Marble has long been valued for its cooling properties in kitchens
Moroccan tiles can bring a dazzling dose of colour to a kitchen, while encaustic tiles – where the pattern is made up of sections of tinted cement – will add beautiful pattern. Porcelain versions are a good solution in low-traffic areas.
As a worksurface, marble has long been valued for its cooling properties. Now, composites made from quartz or minerals mixed with a resin can replicate the appearance of marble or granite, but are more resistant to stains or scratches. Although it’s a manufactured product, composites still look good alongside more rustic materials, from limestone tiles to limed floorboards.
If you don’t already have warm wooden flooring, a slew of engineered hardwood or porcelain versions now emulate the look and feel of real wood, with the benefit that they are very hardwearing and can be combined with underfloor heating.