Tag: hand-crafted tiles

We love a home transformation, especially when it features a fabulous tiled focal point! When Jac who runs @tinyandthehouse on Instagram reached out to us with a unique tiling vision, we knew we had to work with her on her exciting bathroom project.  Jac’s loft bathroom project was a tricky space, but with careful planning and a keen eye for design, Jac created the perfect bathroom for her and her family using our Artworks Pavillion Green and Vintage White tiles. We caught up with Jac to find out all about how she designed the space. Original Style: Please could you tell us a little bit about you and your blog/Instagram account, Tiny and the House? How did it all start and how have your platforms grown to where they are today? Jac: I started my Instagram account back when I was on maternity leave with my first child.  I am a shoe designer, but I’ve always had a passion for interior and garden design.  My house was featured in The Times property and from there other magazines followed! Off the back of the interest, a few close friends encouraged me to start an account to share my home and garden and pursue my dream of designing interiors and gardens, which I am now starting to do - so it’s a very exciting time for me! Original Style: Tell us about your property, do you know when it was built? Does it have any interesting history? Jac: My home is an Edwardian period property, I think it’s about 110 years old, which I find crazy.  There’s a lot of history in this house but not all of it good!  The house was actually passed through one family until we bought it back in 2014, sadly the family members we took over from hadn’t treated it very well so it was a full renovation project for us, but I loved it!  The house had no heating, the roof was falling in, needed rewiring and the windows were all boarded up, there are no words to describe how bad it was. We loved it regardless and just wanted to bring it back to life. Original Style: What made you opt for this style of property? Jac: I love period properties and we don’t have a lot of houses like this where I’m from in the west of Northern Ireland so when I moved to London, I was obsessed with the idea of having my own London terrace. Original Style: What would you say is your interior style and what were the main objectives of your bathroom project? Jac: I find it hard to put my style in a category, I love so many different looks from maximalist to minimalist and cosy cottage to mid-century. I also love colour and florals but equally simple white - so I guess I will say I’d fit into eclectic!  What I do love is creating a stylish but cosy home that can be lived in and enjoyed. The main objectives for the loft bathroom were something classic which would stand the test of time but not boring, whilst being fun. I wanted to keep it clean and simple because it’s the loft is an open plan space; therefore, I didn’t want it to be too fussy.   Original Style: Where did you find the inspiration for your bathroom? Jac: I looked for imagery of old attic spaces, I wanted to make the space feel established and not like a new part added on that didn’t fit.  I used Pinterest and Instagram mainly for inspiration, I also love House and Garden magazine! Original Style: What made you choose Original Style’s Artworks tiles in Pavillion Green and Vintage White? Jac: I was tempted to go for this style of checkerboard tiling in my other bathroom, toilet or kitchen when we initially renovated but for some reason I didn’t and I really regretted it. I had never shaken the idea, but again almost didn’t do it for fear it would be too bold.  Each time I tried to commit to a simpler style I just couldn’t place the order, I think I knew I would regret it again.  I love green, it’s one of my favourite colours, it reminds me of Ireland and my love for gardening, I find it quite restorative, soothing and very comforting.  I love how light bounces off the glazed Edwardian Green tiles and really adds joy to a room.  The Vintage White tiles were the perfect pairing as they are softer and warmer than true white. The glossy finish of these tiles adds depth to a scheme for an elevated finish. Original Style: Why did you opt for Mosaic floor tiles? Jac: I love subtle detail, the mosaic floor tiles complimented the rest of the bathroom. They look beautiful without competing for attention Original Style: How important were the tiles in your bathroom project and what was it that you found appealing about them? Jac: The tiles really take centre stage in my bathroom scheme, I just adore them.  They make me feel happy every time I look at them.  The quality is just superb, and I love that the edges are glazed too, so no need for additional finishing edging which could spoil the look. Original Style: What advice would you give to people looking to incorporate statement tiles within their interior? Jac: I would advise people to be bold, don’t be scared of colour or statements!  Sometimes committing to something more attention grabbing can work better than just doing a small area, for example in my shower I have tiled the roof as well as the walls, it just works.  I would also say homes are so personal, work to your taste, don’t try to emulate someone else’s style or be concerned if others don’t like it.  Not many people I know thought I should tile like I did and I’m so glad I went with it. I love it. Original Style: How long did the project take and did you use a professional to install the tiles, if so why was this important? Jac: The loft took about 6-7 months to complete, the project did run over due to lots of reasons. We hired a tiler because we were using a very old part of the house to make a new space, no wall was straight or symmetrical – we definitely needed someone very skilled! The tiler underestimated the space, mid-project I think he was regretting it but by the end I think he was very happy.  It was an interesting and unusual space so a good challenge!   Read more...

Our Flagship Tile Showroom in Exeter has had a huge transformation! Our renovated showroom seeks to take you on an inspirational tile journey, showcasing a series of room sets, from modern bathrooms and kitchens to colourful feature walls and even gorgeous, garden ideas. Our Exeter Showroom on Apple Lane opened over 30 years ago and we’ve since opened eight more tile showrooms across the UK. We’ve been glazing and firing tiles since 1986, as well as designing exclusive prints to create patterned tiles. Our heritage spans 30 years, with our story beginning in the development of tile sets for cast iron fireplaces. Today, we are renowned for their unrivalled glazes, market leading designs and innovative tile solutions; many of which continue to be produced in Exeter, Devon. The newly renovated showroom offers a distinctive and high-quality portfolio of tiles to suit all budgets. Whether you’re redesigning your bathroom or kitchen, or undertaking a larger renovation project, the refurbished showroom displays a wide range of tiles. Each of our tile ranges is displayed across the showroom in a variety of settings: Kitchen Inspiration; Browse a range of kitchen settings featuring modern floor tiles, colourful glazed options and patterned tiles for the ultimate feature wall or floor. Bathroom Inspiration; Be inspired by lots of tiled bathroom settings, from classic styles featuring our heritage Artworks and Winchester ranges to contemporary spaces featuring large-formats and natural tones. Hallway Inspiration; With a dedicated Victorian Floor Tile area you can find your perfect pattern and colourway. Flooring Inspiration; Explore our wide range of floor tiles, suitable for every room in the home including wood-effect and stone-effect options, parquet style flooring and patterned tiles. Outdoor Inspiration; Discover contemporary outdoor tile solutions with our range of 20mm porcelain tiles. From large gardens and open plan spaces, to smaller areas and terraces, there’s something to complement every outdoor living space. Our Exeter team have over twenty years of experience between them and are on hand to discuss your project and offer design support. Cut and full sized samples are available along with high stock levels and quick delivery, if required. Feeling inspired? Visit our new Exeter Showroom to kick start your tiling project. We look forward to welcoming you soon!   Read more...

We’re passionate about keeping up to date with the latest interior trends, researching innovative styles and new products to forecast what will dominate the interiors scene during 2023. Our tile portfolio offers a wide range of designs, textures, finishes, colours and formats. We have an extensive range to ensure you’re choosing the most up-to-date styles for an interior that you’ll love for years to come. Our in-house designers, Jane Addis and Becca Keenan have done extensive research for 2023 interior trends, carefully selecting the following three key themes that are set to be everywhere throughout the upcoming year. This year we’ve focused on shining a light on timeless tiles from some of our most loved collections with enduring style and quality.   Surface The Surface trend is all about our tiles that we’ve sourced from around the world, highlighting in particular our carefully curated range of contemporary tiles. Think clean lines, mixed formats and unusual surfaces, this trend is great for those looking to achieve a modern yet glamourous finish. Incorporating texture into a scheme is a great way to add detail and interest, without committing to bold colours or patterns. This trend focuses on an eclectic mix of tiles, showcasing some of our most interesting formats and textured products that have been meticulously sourced by our expert teams. Creating a luxe look in your home can be easily achieved by pairing together certain design elements. ‘This trend seeks to bring deep tones, contrasting surface finishes and subtle textural detail together to create an elegant feel with rustic touches. We’ve styled black marble hexagons with distressed pink brick tiles, green and gold accents and natural textures to create a look embodying the Surface trend.’ Becca Keenan, New Products Designer.   Colour Glossy jewel-tones, rich reflections and impact, the Colour trend is all about our glazed tiles. Bolder colours have been slowly making their way to the forefront of design, with vivid ceramics becoming a popular choice for those looking to inject some colour into kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and throughout the home. When it comes to embracing the Colour trend with tiles, the options from our ranges are almost endless. Illustrating a radiant feel, this trend features a range of artisanal tiles that are glazed in our factory. Take a look at bright pink and blue wall tiles from our Winchester collection, the deep tones of green and red from the Artworks range, bold designs from both Odyssey and Living ranges and even heritage shades from our geometric Victorian Floor Tile collection. Manufacturing these tiles in-house allows us to create a vibrant and unique range of timeless colours options, so you can find the perfect shade for your interior. Our hand-mixed glazes have been carefully developed over the decades, with precise and perfected recipes. Each tile is fired in our beloved kilns at an exact temperature and time depending on the recipe and glaze. ‘Embrace the Colour trend with the bold shades of Vermillion, Teal or Straw from the Winchester collection. These vibrant wall tiles feature our signature glossy glaze, creating a luxurious yet lively feel. For a creative style statement choose a complementary yet detailed wallpaper, or a contrasting colour for the floor or even the ceiling. The combination of playful prints and bright colours will help you to achieve a fresh, unique finish in kitchens, bathrooms or hallways.’ Becca Keenan, New Products Designer.   Craft The Craft trend embraces our unique and celebrated manufacturing processes, featuring hand-crafted tiles from our most cherished collections. We've celebrated over 35 years as a leading tile manufacturer with our story beginning in the development of decorative tile sets for cast iron fireplaces. Today, we are renowned for our unrivalled tile glazes, exclusive designs and comprehensive tile options; many of which continue to be produced in Exeter, Devon. ‘The Craft trend celebrates our wide range of manufacturing methods. From screen-printing and hand-painting to casting, moulding, glazing and digital printing - everything we produce in our Devon factory is unique thanks to the experience and passion of the skilled crafts people, artists and designers who make up our team.’  Jane Addis, New Products & Design Manager. Our unique manufacturing story has allowed us to create a beautiful range of tiles. Our in-house creative team are at the forefront of ceramic techniques including hand-painted intricate florals, botanical details, raised fruits, screen-printed heritage designs, larger format decoratives and glaze development. These wonderful tiles include timeless delft drawings and Art-Deco designs all the way through to contemporary prints and patterns that have been designed by our specialist teams and printed on our state-of-the-art digital printer.  ‘To achieve this look style our checkerboard effect Harlequin tiles from the Odyssey Grande collection with softly glazed Mere field tiles from the Winchester Cosmopolitan collection. Together these tiles create the basis for a rustic yet timeless kitchen or bathroom space.’ Becca Keenan, New Products Designer.   Read more...

Bold botanical palm leaves, gorgeous green tones and our signature glossy tile glaze – Paradis Mere is our Tile of the Year for 2023! We have been nominating a Tile of the Year for the last six years, choosing exclusive tiles like Paradis Mere that are truly unique and set to influence upcoming trends.Small in format but bold in design, Paradis Mere has four faces. Each face showcases more of the pattern, offering a varied abundance of tropical leaves. Inspired by gorgeous botanical gardens and the summer palms found in Devon’s local areas of outstanding beauty, Paradis Mere was a natural choice for our Tile of the Year 2023.Paradis Mere has been designed and developed in our Design Studio in Devon and is manufactured in Exeter by our skilled and passionate production team. Using some of the most authentic manufacturing processes and glaze recipes, this tile is truly unique. Each tile is hand-crafted by skilled artisans using the longstanding screen printing method which, together with its reactive inks, means each kiln produces a different effect, so no two tiles are the same.‘We really love the unpredictable, rustic nature of reactive print. Botanical motifs are here to stay for the foreseeable - palms especially. After spending time visiting local botanical gardens, we saw this project as the perfect opportunity to combine them both together to create Botanique Paradis! Designed, developed, and produced in our Devon factory, Botanique really embodies the skilled craftsmanship and passion that we have for creating new products at Original Style.’ Becca Keenan New Products Designer. Botanique Paradis Mere is a versatile product, create a range of different looks with this tile – whatever your style! For a rustic kitchen look, mix up the faces, using ‘Mere’ or the coordinating plain tile 'Cotton' from our Winchester collection, to break the pattern up and add a pop of colour.For something more edgy, try using Paradis inside a shower enclosure without any coordinating plain tiles mixed in. You could use ‘Mere’ to tile the rest of the room, or maybe even just choose some areas to create a zoned effect. For a subtle look, team with our new ‘Cotton’ field tiles, their soft white glaze coordinates perfectly with Paradis Mere.Paradis Mere is a brand new tile and its versatile design can be styled to create a range of different looks - contemporary or traditional. But, however you choose to style Paradis Mere, this tile will no doubt bring a unique, botanical touch to your interior décor and we hope it brings as much joy to you as creating it has to us! To discover more about our Tile of the Year campaigns, click here.  Read more...

Over the past year, the need for creating calm and serene spaces within the home has become even more paramount. Confined to the walls that surround us, escapism and relaxation are what homeowners are seeking to achieve when updating an interior décor scheme – and we couldn’t be more on board with this design and lifestyle trend.   Our Sanctuary trend looks at ways to bring tranquility into the home to establish distinct areas for us to unwind in and harmonise our emotional well-being. When it comes to colourways, it’s all about the soft pinks and warm beige's to really embrace a calming and classic neutral palette. Textures also play a key part when it comes to designing a sanctuary. Tactile surfaces, either smooth and glossy or structured and matt, will help create a cosy, spa-like feel and tiles are the perfect material for incorporating either of these textures. For a matt wall covering, our Trellis collection in our Living range is the perfect tile for encapsulating this trend. Featured below is Trellis Lace which has been teamed with warm brown tones and gold accents – a design that exudes tranquility and style. If you're looking to incorporate more dusky pink tones and bolder prints, our Odyssey Taupe tiles in our Leigh pattern will provide a cosy, feminine feel whilst maintaining a matt finish. If you love luxury and want to take this look a step further, look to incorporate some more reflective finishes for an added touch of opulence. Our White Pearl Hexagon mosaics or large-format Bianco Oro marble-effect tiles are the epitome of luxe décor; their reflective and polished surfaces bounce light around a room for a bright and welcoming atmosphere. To complete the look, incorporating a number of other natural materials is a must. From wooden accessories, indoor plants or even some dried pampas grass will encourage that feeling of serenity and bring all design aspects together. To find out more about our Sanctuary trend, watch our video below.   Read more...

Patterned tiles have been around in interiors for decades and recent years have seen them make a comeback stronger than ever! From feature floors to stylish splashbacks, patterned tiles are perfect for those looking to add a little extra detail and character to a scheme.   With such an array of patterns available you might not be sure where to start. So here’s an overview of some of the many pattern styles that are available, as well as some inspiration, to help get you started…   Delicate details Perhaps you want to include a touch of pattern into your scheme without committing too much to a full wall or floor? Try adding in more of a delicate or subtle pattern, this will add interest without too much of a statement look. To achieve this softer style team plain wall or floor tiles with a panel or section of patterned tiles, our Living collection is perfect for this look. Comprising of several smaller collections, The Living Collection offers a variety of patterned wall tiles with coordinating plain tiles. Here’s a few options:   Classic Patterns When you think of patterned tiles you may immediately picture the traditional Victorian Floor Tile patterns found in many homes and buildings throughout the UK. These patterned floors really do stand the test of time and come in several colours and styles:   Opting for a classic Victorian Floor Tile pattern will ensure your space is timeless and stylish for years to come.   Muted Tones We also have plenty of patterned tiles in muted tones, so that you can subtly incorporate pattern into your home to add some character. For walls and floors, take a look at our Mezzo collection, it offers nine patterns all in muted tones of blue and grey:   Bold and Beautiful To make a statement, take a look at our Odyssey Primo and Grande collections. They both offer a number of bold patterns all inspired by journeys of discovery:   Micro-Patterns There’s been a real rise in the micro-pattern trend over the last few years. Up close, the small patterns are intricate and beautiful yet from afar, tiles appear plain or lightly textured. This helps to create a contemporary look with a bit more charm and detail. Our Nano collection is perfect for this and offers four ditsy style prints with an urban edge.   Mosaics Mosaics have a long history and have adorned the walls and floors of many different interiors for years. Made up of smaller pieces to create a sheet of tiles, mosaics offer a naturally patterned effect in their format and are great for breaking up spaces to add interest:   Whichever patterned tiles you decide to choose, we’d love to know more and see pictures of your finished installation! You can share them with us on Instagram by tagging @originalstyleuk   Read more...

Choosing a colour scheme for your kitchen, bathroom, or any room in your home can be a difficult decision, especially with a myriad of colours available! It’s worth doing your research to find a colour scheme that you feel comfortable with (and can live with!) as well as one suited to the style of your home. We’ve put together four tips to help make the process less daunting and help you select the best tiles for your space…   1. Research Tiles are often an afterthought when it comes to home makeovers, but they have the power to completely transform a room. After researching online, visiting your local dealer is a good place to start; here you can browse inspiring displays and get advice from friendly and knowledgeable staff, but most importantly get samples to test in your own home. When selecting a colour there are three basic schemes to choose from, tonal, harmonious and complementary. A tonal scheme is the use of one colour but in varying hues, for some this may be too plain but adding in texture is a great way to alleviate the potential blandness of a single colour. For example if you have opted for white neutral cabinets and décor, a white textured tile like Fusuma adds immediate detail and interest. A harmonious scheme is balanced and easy on the eye, using colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. Complementary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel, for example pink and green. This type of colour scheme is great if you are looking for something more striking.   2. Style of property Considering the style of your home is also important when selecting colour. If you have a modern new build it may not suit traditional dark red and buff Victorian Floor Tiles, but if you love the look, a neutral colourway like grey and white as pictured below, is better suited to a new build. Likewise with period properties, applying brightly coloured jewel toned mosaics to the bathroom could look out of place, but if you want to embrace a daring colour you can still do so with the Artworks collection, try a bold Baroque Blue for depth and atmosphere.   3. Considering your space The size of your room can also guide your colour choice, if you are updating a smaller room and want to make the most of the space, it’s common sense to opt for lighter shades. This needn’t mean white, grey or beige, using pastel shades is a nod to introducing some colour without the commitment of a bold shade. Just look at the Winchester Tile Company for plenty of pastel hues, perfect for adding a drop of colour to your interior. It’s also important to see how tiles look in different lights, so we recommend getting samples from your local dealer and looking at them in your space at different times of the day to see how they are affected by light.   4. Finishing Touches It can be tempting to match all your accessories to your colour scheme, but this can look overwhelming, if you already have a statement colour in your kitchen or bathroom try using a complementary shade for items like towels and décor. For the ultimate finishing touch, border tiles can really add that coveted wow factor; use them to frame, highlight and finish an area to perfection, or even to add a pop of colour Read more...

Adding character to your home can be a challenging task - but whether you’re living in a period property or modern new-build there are many ways you can add character to your home with tiles.   You might already have a certain look or style that you’re trying to recreate but if not, don’t worry - taking some time to research and think about how best to work with your space will reward you for years to come. A good place to start is considering the style of your property. If you have a Victorian property with period features you might be leaning towards a more traditional style, but, if this isn’t your taste, you can still incorporate modern fixtures, fittings and accessories to create a dynamic style that suits you and your properties original architecture.   Period Properties A period property is characterised by a distinctive architectural style- think Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian. Houses built in these era’s naturally come with a range of inherent characteristics, from bay windows and iron railings to stained glass windows and doors. Restoring these features is a good way to add character, especially with tiles. Our Artworks collection offers an array of rich classic colours, detailed mouldings and decorated options perfect for those looking to update their walls whilst considering a properties’ historic style. They can be used in porches, hallways, kitchens and bathrooms to create a timeless look for years to come.   For a more farmhouse style, there’s our Winchester collection; home to a selection glossy glazed wall tiles in muted tones and rustic finishes, as well as coordinating mouldings to frame areas to perfection.  Team tiles from our Cosmopolitan range with natural wood tones, an authentic AGA-style cooker and shaker cabinets to create a country kitchen filled with character.     If you’re looking to create a more contemporary feel then explore the ‘New Heritage’ trend which is all about adding a new twist to an old classic. Our Victorian Floor tiles used in shades of grey are perfect for this.     Modern Properties New builds won’t have the inherent features of a period property but they are a wonderfully blank canvas that you can completely make your own, rather than having to design around existing quirks like big ornate fireplaces that may not be your style. A great place to start is deciding on a colour scheme and palette in order to create an interior that flows seamlessly. You may choose neutral tones and natural finishes or opt for bolder statement pieces with pops of colour. Creating a mood board of paint samples, tile options, fabric swatches and furniture will help you to see how your finished look will come together.   For bathrooms you can’t go wrong with a classic brick or subway tiles, bring in texture with our Winchester Elements range whilst maintaining and urban yet chic feel. Creating a synergy of old and new is also a great way to add charm to a space, try incorporating some vintage furniture pieces; we love this modern rustic setting with our Living tiles.   Most importantly when adding character to your home make sure to be true to your own tastes and style in order to create something truly unique and distinct, with whichever tiles you choose!  Read more...

Mouldings, tile trims, grouts and all the other finishing touches associated with tiling can often be overlooked or a last minute thought, however, these accessories can complete a tiling project to perfection. Many of our tile collections are available with coordinating mouldings and border tiles that be used to frame, highlight and finish tiled spaces seamlessly.   Wall tiles and mouldings Our Winchester collection is hand-crafted by skilled artisans in our Devon factory. Exuding rustic charm and offering an authentic appeal, tiles and moudlings from the Winchester collection are perfect for those looking to add character to a space. The Winchester collection offers a whole host of glazed wall tiles in a variety of colours, many of which have a coordinating moulding.    Including a moulding in your scheme is a great way to lift simple décor and add interest. If you prefer the look of plain, glossy metro tiles - adding a decorative border or skirting in the same colour will provide a detailed twist:     There are four ranges within the Winchester collection; Elements, rustic brick tiles in muted hues and bolder shades; Residence, glossy glazes in a number of formats; Artisan, with mellow tones inspired by nature; and Classic, traditional formats in a wide range of colours and mouldings as well as a selection of whimsical designs. It’s not just our Winchester collection that hosts an array of mouldings, our Artworks collection also features a number of intricate border and skirting designs. Perfect for adding a decorative edge to simple field and brick tiles, our Artworks collection includes many classic colour options as well as contemporary shades of grey, allowing you to explore both traditional as well as modern tile and moulding combinations. Choose from simple a Omega pencil style, timeless Egg and Dart and detailed Hogarth. These mouldings are great in areas where tiles fill half a wall or come to dado height as they help to create a stylish, sophisticated finish.     Trims and Grout Whilst selecting tiles can be an exciting process, choosing a grout colour may seem less important in comparison – but with a bit of careful consideration, choosing the right grout colour can really complete a project. The most popular options when it comes to grout are shades of grey, limestone and jasmine, depending on the colour of your chosen tiles. Choosing a darker colour grout can reduce the appearance of stains and general wear and tear but also it creates a stylish contrasting feature against lighter coloured tiles – imagine white metro wall tiles teamed with grey grout. Trims can be used around windows to hide any tile edges, as a border around tiles where they don’t fill an entire wall and even in smaller spaces, like alcoves or recesses. Choose from a variety of finishes, shades and thickness, all of which will help you create a sleek and streamlined finish to your tile project.   With the amount of aspects to consider in a tiling project, we appreciate this process can be slightly overwhelming. However, this experience can remain fun and exciting by having a tile specialist walk you through your tile design journey and provide you with expert guidance. We work with over 2,000 retailers across the world so that you can choose your perfect Original Style tiles in confidence.  Read more...

We’re proud to design and manufacture many of our tile ranges at our factory in Exeter, Devon and over the years we’ve created a variety of exclusive collections; from our classic Winchester ranges to the large format prints in Living.   Our story is unique and we’re incredibly fortunate to have a talented team of passionate designers and craftspeople who create tile patterns and glazes that you’ll adore for years to come.  We managed to catch up with our New Products and Design Manager, Jane Addis, earlier this year to provide you with some insight into the life of a tile designer and to showcase how our gorgeous tile collections are created.   Q. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into ceramics, as well as your role at Original Style? A. I’ve always been happiest with a pen or paint-brush in my hand and after studying textile design at university I decided to fulfil a lifelong dream to live in Spain and to learn Spanish. This took me to a fabulous region of Spain - Andalusia and in particular Seville, where I learned Spanish part-time and made flamenco dresses. On my daily walks to work, I loved looking at the various tiles that adorned the shop fronts often hand painted and heavily influenced by Islamic geometric prints. On my return to Devon, inspired by what I’d seen I hunted out local tile manufacturers and landed my first design job! Eight years later, I joined Original Style as a designer (I fell in love with their Winchester range). I have worked at Original Style for six years now I love being a part of an industry that is challenging, exciting, trend-led and UK based. I’m lucky that my role is quite diverse and includes putting together product ranges for UK house-builders as well as designing and developing ranges for the majority of our product portfolios. Q. Where do you find inspiration for tile designs? A. The ceramic industry is much more trend-led than it was when I started my career over 10 years ago. Trips to national and international shows and exhibitions are one of the ways that I keep ahead of the trends to ensure what is developed and ultimately launched is the right product at the right time. Many of the interior trends that influence what consumers buy originate on the catwalk and are gently filtered down to other industries including wallpaper, textiles and ceramics. How I then interpret these trends completely depends on the product range and target audience. For example the ‘tropical’ trend that has been so very popular for a number of years inspired our range called Eden - a gorgeous selection of botanical inspired large format tiles. This range was developed and then launched at exactly the right time and continues to be our best-selling collection within our Living Brochure. We also visit national trust properties, museums, design shows as well as taking lots of pictures whilst we are on holiday! A designer’s eye is always open for inspiration.  Q. How long does it take to develop a new tile collection? From conception to manufacturing, to reach the market? A. This can depend on how that product is being made. For example a design that is going to be screen printed requires quite a lot of set up work with a team of people, Digitally printed product can be quicker depending on the level of complexity of the design. With all projects we also have the rule that things don’t always go to plan with ceramics! Working with a natural based product and beautiful handmade glazes all add to the possibility of not always getting what you anticipate! Q. If you had to pick a favourite tile design what would it be? A. That’s hard as we have so many gorgeous products! But, I love the Nano range in our Living collection - its super simple, easy to live with but gives a real urban design edge to any room. I also love our Artisan range - simplistic, beautiful colours, creating a timeless heritage - these tiles will stand any test of time.        Q. Which tile range did you enjoy designing the most? A. The Living range was a joy to design as it was one of the first ranges we developed on our new state of the art digital printer and it’s been a huge success for us. It was great to experiment with a new way of producing tiles and we had lots of fun photographing the new designs in our on-site photographic studio. It’s amazing that I’m able to be part of the whole lifecycle of a products’ development, including seeing the tiles in customer project photos shared on Social Media Q. How does it make you feel when you see pictures of the tiles you've designed in people’s homes? A. It brings me so much joy! I also love to see how people use our tiles, how they are styled and how much pleasure they bring the end user. Q. What challenges do you face when bringing a tile design to life? A. One of the main challenges is making it exciting as well as possible to create in our factory. Our Exeter based production site is unique with a combination of state of the art technology and beautiful antiquated machines that are very loved. It’s important as a designer to be aware of the boundaries our machinery might have as well as trying to achieve something different. We have a wonderful team that are incredibly passionate about what they do and have a brilliant amount of technical knowledge. Q. What advice would you give to those looking to create fabulous tiled focal points in their home? A. To be bold! As I mentioned earlier ceramic tiles are much more trend-led now and there’s plenty of choice. I think it’s always best to have that focal point in a place that is quite visible. Think behind the bath, behind the cooker, make a feature of that walk-in shower. Tiles can add texture, colour and ultimately create atmosphere within a room Q. What’s the best thing about being a designer and working at Original Style? A. The ability to design products that are exciting, trend-led and to work in UK manufacturing - something I’m proud of every day Read more...