CL directory
BERT & MAY (bertandmay.com) Specialist supplier of unique encaustic tiles, handmade in Spain, most with a geometric edge in soft tones of greys, blues, greens and rusty reds. Recently launched a new collection with The Conran Shop and offers a selection of reclaimed designs.
THE DOUGLAS WATSON STUDIO
(douglaswatsonstudio. co.uk) English handmade and hand-painted ceramic options. All made, glazed and decorated in Oxfordshire. Well-known for individual Delft style and bespoke panels.
FIRED EARTH (0845 366 0400; firedearth.com) Exclusive range of wall and floor tiles in an array of colours, shapes and styles, including terracotta, slate, stone, wood-effect porcelain, mosaic, glass and vinyl. Inspiring gallery of ideas and creative ways to use the brand’s designs, plus a colour consultancy, a bathroom and kitchen design service and 14 showrooms across the UK.
HARVEY MARIA (0845 680 1231; harveymaria.com) Range of contemporary and classic vinyl tiles. Includes attractive collections by designers such as Neisha Crosland, Dee Hardwicke and Cath Kidston, as well as plain, textured and realistic wood-effect styles. LAURA ASHLEY (lauraashley.com) Collection by British Ceramic Tile (britishceramictile.com) featuring signature damask patterns and gentle colourings of the company’s wallpapers and fabrics. Rustic plain tiles and glass splashbacks also available. MANDARIN STONE (01600 715444; mandarinstone.com) Based in Monmouth, with 10 showrooms in the UK including Cardiff, Cambridge and Bath. Extensive range of natural stone and porcelain tiles from slate, marble and limestone to decorative and glazed designs. A creative blog, filled with styling ideas, and a Pinterest board can be found on the website.
MARLBOROUGH TILES
(01672 515287; marlboroughtiles.com) Celebrating 80 years in crafting and painting ceramic wall tiles by hand in Wiltshire. Classic and timeless motifs include British and coastal birds, flowers, fruit and butterflies.
ORIGINAL STYLE
(originalstyle.com) Known for its Victorian-style floor tiles, this Exeter-based brand has offered a wide range, as well as borders and mosaics, since 1986, sold through a network of independent retailers. Tile calculator available online and CAD service to help visualise how your room will look.
RYE POTTERY (01797 223038; ryepottery.co.uk) Family-owned business based in Sussex. Unfired white or buttermilk glazed tiles hand-painted to order. Small collection of dragonfly, flower and simple decorative corner patterns. SMINK THINGS (sminkthings.co.uk) Individual ceramic wall tiles, all featuring screen-printed glazes, with a graphic, contemporary edge. TILES OF STOW (01608 658993; tilesofstow.co.uk) Cotswold-based company specialising in hand-painted traditional country murals – the perfect splashback behind a range cooker.
TOPPS TILES (0800 783 6262; toppstiles.co.uk) Wide variety of affordable floor and wall options, including natural stone, mosaic, wood-effect porcelain and patchwork styles. More than 300 stores nationwide. Find ‘how to’ videos and a tile calculator on the website. In-store consultations also available. WELBECK TILES (welbeck.com) Classic-style handmade tiles. Its eternally stylish collection includes vintage florals, illustrated cutlery, wording and shells. Many are made using traditional techniques in its workshop in Cornwall.
THE WINCHESTER TILE COMPANY
(winchestertiles.com) Sister brand to Original Style, and also based in Exeter. Collection of hand-finished wall tiles and mouldings, all sold through a network of independent retailers. View brochures on the website.