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Tile America: A Family Tradition of Tile Expertise and Customer Service

By Irene O’Connor, Linked Media

When you go to Tile America at 585 New Park Avenue in West Hartford’s Design District, you will be surrounded by creativity – elegant patterns, vibrant colors, and materials sourced from around the world. And at the heart of it all is a family legacy that has been building Connecticut’s tile traditions for more than 60 years.

A Legacy Built on Tile and Trust

The story begins in 1963, when Jack Knies opened a small tile store in New Haven after working for Standard Tile Distributors in Springfield, Massachusetts. With sharp business instincts and work ethic, Jack grew the business steadily across Connecticut, eventually becoming its sole owner.

His son, Brian Knies, grew up watching his father build that success. Born in New Haven and raised in Prospect, Brian earned a degree in finance before joining the family business in 1991. A decade later, when Jack decided it was time to retire, he passed the reins to his son graciously, as Brian recalls.

By 2002, Brian officially took ownership and rebranded the company as Tile America, honoring its roots while building on its success.

From Local Shop to All Over Connecticut

Under Brian’s leadership, Tile America has expanded to seven locations across Connecticut and joined a cooperative group that includes Best Tile, a partnership spanning 36 stores from Vermont to North Carolina.

“We really have the best of both worlds,” Brian says. “We have the buying power of a big company, but we’re still a family business with local service, and personal relationships.”

That balance has been the key to Tile America’s enduring success. The company imports tile from Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil – with Italy remaining the top source – there is also a growing number of domestic suppliers in Tennessee.

Design at the Heart of West Hartford

Brian is the president of the Design District in West Hartford, which he started in 2005. The district is a vibrant collective of local businesses that continues to thrive nearly two decades later. The Tile America showroom is now one of the district’s cornerstone destinations – and one of the company’s busiest showrooms.

“It’s a fun industry,” Brian says. “It’s fashion – always changing. We’re constantly bringing in new products, colors, and styles. Tile is a natural, wholesome product made from clay, and it’s been around for thousands of years and will always have a future.”

Inside the showroom, trends shift, and styles evolve. Floor tiles continue to grow larger – now reaching 24×48 inches – while mosaics remain a favorite for bathrooms and accent spaces. Recent design waves have brought color and personality back to interiors, with Moroccan influences, mid-century modern patterns, art deco metallics, and natural stone looks making strong appearances.  Over the years, Brian says, “Cabinets got simpler, and tile became the star of the show.”

“I’ve never seen so many looks, sizes, shapes, and colors all at once,” Brian explains. “Patterns are back and the showroom is filled with new tile”

While Tile America doesn’t handle installations directly, they work closely with independent contractors and builders – many of whom have been loyal partners for years – ensuring customers have trusted experts to complete their projects.

People First

With 90 employees across the Connecticut, Brian takes genuine pride in knowing each of them – and often their families as well.

“My job is to take care of my people,” he says. “They’re the ones who make everything work. They know tile, they know design, and they care about helping customers make their vision come to life.”

That personal approach extends to every part of the company.

“We want people to know that we are a Connecticut business that’s been around since 1963, to let people know they can expect a personalized experience and a high level of service that family businesses typically provide.”

This people-centered philosophy has helped Tile America earn a reputation not just for quality products, but for exceptional service and design expertise that keeps customers coming back for generations.

A Timeless Future

Brian believes what sets Tile America apart is their experience and their design capabilities. Nearly 20 years after opening in West Hartford’s Design District, Tile America continues to thrive – grounded in family values and inspired by the ever-changing world of design.

Other News from the Design District: 

Dalene Flooring’s customer favorite: National Karastan Month is going on now through Nov. 3. Save up to $1,000 back on Karastan Carpet, Hardwood, and Luxury Vinyl at Dalene Flooring in all six locations Torrington, Southington, West Hartford, South Windsor, Manchester, and Enfield.

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