Ceramic Tile Design

Looking at the other reviews, I think your experience of this place is highly dependent on which salesperson you get. We worked with Heidi at the recommendation of our tile contractor (Fonseca Marble & Tile) and she was great. Really helpful with picking out a design and tiles to make it come to life. My only gripe is how long it takes for tile to arrive (6 weeks from Arto) but I suppose that’s the fault of the tile manufacturers, not the store. The tile is beautiful though! I’d work with this store again.

Gave them one try and they ordered the wrong tile. (Instead of yellow ceramic tile we got purple glass tile). They admitted their mistake but it was two more trips and two weeks delay.
My mistake to give them a second try. Went there and they were closed even though website and phone says open til 5:15. Oh… They close early on Tuesday. And they have a sign directing you to Alabama Street. Also closed.
Don’t make our mistake. Don’t even give them a first chance.

Initially my experience was ok. Like many other reviews, I had to seek out some assistance in the store, which was a bit annoying. Our contractor sent us here to pick out some tile for a bathroom and laundry room. This is where the problems started.
Having ZERO experience with tile, I was left to rely on the ‘experience and knowledge’ of the sales staff (I will leave the staff member who assisted us unnamed). There were two MAJOR issues I had with the ‘knowledge’ of the staff. First, I had mentioned I wanted tile for the laundry room/​mud room. It was only until our sub-​contractor tile guy mentioned that the tile we chose was not rated for a laundry room/​mud room environment. Luckily he caught it and suggested a different tile to ensure that it met the ‘slippage’ scale for an environment that could be slight wet. Initially, I chose a tile that was more appropriate for a bedroom which could create a safety hazard in laundry room/​mud room environment. I was slightly annoyed that the sales person did not catch that safety concern as I see that being their responsibility for customers.
My second issue was with the accent glass tile I picked out. It was special order and VERY expensive. Our tile guy sent me the measurements for the tile and I then sent to CTD salesperson. There was a passing mention that SOME of the tile had minimum orders, but really nothing specific. To make a long story short, I ended up ordering 22 sq ft of tile when I really needed only 2 sq ft. This was around $ 500. Although I realize I did ok the order, I REALLY wish that the salesperson had specifically brought up to me the minimum quantity vs what i actually needed and made sure I understood since it was so expensive. Again, I wish there was some guidance from the sales staff in regards to the amount I actually needed vs the amount I was going to get. I relied on the experience and knowledge of the staff since I had zero. In the end the tile was ordered from Italy and then got caught up in customs. I knew this was a chance I took. Because we did not want to wait, I ended up going to the tile place on Bayshore where I was able to get glass tile accent for $ 70 for the appropriate amount that was in stock. (Apparently CTD does NOT stock ANY glass tile, or at least that is what a salesperson told me).
The sales staff was very responsive prior to me placing the order, but when I emailed to see if my glass accent tile was ready to pick up, I got no response. Instead, I had to call the warehouse to see if the tile was ready for pick-​up. I guess that perhaps the staff works on commission, but based on the unresponsive of assistance I am not sure.
Working with CTD and my remodel has provided me with some very good experience and costly lessons for next time. I would suggest if you do go to this business make sure you understand exactly what you are ordering or have someone with you you trust and knows about tiling to ask questions. Unfortunately, based on my experience, the staff failed to provide the knowledge and service that is expected from customers new to remodeling. In the end I would NOT go back to CTD when there are so many other options in the Bay Area.

I came in prepared to spend quite a bit of money. Holly, the design consultant, was unfriendly, inpatient, and abrasive. I can’t remember the last time I felt so poorly treated by a sales person. All of the positive reviews here are from years ago. Something has seriously changed. Take your money and good intentions elsewhere.

We are doing a last minute (gotta get materials together quick before the holiday weekend) for a bathroom project. I called Luis Pelayo at Ceramic Tile Design hoping they had white hex tile in stock; I knew my chances were slim! I found out this is something that is not typically stocked but Luis thought there might be some in the warehouse. Low and behold, Luis found stock for me and quickly sent me a quote (2 pm at this point with a 3 pm warehouse close time).
Needless to say, the white hex tile is from Japan and it is gorgeous. The warehouse team was quick and knowledgeable; they gave me grout suggestions and told me to call anytime with questions. Wow, that is service. Note: I also picked up the tile 2 minutes before their 3 pm close time.
Thank you Luis!

I’m truly shocked by all the positive reviews of this place. I went in 3 times in search of tile for a bath reno project and was met each time by disinterested and unfriendly employees. Not once on any of my visits did any employee offer to help me or ask if I needed assistance. When I did approach an employee to ask about samples, she acted put upon and seemed reluctant to leave her chair. When I asked her to look up prices and availability of a few tiles, she let out a huge sigh. The actions of the employees seem to say, «We don’t want your business!» And I’m more than happy to oblige.

Visiting design showrooms can be an intimidating and snooty affair. At Ceramic Tile Design, however, they aim to get your specifications and home remodel done, in the quickest, painless, and easiest way possible. Their selection is precisely that — well-​curated choices of natural and ceramic tiles for the most modest (Emser) to the grandiose (Bisazza) of renovations. The staff is easy to talk to, helpful, and non-​condescending. This place is great for design professionals as well as for those doing a one-​off bathroom remodel. Also, there’s lots of parking around considering that this showroom is practically in the middle of the city.

We just bought almost 400 sq ft of ceramic tiles at CTD and had a very pleasant experience. The staff is very nice in general and Mia Carlone is just great. She has a very strong design vocabulary and was very patient in guiding us through our selection process and helping us pull the right look together. We couldn’t be more appreciative.

I recently remodeled my bathroom and kitchen. Wow. Word to the wise. Do your homework before you begin. Don’t just wing it like someone I am. I mean know… Anyway I went to Ceramic Tile Design and when I say I had no idea what I was doing, well, I don’t think anyone could have known less. Mia helped me with patience and expertise every step of the way. She made suggestions, thought through things with me, gave me interesting ideas and pushed back when she thought I was going in a bad direction. Their selection is incredible, seriously email me if you want to see pics of how awesome my bathroom looks because of them! Ira, the manager helped me out when I had a problem with my kitchen backsplash (yes, I got all my tile from them, kitchen too!). He came to my house, chickens! He came over to look at my issues and then he solved it! Remember when physicians made house calls? Call this guy Dr. Tile!
If you’re looking for beautiful tile, lots of options and professionals to help you choose things that will really make you happy, go here. You will not be disappointed.

This place is THE BEST! Laurieanne was my salesperson, and she was so helpful in helping me select tile. I walked into Ceramic Tile & Design knowing that I wanted a subway tile backsplash for my kitchen (the house was built in 1935), and Laurieanne immediately steered me towards Sonoma Tileworks subway tile in a crackle glaze. I came prepared with samples of my cabinet, flooring, and countertop, and Laurieanne basically told me what color tile she thought was most complimentary.
Afterwards, I came home and found inspiration on
where a kitchen designer had uploaded a photo of 1″ square tiles used as a linear row as an accent. Luckily for me, the designer had indicated which company made the 1″ tiles, so it was back to Laurieanne to help select a color.
Laurieanne could not have been more helpful or prompt writing up a quote, ordering the tile, and letting me know when it arrived. She made the process very easy and painless.

Great place to buy tiles. Great selection and super service. Katie was very knowledgable and helpful. She rocks!

Perfect combo of knowledgable, no pressure, sales staff and, again, knowledgeable materials experts back in the warehouse. They freely give out advice, and get you ready for a tile job. The selection of tiles is amazing as well.

very nice tile selection but the prices are uh on another level. They are a little snobby too, after we told them that $ 30/​per sqft for a tile is a little out of range and what i was willing to pay it was like well thats pretty much the price range we carry for these style/​type tiles. I’d probably come back jus to take pics of the selection they have on display so i can goto another store to find something similar for a fraction of the cost.

High prices. Terrible customer service.
My wife and I were shocked at the service we received from Ceramic Tile Design. They are expensive, but we knew that and were willing to pay a little extra to get what we thought was a good experience. The sales people seem to have no interest in getting your tiles in quickly and to your satisfaction. They just seem interested in taking your money as fast as they can and then telling you that all sales are final and there are no returns allowed.
Once our order came in, several of the tiles we received were chipped and one batch wasn’t even the specific design we ordered! It was such a hassle to get any form of compensation from these people that we gave up.
Lesson learned!

This is the place to go for tile and kitchen/​bath design in San Francisco. I’m in the industry and work with them all the time.
They are the most honest, personable, and friendly high end tile design house in the city (also the only tile distributor in the city for Nuheat).
Check them out on your next tile project.

Worked with Kate on getting some under-​floor heating mats (NuHeat). I can’t really speak of the gorgeous tile they have there and how expensive (or not) it is (I got my tile elsewhere, before I found this place), but I can speak of their attention to their customers — and it is outstanding. My bathroom has a very odd shape and I had some pretty steep requirements in terms of how quickly I needed the mats, and Kate went far and beyond the call of duty to accommodate me and not only get me exactly what I wanted, do it quickly — and get it delivered to my door one week ahead of schedule. Outstanding and definitely first-​class!
Now, part of that is NuHeat’s also equally outstanding customer service, but there’s a reason these guys are the only NuHeat sellers in San Fran… A first class product sold by a first class retailer.

Awesome! I visited the San Rafael location and remodeled three of our bathrooms with excellent results. Sales staff is friendly and very helpful. Also bought our Nuheat here, our favorite part of the new baths. Heat your feet!

Cool. Beautiful. I want some.
Expensive though.

I had a great experience shopping for tiles at Ceramic Tile Design. Luca Matera took a lot of time with me helping me choose the different tiles and grout for the backsplash behind my stove.
Luca made sure I was ordering the correct amount of tiles for the square footage of the backsplash and he also confirmed that the contractor I will probably use is excellent. I felt like I was in first-​class hands.
I realize that purchasing tiles for a small area like a kitchen backsplash is not going to be the biggest sale they make, but Luca was extremely helpful and friendly as if I was purchasing tiles for a bathroom remodel.
They have a great selection of tiles and very helpful service. When I am ready to remodel one of the bathrooms in my house I am going back and make a really BIG purchase.
Oh yeah — parking is really easy.
Thanks Luca!

Weather you dream of 1×6 baby blue beach glass or 18×18 sheets of slate, CTD has a great selection of tile in every price range. I was particularly impressed with how friendly and helpful the staff was. I will return for my next project.
Skip Galleria Tile down the way, this place is far superior.