BonTon Designs Creates Handcrafted Ceramic Tile

Mary Anderson  started creating ceramic tiles at the kitchen table in her and her husband Kurt's Golden Valley home in October 2006. The expanding business took over the entire house, and  was officially launched in May 2007.

The business' name is pronounced "bawn tawn," which is French for "fashionable and/or elegant in manner or style."

Self-taught in ceramics, Owner/Artist Mary encountered experts who told her “you can’t do it that way” or “that’s not how to develop that glaze or that shade of red.” She focused on creating and establishing her own artistic voice and when faced with a problem, went online in search of answers. 

Through a variety of jobs in the tile industry, Mary developed an understanding of all aspects of the business: design, manufacturing, sales and installation.

“In looking back, I see the value in every experience, from painting murals as a stay-at-home mom, to various positions in the industry and even to being downsized from an earlier position," she said.

During the recession, Mary’s husband, Kurt, was laid off from his sales position. He joined BonTon Designs as the sales and marketing vice president, and works primarily with tile retailers and distributors.

Having just purchased their current studio/warehouse in Golden Valley when the recession hit, the Andersons became creative in how to keep the company in the black. “We didn’t take vacations, we skipped dinners out," Kurt said, "and we made sure we paid cash for everything.”

When they needed a new kiln, for example, they waited to complete a large commercial order so they could purchase the kiln with cash.

They also collaborated with other vendors to cut down on expenses, and looked for ways to be innovative.

When preparing to attend the annual Coverings Tile & Stone Expo, Mary created ceramic tile handbags which were such a hit, sales covered their trip expenses.

BonTon Designs is currently expanding studio and showroom space to better accommodate the public. Many local artists and “home improvement weekend warriors” come in for “seconds”—damaged or unused tiles that can be used for a variety of projects. BonTon also offers three-hour mosaic classes in their Golden Valley studio.

BonTon Designs recently completed a tile project for the Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse restaurant in the Galleria in Edina.

The Andersons have long been animal advocates and are philanthropists in supporting local causes that care for animals. Mary created a sculpture to honor Patrick, an abandoned dog. One hundred percent of the proceeds went to Secondhand Hounds animal rescue in Minnetonka.

Cost for BonTon tiles depends on the particular order, but custom tiles start at $40 per square foot with a four-to six-week turnaround.