Fine ceramic tiles M A D E BY H A N D I N E N G L A N D S I N C E 193 6
“Always visionary and ahead of the times from the outset.” B E N S P R I G G S , E D I TO R I N C H I E F E L L E D E CO R AT I O N
A devotion to our craft During those years, Jamie learnt lessons that continue to shape our business to this day. One of the most valuable is that we should be leaders of good design, not followers. Another is that we should embrace R&D and strive to find ways of making artisanal products using the latest technology, in order to bring the highest quality products to market at the most competitive prices.
Let us begin by saying thank you for requesting a copy of our brochure. We hope this will be the beginning of something special. Marlborough Tiles was founded over 87 years ago, and has been in the Robb family for three generations. In order to stay the distance, a company like ours must be able to adapt, but to remain true to its core principles. In our case, we believe that good design is all in the detail. We offer our customers beautiful wall tiles, made by hand, here at our factory in Marlborough, in a myriad of colours that are never ‘out of a bottle’, where each stroke of our hand painted designs is genuinely painted by hand into raw glaze. And, because sometimes to find the very best you must travel further afield, we also source for our customers the finest porcelain floor tiles the world has to offer from our partners in Spain and Italy.
Sticking to our principles is challenging in today’s industry. Whilst robots will never be able to know the soul of a tile like a human hand, there does need to be a harmonisation of technology and craft. That's why we strive for efficiency, yet hand finish each tile. It’s why we spend countless hours developing our glazes rather than buying in our colours. Our devotion to our craft is what makes us unique – and it’s why customers from all over the world seek us out. Another thing that makes us special is our team of makers and experts. We are small in number, but endeavour to serve each of our customers personally.
From a young age, Jamie was tutored in the craft of tile making. Keen to follow in his father’s footsteps, he worked in the factory during the school holidays from the age of ten. Some of Jamie's earliest memories are of the smell of raw glaze, and of the tiles as they enter the kiln. There was an old boy who worked at the factory, John, who always wore a beanie hat. Each time Jamie turned up from one summer to the next, John would take him to one of the roof stanchions and stand him against it to measure his height. That very same stanchion is still there, all these years later, though John is sadly no longer around, and Jamie is no longer as short as he used to be.
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Within these pages you will find an edited portfolio of our collections. If you don't see what you are looking for, please visit our website or get in touch. We believe that the closer we are to you, our customers, the better we are able to understand your needs, and the better service we can provide.
Jo and Jamie Robb
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Section heading
Our Ethos AT M A R L B O R O U G H , W E T R A N S FO R M H U M B L E O B J E C T S I N TO W O R K S O F A R T. Think of wall and floor tiles and you’re likely to imagine functional rectangles in busy areas like bathrooms, kitchens and halls. But for us, a tile is where science meets art. Each one represents the sum total of experimentation, learning, technique and passion passed down for generations. We were founded over eighty-seven years ago. Our customers included Harrods and Liberty, and our tiles were collected by Queen Mary. To this day, some of our early designs are held in the collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Today, as a company of makers, artists, technicians and designers, we are leaders in contemporary tiles – pioneering new colours, new shapes, new techniques and new concepts. Put simply, we make what others can’t.
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Our master glaze maker, Steve Horsell, testing the viscosity of the glaze.
Our craft I F YO U W E R E TO A S K U S W H Y YO U S H O U L D C H O O S E A MARLBOROUGH TILE O V E R A N Y OT H E R , W E ’ D S AY, B E C A U S E W E M A KE T H E M .
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or over eighty-seven years we’ve been perfecting our processes and fine tuning our knowledge. Today, as Britain's leading artisan tile producer, we’re still driven by a passion for pushing the boundaries of our craft. We pay attention to every detail of the tile to ensure the highest quality. THE BISCUIT Only the finest clay is used to make the body of our tiles known as the “biscuit”. The tile is made either by hand moulding the clay, by extruding the clay, or by dust pressing. We take great care in designing and creating our moulds with different surfaces to ensure that every tile has a unique character.
HAND PAINTING Since our doors opened in 1936, we have flown the flag for the Majolica technique of hand painting. Also known as in-glaze painting, this technique requires our artists to train for months in order to perfect the method of freehand painting directly onto unfired glaze. This makes an enormous difference to the end product because the base glaze and the artist’s work are fired at the same time. The technique not only better integrates overlapping colours, but also adds to the fluidity and intensity of the artist’s brush strokes.
THE GL A ZE On to the biscuit we apply opaque and transparent glazes in an array of carefully researched colours. Each of our colours is individually mixed, selecting from over fifty raw pigments and stains that are expertly combined to create the exact nuance of shade that we are looking for. We use the waterfall method of glazing in which a stream of glaze falls onto the tile as it passes by below on a conveyor belt. We are unique in that we use up to four different layers of glaze with different viscosities and densities to ensure superior depth of colour.
Of course, we could do as others do and use transfers to “paint” onto already fired tiles – but while this may save a few pennies, it will never result in the artisanal product that we are passionate about producing. Painting onto already fired tiles also means that the base colour will be darker because it will be fired twice. And of course, this means the base colour won’t be a precise match for any plain tiles that accompany the painted tiles in a panel. A definite no-no in our book!
Pictured from left to right: Our tiles pass below a series of glazing waterfalls to ensure a beautiful depth of colour. Steady hands: our hand painter Kirsty painting directly onto raw glaze.
A tile on our production line can pass under up to four layers of glaze. Our SoEmerald Scallops leave the kiln after being heated up to 1008 ̊C.
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FIRING The firing process is where the science really kicks in. The body of the tile and the glaze are heated intensely to strengthen and create the desired porosity. After being heated to 1008°C through our roller kiln, the tile and the glaze then need to cool at the same speed to ensure
that the glaze adheres to the biscuit. The detail is all in the recipe – get one thing wrong and the glaze will pull away from the side or crack. We can control this process to create different glazing effects such as a crackle glaze, which gives an antique look to the tile.
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We are colour scientists W E P R O D U C E CO LO U R S YO U S I M P LY W O N ’ T F I N D ANY WHERE ELSE.
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OUR COLOURS As colour scientists and colour devotees, we spend endless hours in the lab playing with colour. It’s one of our core strengths and something we’re very proud of. Our colours are renowned for their depth and complexity – which is why interior designers and homeware companies choose us to make their products for them. In fact our ability to create colour and glaze from scratch is truly what sets us apart.
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Pictured left: We use over fifty different pigments and stains to make our unique colours.
Playing with colour A S PA R T O F H E R R O L E D E V E LO P I N G O U R N E W P R O D U C T S , A N I TA R I V E R S C A N U S UA L LY B E FO U N D I N H E R L A B I M M E R S E D I N A W O R L D O F CO LO U R . S H E E X P L A I N S T H E S C I E N C E A N D T H E S E C R E T S B E H I N D H O W W E AC H I E V E O U R E X T R AO R D I N A RY CO LO U R E D G L A Z E S .
ver since I started working in ceramics, I have been fascinated by colour. The truth is that I’m a little bit obsessed! Wherever I am, I observe colour at work – especially in the natural world. What’s extraordinary is that in nature, you never see a colour that is out of place. Everything works together and that’s something I draw on in my work.
When creating colour I follow the same philosophy. Within a collection, the colours should have a sense of harmony. Even across the entire Marlborough Tiles collection, there is a single underlying palette. All our colours have a kinship. Not every combination of two colours will go together, but with a third or fourth to link them they will.
For example, when I’m out on a walk I’m very aware of subtle variations. One side of a leaf is not the same colour as the other, but they work together. When I was on holiday in Andorra, I kept noticing how the colours of the mountains worked perfectly together. The subtlety was astonishing.
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Marlborough’s process for making colours is truly special. Many manufacturers simply use a single premixed stain to make a colour. The problem with that is that the end result is the same colour as everyone else’s, and you see it everywhere. It’s not a unique colour, it’s just something bought off the shelf.
All of our colours are the result of carefully crafted experimentation. To produce a colour, I first decide what proportions of stain I want to test. Then I weigh out each of the powders very precisely, mix them with a tiny quantity of water, pour the resulting solution through a sieve into the base glaze, paint it onto a test tile, and fire it. Then we see what we’ve got. Sometimes it’s right first time but more often it’s not, so we try again with a slightly different mix. It’s trial and error, but based on experience and an intuitive feel for how colours work.
At Marlborough, we make our colours using a blend of stains. We have a stock bank of over fifty different pigments and oxides that we play with in order to create the precise nuance of shade we are seeking.
Our precise colour recipes are a closely guarded secret, but let’s say I’m aiming for a dark blue. I’d start with black, mix in bright cobalt blue but then add a little yellow. This gives the blue a little green and removes any hint of red lurking in the blue. When it comes to green, we use black and yellow – and no blue at all. If you use blue, the resulting colour doesn’t look natural, and has too much pink.
The resulting colours have a depth, a vibrancy and a visual interest. It is my passion to craft all of our colours to delight the eye in this way. Creating colour is a science, but it’s also a true art.
We also use oxides to enhance and enrich the colour. Copper oxide, for example, gives a separation to the colours, which achieves a greater reflection and a greater movement of colour across the glaze. As it fires, the copper oxide releases yellow.
Pictured from left to right: Pictured from left to right:
Conceptualising colour starts in the lab.
Measuring out the pigment.
We use over fifty different pigments.
Pouring the glaze.
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Seasons Our Seasons collection is inspired by the tranquillity of the countryside. Each colour has been carefully created with layers of transparent and opaque glaze to emphasise the undulating surface of the tile body.
Autumn Fall
Shepherd's Delight
Evening Glow
Heather Bank
Summer Breeze
Jack Frost
Chalk Stream
Birchwoods
Blustery Day
Ploughed Furrow
Spring Light
FEATURED IN HOUSE & GARDENS Pictured left: Seasons Medium Brick in Heather Bank finished with jasmine grout. From £1.71 per tile. M E D I U M B R I C K 7. 5 x 15 c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Seasons
Babbling Brook
Dawn Chorus
Ice Melt
Day Break
Northern Lights
Morning Mist
Forest Glade
Meadow Grasses
Midsummer's Day
Green Shoots
April Showers
Pictured right: Seasons Medium Brick in April Showers in a herringbone layout, complemented by white grout. From £1.71 per tile. M E D I U M B R I C K 7. 5 x 15 c m 20
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Soho To achieve the stunning depth of colour in this collection, we draw upon traditional techniques first used by the Victorians, such as adding cobalt and copper oxides to the glaze.
SoSpruce
SoAspen Leaf
SoAdmiral
SoLinen
SoSapphire
SoTeal
SoAventurine
SoTuscan Green
SoEmerald
Pictured left: Soho Scallops in SoAspen Leaf, with silver grey grout. From £3.05 per tile. S C A L LO P 15 . 5 x 17c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Soho
SoSpruce
SoAdmiral
SoAspen Leaf
SoTeal
SoSapphire
SoAventurine
SoEmerald
SoTuscan Green
SoLinen
Pictured right: Soho Medium Bricks in SoEmerald, finished with white grout. From £2.36 per tile. M E D I U M B R I C K 7. 5 x 15 c m 24
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Marlborough Matts Our considered take on the cement tile look. Absolutely matt, pared back and perfectly balanced. Available in ten soft tones, developed to harmonise with Britain's best loved paint colours.
Coldharbour Green
Copse Green
Diminished Blue
Milk Yard White
Parchment White
Plasterer's Pink
Sherwood Green
Sky White
Stone Wall Grey
Slate Blue
FEATURED IN THE TELEGR APH Pictured left: Marlborough Matts Skinny Metro bricks in Coldharbour Green, with silver grey grout. From £3.04 per tile. S KI N N Y M E T R O 6 x 21 c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Marlborough Matts
Coldharbour Green
Copse Green
Diminished Blue
Milk Yard White
Parchment White
Plasterer's Pink
Sherwood Green
Sky White
Stone Wall Grey
Slate Blue
Pictured right: Marlborough Matts Medium Bricks in Plasterer's Pink, with white grout. From £2.73 per tile. M E D I U M B R I C K 7. 5 x 15 c m 28
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Crackle glaze
Tiles that sing D I S CO V E R T H E S E C R E T S B E H I N D C R AC KL E G L A Z E D T I L E S (A N D W H AT T H E CO E F F I C I E N T O F T H E R M A L E X PA N S I O N H A S TO D O W I T H I T ).
ur customers sometimes call to tell us that their new tiles are making little noises, even a week after they were put up on the wall. We tell them it’s just the tile singing, and explain what’s happening: the beautiful crackle glaze they chose is still crazing.
To produce a crackle glaze, one needs to get a little scientific. It's all about the coefficient of thermal expansion – the measure of how a body expands and contracts as it is heated and cooled. Normally a glaze should fit perfectly with the tile: both should expand and contract at the same rate.
The glaze is essentially a piece of glass on top of the tile body known as the ‘biscuit’. This glaze has been carefully crafted to shatter in a controlled way as it cools. As it does so it crazes, and a network of fine cracks appears. These subtle lines are fascinating to the eye and have a remarkable delicacy. So much so that it’s hard to believe the effect is the product of a violent, semi-random physical process.
With a crackle glaze, however, we deliberately create an imperfect glaze fit. The aim is for the glaze to contract more slowly than the tile body after it has been fired. But the glaze is bonded to the surface of the tile body and can’t move, so as one surface contracts at a different rate from the other, the glaze comes under massive pressure.
Pictured left: A close-up of a tile from our Soho collection in SoSapphire, showing the fine lines of the crackle glaze. 30
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Crackle Glaze
It takes a lot of work to create glazes that contract only very slightly more slowly than the body of the tile. The differential has to be precisely right, and we have to be careful. If it’s done improperly the glaze can simply fall off, which can be dangerous.
The process can continue for a remarkably long time. Even a week after the tile has come out of the kiln, after it has been sealed and tiled onto the wall of someone’s kitchen, it can be cracking – almost imperceptibly. Those fine lines really are cracks, and will let in dirt. We take advantage of this to achieve our aged crackle look, using a stain that sinks into the glaze. Ultimately, a crackle glaze tile needs to be sealed to prevent discolouration.
But when it’s done well, the crackle glaze is a thing of remarkable beauty. Its patterns seem especially appealing because they are not planned or consciously positioned. They are the result of the laws of physics, and chemistry and lots of tiny, random variations. The crackle glaze is in fact a thoroughly natural effect – just a very carefully controlled one.
Achieving a beautiful crackle glaze is not easy. It’s the result of a long process of research and development, and a particularly challenging one when the firing process is rapid, as ours is – 70 minutes from start to finish. When the cooling begins the temperature can drop from to 1008° to 700°C in just five minutes, creating a massive thermal shock to the tile.
Pictured right: If you were standing at the end of the kiln you would hear the tiles singing to you as they craze. 32
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Contemporary Classics Our signature collection. Ten nuanced, neutral toned tiles with a subtle crackle glaze. Timeless and elegant, the collection is the perfect accompaniment to contemporary colour schemes.
Stone House White
Antique White
Chalk White
Dithered Sky Blue
Portland Stone Green
Moth Grey
China Blue
Aged Linen Green
Field Mouse Brown
Hazelwood Taupe
Pictured left: Contemporary Classics Square in Field Mouse Brown with white grout. From £2.54 per tile. S Q UA R E 13 x 13 c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Contemporary Classics
Chalk White
Stone House White
Antique White
Hazelwood Taupe
Portland Stone Green
Aged Linen Green
Moth Grey
Field Mouse Brown
Dithered Sky Blue
China Blue
Pictured right: Contemporary Classics bricks in Moth Grey, with white grout. £1.47 per tile. S M A L L B R I C K 6 . 3 x 13 c m 36
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Savernake A exquisite collection of blue-grey tiles with gorgeous depth of colour, achieved through multiple layers of glaze. Each handmade tile has a gently undulating surface with subtle crackle glaze and rustic edges.
College Fields
Silverless Street
Angel Yard
Blenheim Road
Manton Hollow
Figgins Lane
FEATURED IN THE ENGLISH HOME Pictured left: Savernake Square in Manton Hollow with silver grey grout. From £2.94 per tile. S Q UA R E 13 x 13 c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Savernake
College Fields
Silverless Street
Angel Yard
Blenheim Road
Manton Hollow
Figgins Lane
Pictured left: Savernake Small Brick in College Fields with medium grey grout. From £1.76 per tile. S M A L L B R I C K 6 . 3 x 13 c m 40
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Aged Crackle To create this beautiful aged crackle, we allow the glaze to shatter organically as it cools. We then stain each tile by hand, to enhance the network of delicate cracks. This collection is available on our rustic biscuit or our classic handmade tile body.
Rustic Square 11 x 11cm
Handmade Square 13 x 13cm
Handmade Small Brick 6.3 x 13cm
Handmade Medium Brick 7.5 x 15cm
Pictured left: Aged Crackle Handmade Medium Brick with medium grey grout. From £1.90 per tile. To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Cool Companions Achieve a contemporary look with architectural long bricks. This collection is inspired by the colours of coastal waters and finished with a gloss crackle glaze. A favourite of interior designers.
Gently Does It
Give & Take
Go With the Flow
Nice & Easy
Plain & Simple
Pictured right: Cool Companions Long Bricks in Nice & Easy with medium grey grout, in a kitchen designed by Neptune. From £6.42 per tile. LO N G B R I C K 11 x 3 3 . 5 c m 44
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Perfectly imperfect INTRODUCING OUR RUSTIC B I S C U I T, C R A F T E D BY H A N D TO I N F U S E YO U R S PAC E W I T H C H A R M A N D C H A R AC T E R .
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After initial firing, we pour glazes directly onto the rugged surface of the tiles in multiple layers, allowing the glaze to pool across their contours, before firing a second time, and allowing the glaze to crackle. As a result, each tile is slightly different, telling the story of how it was made.
s you leaf through the pages of this brochure, it's likely that you are far more aware of the colour of a tile's glaze, and its 'just so' shape, than you are of the body, or biscuit of the tile. But the truth is, the body of a tile has an enormous effect on the overall impression that a wall of tiles makes.
Tiles that feature our rustic biscuit have an irregular beauty, with characterful edges and the occasional crumpled corner. The light shimmers across their uneven surface, reflecting around a space. They have an heirloom quality, and would have been as at home in a country house a hundred ago as they are today. We dare say that will be true for many decades to come.
You will find a variety of different tile bodies within our collections – from the paper smooth Marlborough Matts collection, to the softly undulating Savernake collection, to our rugged, hand-pressed rustic biscuit. This biscuit is a feature of numerous favourite collections. To create it, raw clay is pressed by hand into specially designed frames, creating a thick, organic tile body with variable depth and rough edges.
You will find our rustic biscuit across our Isles, Kennet, Aged Crackle, Ullswater, Halcyon, and Kensington collections, as well as our hand painted Delft, Wilding and Ana collections.
Pictured left: A close-up of a tile from our Halcyon collection in Wild Rose, showing the character and texture of our rustic biscuit. 47
Isles This collection features extraordinary tonal variation on our handmade, rustic biscuit. The organic finish is rich with the textural irregularities that are a feature of stoneware, such as flecking and speckling.
Islay
Skye
Uist
Raasay
Argyll
Harris
Iona
FEATURED IN HOMES & GARDENS The thumbnails above show the tonal variation within each colourway. Pictured right: Isles Skinny Metro tiles in Islay, with silver grey grout. From £133.56 per 0.5 m2. S KI N N Y M E T R O 6 x 21 c m 48
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Isles
Islay
Skye
Uist
Raasay
Argyll
Harris
Iona
The thumbnails above show the tonal variation within each colourway. Pictured left: Isles Square tiles in Uist with white grout. From £130.20 per 0.5 m2. S Q UA R E 11 x 11 c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Kennet This collection of handmade skinny metro tiles features our rustic biscuit, with a subtle crackle glaze and rough edges. It is available in a restorative, grounding palette, inspired by the ancient landscapes that surround our factory.
Barbury Castle
Beckhampton
Long Stone
Pewsey Vale
Silbury Hill
White Horse
Winterbourne
Pictured right: Kennet Skinny Metro tiles in White Horse, finished with white grout. From £3.34 per tile. S KI N N Y M E T R O 6 x 21 c m 52
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Pictured left: Ullswater tiles in Wool, with hand-piped Ettie pattern, in a kitchen by Neptune. Photograph courtesy of Jake Curtis and Neptune.
Character building W H E N I T CO M E S TO C R E AT I N G A U N I Q U E A N D CHARMING INTERIOR, WE BELIEVE IT’S ALL I N T H E D E TA I L .
here is something infinitely charming about the perfectly imperfect quality of a handmade item, be it a piece of heirloom furniture, a hand woven fabric, or an original piece of art. Layering hand crafted textures and decorative details within the home adds interest and depth to a space, bringing it to life. In this beautiful, soft and airy kitchen designed by Neptune, the design team has chosen to layer crisp flax blue cabinetry with black-bronze hardware and warming, natural wood elements, selecting hand decorated Ettie tiles in Wool from our Ullswater collection behind the range cooker to create a soft, vintage feel.
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THE PROCESS Each tile from these collections is made with a great deal of care, time and attention, and our methods of production mean that no two tiles are exactly the same. Each one brims with character.
At Marlborough, we pride ourselves on our ability to make what others can't. So when our team of artists brought the idea of decorative tiles in hand-piped relief designs to the table, we were excited to say the least. After a great deal of experimentation and design development, their ideas were honed down to three patterns, which are now available to purchase (alongside plain tiles) within our Halcyon, Kensington and Ullswater collections.
We begin by sourcing the highest quality coarse clay from our trusted partners in Spain. The freshly dug clay is pressed by hand into a frame, creating a thick, characterful tile body (also known as the biscuit) with rough edges and an organic finish. The tiles are then left to dry in the Spanish sunshine before making their way to our factory in Marlborough to be decorated by hand.
These tiles embody our principles of both honouring tradition and embracing innovation – with an emphasis on craftsmanship.
Our artist Kirsty created the designs. She explains, “I took inspiration from our archives of historic fabrics and wallpapers, playing with different elements and developing them into unique patterns.”
Pictured: The coarse clay is kneaded before being pressed by hand into a frame.
As you will see on the following page, Ettie is a wonderfully intricate vintageinspired pattern; Margot, a pretty petal motif; and Clara, a fluid wave design.
Our glazes are mixed using age-old methods from our bank of raw pigments, expertly combined so as to create the precise nuance of shade we are seeking. Depending on the colour we wish to achieve, up to three layers of glaze are poured directly onto the body of the tiles, pooling across the contours of the patterns and creating stunning visual depth.
To create the patterns, each stroke is piped by hand onto the raw unglazed biscuit of the tile in thickened engobe, also known as 'slip'. The process is a sight to behold. While Kirsty is far too modest to say so herself, we can tell you that achieving the smooth, even, lines on these tiles takes real artistic skill and a deft hand. Each piece is truly a work of art.
We love to see these tiles used enmasse, for example in a panel above a range cooker, as shown in the kitchen image on the previous page. They also look simply beautiful dotted amongst a larger area of plain tiles in the same glaze colour. However you choose to use them, these exquisite hand-piped tiles will add unique vintage character, charm and visual interest to your home that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Pictured left to right: Kirsty pipes the delicate Ettie pattern by hand. A finished tile: Ettie in Wool, from the Ullswater collection.
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Relief designs Each of the colours across our Halcyon, Kensington and Ullswater collections is available as a plain tile and in your choice of three timeless relief designs, created by our artists using traditional techniques.
Ettie
Clara
Margot
Visit our website to see each pattern in more than 30 colourways. Pictured right: Ullswater Square in Pebble with hand piped Clara pattern, complemented by silver grey grout. From £23.10 per tile. S Q UA R E 11 x 11 c m 58
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Ullswater Twelve harmonious heritage colours on our handmade rustic biscuit, in a palette inspired by the scenic landscapes and misty romanticism of the Lake District.
Wool
Valley
Cottage
Cedar
Gable
Packhorse
Amble
Willow
Woodland
Silver Bay
Pebble
Beatrix
Visit our website to see these colourways in three decorative relief designs. Pictured left: Ullswater Square in Packhorse with limestone grout. From £3.26 per tile. S Q UA R E 11 x 11 c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Halcyon Delightful heritage colours, inspired by memories of childhood summers spent on breeze-blown English seashores. This collection features our handmade rustic biscuit.
Blush
Wild Rose
Carmine
Sand
Saffron
Ochre
Dapple
Parasol
Gingham
Grace
Seashore
Visit our website to see these colourways in three decorative relief designs. Pictured right: Halcyon Square in Saffron with jasmine grout. From £3.26 per tile. S Q UA R E 11 x 11 c m 62
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Kensington Nine jewel-toned colours on our handmade rustic biscuit. The rich colours across this collection are created using traditional Victorian techniques, such as adding cobalt and copper oxides to the glazes.
Peacock
Cerulean
Dusk
Seafoam
Marine
Jade
Viridian
Juniper
Victorian Green
Visit our website to see these colourways in three decorative relief designs. Pictured left: Kensington Square in Dusk, finished with silver grey grout. From £3.26 per tile. S Q UA R E 11 x 11 c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Nic and Sophie's unique architectural home enjoys views across Surrey's Bourne Valley.
Artful living H O W A LO V E O F A R T, CO LO U R A N D B R I T I S H DESIGN HELPED SHAPE NIC AND SOPHIE'S NEW HOME .
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n 2016 Nic and Sophie MogfordRevess purchased a run-down 1950s asbestos-clad bungalow in Surrey. The couple fell in love with the property's elevated position, extensive gardens, and far-reaching views over the Bourne Valley. After exploring their options, the design-minded pair took the decision to knock down the original structure. In its place, they built the stunning, unique architectural home you see here, recently featured in Grand Designs. We sat down with the couple to talk about their choice to place British artisans and makers at the heart of their project, about how art informed their colour scheme, and about the small matter of knocking down your home down just days before the announcement of a global pandemic…
TELL US, WHERE DID YOU BEGIN IN DESIGNING THE INTERIORS?
On the other hand, using artisanal handmade products results in a unique and bespoke feel which you really can't replicate. In our experience, you will also receive a much more personal service from an independent business. For all of these reasons, Marlborough Tiles was a perfect choice. We fell in love with the handmade qualities of the tiles and the extraordinary range of colours available.
Nic loves to cook, so the kitchen was his domain. And Sophie loves her baths, so finding the right tub was vital. In the kitchen, Nic was determined to design a really attractive space but also one that was highly functional. A great deal of time was spent working out how we could create a sense of flow in this area.
AND HOW DID YOU CREATE YOUR COLOUR PALET TE?
THE SPACE REALLY DOES FEEL ONE OF A KIND. HOW DID YOU ACHIEVE THAT?
Having lived with avocado, brown and pink for three years, we were ready to move on! We both love big pops of colour and looked to the art we wanted to hang in the house for inspiration.
We knew from the outset that we wanted to work as much as possible with independent British makers. If you use generic, mass produced products, you will get a generic result.
We chose our kitchen cabinets based on the colours in the beautiful Margie O'Brien painting of figs that we now have hanging by the oven. We held up a sample from the Latitude collection in Wight. It was a Cinderella moment! They looked perfect.
Pictured from left to right: For the kitchen, Nic and Sophie selected Latitude long bricks in Wight. The shower room features tiles from our Kensington collection, in Dusk.
For the master bathroom, the couple chose tiles in Victorian Green, also from our Kensington collection.
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HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR BATHROOM TILES? You can never quite get a feel for colours and textures when viewing them online, as we had to during the pandemic. When lockdown eased, we arranged a time for us to visit the showroom, and Jamie even gave us a tour of the factory. It was incredible to see the attention to detail that goes into every aspect of making the tiles – from mixing the beautiful glazes, to finishing the tiles by hand as they come off the kiln. We knew right away that we wanted tiles from the Kensington collection for the bathrooms because we loved their jewel-like tones and handmade texture. But settling on the right colours was a different matter. We must have been there for hours! On Jamie’s advice, we took a selection of samples home to look at in the space. Seeing the way the light in each room worked with the colours really helped. We chose Victorian Green for the bathroom, and a dark blue – Dusk – for the shower room.
In both spaces, we chose the furniture and other items based on the colour of the tiles. WHAT WERE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES OF THE PROJECT? Accessing the site itself was not easy. There are 39 steps leading up to the property, which provides really amazing views, but meant that each item had to be carried up by hand. It was a labour of love. We did a lot of the work ourselves to reduce costs and remember cursing the weight of the tiles as we made yet another journey up the stairs! ANY TIPS FOR CUSTOMERS STARTING SIMIL AR PROJECTS? Don’t rush! We lived in the original house for three years thanks to various delays. But this gave us a real insight into what worked – like the front to back aspect which allows so much light in, and which really makes the most of the plot. Our only other tip is… try to avoid knocking your house down one week before a global pandemic is declared!
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Majolica W E PA I N T D I R E C T LY O N TO R AW G L A Z E , USING TR ADITIONAL TECHNIQUES PERFECTED OVER CENTURIES.
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Follies Decorative crackle glaze tiles, hand painted with pretty, vintage patterns inspired by the chic yet cosy feel of curbside Parisian cafés.
Follies 1
Follies 2
Follies 3
Follies 4
Follies 5
FEATURED IN SHEERLUXE Visit our website to see these pattern tiles in other colourways. Pictured right: Follies 4 pattern tiles, in a kitchen designed by Neptune. From £23.10 per tile. Photograph courtesy of Chris Everard and Neptune. S Q UA R E 13 x 13 c m 72
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Pictured left: Hand painted Ana tiles in Amber add detail and charm to the window ledge in the bathroom at Emma Sims Hilditch's Wiltshire home.
A story of shared passions O U R D E S I G N CO L L A B O R AT I O N WITH LEADING INTERIOR DESIGN S T U D I O, S I M S H I L D I TC H .
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t all began on a sailing boat where Jamie Robb, Managing Director of Marlborough Tiles, crossed paths with the brother of renowned interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch. Emma is the founder of Sims Hilditch, one of the most influential and trusted interior design studios in the industry today. The studio is known for Emma's elegant and contemporary take on the traditional English countryside aesthetic. As artisans first and foremost, we delight in the opportunity to partner with other creative businesses that share our values for timeless design, British craftsmanship and attention to detail. So we were very pleased when, upon visiting the Marlborough Tiles factory, Emma found herself fascinated and inspired by the skill and artistry that goes into creating our collections.
From this shared appreciation for craftsmanship, a creative partnership was born. Since then, we have been very pleased to collaborate with Sims Hilditch on two exquisite hand painted collections – the latest of which came about by way of a sailing trip that Emma and Jamie took with their families around the Amalfi Coast.
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“That trip was truly inspiring,” says Jamie. “Everywhere you look in that part of Italy, you see decorative tiles in bold patterns and beautiful, vibrant colours. They cover every wall, every doorstep and floor, and they look absolutely stunning in the warmth of the Mediterranean light.”
Emma worked with the team to develop a colour palette that would harmonise with the cooler northern light we have here in England. Each of the glaze colours was thoughtfully created and precisely mixed from our extensive bank of pigments and stains, to achieve the perfect tone.
Back at home in Wiltshire, Emma and Jamie worked closely with our talented team of artists. Drawing inspiration from the abundance of eighteenth and nineteenth century patterns they had seen in Italy, they set out to create a hand-painted design that would suit the contemporary English aesthetic, while maintaining the characteristics that make Mediterranean ceramics so distinctive.
The resulting tiles feature an elegant pattern with pleasing symmetry, a central diamond motif and intricate floral corners, in a palette of five soft colours to suit to the English home.
Our previous and first partnership with Emma Sims-Hilditch was the Emma collection. With its pretty botanical tendrils, this pattern draws inspiration from delicate vintage floral wallpapers.
“Great design is about creating an interior that is built to endure for generations,” says Emma. “We are delighted to have collaborated with the artisans at Marlborough Tiles on these timeless collections.”
As with all of our hand painted collections, our team of artists brush each and every stroke of the pattern by hand onto the raw glaze of each tile, at our studio in Marlborough. The tiles are then fired and finished with our signature crackle glaze.
Pictured from left to right: Ana tiles in Thyme, in a chequerboard pattern. Pictured above:
Emma square tiles in Sage Green.
Each brushstroke is painted by hand onto the raw glaze.
Emma Sims-Hilditch at her Wiltshire home.
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Ana A timeless handpainted pattern in the Mediterranean style on our rustic, artisan tile body. Available in five soft colours that are beautifully suited to the English home.
Powder Blue
Thyme
Burnt Orange
Amber
Charcoal
Plain
FEATURED IN ARCHITECTUR AL DIGEST Pictured left: Ana Powder Blue tiles with plain tiles, finished with white grout. Hand painted tiles from £38.11 per tile, plain tiles from £3.26 per tile. S Q UA R E S 11 x 11 c m To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Emma A collaboration with interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch, this handpainted collection draws inspiration from delicate floral wallpaper patterns. Finished with a crackle glaze, and aged by hand for a vintage look.
Flax Blue Pattern Square 13 x 13cm
Sage Green Pattern Square 13 x 13cm
Flax Blue Pattern Brick 6.3 x 13cm
Sage Green Pattern Brick 6.3 x 13cm
Flax Blue Pattern Taco 6.3 x 6.3cm
Sage Green Pattern Taco 6.3 x 6.3cm
FEATURED IN COUNTRY & TOWNHOUSE Coordinating plain tiles and border pieces available on our website. Pictured right: Emma in Flax Blue with white grout. From £34.65 per 13 x 13cm square tile and £17.33 per taco. PAT T E R N T I L E S 80
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Delft: an introduction T H E I CO N I C B L U E A N D W H I T E P OT T E RY, W I T H I T S E V O C AT I V E M OT I F S , H A S B E E N P O P U L A R FO R 4 0 0 Y E A R S A N D CO U N T I N G .
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We at Marlborough have been painting tiles in the traditional Dutch style since we were founded in the 1930s, and are proud to be a part of Delft's heritage. Some of our earliest designs remain popular to this day.
ith its distinctive blue and white palette, flowing brushstrokes and images of flowers, windmills, boats and figures, there is no doubt that Delft has come to be one of the most recognisable, iconic styles of pottery in the world.
Each of our Delft tiles is hand painted by our artists, stroke by stroke, directly onto raw glaze, as it always was. Within our collections you will find a variety of images and decorative corners to choose from, in different tile sizes and finishes. You can also choose between two classic Delft blues, each named after the female artists who founded our business. Rosalind is a traditional Cobalt blue – still created using the Gradually, as the 17th century wore original pigment sourced back in the on, Delftware became more refined 1930s – while Sylvia is a softer, more and the style more distinctive, depicting contemporary grey-blue. images of the world the potters knew. On the next few pages, you will find Production soared, and so began the just a small selection of the Delft tiles craze for Delft Blue pottery. available in our collections. Please be sure to visit our website to explore our full range.
The truth is that while Delft dates back as far as the 1500s, the Delftware we know and love today emerged as an imitation of traditional Chinese pottery in the 17th century. Chinese pottery, with its classic blue designs on fine white porcelain, was highly sought-after and very expensive. So Dutch potters began producing versions of their own.
Pictured left: Classic Delft with Contemporary Corners on Antique White crackle glaze, 13 x 13cm square tiles. 83
Classic Delft Within this collection you will find more than thirty Delft designs and five decorative corners in your choice of two classic Delft blues. Choose the size, body, finish and glaze for your tile. Each one is hand painted to order.
Hobbyhorses
Hornblower
Bellflower
Fuschia
Fishing Boat
Mill
FEATURED IN COUNTRY & TOWNHOUSE Visit our website to discover the full collection and to explore design options. Pictured right: Classic Delft with figures and Classic Corners in Sylvia blue on 11 x 11cm Neutrals Ivory tiles with white grout. Prices vary by tile design. DELFT TILES 84
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Classic Delft Corners Within our Classic Delft collection you will find five different decorative hand painted Delft corners, each available on your choice of tile body, size and colour. Used en masse, they create pretty, delicate patterns for a vintage look.
Ornamental Corners
Floral Corners
Contemporary Corners
Clover Corners
Classic Corners
Visit our website to discover the full collection and to explore further design options. Pictured left: Classic Delft Clover Corners in Sylvia blue on Antique White crackle glaze 13 x 13cm tiles with white grout. From £4.04 per tile. D E L F T CO R N E R T I L E S To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Wilding Nine untamed and playful creatures from British wildlife, individually painted by hand in the traditional Delft blue on our rustic, artisan biscuit.
Pine Marten
Bustard
Owl
Hare
Ibex
Boar
Egret
Fox
Wolf
FEATURED IN ELLE DECOR ATION Visit our website for plain tiles and other design options including border pieces. Pictured right: A selection of hand painted tiles from our Wilding collection, finished with white grout. Prices vary by tile design. S Q UA R E 11 X 11 c m 88
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
Pictured left: Our Farmland Birds Cockerels Panel shown here in a kitchen by Neptune.
The range cooker panel: a creative guide A PA N E L O F T I L E S I S A N O P P O R T U N I T Y TO C R E AT E A U N I Q U E FO C A L P O I N T AT T H E HEART OF THE HOME .
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So how do you go about creating a range cooker panel? First, choose between plain and hand painted tiles. Both have their attractions. A panel shining with rich colour can add a dramatic extra dimension to a kitchen, while a large format white tile above your range cooker will always look clean and fresh.
f there’s a range cooker in a kitchen, you can be sure that’s where people will gather. It’s not just warming to the body, but heartwarming too. So in our opinion, there’s no better place to add an arrangement of tiles, to give the eye something beautiful to rest on. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, a panel of tiles serves a very practical purpose. It will protect the wall above the cooker from greasy marks and splashes, offering a surface that's easy to clean and won't mark. But more than that – it's an opportunity to be creative.
But for a range cooker panel with unique character, we simply love hand painted tiles. After all, they are literal works of art, each stroke painted by hand and individually signed by the artist on the reverse. The choice of images within our collections is wide – from delicate botanicals, to words, to farmland animals. Or for something completely bespoke to your home, our talented team of artists can hand paint words or images of your choosing.
Think of this in the same way that you might approach choosing a piece of art for your home. But rather than hanging a painting, you're creating a permanent decorative installation.
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Pictured: The range in kitchen of the Sims Hilditch design studio features a panel of Ana tiles in Powder Blue, framed by plain tiles from the same collection.
Within our collections, you will also find a variety of exquisite patterns, from our vintage-inspired Follies collections, to the Mediterranean-inspired Ana collection, shown here in the kitchen at Sims Hilditch design studio. For a maximalist look, you could choose to run your pattern across the full width and height of the panel. Or, to add a sense of space and a final flourish, you might choose to frame an arrangement of patterned tiles within a border. Our framing tiles come in various shapes and sizes – some plain, others painted. You might, for example, consider adding small decorative tacos at the corners of your frames, or running a fine line in relief around the panel. When it comes to colour, designs in a single colour such as Charcoal or Delft blue will add a distinctive note to a room. Visit our website for yet more inspiration, and know that our design team is always on hand should you wish for some advice, or a second opinion. However you decide to approach it, a range panel will always add magic, bringing a unique focus to the heart of your home. 93
Farmland Birds Our artists have captured the spirit of familiar farmland birds in timeless charcoal. Choose from individual tiles or two-tile and six-tile panels.
Cockerel Panel A
Cockerel Panel B
Pheasant A
Pheasant B
Pictured: Cockerel Panel A on our Contemporary Classics Antique White square tiles, with white grout. From £288.75 per 6 tile panel, and £69.30 per two tile panel. H A N D PA I N T E D PA N E L S To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Botanical Etchings A collection of twelve timeless charcoal etchings finished in a gloss crackle glaze. Each tile is hand painted to order and signed by the artist.
Chrysanthemum
Dracaena
Cactus Grandiflorus
Fuschia
Echeveria
Allium
Artichoke
Teasel
Aloe
Rose
Dahlia
Chlorophytum
Bumblebee
Damselfly
Peacock
Large White
Ladybird
Centipede
Tiger Moth
Fritillary
Poplar Leaf Beetle
Bombardier Beetle
Meadow Brown
Red Admiral
Pictured above: Our smaller 6.3 x 6.3cm tacos Pictured top: Botanical Etchings panel framed by a willow border. From £34.65 per 13 x 13cm square tile. £23.09 per taco.
B OTA N I C A L E TC H I N G S 13 x 13 c m
B U T T E R FLY & I N S EC T TACO S 6 . 3 x 6 . 3 c m
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Why choose porcelain? JAMIE ROBB MD OF MARLBOROUGH T I L E S E X P L A I N S W H AT M A KE S O U R PORCEL AIN TILES SPECIAL .
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here is a great deal to consider when it comes to choosing flooring, and if like most you don’t live and breathe the subject, it’s sometimes not until the floor is laid that you know whether you’ve made a good decision. Perhaps you’re pondering whether stone, timber or porcelain is the right choice for your floor. While it is true that timber and stone have their own unique characteristics, our MD Jamie Robb is a huge advocate for porcelain. We sat down with him to find out why. WHY WOULD ONE CHOOSE PORCEL AIN TILES OVER STONE OR WOOD?
Porcelain is durable, easy to clean, and completely stain resistant. It stays Let’s begin with the practicalities, shall exactly the same as the day it is laid, we? Natural wood and stone are design whereas stone and wood age over time. classics, but for many of us – those with Porcelain floor tiles are also among the pets, children, a penchant for red wine, most beautiful options on the market. Creating a high quality porcelain tile or perhaps all three – they are simply requires artistry, and the finest details not practical. Drop coffee, grease or red wine on stone or timber and you’re make an unmistakable difference. Only those tiles that are indistinguishable in trouble. If you leave the stain more from real stone and timber are chosen than a few seconds, you’ll probably for our collections. have a mark forever. Pictured right: Weathered Oak porcelain planks, in Honey. 98
Uffington flagstones from our Ridgeway collection have a beautiful antique character.
CAN YOU TELL US A LIT TLE ABOUT PORCEL AIN? Certainly. Porcelain is a ceramic just like terracotta, but fired at a vastly higher temperature. It’s made from a very fine white natural clay – a mix of feldspar, kaolin and quartz. These ingredients give porcelain particular properties which make it well suited for printing designs onto: it has almost no porosity, which means the glaze doesn’t sink in or cause the designs to blur; and it is translucent, which adds visual depth. HOW STRONG IS PORCEL AIN? Procelain is very strong – far stronger than stone. Our porcelain tiles are pressed. And when I say pressed, I mean they’re put under enormous pressure by massive industrial presses – around 200 tons per square inch. The resulting material is hugely strong. This is the opposite of most stone used for flooring, like sandstone or limestone, which tend to be porous and soft, so will chip easily.
Porcelain is also a highly versatile material, allowing multiple options for finishing. You can gently distress the edges by hand to give a tumbled effect, so the tile doesn’t look too clean cut and has a weathered, natural feel. Or you can polish the surface so it looks more refined. You can make the surface slightly undulated or pitted, like real stone. Or you can make it riven, like a slate, as if it has laminated over time. Often our customers can’t quite figure out what it is about a tile that they love, but then we point out these details. Even if you don’t consciously notice them, you like the effect they have. It’s all about attention to detail. DOES THE QUALIT Y OF PORCEL AIN TILES VARY? Very much so. With cheaper porcelain, the effects can be really poor. You might see pixelation, or obvious repeats of the pattern. If what you’re looking at is really good quality porcelain, you won’t see any of that.
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Seville square terracotta effect porcelain tiles, from our Andalucia collection, laid in a diamond pattern.
WHERE IN THE HOME WOULD ONE USE PORCEL AIN?
In our curated offering, you will find only the best. We choose our suppliers with care and import only the very finest tiles from the world's leading porcelain specialists in Italy and Spain.
Porcelain is a hardworking yet beautiful option for heavy-traffic areas in the home, from hallway to kitchen. It is the perfect partner for under-floor heating, and with its non-slip properties, is an excellent choice for the bathroom or the floor and walls of a wet room. Because it is frost-proof you can run it both inside and outside the home, as many of our customers do, from the sitting room out through crittall doors to a terrace or swimming pool surround.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE COLLECTION OF FLOOR TILES? No favourites, but our latest collection, Weathered Oak, is quite extraordinary. To create these planks, ancient oak floorboards are restored by hand by expert craftsmen, then photographed and masterfully replicated on porcelain using the very latest 3D technology. The grained and knotted surface of these planks bear the irregularities and scars that are characteristic of hundreds of years of use. They have a realistic soft finish with extraordinary aesthetic depth and colour variation – evidence of oiling and waxing that has taken place over generations.
When it comes to laying your tiles, the direction in which they are placed will have a big impact on the overall feel of your space. If the room is narrow, running planks across its width will give the illusion of a wider space. If the room is short, running them from one end to the other will enhance its length. Either way, you will find that placing one plank across the threshold of your space creates a sense of flow.
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Weathered Oak These realistic rustic aged oak-effect porcelain planks are rich with antique character. They have a beautiful, soft finish with extraordinary aesthetic depth and colour variation.
Almond
Honey
Biscuit
Pictured right: Weathered Oak planks in Biscuit. From £76.81 per square metre. W O O D E FFEC T 20 x 120cm To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Marlborough Oak These planks beautifully mimic natural oak, right down to subtle colour variation, textured graining and knotting. This collection has a planed surface and rectified edges for a clean finish. Suitable for use inside and out.
Large plank 26.5 x 180cm
Medium plank 20 x 120cm
Small plank 15 x 90cm
Pictured right: Marlborough Oak in medium and small planks. From £69.30 per square metre. W O O D E FFEC T 104
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
French Limestone Flags These exquisite flagstones have an extraordinarily realistic three-dimensional texture that is virtually impossible to distinguish from natural stone. Available in the size of your choice, or in a mix of sizes to create a classic flagstone pattern.
Small Square 30 x 30cm
Large Square 45 x 45cm
Small Rectangle 30 x 60.5cm
Large Rectangle 45 x 75cm
Pictured left: French Limestone Flags in various sizes to create a classic flagstone layout. From £72.06 per square metre. Shown here with wall tiles from our Wilding collection, page 88. N AT U R A L S TO N E E FFEC T To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Ridgeway These classic flagstones have a non-rectified, chiseled edge, providing a wonderfully antique character. Available in two colourways and a mix of sizes to create a classic flagstone pattern, or as a large rectangle.
Small Square 20 x 20cm
Large Square 40 x 40cm
Small Rectangle 20 x 40cm
Large Rectangle 40 x 60cm
Visit our website to see these tiles in other colourways. Pictured right: Ridgeway Uffington Large Rectangle. From £46.27 per square metre. A N T I Q U E S TO N E E FFEC T 108
To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
York Flags These classic porcelain flags could have been laid a century ago, so convincing are their tumbled edges. Available in the size of your choice, or in a mix of sizes to create a classic flagstone pattern.
Small Square 30 x 30cm
Large Square 45.3 x 45.3cm
Small Rectangle 30 x 45.3cm
Large Rectangle 45.3 x 75.8cm
Pictured left: York Stone in various sizes to create a natural flagstone layout. From £59.75 per square metre. YO R K S TO N E E FFEC T To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Lacock Evoking the soft hues of Lacock Abbey, this strikingly beautiful and timeless collection of floor tiles features subtle fossil detailing and a natural, undulating surface.
Knave Large Square 80 x 80cm
Cloister Large Square 80 x 80cm
Pictured right: Lacock Cloister Large Square. From £62.30 per square metre. A N T I Q U E S TO N E E FFEC T 112
Andalucia Echoing the colours of terracotta and the long hours of southern sunlight in Seville and Granada, Andalucia tiles have softly variegated tones and require minimal maintenance – indoors or out.
Granada Small Brick 11 x 22.5cm
Seville Small Brick 11 x 22.5cm
Granada Square 22.5 x 22.5cm
Seville Square 22.5 x 22.5cm
Granada Large Brick 22.5 x 45cm
Seville Large Brick 22.5 x 45cm
Granada Hexagon 28.5 x 32.5cm
Seville Hexagon 28.5 x 32.5cm
FEATURED IN COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS Pictured left: Andalucia Seville Small Brick. From £53.24 per square metre. T E R R ACOT TA E FFEC T To view our full collection please visit marlboroughtiles.com
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Pictured right: Harriet's hallway features terracotta-effect porcelain tiles in Granada from our Andalucia collection. Photography by Roger Bool.
A refined renovation H A R R I E T H O WA R T H , A R T D I R E C TO R FO R S O H O H O M E S H A R E S T H E S TO RY O F H E R R E N O VAT I O N .
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ne would be right to expect that as art director for Soho Home, Harriet Howarth’s own home would be both beautiful and inspired. So we were very pleased when Harriet and her husband Oli invited us in to take a closer look at their newly renovated hallway and bathroom. The house, a Victorian terrace in London, had been a family home for more than eighty years before being converted into three individual apartments. This meant that when Harriet and Oli bought their home last summer, the floor plan was less than optimal. “At that point, upon opening our front door, the first thing you saw was the loo,” Harriet recalls. “The flat needed a lot of work, but it had good bones and some beautiful original Victorian features.”
The hallway and bathroom were the couple’s first port of call. They began by removing an unnecessary door in the hallway and raising the height of the ceiling. The next step was to rip out the bathroom, removing a small wall and changing the layout to make the most of the space. “There are many ways to section up a space without putting up walls,” Harriet says. “We opted to divide and connect spaces using colour, and did that through the use of different coloured tiles. For the shower area, we chose Woodland from the Ullswater collection. We chose the lighter shade, Willow, for the rest of the space – including around the bath.”
Pictured above: The couple chose to run the same floor tiles through the hallway and into the bathroom, to create flow and the illusion of space.
“I see a lot of different interiors in my work with Soho Home, so we had a good sense of what we wanted. The greatest challenge of any interiors project is choice. There is so much out there! We started by narrowing it down to a few favourite brands. We decided to source the tiles from Marlborough, because we knew that whatever we chose, the quality would be really good and they would look special too.” The couple opted for tiles in soft, earthy tones from our Ullswater collection. “We love the ‘perfectly imperfect’, handmade quality of the tiles,” says Harriet. “Each one is slightly different, and they don’t line up to the exact millimetre. Working with different shapes, sizes and textures really helps to add character when it comes to a potentially plain space like a bathroom. When we installed the tiles, they injected so much life, completely transforming the space.”
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For the floors, Harriet and Oli chose terracotta effect porcelain tiles from our Andalucia collection in Granada. “We decided to run the same floor tiles through the hallway and bathroom to create the illusion of more space,” says Harriet. “They complement the wall tiles beautifully, and have a wonderfully warming effect. Just as importantly, we knew that once they were down we wouldn’t need to fuss about the floor because porcelain tiles are so practical. There’s nothing worse than having to be precious about your home. You’ve got to use it and enjoy it.” Pictured L-R: The couple chose Willow, from the Ullswater collection for the sink and bath surround. For the area around the shower, they selected harmonious tiles from the same collection, in earthy Woodland.
When asked about her design style, Harriet tells us, “I wouldn’t say that we have a particular aesthetic. Rather, whatever your style, I think it’s important to work with the history of the building. Often, that means putting back some of the original features that previous generations removed – things such as cornices and ceiling roses in a Victorian building, for example.” “Equally, when choosing furniture I love to mix the old with the new to create a cosy atmosphere – something that feels like it has real personality. This is the way we approached the whole project. It’s the reason we chose these floor tiles; they had a lovely lived-in quality, and felt at home as soon as they were down. Half way through the fitting, someone walked past and asked if they were the original tiles. That was the highest compliment! We’re so happy with how the space has come together.”
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If the tile fits O U R E S S E N T I A L G U I D E TO T I L E S H A P E S A N D S I Z E S – A N D H O W TO C H O O S E T H E R I G H T O N E FO R YO U R S PAC E .
LONG BRICKS Size: 11 x 33.5cm
SKINNY METRO BRICKS Size: 6 x 21cm
L ARGE BRICKS Size: 10 x 20cm
MEDIUM BRICKS Size: 7.5 x 15cm
Long bricks achieve a cool, contemporary look, integrating effortlessly into a Shakerstyle kitchen. They are particularly well suited to the space above a range cooker. A larger tile creates fewer grout lines, and a look that is both clean and spacious. These work beautifully across entire wall, such as in a wet room.
Skinny metro tiles are increasingly popular. This is our considered take on the trending shape. We have paid close attention to the balance and proportions of these tiles, so they're are a touch longer than most, and narrower, making them particularly easy on the eye and striking a lovely visual balance, once installed, between grout line and tile.
Our large bricks can fill entire walls comfortably without ever feeling busy, as there are fewer grout lines crisscrossing the wall. Being larger, these tiles are straightforward to lay and give a precise, neat look. Their traditional size suits both classic and contemporary interiors. Kitchen units usually measure 60 x 60cm, and these tiles divide neatly into those dimensions, which can be useful when designing a kitchen.
One of our most popular tile sizes, this classic metro brick tile is pleasing to the eye and sits well in a wide variety of different spaces. This size can be used to wonderful effect in many layouts – from brick bonds to herringbone pattern. A dependable choice.
Pictured: Simplicity Large Brick in Celadon with white grout.
Pictured: Seasons Medium Brick in Autumn Fall with jasmine grout.
Pictured: Nice & Easy Long Brick finished with medium grey grout.
Pictured: Marlborough Matts Skinny Metro Bricks in Slate Blue with white grout.
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Tile size guide
SMALL BRICKS Size: 6.3 x 13cm
SCALLOPS Size: 15.5 x 17cm
SQUARES Size: 13 x 13cm
SMALL SQUARES Size: 11 x 11cm
Our smallest bricks work well in a restricted space where they make a big impact – behind a range cooker for example. The increased number of grout lines creates visual interest and detail that attracts the eye. We created the Savernake collection for precisely these kinds of arrangements, and to accompany contemporary colour schemes.
With their beautifully soft curves, scallop tiles have a pretty delicacy about them, and create an elegant, looping pattern. A panel of scallops brings real character, and is an excellent choice if you're looking for the wow factor.
Fashions come and go, but square tiles stand the test of time. They produce a balanced look that doesn’t emphasise either height or width, and work well in medium sized spaces – above a worktop for example. The feeling is classic, calm and confident.
Our small squares are a traditional shape that we have been producing for a number of years. Their smaller size means they work well in restricted areas, but they are just as beautiful in a larger space. You many wish to choose a contrasting grout to draw the eye, or alternatively, a grout in a harmonious colour to blend with the tiles.
Pictured: Savernake Small Bricks in Figgins Lane with silver grey grout.
Pictured: Soho Scallops in SoAventurine with jasmine grout.
Pictured: Savernake Squares in College Fields with white grout.
Pictured: Kensington Squares in Dusk with medium grey grout.
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Pictured left: Terracotta-effect porcelain tiles in Seville from our Andalucia collection, with hand painted Emma wall tiles in Sage Green.
Harmony at home OUR TRIED AND TESTED A P P R OAC H TO C R E AT I N G A HARMONIOUS SCHEME FO R YO U R H O M E
W
hen it comes to interiors, inspiration is everywhere, and it’s not unusual to feel a little overwhelmed as you begin to plan a project. In fact, one of the questions we are most frequently asked is where to begin when designing a harmonious scheme for your kitchen or bathroom renovation. IDEATION Every project needs a starting point, and if you ask us, a moodboard is the perfect place to begin. A wonderfully low risk way to experiment, a moodboard will allow you to bring together all of your ideas and curate them until you have a clear vision for your space. Pinterest and Instagram are wonderful sources of inspiration, as are interior design magazines such Elle Decoration and Homes & Gardens.
Pictured right: Creating a physical moodboard will help you understand how different elements could work together in your space. Shown here: a hand painted Emma taco in Sage Green with Andaluica bricks in Seville.
Notice themes across the images you are drawn to, and look for spaces that share practical characteristics with the room you're renovating, such as natural light, size, and the age of the property. REFINEMENT Now that you have a clearer idea of the look you wish to create, it's time to consider the details. Usually one or two clear design decisions will emerge from your moodboard – perhaps a particular paint colour, a beautiful fabric, or even a hand painted tile. It doesn’t matter where you begin – simply identify a key item and build out from there.
When it comes to choosing wall tiles, again, be guided by your moodboard. For a contemporary look, consider a skinny metro tile such as those from our Marlborough Matts collection, or for something more classic, consider traditional bricks or squares with contrasting grout. If it's a rustic look you wish to create, choose a tile with our rustic biscuit. Or to add a delicate, vintage feel to the space, consider a hand painted, patterned tile.
Once you’ve narrowed your options down to a few favourites, order some samples, and bring them together with other items – perhaps a paint sample, We will begin with the floor, as it is often a fabric swatch, some specific metal the largest surface area to consider. Let finishes and other accessories. It is us assume that having read the article now time to create a real-life moodon page 98, you are opting for porcelain board using your samples. floor tiles. Your moodboard will help you to identify whether the finish should be DECISIONS, DECISIONS Take some time to consider everything polished and contemporary, or more in the light – literally – of the space you rustic. It should also guide you as to are renovating. Switch items in and out whether timber, terracotta, or stone of the mix until you land on the perfect effect would be most suitable. harmonious combination. Move them If it's a contemporary look you seek to create, consider an oak-effect tile with a around the room, and look at them at planed finish such as Marlborough Oak, different times of day as the light shifts. And if something doesn’t feel quite or flagstones with clean edges such as those from our Lacock collection. For a right, never be afraid to go back to the drawing board and order more samples. more rustic look, you could choose a timber effect tile with antique texture, such as our Weathered Oak collection, or a flag with tumbled edges like those from our Ridgeway collection. At this stage, we suggest ordering a few samples in different shades.
Designing the perfect interior space requires careful consideration and thoughtful decision-making. If you have any questions, need advice, or simply desire a second opinion, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our skilled design team is here to assist you.
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Design services WE PRI D E O U RS E LVES O N G O I N G O U T O F O U R WAY TO H E LP YO U C H O OS E T H E PE RFEC T TI LES FO R YO U R PRO J EC T. W H E T H E R IT’S ADVI CE O N H OW M ANY TI LES YO U N E E D O R H E LP WIT H CO O RD I NATI N G A CO LO U R S C H EME , O U R TE A M ARE O N H AN D TO H E LP. I N AD D ITI O N TO O FFE RI N G G E N E R AL D ES I G N ADVI CE , WE AL S O O FFE R T WO S E RVI CES TO H E LP YO U M AKE T H E MOS T O F H AN D PAI NTE D TI LES .
HAND PAINTED TILE L AYOUT SERVICE
BESPOKE HAND PAINTING SERVICE
If you’re thinking about buying some of our hand painted tiles but need some extra help deciding how to arrange them, then this service is for you.
If you have looked through our catalogue and loved the hand painted tiles but didn’t quite see what you had in mind, our bespoke hand painting service is for you.
You may have an idea for a panel to go behind your range cooker or simply be unsure about how to best to incorporate plain and hand painted tiles into a design. Either way, our layout service removes the guesswork.
From beloved pets to bucolic countryside scenes, our specially trained ceramic artists love the extra challenge of creating your perfect design. The hand painting team will take you on a journey that starts with hand drawn sketches and finishes with a ceramic fired masterpiece.
For a small fee, starting at £45, our team will create a layout plan showing options for arrangements. Once you’ve selected the one you like, we’ll send you all the tiles along with a guide drawing to help your fitter to bring your vision to life.
The cost for our bespoke service depends on the size and complexity of the work.
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VISIT OUR SHOWROOM Marlborough Tiles Elcot Lane Marlborough Wiltshire SN8 2AY
Open by appointment only: Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 2pm
GET IN TOUCH
LET 'S CONNECT
T: +44 (0)1672 512422 sales@marlboroughtiles.com marlboroughtiles.com
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Pictured below: A tile on its way along the line.
Front cover: Detail of a Dusk tile from the Kensington collection, with handpiped Ettie pattern.
Please get in touch to arrange an appointment.
@marlboroughtiles
The information contained in this brochure is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of going to press. However, it is possible that there may be changes over time and we recommend that all detail critical to your project is checked prior to ordering. Whilst we have made every effort to faithfully portray our products, we regret that it is impossible to avoid the colour variances caused by inconsistency in light, colour reproduction and print. We strongly recommend that samples are seen prior to placing an order. Please visit our website for our full terms and conditions.
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T: +44 (0)1672 512422 sales@marlboroughtiles.com marlboroughtiles.com