Tag: real homes

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...

We love seeing customer projects come to life, whether it’s a modern kitchen or bathroom, a heritage hallway or a beautiful patio! When we discovered @casaoldcorn on Instagram and saw the most beautiful hallway featuring our Victorian Floor Tiles, we were delighted to work with Lauren and Mark on an exciting fireplace makeover.   Lauren’s Instagram account @casaoldcorn showcases the renovation of her beautiful family home, from her eclectic styling and design to makeover projects and interior ideas. We caught up with Lauren to find out more about how tiles can totally transform a space. Original Style: Can you tell us a little bit about your beautiful home? Lauren: We live in the north east of England and have lived in our home for around five years. Our home is Edwardian and was built in the early 1900s, our first home was a new build but we really love all the character and features you get in a period property.  Original Style: What were your primary goals when it came to updating your home, especially the living area and fireplace? Lauren: Our primary goals when decorating are always to make it more cosy and interesting. With the fireplace we could see its full potential and wanted to make it into more of a feature in the room. We knew the fireplace would look great painted a colour so we opted for a deep blue and we adore Original Style tiles, tiling the fireplace hearth has created so much more impact. We opted for Victorian Floor tiles in a bespoke pattern using pops of pastel colours - it looks amazing!  Original Style: Where did you find the inspiration for your hallway and living room? Lauren: Lots of our inspiration comes from other homes on Instagram. We love bold patterns and colours and have lots of quirky items that are conversation starters throughout our home. We love traditional prints and colours but with a twist. As soon as we moved in we knew tiles would look so much better in the hall than the dark wood floors which were installed beforehand. We had seen others hallways and could see the potential in ours.  Once we had decided on tiles for both the hallway and hearth we went on the hunt for the perfect ones. We found Original Style Victorian Floor tiles and loved all the different patterns and the quality looked great. The Original Style team where so helpful at helping me choose a pattern and colours for the hearth and sending me images to help me pick, they were fantastic and nothing was too much trouble. Original Style: Why did you choose this particular Victorian Floor Tile pattern, border and colourway for your fireplace?  Lauren: We went with the monochrome checkerboard tiles for our hallway as we think they’re stunning and timeless. We know for as-long as we live here they will never age and any decor will easily go with them. We decided to go for a detailed Victorian Floor Tile pattern for our hearth as it’s really traditional but with a little twist which we love. The pastel centres really bring it all to life.  Original Style: How important would you say it is to use a professional tiler? Lauren: We were on the hunt for a good tiler for the job and we found a really good local man to lay them. He was great and took the time and had the skills needed for the job. I think it’s really important to use an experienced tiler as the patterns are complex, with a number of pieces - it’s definitely an art and a job we couldn’t tackle ourselves. Original Style: What would you say to someone looking to incorporate tiled focal points in their home? Lauren: If you’re looking to incorporate tiles into your home, I would say go for it! They add so much character and they’re beautiful. It’s so special adding original features back into a period home. Walking into our home with our beautiful floor brings us so much joy.  Browse the full Victorian Floor Tile range here or check out our brochure for pattern ideas, more real life installations and tips on selecting a border and colourways.   Read more...

Here at Original Style there’s nothing we love more than seeing our tiles in customers’ homes. From the patterns and colours chosen, to how they’re styled, we’re always delighted to see just how much tiles can totally transform a space, especially when renovating period properties. A few months ago, we were tagged in a gorgeous Victorian Floor Tile project on Social Media and we just couldn’t resist finding out more about it! We loved the use of pattern and colourways and were thrilled when Helen Barber, the homeowner, agreed to undertake a Q&A with us to shed some light on her experience and help our blog readers with their future Victorian Floor Tile projects. Not only this, but we also caught up with Helen’s tiler, Mickey, to provide some insight into the installation of these intricate tiles. Q. Please could you tell us a little bit about you, where you live and how long you’ve lived in your house? A. I live in Harrogate North Yorkshire, originally from Manchester but relocated around 16 years ago. The property was purchased in 2010. Q. Tell us about your property, do you know when it was built? Does it have any interesting history? What made you go for this style of property? A. The property is a four bed Victorian Town House, which was very dated when it was bought! I like character houses and although the décor was very dated and the house needed a lot doing to it, I loved the idea of restoring it and putting my own mark on it. It had some lovely features like the original cornice in some rooms and a stain glass window in the hall. I loved the size and heights of the rooms and how much space you get in these types of houses. Although it still had the original cornice in places, every room needed work, it definitely was a ‘doer upper’. When the house was initially bought I always knew the hall needed to be impressive and had always admired hallways that had original Victorian tiled floors. I promised myself that I would restore the hall and make it glamorous – with the hope that friends and family were wowed when they walked in.  Hallways are usually the first thing that visitors see so it should, in one respect be the place that impresses first. The kitchen is also a place where family congregate, which is why we thought it would look lovely if the tiles went through from the hall into the kitchen, so we moved the kitchen into the old dining room. This meant we could have the chimney as part of the kitchen and made the old galley kitchen a lounge, where we added a small extension to create a dining living area.    Q. What were your primary goals when it came to updating these spaces? A. My goals were to make the space traditional but with a contemporary feel. Myself and my partner Matthew, wanted these spaces to be areas we enjoyed being in so I did lots of research before I made decisions about what we would purchase. I always loved Victorian flooring, the colours and the patterns always wowed me and I feel the kitchen we have from Neptune works really well with the floor. Q. Where did you find your inspiration for the renovation of your kitchen and hallway? A. From researching Victorian homes through magazines and online as well as living in Harrogate, which has a number of traditional Victorian properties and buildings - it was easy to walk into shops and see Victorian floors and tiles which always gave me inspiration! Q. What made you choose Original Style’s Victorian Floor Tiles? A. I had used Original Style tiles on the hearth where my log burner is in the lounge, so I knew they were good quality tiles, but it was Mickey Horner a tiler from Clattergate that recommended using them for the Hall and Kitchen project. When I asked Mickey to come round and give me an idea of costs we spoke at length about the best tiles to use and the tiles which were more authentic to me creating a bit more of a Victorian traditional feel. Q. We offer a CAD (computer aided design) service, did you use this? If so, did it help you visualise the tiles in your home? A. I initially couldn’t decide on the colours that we wanted so this really helped with the final decision as well as the style. Q. Why did you choose this particular Victorian Floor Tile pattern, border and colourway? A. We chose the Warwick design as I had done a lot of research on traditional Victorian styles. I had looked online and through the Original style brochure, I wanted a very traditional look with something at least three colours could be used in, so the Warwick pattern was perfect. Our tiler Mickey advised us on the borders and colours to use, we chose the Dover White, Green and Black, I always knew I wanted black and white in the mix so it was just choosing another colour. Q. How important were the tiles in the renovation of your hallway/kitchen and what was it that you found appealing about them? A. It was immensely important, we have spent so much time and love on trying to restore the rest of the house that the hall and kitchen flooring had to be perfect. I wanted the tiles to feel original and as close to Victorian as I could. I also wanted something bespoke and although the pattern is a traditional one, the colours are quite striking and different. The flooring to me sets the house apart and makes a real statement and we absolutely love the tiles! Q. How did you source your tiler and how important would you say using a professional and experienced tiler is? A. I sourced Mickey from searching online for traditional floor tilers in Yorkshire and looked through Instagram too. He was brilliant from day one, happy to listen to what we wanted and offered ideas too.  He showed us previous floors that he had created and we visited his showroom to see the tiles before committing to the project.  He was very professional and approachable and we trusted from day one, knowing that the end result would be fab!  Nothing phased him and he knew exactly what to do when we discovered my kitchen island wasn’t square (in fact the pattern really helped when we discovered this). The fact that Mickey was experienced in this type of traditional Victorian tiling and could prove his ability from previous projects he had done really reassured me that he knew exactly what he was doing. We also caught up with tiler, Mickey Horner, to find out more about installing Victorian Floor Tiles Q. Please could you tell us a little bit about you, where you live and how long you’ve been a professional tiler? A. I live in a small town called Rawdon just on the outskirts of Leeds, West Yorkshire. I have been tiling full time for almost 20 years, although I often joke that I was tiling as soon as I could walk! My father was a tiler and used to take me to work with him in school holidays and weekends. I took over the family business around 13 years ago. Q. How did you train to be become a Victorian Floor Tiler? A. I fell into Victorian floor tiling by accident really, but I had always loved the intricate designs of Victorian floors. We had worked for a high-end restaurant and bar fit out company for a number of years, carrying out wall and floor tiling to toilets and bar fronts etc. They were then awarded some work in Sweden and we were sent some sketches that showed a patterned Victorian floor to be done in the bar area of a restaurant. I did some research before we left in terms of setting out details, but it wasn’t until we reached site in Sweden that we then discovered the enormity of the task! Q. What was it that interested you about Victorian Floor Tiles to learn the skill to install them? A. I love the variety of colours and patterns available from Original style and the flexibility of being able to choose your own colours and different borders to suit a client’s interior design and budget. Q. What are the differences of installing Victorian Floor Tiles compared to general tiling? A. The main difference between general floor tiling and Victorian or geometric tiling is the increased amount of time spent on both the setting out phase as well as the installation phase. Q. What would you say to those who are considering learning the craft and skill of installing Victorian Floor Tiles? A. I would probably use the analogy of “horses for courses”. Like horse racing, some prefer some courses to others. I would say it’s the same for tiling and Victorian Floor tiling. I think you have to have a certain skill set to be able to do it. I know tilers with 30+ years of experience who hate Victorian floor tiling and really struggle, whereas I picked it up relatively quickly. It all depends on the person. I think the main characteristics would be patience, eye for detail and being able to visualise space, shapes and patterns as well as being very organised. Q. What are the most common obstacles that you have to try and overcome when installing Victorian Floor Tiles? A. The most common obstacles are navigating border the around door-ways, staircases. As well as setting the pattern as symmetrical as the space will allow. Q. We offer a CAD (computer aided design) service, do you ever use this? If so, do you find it helps your clients visualise the tiles in their home? A. Yes we always use the CAD service available this really helps the client to choose colour combinations and patterns as well as visualise the final result. It is also very useful for when estimating the amount of tiles required for the project. Q. What did you enjoy the most about installing Helen's Victorian Floor Tiles? A. I really enjoyed working on Helens floor as it came with some extra obstacles. As well as the usual doorways and staircases, Helen wanted the design to run into the kitchen as well. This came with its own challenges in that, as with many period properties, the rooms adjacent to hallways are not always parallel or square which makes the setting out all the more crucial. Couple that with a kitchen island to circumvent, this was a tricky install! But in the end all the more worth it and I was very pleased with how it came together in the end Read more...

The beauty of Victorian Floor Tiles rarely ceases to amaze us, but when we came across this extraordinary project by Cherie Lee Interiors - an interior design consultancy based in Hertfordshire and London - we were truly wowed. The awe inspiring design is utterly sensational and we were eager to delve into the mastermind behind this beautiful interior scheme. Upon approaching Cherie, we were keen to find out a little bit more about her business and her projects whilst investigating her thoughts on Victorian Floor Tiles and why she chose to integrate them into this beautiful home; Q. Can you provide us with some background into Cherie Lee Interiors? A. We’re well-known for blending classic, period features with contemporary, modern styling. We’ve established an impressive portfolio of listed and conservation buildings across the Home Counties and London but work with a broad spectrum of properties, including new build and commercial premises. I like to ensure that each property designed reflects the personality and lifestyle of the client, focusing on how the space will be used and what is required from it. Our hard work results in luxurious and stunning properties, but also homes that are functional and meet the exact needs of the client. My team and I favour an approachable and relaxed design environment as this allows clients to be honest and upfront about their requirements. We lead all initial design enquiries with an in depth consultation which will then follow on with implementing the scheme to exacting standards, to an agreed budget and timeframe. Q. Who is the Cherie Lee Interiors client? A. The CLI client is passionate about their home and lifestyle.  They are often high achievers and want their home environment to work for them. They have an understated sense of style but an appreciation for luxury and high quality design. Q. Do clients request Victorian Floor Tiles or is it you who pitches them? What kind of properties benefit from VFT installations? A. At CLI we have a real passion for period homes. We therefore try to ensure that the floors we specify for a property have a sense of age to them. This applies to both timber floors and tiles. The Victorian Floor Tiles allow us to make a bold statement but that is very much in keeping with the properties that we work on. This, in turn, gives the flexibility to incorporate more contemporary features, such as lighting, without feeling that we are losing the character of the home. Q. Would you say there are any specific interior design trends that could be highlighted for 2020? Is there anything that you could pinpoint in the tile world? A. Interior trends can be great but, ultimately, we favour home designs that either solve an issue within the property or will stand the test of time. For example, we enjoy using Crittall-style screens internally within the home. This is not because they’re necessarily trend related, but because they allow us to improve sociability of space, flow of light and create the illusion of larger, more open plan spaces, without sacrificing the ability to shut areas off. This trend has allowed us create beautiful homes. It is a bonus for us that the understated, slightly industrial look appeals to us too! Q. Do you re-use the same, known brands across various projects, even if they are very different in style? A. I think there is a lot to be said for working with brands that you know and trust. If we and a client have received good service from a brand, it reflects well on all parties and makes life so much easier. The same or similar products can be used and paired in so many different ways and the overall look and feel created can be completely different. Therefore, using a supplier more than once is not a concern for us. Q. Are clients and their preferences different depending on which part of the country they live in? A. I would say that the preferences of the client do vary depending on the area that their property is situated, but also the age of the home. We are always cautious not to impose a style on a home that is not in keeping with it. For example, traditional Georgian or Victorian features in an entirely new build home.  It is important that the architecture of the home and the internal style work together. In terms of location, a period home in a rural setting often favours a more laid back, casual approach to the home aesthetic. Whereas London based properties tend to have more formality to them. It really is a case of being led by the property and its surroundings. Q. What would you say to your younger self before embarking on the exciting journey of establishing your own design studio? Would you have done anything differently? A. I wish I had started a career in design earlier! I was a Lawyer in the City until 2012 and although this has given me lots of valuable skills, such as researching, attention to detail, ability to work a strict deadline etc. doing something that you enjoy and feel lucky to do every day is the best feeling! To see more projects by Cherie Lee Interiors, take a look at their website Read more...

Nothing says “welcome to our house” quite like a beautiful, inviting front path. That’s why we were thrilled to work with 2LG Studio on their front garden transformation, which featured products from two of our most cherished collections – Victorian Floor Tiles and Artworks.   A Victorian Floor Tile pathway can completely transform a home, adding kerb appeal and value to a property.  And, with the emergence of the ‘New Heritage’ trend, you don’t have to live in a Victorian or Edwardian home to embrace traditional tiling. Mixing the old with the new and putting a modern twist on a classic is what this trend is all about and what better way to encapsulate on this style than through incorporating Victorian Floor Tiles into a contemporary setting. “How?” you may ask - well, these tiles work beautifully in modern porches, pathways as well as hallways and by opting for a classic colour palette such as monochrome or beige and nudes, these tiles will never look out of place.   Jordan and Russell - the London-based design duo from 2LG Studio – decided on an original approach featuring modern greys for the front path and deep, dark blue Artworks tiles on their porch walls. While remaining inspired by Victorian features, they created a pathway with a cool and modern, almost urban vibe, but kept it true to its origins. They also used our traditional mouldings on the walls, which look fantastic against their gorgeous, playful, pink front door. Through combining modern styling with the traditional, they’ve created a stand-out entrance that turns heads and encourages a smile from passers-by.   2LG’s front garden project showcases that the attractiveness of a property is not based solely on its interior. The surrounding space is equally important - especially when looking to sell. Making a good first impression starts outside, as the front path and entrance are the first things a potential buyer will see. It is also an area that is constantly exposed to guests, neighbours, and…you, the homeowner, on a daily basis – so, why not make the effort to make it look grand?! “We think of the pathway as a visitor’s journey into our world. It starts right then and there, before they enter the house, and we wanted to make that journey enjoyable.” Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead, 2LG Studio. “We were looking for a solution which would elevate the property’s heritage and period features, but would also stand the test of time both in terms of durability and looks. Original Style’s heritage collections – Victorian Floor Tiles and wall tiles from the Artworks range – were the perfect answer to our long list of demands, including high quality and being able to create a bespoke design.” No matter whether your property has a small, medium or large approach, there are ways to make the front path and porch stand out. The easiest and most practical option is to use tiles that are not only stunning, but also work well outdoors. If your goal is to recreate a Victorian pattern as a nod to the home’s history, opt for a classic colour combo, using black, buff and red. Original Style’s Victorian Floor Tiles are the real deal – they come in traditional colourways and a variety of patterns, making it possible to achieve any period look and restore the tiled area to its former glory. Pair these with traditional glazes from the Artworks range and you’ll end up with a scheme that’s elegant and timeless. To read more about 2LG Studio's front garden renovation, head to their journal. If you're interested in our Victorian Floor Tile collection, please contact your nearest Original Style retailer Read more...

As a company, we receive great satisfaction in seeing our customer’s final project installations. We love to watch visions come to life and we’re continually captivated with how every customer puts their own unique stamp on their interior designs when using our products, and this couldn’t ring truer than with this case study.   Last November, we were fortunate enough to be welcomed into Bridget's, one of our lovely customers, home. Bridget worked closely with her architect and builder (Tim Williamson HFA and Graham Hay NJW) to create a truly gorgeous house, based in Original Style’s hometown of Exeter. Bridget's home oozed sophistication and elegance from the moment we walked onto the driveway – ‘let alone the front door! An interior style which reflects classic modern with a touch of minimalism has been successfully integrated and her home is simply stunning. The entire property displays clean lines and what’s worth noticing is Bridget’s full utilisation and attention to detail with the use of our tiles. For the purpose of creating a continuous flow, she’s used them as a transitioning tool from one space into another; as demonstrated below with our Arbo wood-effect tiles. Bridget has very cleverly positioned these tiles to mimic a fluid walkway from the ensuite bathroom into the bedroom – creating two completely separate spaces even though no doors are present. These Arbo tiles then continue through the bedroom into the hallway, again adding to the uninterrupted synergy throughout her home. From a practicality perspective, our Arbo tiles are available in a slip-resistant finish meaning that they’re suitable for use in wet areas. This benefit means that these tiles are perfect for use as a transitioning tool whether you’re looking to integrate continuous movement from a bathroom, as Bridget has done, or even a stylish outdoor space into a living area. The transitioning theme is continuous throughout Bridget’s property. Smaller ensuite bathrooms feature Concretissyma Grigo, a stunning concrete-effect floor tile, which has also been integrated into the skirting; again achieving an almost seamless flow and fully utilising the beauty of these tiles. The colours present throughout Bridget’s property are charmingly neutral with subtle earthy and industrial textures such as wood and concrete. This colour palette is also embraced within the stunning walk-in shower which features Montblanc in White. As shown below, this space portrays a modern minimalist style with the transparency of the glass screen and contemporary shower fitting.    The other end of the shower displays our Pearl Brickbond mosaics, which provides a gorgeous finish and perfectly complements the surrounding light grey and white tones. The attention to detail throughout Bridget’s home is extemporary and it’s the little finer touches which have really made all the difference to the overall look and feel throughout the property. The end result is stunning and we’re very pleased to have been able to share this project with you Read more...

Sarah Shorrocks is an interior designer who runs a design practice in Weybridge, Surrey. Having always had a passion for design, Sarah and her husband acquired and renovated their Victorian house (which only had four walls and a shaky roof when they started!) and wanted to share their experience with others. After undertaking appropriate training and work experience, Sarah started her own interior design business. Outstanding Interiors has been running successfully for ten years designing kitchens and bathrooms as well as offering a full range of other design services for both domestic and commercial properties.   Sarah’s own home makeover features Original Style tiles in her hallway, kitchen and three bathrooms! So we asked her some questions about the project and how tiles can transform a home…   Q. Your home features so many beautifully tiled focal points! Let’s start with the hallway, what made you choose Victorian Floor Tiles? A. Victorian floor tiles were the perfect solution for this busy runway of a space.  With the constant comings and goings of our three children, their friends, our visitors and our pets, they are practical, resilient and beautiful. They are also a perfect fit for any period home and create a stunning first impression.   Q. How important were the tiles and how did you source them? In the end, why did you go for Victorian Floor Tiles and what was it that you found appealing about them? A. The tiles were a vital style statement, setting the tone for this space was key in creating a real wow factor when you first enter our home.  They were a real investment but were one of the first things we purchased when doing our renovation.  They have provided a really durable flooring solution and given a lot of pleasure over the years.  We sourced from Original Style in Exeter with whom we have a long-standing relationship.  It would be difficult to find another source of tiles where there is such expertise and range.  This is a company which really knows its stuff.     Q. We love the distinct styles in your bathrooms, how did go about designing these rooms? A. Each of the bathrooms is deliberately distinctive.  As a design practice we have never shied away from colour.  The Royal Blue Acanthus and Dentil moulding (from the Artworks collection) in the guest bathroom act as a perfect foil for the blue bath on claw feet and sit well with the white field tile creating a sense of freshness in this space.    Q. What were the main goals you wanted to achieve in these rooms (were you looking for a specific style, colour ways, maximizing space)? A. At Outstanding Interiors, we see tiling as a way of anchoring a space, providing accent colour, texture or pattern to give interest and vibrancy to a scheme. Each tile we choose for a client will reflect their setting, their style and their budget and there is a huge range to choose from with Original Style Tiles from contemporary to traditional, glamorous to rustic.     Q. Where did you get your inspiration for these rooms? A. When designing a room, we always look for and develop a design theme.  The guest bathroom has a fun slightly nautical feel with its porthole shaped window, so a dark but vibrant blue was chosen; we also didn’t want to detract from the architecture of the room.  The Arts and Crafts round window needed to remain a focus, so the Victorian style white gloss field tiles are a perfect choice for this airy space. We had a lovely vintage brass and crystal chandelier in our bedroom so the ensuite bathroom brassware needed to be consistent with this.  The choice of Victorian Clematis Gloss field tiles and Jade accent tiles worked perfectly with the brassware.  Our tiler at the time Mark also had a say in this scheme as the shells were his particular favourite!   In the family bathroom the Artworks London Stone tiles provide a good contemporary, glamorous accent to an otherwise traditional design and act as a stunning backdrop to the vintage nickel shower fitting. The splashback behind the Rayburn works wonderfully with other accents in our large eat-in family kitchen.  The green Winchester Arcadian Danube handmade tiles look fabulous and chime in with the colour we selected for our island.   Q. Did anything go wrong/differently to how you expected? A. Careful planning meant that most things went as expected and this is key. However, in the very early days when moving a radiator we did find a wasps’ nest under the floorboards, but fortunately it was no longer occupied.  When restoring the chimneys of the house early on, the builder found that there was no mortar between the bricks, so a high wind might have sent the chimney pots tumbling into the street.  We were very pleased to have found this problem early on and remedied it. Q. What do you like best about the rooms now? A. We love their enduring, timeless and functional nature and the lovely accents of design provided by our stunning tiles. Q. What advice would you give to people looking to create fabulous tiled focal points in their homes? (e.g. opt for simplicity, be bold with colours, make sure you get high-quality tiles, embrace variety in shapes and sizes, etc) A. Always check out the Original Style range first, they have the widest choice and the most versatile selection.  Plan your spaces carefully and don’t be tempted to put too many different designs in one room. Simplicity and a limited number of focal points are key.  Read more...

Contemporary might not be the first style that comes to mind when installing Classic tiles from the Winchester Tile Company, but these home makeover images go to show just how versatile tiles can be… Interior architects Frederic Kielemoes and Vanessa Cauwe purchased their home back in 2008, a barn typical to the region near Kortrijk, Belgium, with plans to renovate the property.Frederic: ‘the reconversion of the barn by CAAN architects is largely defined by the symbiosis of the old structure and the new volume.’This synergy of old and new brought together Winchester Classic field tiles in Pure White and a modern minimalist kitchen. Here’s a look at the finished result: The rebuilt flax barn is mainly built of wood and glass to reflect the indoors and outdoors, the overall aspect of the pavilion was influenced by the barn’s existing colour palette. Choosing a neutral colour scheme creates a sense of calm and a timeless space to enjoy for years to come. These Winchester Classic field tiles come in various shades of cream and white, so you can create a neutral canvas similar to Frederic’s’ in a variety of tones. Frederic: ‘The atmosphere of the pavilion is open and textural with a contemporary feel. The rich palettes, materials and interior furnishings play a key role in the relationship between the old and new building. The personality of the pavilion is immaculately detailed, aiming to gain the maximum result from each material.’ Frederic: ‘The interior architects’ approach to create a quality living space, blending effortlessly into the heritage of the flax barn became a statement of cleverness.’ interior architect Frederic Kielemoes / www.frederickielemoes.be photography by cafeine.be  Read more...

When it comes to transforming small spaces, the hallway can be hard to design, especially in an older style Victorian house, where floors and walls are uneven. But this doesn’t mean you need to compromise on style…   We spoke with Oded Shomroni from London who wanted to make the most out of the space in his hallway. Oded and his partner Robert Sprott decided to create a welcoming yet striking entrance with our Victorian Floor Tiles, with help from Victorian Floor tiler Andrew O’Sullivan.   Oded: ‘This house is a Victorian house with some 1930's additions and it was in desperate need of redecoration and modernisation. As well as updating the tiles, the floors, skirting and even the doorways required replacement!’     Oded and Robert moved into their new home earlier in the year. They loved their Victorian Floor Tiled hallway in their previous home so much, they couldn’t wait to install another in their new home. When it came to choosing tiles, Oded and Robert used one of our retailers, International Tiles, based in Epsom.   Oded: ‘We opted for a Victorian tile floor in our previous home and loved the result. It created a lovely stylish hallway which sets the tone for the whole house. So when we moved to this house we knew we wanted another Victorian tile floor!’   The hallway is a fantastic area to add a splash of colour; this can make an area feel lighter too. Our Victorian Floor Tile patterns can be created in a variety of colourways and we love how Oded and Robert chose contemporary colours for a modern twist on the traditional. Oded: ‘We were looking for the quality and style we knew from our previous home, but with a brighter colour scheme and pattern due to the fact that the hallway is slightly narrower and darker (north facing) than in our previous home.’ Oded: ‘I am originally from Israel, and have always lived in houses where the floor was stone or tiles. We both like the traditional look and knew that a Victorian house was right for us and would be enhanced by a Victorian tiled floor, which is both stylish and belongs in such a space.’  ‘It is so important to use high quality tiles and allow yourself to be bold in design like the Victorians were.’ Oded: ‘The floor must be laid by an experienced and expert tiler. It is different to any other tiling job. I would not let anyone but Andrew do this project. An expert tiler can provide advice on which patterns work well in particular spaces as well as lay the floor to hide or overcome the inevitable issues that arise where such a floor is fitted.’ We agree, Victorian Floor Tiles are tricky to install and it’s important to get it right. Andrew O’Sullivan from London has been installing Victorian Floor Tiles for over 12 years and knows all the ins and outs of fitting these tiles. Andrew: ‘It’s imperative that a professional fixer is contracted to install a Victorian floor. I would go a step further and advise that clients should hire one with experience of working with Original Style Victorian Floor Tiles.’ Laying a Victorian Floor takes a lot of skill and careful precision and planning. Andrew starts by laying out the tiles prior to fixing them as below: ‘Achieving symmetry when installing the product is key to a successful installation and this will be determined at design stage. Likewise when installing the border, there is a key skill involved which ensures that no overlapping occurs. For example where squares are incorporated on the diamond on the border pattern, each corner should ideally have a single diamond, no overlapping or touching diamonds.' ‘This would apply also where triangle shapes are the key feature of the border. This takes careful preparation to achieve and experience of having worked with the product.’ If you’re considering a Victorian Floor Tile feature in your home and don’t know where to start, try our Tile Visualiser. This tool all allows you experiment with different colours and patterns in a range of rooms throughout the home.  Read more...

Bob Duffield and his family now live in this beautiful 19th century villa-style house – here’s his story of how they uncovered its best features and created a perfect home for them all.   Q. Please tell us a little bit about you and your family, where you live and how long you’ve lived in your house. A. We moved to Cheltenham in the summer of 2013.  We rented a modern duplex apartment and Frankie our son was born in June 2014.  We always had an eye out for a place to buy but we took our time until we found the right place.  This turned out to be Paxton Lodge – a Grade II, four-bed Regency town house, with a separate basement flat.  Amazingly it was only 300m from the apartment. We moved in March 2016. Q. What is the style of your house and what attracted you to buy it? A. It was built in 1836. It is a sublime design. High ceilings. Beautiful windows. And a small but perfect walled garden for the kids. Q. Was it a major refurbishment project? A. Definitely.  It has been a big investment both in time and money, but worth it to bring the house up into the top bracket for houses in this area of Cheltenham. We had to bring the house kicking and screaming into the 21st century.  There were many species of carpet and curtain that had to go. We have installed shutters throughout. The garden had a cute Japanese-style pond, but it was way beyond its best and presented a serious drowning risk for small kids.  It has been removed. The house needed substantial refurbishment. This included; bringing the basement flat back into the main house as our main kitchen and dining area, the galley kitchen on the ground floor has been transformed into a play room, on the first floor we swapped a bedroom for the main bathroom and vice versa, finally the main bathroom and two en suite bathrooms were stripped out, refitted and retiled. This house is so beautifully designed that we knew our efforts would be rewarded Q. How important were the tiles and how/where did you source them? A. Tiles were key to our design thinking. We found Original Style online and then visited a local showroom. Q. Where did you find your inspiration for the various rooms? A. It's hard to make clear decisions as the choice is almost infinite. But we found the Original Style brochures very helpful.  Q. What made you decide on the particular styles and the tiles you used in each room? The palette for the whole house is white plus greys and blues.  Less is definitely more and we decided to use the same choice of tiles in all the bathrooms. I'm really glad we did. The choice of tiles has brought a sense of continuity to the whole house. They have turned out to be a major feature. Q. Did you have any major challenges along the way? A. Yes - Maud, Frankie and I lived in the basement for months! Maud was pregnant with Albie. We had hoped the work would be finished before he arrived early March 2017. It was not. But it is now. Q. What advice would you give to other people who want to create tiled focal points in their homes? A. Get the Original Style brochures – they are colourful and informative. Then visit your local store where you’ll get a good sense of how they look in real life. Q. How long did the project take? A. A whole pregnancy and a bit.  But as a result our house has been reborn. It was worth the wait Read more...