Rookwood Tile: A Cincinnati Treasure

You’ll find one of Cincinnati’s most cherished gems – an 88,000 square-foot tile facility located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood – waiting to supply homeowners with a touch of their city’s history. Founded in 1880 by Maria Longworth-Nichols, Rookwood Tile quickly became a household name and regional treasure as the first female-owned business in Cincinnati on record.

As a female business owner myself, I’m not only inspired by the Rookwood Tile story but I’m drawn to their unique and cunning craftsmanship as well. Want to learn more? Read on for the story of my favorite Cincinnati tile vendor.

An Abridged History of Rookwood Tile

Maria founded Rookwood Tile on Thanksgiving day 20 years before the turn of the 20th century. As an artist, her ceramics studio earned world recognition and attracted the attention of other famous artists far and wide.

Even today, the tile studio produces the highest quality pottery and architectural tile in the United States! With a team of over 70 employees, Rookwood Tile churns out one-of-a-kind handmade pieces that can offer a luxurious touch to any home.

Using Rookwood Tile in My Own Projects

I’ve used Rookwood Tile products for several of my projects for a few simple reasons:

1. I always try my best to work with local businesses as I myself am a local Cincinnati business.

2. Rookwood Tile produces gorgeous pieces that I know my clients will cherish for generations to come.

3. Using Rookwood Tile is to put a piece of Cincinnati’s history into your home. Who doesn’t want that?

One of my clients who chose to use Rookwood Tile wasn’t even local to Cincinnati. They were moving here from out of state, and they trusted me enough to help design their forever home.

Despite coming from somewhere else entirely, they knew of the Rookwood Tile legacy and wanted to incorporate that into their home. I jumped at the opportunity. They knew how special this local business is to our city and even the world, and they wanted a little slice of that within their own four walls.

I truly find their tiles captivating. And the best part? Their pieces are so unique in shape and color that we can find the perfect tile for your project no matter your style!

Take a Piece of Rookwood Home

Once my clients understand the true level of quality and history Rookwood Tile has to offer, they want nothing else. When you can visit their facility, hold their products in your own hands, it’s very hard to walk away without taking a piece home.

But they offer more than tile. You can find the following at the Rookwood Tile facility and website:

• Pottery

• Home decor

• Bath and body products

• Gifts

• Kitchen and dining essentials

With the holidays around the corner, consider Rookwood for your gifts! Additionally, you can schedule a tour or event at their website.

I’m currently working on a project that is using Rookwood Tile, which are the progress photos you’re seeing in this blog. Stay tuned for the final product coming soon!