A network of interlaced leaves dance in alternating layers of texture and depth; the lovely petals of a lotus flower approach and recede as if in tune with a mystical sun; a serpentine network of geometric shapes recalls the many arms of Vishnu. This is not some Utopian fantasy but rather a living, breathing, and very real line-up of marble tile courtesy of manufacturer Artistic Tile.

Lake Blue Leaves from the Ziva Line of Stone Tile. Manufactured by Artistic Tile.

Artistic Tile's Ziva Line is Hand Picked and Hand Carved

The term "Sculptural" doesn't quite do justice to Artistic Tile's lovely line of three-dimensional tile, each with a distinctively undulating Pattern. First, there's Bianco Carrera, an exciting explosion of interlocking geometric motifs; next, there's Gris Lotus, which, like its namesake, is so intricate and layered you may wonder if it doesn't convey some mystical import; and finally we have Lake Blue Leaves, a cubist take on this natural phenomena that's palpably textural and beautifully nuanced.

All three of these designs present homeowners with an unusual and engaging flooring surface-one that prizes texture over smoothness, an avant-garde aesthetic over the same old same old.

And not that this line of lovely and unusual marble tile needs a particular selling point other than the innovative concept and beautifully executed motifs, but the product has won many industry accolades, including those for Interior Design Magazine, who named Ziva Tile the Best of Year Design Award Winner for 2010. According to the judges, "the Ziva Collection is inspired by nature and brought to life in stone… each piece is individually crafted by stone carvers who can spend up to one full day on a single piece."

About the Manufacturer: From the humble environs of Tenafly, NJ, the company known as Artistic Tile has risen from a satellite concern of a cabinetry showroom to one of the world's most recognizable brands in stone tile. Nancy Epstein, founder and CEO of Artistic Tile, is known not only for her inspiring designs and innovative manufacturing techniques, but also for her PR innovations. Among the latter, one finds whole room tile displays within the showroom (in contrast to the customary concept boards) as well as markedly shortened lead times, even for large customized installations.