our Groove Glass tile collection. The jewel-toned glass mosaics in the Jive colorway make for a stunning full-wall glass-tiled backsplash, complimented by more glass wall tiles in the gray Rhumba colorway for the shower. The designers used two tile sizes, 2’ x 16” and 4” x 12”, to create a unique, modern tile pattern for the shower walls. We think Miles Davis would be honored by this tribute to his artistry!
The Kaleidoscope Project’s interior designers and design groups truly expressed themselves in their unique designs and renovation, communicating the joy and wisdom they have accumulated throughout the years.
