I first met Lucas Hendrickson in 2023 at the inaugural Artisans Revolution in Tile (A.R.T.) training in Milwaukee. A preternaturally creative person who built a foundation of hands-on experience in his teens working with his uncle, Hendrickson took a detour as a sushi chef for 10 years.
He returned to the trade with Sticks and Stone Tile and Flooring in Auburn, Wash., near Seattle, expanding into large-scale commercial work before transitioning into fullservice residential remodeling. Rebranded several years ago as Northwest Artisan Tile Company, his company is imbued with skills and inspiration from the A.R.T. training. His vision, drive, artistry, and dedication to the craft were evident in that first class and continue to inform his work.
Hendrickson’s standards-based company employs “a combination of technical discipline and genuine ownership of every project,” he said. “I hold myself to a higher standard than most clients expect, both in execution and in jobsite conditions.”
Currently, 70% of projects are residential, with a focus on high-end remodels, custom bathrooms, and full-service renovations, and 30% of projects are commercial tile work. These encompass new construction, restaurants, public/commercial projects, and installations at locations such as Pike Place Market and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, along with forensic tile inspections.
The company prioritizes cleanliness and protection of the home, often using full containment systems with air scrubbers and negative airflow to control dust. “We follow ANSI standards, TCNA guidelines, and manufacturer recommendations closely, and we don’t cut corners or bury problems,” he said.
He’s passionate about his work—and he’s clear on his priorities: he’s a husband and father first. He works with his wife Melanie on custom mosaic projects, building this part of the business together and modeling collaborative craftsmanship and hard work for their daughters, Joy and Lily. Their custom mosaic work spans large-scale installations, medallions, and artistic features integrated into functional spaces.
Hendrickson is driven by a strong sense of responsibility and integrity: “doing the work correctly whether anyone is watching or not,” he explained. “That mindset, combined with a willingness to revisit details until they are right, is what consistently sets our work apart,” he noted. “I also take pride in the fact that many of our clients become long-term relationships, not just one-time projects.”
NTCA: education, connection, opportunities
Hendrickson joined NTCA in 2022, and currently serves as a Washington State NTCA Ambassador, helping promote standards and education within the trade. “When I attended my first NTCA workshop, I saw that they were the authority representing the standards I wanted to align with,” he said.
NTCA membership introduced Hendrickson to manufacturers, top-level installers, and advanced training, providing a path to refine his work and develop a greater understanding of tile systems as a whole. “It’s been one of the most important decisions I’ve made in my career,” he said.
Along with technical knowledge, NTCA has opened doors to relationships, opportunities and connections with highly skilled installers that enhance not only his business but his family’s quality of life.
“There’s a clear connection between joining the NTCA and the growth I’ve experienced,” he said. “It’s also a rare environment where people genuinely help each other improve instead of competing against each other, and that’s been a big part of why I value it.”
His next step is to become a Certified Tile Installer. Having completed the CTI written portion, he’s eyeing an opportunity to take the hands-on exam soon.
The A.R.T. difference
The A.R.T. training program is centered around helping experienced installers incorporate custom, artisan-level work into their business, blending design, craftsmanship, and real-world installation. It changed how Hendrickson viewed tile, especially the artistic side of the trade, and it helped him expand his capabilities and vision.
Learning to take an idea and translate it into something tangible through templating, material selection, cutting techniques, and installation methods that meet industry standards helped bridge the gap between technical installation and true craftsmanship for Hendrickson. “It gave me the confidence to pursue more custom and artistic projects, and integrate that level of detail into everyday installations,” he said.
Challenges and joys
Managing communication, leads, and project flow while still being actively in the field is a challenge for Hendrickson, since he isn’t currently using a formal CRM system. His goal is to build better systems and structures for greater consistency. This is key since 2026 brings continued demand for high-end residential work and custom installations, “especially as more clients begin to value long-term performance and craftsmanship over shortcuts,” he said.
Hendrickson enjoys the variety each project brings: new customers, new environments, and new challenges, which keep the work engaging and constantly evolving.
“There’s also something timeless about working with stone and tile,” he said. “It’s one of the oldest forms of craftsmanship and art, and there’s a purity to it that I deeply respect. It’s a trade where you can continue to grow no matter how long you’ve been doing it.
“At the end of the day, it’s honest, physical work that lets you step back and see what you’ve built, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in.”
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
