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Hip to Be Square: How Blade Runner led us to our most accidentally popular product

Welcome to Trove Arts! You might be here because you’ve joined us for one of our art-themed events—whether it’s a paint & sip, a hands-on art lesson, or simply exploring unique things to do in Milwaukee. Or, maybe you don't know or care about any of that and are here because of Rick Deckard's apartment.

Running with Blades

Yes, often our top-selling product isn’t an event, painting or a sculpture—it’s a cement square

inspired by the iconic Ennis House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Featured in movies like The House on Haunted Hill and, most notably, Blade Runner, these tiles have become a surprising star

Hand made Ennis House inspired tiles as seen in House on Haunted Hill
Exterior: Frank Wright Interior: Cardboard set walls

of our business.

It all started with Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic, Blade Runner. The film’s dystopian aesthetic captivated us, particularly the Ennis House tiles that played a key role in its set design. These geometric tiles, originally created by Wright in the 1920s, blend Mayan influences with modernist sensibilities, making them a unique piece of architectural history. Naturally, we thought, “Why not bring a piece of that history into our own studio?” AVAILABLE (when in stock) AT THIS LINK

From Inspiration to Creation

Recreating the Ennis House tiles was no small task. With the house off-limits at the time, we relied

Hand made Ennis House inspired tiles as seen in Blade Runner
Deckard's Apartment in Blade Runner: Plastic and plaster

on museum references, archival photos, and a lot of patience to capture every intricate detail. Our hands-on approach involved crafting a wooden prototype, followed by a silicone mold to replicate the tile’s texture. We prefer the scream of saws and the whir of sanders over 3D printing any day!

After several batches, our replica tiles caught on, gaining popularity far beyond Milwaukee. Orders started pouring in from across the United States—and even as far as Germany!

hand made ennis house inspired tiles available custom painted
Ennis House tiles painted in various styles

A Passion Project Turned Best-Seller

What began as a personal project quickly snowballed into a bestseller. The tiles have found a home in our commission art catalog, resonating with people who appreciate both architectural history and cinematic nostalgia. They offer a tangible connection to the Ennis House, all without needing a flight to Los Angeles.

While shipping these heavy tiles can be

costly (the packaging often doubles the weight), the satisfaction of sharing our work with fellow art lovers makes it all worthwhile.

ennis house replica inspired tiles
Our first plaster version (white) signed by the family

And if you visit us in person, you might just snag a tile at a more affordable price since we can skip the shipping!

Conclusion: A Surprising Success

At Trove Arts, our focus is on creating memorable art-themed events that engage the community, from art lessons to paint & sip sessions. But sometimes, the most unexpected projects—like our Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired cement tiles—become the most rewarding.

Whether you’ve joined us for an event or discovered us through these unique tiles, we’re glad you’re here. Who knew that a side project inspired by Blade Runner would end up being one of our most popular offerings?


hand made ennis house inspired tiles
An Ennis House tile painted in "distressed mixed metals"


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