Unsurpassed Artistry and Quality with Ann Sacks

We are once again thrilled to be partnering with Ann Sacks on another project! Ann Sacks brings unsurpassed artistry, craftmanship, and quality to the table and with seven distinct collections, Ann Sacks brings together the finest product selections.

In 1989, Ann Sacks joined the Kohler family specializing in hand-made ceramic tile, marble, and stone. Today, they continue to offer these hi-end materials and have added some new products to their list of services. We sat down with Hayley Hartlaub with Ann Sacks to to learn more about their involvement with the Mountain Lane Show House. Read below to hear what she had to say and why Laura always selects Ann Sacks for her personal homes!

A Conversation with Ann Sacks

Laura U Design Collective (LUDC): Tell us about your role in the Mountain Lane Show House (MLSH) and why Ann Sacks wanted to be involved?

Ann Sacks (AS): I manage our influencer/designer partnerships and Brand Ambassador program for Ann Sacks. Laura U Design Collective is an Ann Sacks Brand Ambassador and a wonderful client of our Houston showroom. We love Laura’s bold design style and wholistic approach to design. When we were asked to participate, I was like yes, of course. We are so excited to see what beautiful spaces Laura wants to create with our tile!

LUDC: We will be using Ann Sacks tile and stone throughout the home, in different ways, including for floors, backsplash, and walls. How are you seeing different applications with your product?

AS: The coolest thing about tile is that it can be used in so many different ways. There are many ways you can lay it out, mix and match patterns, change up the grout - it really is limitless to how you can express your personality through your tile applications.

LUDC: In the primary bathroom, Laura decided to do the Terrazzo Renata Fluted stone as the vanity backsplash. This selection from your new Distinct Details collection is inspired by the Old Italy terrazzo and includes marble and a fluted shape for texture - this will definitely be a show stopping moment. Can you tell us a little but about this new collection and what you are loving from the Distinct Details Collection?

AS: I was so excited that Laura wanted to incorporate our new fluted terrazzo in the Brulee color. We launched the white last year as a fluted addition to our Terrazzo Renata collection that includes, White, Black, Grey, Brulee and Grigio. We were excited to add the fluted Brulee to this most recent launch.

LUDC: In the powder bathroom, Laura selected the Koros Mosaic stone in Dark Colorway which is beautiful. What was the inspiration behind this creation?

AS: Koros was a collection I was able to share with Laura before we launched it and she was like, “Yes I have to put this somewhere.” The collection was inspired by the exquisite patterns of traditional African mud cloth, and is comprised of six micro-mosaic stone designs skillfully arranged in an artful blend of contrasting colorways. Laura chose the Niono pattern which is a geometric cross pattern that is going to be stunning in the powder bath.

LUDC: You are also doing the dog shower in the utility room - something Laura and the doggos are super excited about! What product was selected for this space? What other unique spaces have you seen your product used in?

AS: We are so excited about this dog shower too! Laura selected tile from one of our most popular Ann Sacks in-stock ceramic collections - Savoy. She selected Savoy Circle in Linen a brand new addition to this collection that has a raised circular design on the field tile. She chose a complementary Savoy mosaic penny tile to pair with, but in our Driftwood colorway. We can’t wait to see this combination of materials and how much her pup loves this space!

We are seeing tile used in so many fun, unique spaces – stairs, coffee bars, flower rooms, sculleries, pantries and even dining rooms just to name a few.

LUDC: In Laura's twin girls' bathroom, we are using the Context tile in Spa for the floors, shower walls, and the lavatory walls. This is a unique application. What was your initial reaction when Laura pitched this idea?

AS: Oh I LOVED the idea. Kids bathrooms are a place in the home where you can really have fun with tile and I was so excited that Laura really wanted to go for it.

LUDC: How often do you release new collections? What is the inspiration behind the different products?

AS: We typically have two new product launches a year (Spring & Summer). We have a Director of Product Development and a product team. The inspiration comes from everywhere, trends they are seeing in the market, what our designers are requesting, art, travels, color, architecture really everywhere!

LUDC: You recently released some new product lines. Can you tell us a little bit about these new lines? We will see any of the new products in the MLSH?

AS: Yes, we launched our Ann Sacks Curated bath line in September. The ASCB collection has been created to represent the ultimate synthesis of design, craft and quality. Bringing together the finest product selection – comprised of Robern vanities, mirrors and linen cabinets, Kohler Lighting, and Kallista faucets and fixtures and Ann Sacks marbled surfaces. These seven distinct collections are carried exclusively through Ann Sacks.

The Alisal vanity will be featured in the MLSH in Laura’s powder room.

LUDC: At what point in the building or renovation process, do you need to have your tile selections?

AS: We think tile should be one of your first design choices during the building process. Tile is a very fun place to start and then build the room around since there are so many colors, formats, sizes and textures to choose from and it is your chance to really go bold and create that WOW moment.

LUDC: Do you have any advice for people wanting to install Ann Sacks tile in their home?

AS: We have a beautiful selection of tile you can view online, but going to one of our showrooms and being able to feel the tile and see it in person helps you appreciate the quality and see the beauty and differentiation an Ann Sacks tile has. Also our Instagram is a fantastic place to see our tile installed.

LUDC: How can people get in contact with Ann Sacks?

AS: We have a Contact Us page on our website where you can find the closest showroom to you to get set up with a design consultant that will be able to send you samples or answer any questions you may have.

LUDC: Is there anything you would like to add about working on this project?

AS: This project was so fun to be a part of! I love that Laura wanted to use, bold, new collections that nobody else had really seen yet. There isn’t a white subway tile in sight! She had such amazing and fun ideas on ways to incorporate the tile into her designs. I am so excited to see her designs come to life.