Here, Emma shares her ideas for tiling a wall – and other surfaces – imaginatively.
1. Using tiles on an outdoor dining table
Outdoor dining ideas need a pep up? ‘One of the most intriguing ways to be creative with tiles is to style a table top using a chequerboard pattern. This is a great way to add color to a home whilst keeping it practical for cleaning,’ says Emma. ‘Alternatively, for outdoor spaces, tiling a table can be an unexpected addition to an English garden. Here, we used the Marlborough Tiles Ana tile (opens in new tab) in a muted green colorway, paired with a plain white design. This pleasingly gentle scheme is soft and natural, meaning that it doesn’t jar with the surrounding landscape.’
2. Using tiles to create cohesion in a bathroom
Bathroom tile ideas needn’t be limited to expected surfaces. ‘When considering the tiling of an ensuite, the mind immediately jumps to a shower or the backsplash of the bath. To me, thinking about other more practical spaces such as windowsills can be a good opportunity to use wall tiles within a home – particularly for mullion windows with deep sills,’ says Emma. ‘To thread the color scheme from one space to another, try tiling a vanity or console using the same colorway. These are simple additions which make a big difference to an interior. When you insert something into a room which is unexpected or not usually there, it naturally draws the eye and in this case – brings a welcoming warmth to the space.’
3. Using tile pattern to create a statement backsplash
Kitchen tile ideas usually include the kitchen backsplash, but how can you create one that really draws the eye? ‘Within a kitchen, one would often tile a backsplash behind a cooker to protect the space from spillages. In a recent photoshoot, we played with pattern behind the cooker to create an interesting layout that would become a statement within the room,’ says Emma. ‘The first was a powder blue block design, framed by a plain border. In my Wiltshire home, we chose a column style in charcoal. This is a more cost effective option (using more plain tiles than patterned) which still creates impact.’
