BUYING Guide
Lee Thornley Founder of Bert & May ,
In recent years the bathroom has become more than just a space for morning preparation and evening cleansing. Many people want their bathroom to function a li!le like a home spa – providing them with a calm and relaxing place in which to escape and unwind at the end of the day. But for families with young children, the bathroom must also be a place that can accommodate the a!endant chaos of toys and splashing.
The design process can feel daunting: how does one achieve a balance between beautiful design and practical considerations, such as multiple users, durability of materials and easy-toclean surfaces? In a space that is used as frequently as the bathroom, these aspects cannot be ignored. The best approach is to break down your needs, both in terms of daily use and personal aesthetics. When advising clients, we generally recommend that they avoid faddy, fashion-led schemes, as these may feel outdated in a year or two. It is be!er to focus instead on timeless design that will last and last. To do this, we advise opting for natural materials that will not only take the knocks of everyday life, but will also improve over time.
Using reclaimed tiles in the bathroom, such as the ones we sell at Bert & May, is an excellent way to achieve a unique look that won’t go out of fashion. Give yourself the longest timeframe you can to curate the look and feel you want to achieve. It’s a pain, but by collecting your "nds bit by bit you will suddenly see how it all comes together, like a good jigsaw puzzle. When dealing with reclaimed materials there is no need to worry about imperfections, you can celebrate them instead. With our reclaimed tiles it’s the variations between individual tiles that make them so appealing – be it sun damage or scu#ng, this is where the real beauty lies. These di$erences are what will guarantee the uniqueness of a scheme. But, of course, however a!ractive they are, reclaimed materials must also be practical and work for modern-day living. Team them with modern "!ings – your taps, basins and shower heads – and make a virtue of the contrast between old and new.
To ensure the longevity of your tiles it’s important to seal them. This is true whether they are new handmade tiles or old reclaimed tiles – both require the same standard of care. Sealing should be done before grouting. If you need to wash o$ building residue, use Litho"n MN Power-Clean diluted as per the instructions, then, once the tiles are dry, impregnate them with Litho"n MN Stain-Stop, again following the instructions. Our tiles are resistant and tough. Some of our reclaimed "nds have been around for over 100 years, so they really are robust and, if properly cared for, they will keep going for longer still.