Guest Blog : Interior Stylist Becky Clarke

Kitchen

Kitchens are so often the heart of the modern home, and those with a vintage vibe bring a cosy, welcoming atmosphere to any age property. Kitchens feel relaxed with a mix of colours and textures with old and new sitting comfortably together and the end result is always a crowd-pleaser.  Patterned tiles like the Ornamental Kaira Star Grey are the perfect choice here as they add impact without overwhelming, and the beautiful matt finish aged-look background is a lovely natural shade that goes with everything and doesn’t need constant cleaning to look its best.

Each tile measures 45cm square so these are quick to fit even over a large area, then once in place, the 4 smaller tiles scored within each large tile look pretty and delicate. Tiling half way up with wall tiles around the room is a good option in a busy home as any finger marks, mud from wet dogs, or splashes from outdoor shoes can be simply wiped away with a damp cloth. The mid-height finish is ideal to wrap around the kitchen as not only will this look incredible and protect walls, it will create a seamless splashback behind all worksurfaces too. 

As a finishing touch, stripped floorboards are a time-honoured classic but they can be drafty and hard to keep clean, but with our Sequoia tiles it’s easy to get the farmhouse look without the problems. These wood plank effect tiles have the warm colour and visual grain of real wood but are maintenance-free and far easier to keep clean.

To complete the vintage feel and create a gorgeous contrast to the wall tiles, use paint to create a distressed finished to wooden panelling or plastered walls above (we did a dark navy base coat then used an almost dry brush dipped in grey and white paints for the top layers) – a great solution if your walls aren’t perfectly flat. However, if you’d rather something more subtle, choose a paint to tone with the colour in the tiles – oatmeal, grey or charcoal would all look stunning. 

Styling

Old wooden dressers or sideboards are cheap to buy, easy to upcycle and a great project for this style. Simply rub down the surface with fine sandpaper before painting and add new handles for your own unique piece. Chalky pink with pewter knobs is our favourite but deep navy, charcoal grey or bottle green with brass handles would pair beautifully with the Kaira tile too.

Gold & Pink Bathroom

This luxury look is breathtakingly beautiful yet super affordable. Large format, gold-veined Amalfi marble effect tiles look effortlessly chic, and as they can be used on walls and floors will create a seamless look in any bathroom, big or small. The key here is simplicity that allows the tiles to be the star of the show - be careful and considerate when planning to keep as many tiles at full size to maintain their impact. 

To recreate our look, box in pipework to a height of 1200mm then cover with two layers of tiles for neat visual perfection, which also creates an attractive shelf. Tiling the upper walls in delicate pink Rhonda picket tiles is a gentle yet balanced contrast to the Carrera below. The smaller scale tiles have a glossy finish and unusual shape that looks tricky to lay, but in reality, these fit together like a jigsaw and are easy to cut where necessary. To start, ensure there is a true horizontal to work from (be it the floor or a shelf like ours) then mark a vertical line on the wall and fit a tile against it with tip on the horizontal. Continue across the wall with the first row of tiles taking care to have vertical edges aligned and tips perfectly on the horizontal, then simply slot the next layers into place above before grouting.  

Styling

Keep accessories simple and beautiful – an uncluttered bathroom is a calm oasis. Brushed gold or brass picks up the coloured tones in the tiles so use this metal in taps, hooks and mirror edges – it will look more thought out and considered than standard chrome as the tiles and accessories will echo each other. Together the effect is of a luxurious 5* hotel style that will grace any home.

Although a sleek modern basin would look wonderful, you could also consider using an antique piece of furniture to create a feature washstand – just check the joints are strong and it’s in good condition to withstand daily use. The dark wood on our piece contrasts so beautifully with the marble showing both elements off equally. 

For the finishing touch, plants always add something special to a bathroom as their soft lines contrast with glossy flat surfaces – it’s nice to be surrounded by nature too. Some plants love the atmosphere in bathrooms so will flourish and look amazing! Invest in lovely towels and treat yourself to some nice toiletries too – you’ll have a stunning, sumptuous bathroom so take time to enjoy it.

Metro Dining

The humble metro tile is incredibly versatile and available in a myriad of colours. There are so many ways to use this tile and here we show how, by using a combination of colours in an attractive herringbone pattern, you can create the most stunning feature in your home that’s bound to impress everyone. A half-tiled herringbone wall adds visual movement and flow to a space in a way standard brick tile layout doesn't, and it’s a far more imaginative and hard-wearing decision than wallpaper or paint.

To get this look, start by choosing 5 coloured tiles that appeal to you. We chose neutrals in white, grey and cream and added a soft green to lift the colour scheme, but we could have added chalky pink and navy to grey and white for an equally attractive set. If you’re unsure it’s worth getting some samples and putting together different combinations. Take photos on your phone of all the combinations as this makes it easier to compare and contrast and do a process of elimination to pick your favourite.

When it comes to decorating, paint the walls first so you don't have to worry about cutting in a neat line above the tiles. When you’re ready to tile, it’s really important to get the first row of tiles cut and set perfectly to ensure the herringbone fits neatly together with even gaps, so take your time setting out the first row. Cut the base row at a 45-degree angle at the corner then dry lay on the floor, adding the next couple of rows to check the angles are correct- if they are the tiles will sit snugly next to each other. Adjust and re-cut at this point to save stress later – it’s a really important step to get right. Once the first row is done, herringbone is fast top lay as tiles just sit one on top of another. When you reach the height you want, make the same cuts as you did at the floor and finish with a row of whole tiles laid horizontally. 

There are lots of tutorials online to familiarise yourself with the techniques of laying herringbone – grab a cuppa and watch some if you’re unsure.

Styling

Scandinavian style is homely, warm, clean and fresh, and beautifully easy to pull together too. Have in mind the mantras of “Keep it simple”, and “if in doubt – white”, and you won’t go far wrong. Keep crockery white with clear glass elements and add some texture with woven natural pieces like the seats in these beautiful chairs, placemats, or baskets for breads and pastries. Washed wood that has a white or pale grey grain is a great addition and linen napkins are luxurious too. Throw sheepskins over a bench for added seating, decorate your table with large leafy plants or eucalyptus, then take time to enjoy meals in your beautifully decorated home.

How To Lay Herringbone

Always dry-lay tiles flat on the floor first to check you’ve cut right – if you don’t, the gaps may be uneven between the tiles on the wall. Have a board on the floor with a straight horizontal bottom edge and a pencil line at 45 degrees from this in the centre.

1. Measure a 45-degree angle on a tile from one corner across to the long edge– mark this line (it creates a neat triangle) and cut using a flatbed cutter. You will use both pieces of tile. 
2. Lay the larger piece of tile with cut edge on the horizontal edge of the board and lower corner on the vertical pencil line.
3. Take a whole tile and place with a bottom corner tip on the horizontal, to overlap the short end of your first tile making an inverted V shape. The space created below these tiles is a triangle in which the smaller piece of cut tile will fit. 
4. Continue to cut and lay tiles in this way for the bottom row, then lay full tiles above, layer upon layer – they should slot really neatly into place. When dry-laying it’s easy to try different colour orders too – take photos on your phone then re-lay and compare to help choose.
5. When you’ve confirmed the pattern and that your cuts are right, mark a vertical centre point line on the wall and move your tiles to the wall. Off you go!