Bringing In the Sunshine: A Kitchen in Full Bloom
Motawi tile brings warmth, vibrant artistry, and a captivating touch of nature to the Obriechts' custom-designed living space.
Some homes tell a story the moment you step inside. Alex and Pam Obriecht’s kitchen is one of those spaces—a carefully curated blend of warmth, craftsmanship, and deeply personal design. It’s not just a place to cook; it’s a reflection of their love for artistry, nature, and the enduring beauty of handcrafted materials.
The journey to this dream kitchen began with a big step: leaving behind their suburban home of 36 years to build something new—something truly theirs. The vision for the home was brought to life by their son, Ben Obriecht, founder of Manzanita Design Build in Oakland, California. With an eye for fine detail and a deep appreciation for Arts and Crafts architecture, Ben designed a home that perfectly embodies his parents’ aesthetic sensibilities. The result? A space that seamlessly blends contemporary functionality with classic craftsmanship.
Discovering Motawi
Alex and Pam were already familiar with Motawi Tileworks long before they embarked on their kitchen project. They had collected a few art tiles over the years, including a Charley Harper Cardinal and a Yoshiko Yamamoto-inspired Raven piece. They had also admired Motawi’s work at Ain’t That a Frame, a shop in their hometown of Westminster, Maryland. So when it came time to select a backsplash for their new kitchen, Motawi felt like a natural choice.
The Design Process
Working closely with Motawi designer Jessica Pruss, the Obriechts honed in on a concept that would complement their home’s rich woodwork and the Arts and Crafts aesthetic woven throughout. Rather than a single motif, they chose to feature the full trio of the DeMorgan Florals series—a stunning combination of the 4x8 Sunflower, 4x8 Tudor Rose, and 4x8 Carnation tiles. These designs are inspired by the earlier tile work of William DeMorgan, a renowned artist and designer in the English Arts & Crafts movement.
Jessica provided color and layout concepts, refining them based on the Obriechts’ input. The final design features a harmonious blend of Motawi’s Light Sand 5143 (now reformulated as Khaki 5143), Pear 5153, and Oak 5115 glazes. The warm, earthy palette frames the floral accent tiles beautifully, creating a timeless and organic feel. Every detail—from tile size to placement—was carefully considered, ensuring the finished backsplash and kitchen island panels felt like an extension of the home’s design language.
A Testament to Craft
One of the most striking elements of this kitchen is the way the tiles catch the light at different times of day. The Cuenca-style glazing, with its raised ridges, creates subtle shifts in depth and shadow, making the backsplash feel dynamic—almost alive. As Pam describes, “The three flowers there... every time I look at them, they bring me joy.”
The Obriechts’ kitchen island, one of the first Motawi installations of its kind, features handcrafted floral tiles that create a visual connection to the backsplash.
The kitchen island is another standout feature—one of the first Motawi installations to incorporate tile in such a way. Echoing the backsplash design, the island panels feature the same sunflower motifs framed by a carefully balanced composition of field tile. This not only creates a stunning focal point but also establishes a cohesive flow between the island and the surrounding space. The use of handcrafted tile here reinforces the home’s commitment to artistry and detail, transforming the island into more than just a functional surface—it’s a statement piece, rich with warmth and character.
For Alex, the beauty of handmade tile resonates on a personal level. “I grew up with a resident potter in my mother’s business,” he recalls. “She had a kiln, glazes in every color, and I saw firsthand how each piece came out slightly different, affected by humidity, temperature—little things that make handcrafted work so special. That’s what drew us to Motawi. The tile isn’t just beautiful; it has a soul.”
The execution of the project was just as seamless as the design. The tilers were amazed by the precision of the order—each piece accounted for, with minimal waste. The entire process, from design to delivery, was marked by careful craftsmanship and attention to detail, ensuring that the tiles arrived on time and installed beautifully.
A Kitchen to Love for Years to Come
For the Obriechts, this kitchen is more than a collection of materials—it’s a reflection of their journey, their family’s creativity, and their love for handcrafted beauty. It’s a space that invites you to slow down, appreciate artistry, and enjoy the simple pleasure of home.
Every sunflower, every vine, every carefully placed tile tells a story. And for Alex and Pam, that story is one of warmth, connection, and the timeless appeal of thoughtful design.
