A swimming pool is the heart of an outdoor space, so wherever possible and if budget allows, we always recommend installing a concrete fully tiled underground pool. Alongside the pool design which is crucial for the effective use of space and for capturing the best of year-round sunshine, selecting the right pool tile is key to creating the perfect look.
When designing the pool for Biscayne, we worked really closely with Heath and the Plume Studio team on the landscape design – and with Laguna Pools. They have been fastidious about every tiny detail and delivered a first-class pool design that has a real sense of fun about it – which is exactly what I wanted for Biscayne, a property that is all about resort-style living. And then we found THE perfect pool tile via our friends at KLAY.
We worked closely with Keron McCallum-Gaul, General Manager at KLAY, who helped us work through the best tile options for the Biscayne pool. After fifteen years in senior roles with a global building materials business, Keron decided he’d had enough of corporate life. So in 2017 he refocused his attention and joined the team at KLAY and put his energy into a smaller family business where he could really get involved with the product and his clients.
“KLAY is a well-established organisation, with driven and innovative owners. They have strong ties with the German manufacturers of the products that KLAY offers to the Australian marketplace. Most of our time is spent working with architects, landscape designers & interior designers and then with commercial builders, contractors and residential pool builders,” says Keron.
KLAY offers luxury German manufactured premium mosaics that are sophisticated and durable, and suitable for a wide range of applications including permanent immersion in both salt and chlorinated swimming pools. Explains Keron, “The mosaic tiles are ideal for a wide range of pools, including private residential pools, semi commercial applications in apartment & hotel pools through to large scale commercial aquatic centres, saunas, steam rooms and of course for general floor and wall applications. Matching slip resistant mosaics offers additional safety for steps and floors in both commercial and residential applications.”
KLAY’s extensive tile and ceramic facade ranges are made by German manufacturers who have specialised in the manufacture of ceramic materials since 1755. Adds Keron, “With over 260 years of manufacturing history with a significant range of materials (including mosaics from 10mm x 10mm to 100mm x 100mm, penny round mosaics in both 10mm and 20mm diameter and specialised mosaic gradients), you know when you work with KLAY you are dealing with the world’s best quality alongside deep technical expertise and support.“
Says Keron, “The stoneware ceramic tile that Kate and her team chose for the Biscayne pool is very unique because of the high gloss glass-like finish. The tiles have a very fine textural relief across the surface which make them very reflective and ideal for swimming pools. These tiles also have a Hytect titanium-dioxide treatment that is baked into the surface of the ceramic to make it very stain-resistant and easy to keep clean, as well as maintaining the tiles’ longevity.“
“In terms of colour, Kate chose what is now known as ‘Biscayne Blue’ from the Amano series. While trends do come and go quite rapidly, one look that has been around for some time now is a trend towards a pale blue / turquoise water colour for swimming pools – a resort-style look. Tiles with a slight grey, steel tinge tends to create a nice pale blue / turquoise effect, making make them very attractive in the marketplace. Regardless of your desired outcome, the eight colours in the Amano series will be sure to provide the look and feel for people wanting high quality.”
Explains Kate Walker, “We knew we needed the just the right shade of aquamarine for the pool tile – one of my absolute favourite colours – and we searched high and low for the perfect colour. We finally found the exact shade at KLAY Tiles – they have such an amazing array of tiles to choose from and helped us to find the perfect shade, which is now known as ‘Biscayne Blue’. We can’t wait to show you the final result!”
At KWD we love working with our incredible supply partners who help us take each project to new heights and bring out the very best in each property. Talk to our design team about your landscaping and swimming pool dreams, and we’ll work with the best in the business to deliver your vision.
Photographer: Armelle Habib
3D Render: Reality 3D