Lilywork: The Next Generation of American Art Tile

You may know Lilywork as a company based on crafting handmade tile collections that can be seen adorning fireplace mantles, kitchens and entryways. But what looks to many to be a high production, full-scale tile business is actually a humble duo of artists working in a simple studio - their own garage.

Situated in Quakertown, PA, Esther and Paul Halferty began Lilywork after their marriage in 2006. Both came from art backgrounds. Paul studied at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. During this time, his mentor, Will Mead of Peace Valley Tile, introduced him to tilemaking. It was here that Paul developed a passion for the craft that has been with him for the last thirteen years.

"There is an age-old debate you inevitably encounter in art school: art versus craft," said Paul. "It was during that summer that I understood the accessibility of craft." Since then, Paul has been working tirelessly to hone his craft, balancing his own business and holding the position for ten years of Mold-maker at Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Bucks County, PA.

Esther, the other half of Lilywork, got her start at the Hartford Art School. Originally starting in printmaking and textiles, Esther quickly found her niche in tilemaking. "I realized the layering of texture and color I wanted could best be achieved in the ceramic arts," she said.

Staying true to her adventurous spirit, Esther disregarded Dean Bradley's warning of becoming a "mud puppy" and decided to get her hands dirty. She found inspiration from her travels, pulling ideas from architecture and cultures across Europe and the Near East. These designs can be found in any of Lilywork's tiles today. 

What has become a well-established business, with tiles showing in showrooms across the country, is still being run out of the tiny garage in back of the couple's home. Their work surface consists of tables, carts and shelves built with their own hands. Custom-crafted tools are kept simple, preserving historic tile-making methods. Lilywork is truly a hand-made product.

Lilywork was literally built from the ground up, with neither artist losing sight of the ground. "Ours is an American story of building something from nothing," said Paul. "We are outgrowing our space, but we would still like to live where we work [in order to] keep life simpler, where our personal and business life meld into one."