Mandarin Stone

A chance meeting in which Alma Small was asked to sell some recently imported Chinese slate floor tiles sparked the initial idea for Mandarin Stone, the tile and flooring company she founded in 1989 with her husband Stephen. As consumer interest in using natural stone wall tiles and flooring grew, so did the business, and the couple soon opened a small showroom in Monmouthshire. Products were showcased at trade fairs and delivered to customers throughout the UK and Ireland. In 2011, in response to increasing customer demand, they introduced man-made porcelain and ceramic tiles, for when natural stone isn’t a practical option.

Today, the family-run business supplies a comprehensive collection of natural stone and man-made tiles for both homeowners and designers, to suit all styles and budgets. Natural stone tiles include limestone, marble, slate and basalt, while the porcelain and ceramic range features glazed and glass tiles, including textured effects such as concrete and wood. Mandarin Stone’s marble collection is proving more popular than ever and continues to expand: ranging from classic white marbles to the more vibrant coloured marbles, it is a stylish yet timeless option for both floors and walls.

Virtually the entire range is stocked in the UK, meaning Mandarin Stone can offer a fast sample service; lead times for delivery are also short (the company has a fleet of vehicles that offers a more specialised service for heavy products). The entire tile collection can be purchased online but the company has ten showrooms – essential for clients who prefer to see the products before they buy – where consultants with a wealth of knowledge and experience can advise on design as well as technical aspects of all projects. Inspired by both the interiors and fashion industries, Mandarin Stone prides itself on introducing the very latest innovative tile designs to the UK market. Other influences include the ahead-of-the-curve Australian tile market and global stone and tile shows. They also work in collaboration with suppliers to create exclusive designs for the UK.

New collections will be officially launched in May and feature large format porcelains in both interior and exterior options, designled ‘etched’ marble in hexagon and square tile formats (this is an ancient surface design where acid is used on marble to achieve the effect), and a gorgeous selection of new glazed ceramics reinvented in fresh coloured glazes using traditional tile moulds. While the company understands the importance of having a good range of more trend-led products (such as pink tiles, terrazzo effect and retro patterns) there is always a strong demand for more timeless and traditional surface options too, from antique limestone flooring to stone-effect porcelain and slate tiles.

With a new Mandarin Stone showroom due to open in North London in the next few months and a commitment to introducing new surface designs to the UK market, the company continues to go from strength to strength.