How to Choose and Use Painted Kitchen Tiles
In Victorian times, painted, decorative tiles were becoming more and more popular. The Great Sanitary Awakening was one of the main reasons for this renewed interest in tile in Europe. After all, Doctor Ignaz Semmelweis shook the world with his ground-breaking proof that doctors should wash their hands before surgery in order to save lives and everyone else could benefit from hand-washing too. After this came the shocking idea that kitchens should also be soaped up and wiped down. Because tiles are easy to clean, they were soon used on the floor and the walls of the kitchens and other rooms of those who could afford them. They were also widely used in washstands, fireplaces, and even furniture. William De Morgan in England became the leading producer of painted tiles, featuring the designs of some of the best artists of the day, such as the iconic William Morris. De Morgan’s artisans painted tiles in the workshop by hand reflecting the designs customers chose.
A good friend of De Morgan, Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Caroll, had De Morgan’s tiles surrounding his fireplace in Christ Church college, Oxford. The mythical creatures painted on the tiles were a dodo, gryphon, dragon, and mock turtle, among others, likely inspired characters in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Where to Find Hand-Painted Tiles
Today, painted tiles are more often created by screen printing or other methods such as digital inkjet. However, it’s still possible to buy tiles painted by artists. For smaller projects, Etsy has many such artists and some will even custom-make tile to your specifications. Often these painted tiles are also handmade. For builders who want to create an incredible impression on luxury condo buyers or luxury rental properties, painted tiles are a great choice. For large orders, multifamily housing industry professionals can turn to businesses who cater to this sector, such as Fireclay Tile who has showrooms across California, in New York City, Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois. Their stunning painted tiles are made in Aromas, California who use mostly muted, organic colors in geometric designs.
Photo credit: De Morgan Tiles, www.demorgan.org.uk
How to Use Painted Tiles
Painted tiles tend to steal the show as the room’s centerpiece. For example, in a kitchen, a painted tile mosaic backsplash behind the sink or stove will demand attention and take up visual weight in the room. Start with the tiles, and then work outwards with complimentary styles and colors. Choosing neutrals as a supportive design foundation is a great choice, or use one color from the tile as an accent for the whole room. Soft goods such as towels and drapes should also be in one or two colors and devoid of a bold design. A simple line drawing of leaves on drapes with a background of linen would go well with a mosaic tree backsplash, for example. Floor designs are best kept to wood planks or single-color tile.
Choosing Faucets, Pot Fillers, Showerheads, Trim Sets, Bathtub Faucets, and Accessories to Match Painted Tiles
The finishing touches on the bathroom, kitchen, mudroom, butler’s pantry, laundry room, bar, or any other room where painted tiles will be featured are the faucets and associated accessories. Choose faucets that match the style and genre of the painted tiles. As an example, a kitchen designed with inspiration taken from a traditional Mexican Villa, will require a traditional faucet, pot filler, prep faucet, and accessories. Look for one that will take a person back in time and provide the sturdy, well-built, and larger footprint faucet you’d expect to find. Darker finishes are best, especially paired with a white ceramic sink. Take a look at the Pioneer Two Handle Kitchen Faucet Model# 2DM301-MZ in the Del Mar collection as a prime example. For a Victorian bathroom with delicate floral motif painted tiles in organic neutrals and soft pastels, a faucet such as the Pioneer Two Handle Bathroom Widespread Faucet Model# 3BR410-BN from the Brentwood collection in brushed nickel may just upstage the painted tiles. Its ceramic handles perfectly fit the vibe. For the shower with a painted tile surround, avoid shower curtains and opt for a doorless glass wall. It will blend into the room without drawing undo attention and won’t get in the way of a view of the gorgeous tile. The Olympia Single Handle Tub/Shower Trim Set Model# T-2350-BN in the Accent collection also comes in brushed nickel. It’ll hold its own next to a gorgeous painted tile surround thanks to its intricate raised rings.
Wrapping it All Up
As a trusted supplier of faucets and fixtures for over 100 years, Pioneer, Central Brass, and Olympia are here for our customers, from nation-wide building firms to individual homeowners. Embrace the benefits of quality, product availability, and shipping speed by partnering with Pioneer. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your project is in good hands and transform your project or home with these beautiful and exceptionally durable faucets and accessories. All are backed by a best-in-the-industry warranty, are easy to install, and will stand the test of time.
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