Be bold for a perfect tile style

Think of tiles with bold patterns and chances are those orange, brown and green bathrooms from the 70s and 80s come to mind.

Erase those images, as these days encaustic patterned tiles are very much back in vogue — and with the stylish ranges available today, they are prettier than ever before. Myaree Ceramics manager and interior designer Lisa Ciccarelli said the company’s patterned tile range had received a fantastic response since it was released.

“We believe the patterned tile has become popular as it’s inspired by the past, ” she said.

“Our clients have fallen in love with them and have say that they are reminiscent of their childhood — from the 50s, 60s and 70s — or of travel to exotic places. This year at the tile fair in Bologna we saw many types of patterned tiles, mixed geometrics in muted tones and typically in a matt finish, so it appears the trend is here to stay.”

Ms Ciccarelli said the range Myaree Ceramics stocked was designed for Mutina by Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, who was inspired by her childhood memories and new technology to create the look of a concrete encaustic tile — without the constant re-sealing they traditionally required.

“By using the concept of encaustics they have created a range with no maintenance yet with the same natural appearance as concrete, ” she said.

“The range has a modern sophisticated look and can be used in any application. We have clients who have used them as a kitchen splashback in a modern interior, on bathroom floors in a classic setting and as water feature walls.

“The options are endless as they can work with various colour palettes and interior styles.”

A display home making a design splash with encaustic tiles is the Hampton Beach by WA Country Builders, where a patterned tile splashback is an eye-catching feature in the open-plan kitchen.

Interior designer Jodie Cooper, of Jodie Cooper Design, who styled the Hampton Beach kitchen, said she incorporated the patterned tile to be a striking visual feature and contrast against the all-white cabinetry and stone benchtop.

“The scheme of the house evolved from the beautiful patterns and colours of this tile, the combination of colours capture the sand, sky and sea of the beach on a winter’s day, presenting a more sophisticated, moody coastal colour palette, ” she said.

Ms Cooper said WA Country Builders offered the patterned tiling selection for their display homes to clients if requested.

“The tiles are a new imported range from Ceramic Tile Supplies in Wangara and are available in the South West through Armanti in Bunbury and Busselton, ” she said.

Ms Cooper said patterned tiles embraced the trend for more rustic, hand-finished interiors.

“There has been a shift away from monochromatic interiors to a more eclectic layering of textures and finishes, and the trend at present is back to natural finishes and textures, matt surfaces, natural stone, copper, a hand-finished appearance as opposed to machine-refined, ” she said.

If you want to introduce the patterned tile look into a house but were not sure where or how, Ms Cooper suggested neutral earth and stone hues.

“Try a splashback in a powder room with a Moroccan-style pendant light, the ensuite floor and main wall, a shower feature wall or a bathroom mirror feature wall with decorative framed mirrors, ” she said.

“For a kitchen splashback, mix the matching plain tile and patterned tile randomly, or use it on the island bench face.

“You could also use a patterned tile on the entry portico floor followed by distressed oak timber flooring or as an alfresco area water feature.”