Local tile artist David Blad has partnered with kitchen and bath designer Judith Neary to open a small joint studio and showroom in town.

In the A-frame building near Thriftway, the two have displayed a variety of kitchen and bath samples — tiles, stone slabs, cabinets and more — and say they are ready to help homeowners with their building or remodeling projects.

“We can give people good direction in a short amount of time,” Blad said.

Neary, who owns Roadside Attraction Design Studio and has over 30 years’ experience in interior design, opened a small studio in the same building as Cafe Luna about a year ago. However, she recently moved to the A-frame after Skunk Works, an art gallery and bike shop, vacated its street-level storefront on Bank Road.

In the larger space, she’s now joined by Blad, who owns Vashon Tile Company and has been doing custom tile installations for over 30 years.

Blad is also a well-known tile artist who has exhibited and sold his colorful, handmade and hand-painted tile artwork on the island. Recently he’s been creating artwork using a method involving crushed glass on porcelain tile.

Blad noted that while he sometimes puts his more artful installations in local homes, most homeowners stick to traditional tile work for kitchens, baths and other rooms. With help from some contractors who work for him, he says he’s completed hundreds — possibly thousands — of projects in Vashon homes.

“I just like (working with) tile,” he said. “I like the hard surface and the durability of it, the longevity of tile.”

Both Blad and Neary say islanders tend to go off-island for help with their interior remodels. And homeowners are looking more and more to websites such as Houzz, where she said they can become overwhelmed with information.

“People need a place they can ask questions and be inspired,” she said.

The two now hope islanders will stop at their studio to explore their options. And they note that while the businesses share a showroom, customers should feel free to work with just one or the other. They can also refer homeowners to other local contractors.

“This is your first stop before going to Seattle,” Blad said. “You may not have to go to Seattle if you stop here first.”

Judith Neary of Roadside Attraction will staff the showroom from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment by calling 661-5902. To schedule an appointment with David Blad, call 463-4506.