A Journey in Restoring Aesthetic Value to Forgotten Tiles
At Karoistanbul, we're proud to have played a role in reviving encaustic cement tiles, which were once almost extinct.
We're dedicated to reproducing these handmade floor and wall tiles that were widely used in many cultures in the past. By combining our years of workshop experience with our designers' modern and visionary approach, we bring new aesthetic value to these nearly forgotten tiles.
With our modern techniques, we're able to create bespoke productions in any desired pattern, color, and size.
Karoistanbul gets inspired by the past and aims to improve
the quality of its products and to expand the range by
using today's technology.
Our History
A patterned tile which is a typical Mediterranean material made by pouring cement, marble powder, aggregate and pigment into the mold and pressed with high pressure, also known as ‘’carreaux de ciment’’, started in France in the 1850s, spread all over the world from the Mediterranean Region to North Africa and from there to the Far East.In the 1950s mosaic and tile manufacturers had started to be uncapable to compete with industrial products such as ceramics, linoleum, granite, which were relatively quicker and easier to produce than patterned mosaics tiles, they became unable to make production in a very short time. As a result of a forced defeat they had to leave this area.
1975
The foundations of Mavi Pencere were laid by Painter Zekai Bostancı in a small art studio in Istanbul Moda.
1980
This small atelier, besides painting, began production of stained glass, mosaic panels, and ceramic tiles.
1990
R&D studies were initiated on cement tiles, and all findings related to the subject were documented over the years. As a result, a fading craftsmanship and culture was preserved.
1997
The team started production of this traditional material while enhancing its technical and aesthetic aspects. They later institutionalized their efforts under the name of Karoistanbul.
2024
Karo İstanbul has a significant export volume in floor and wall coverings. It is a preferred brand abroad, thanks to the quality and diversity of its products. It offers a wide range of options to its customers by producing floor and wall coverings suitable for different styles and needs. In addition, it has a reliable position in the export market by producing in accordance with international standards.
Our Design Proces
All handmade patterned tile mosaics are produced by pressing a mixture of cement, marble powder, natural stone granules, sand and color pigments at high pressure.
Karoistanbul encaustic cement tile productions is in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 , ISO 14001:2015 Quality Management System and TS 213-1 EN 13748-1 Production Standard by Turkish Standards Institution.
Unlike the old production process of the tiles , Karoistanbul tiles are pressed with high pressure, which makes the tiles harder and less absorbent.
Our Team
Karoistanbul is a company that includes designers, industrial engineers, architects, technicians and masters who have received fine arts training. With its uninterrupted R&D and laboratory studies, steam curing systems and mold production department, etc., it does not leave any stage of the process to chance.
Karoistanbul in The Press
