Reed Harris Tiles

"A little tango in Paris" - Tangerine style!

2012-01-26T23:04:00.000Z

Sadly I was unable to attend Maison et Objet this year, much to my disappointment but fortunately one of my colleagues did - and this is what he found right at the back of hall 7.

Tango Grey

Tango Beige

Tango Desiderio Deco

Tango Nera

The profile of these tiles is raised and curved creating a interesting effect and texture.

And now for a little Tangerine Tango at Reed Harris!

Byzantium Mosaic - Amber

Codex - Orange

Feel Orange

Geodiamond - Orange

Progetto L14 Paprika

Which one would you choose if any?

"Tiles" - according to Andy Marshall

2012-01-17T16:04:00.000Z

About 18 months ago, when I was still quite a new girl to twitter, I was really impressed when one day someone called @fotofacade sent me the most stunning photograph of some wonderful mosaic tiles. That person was Andy Marshall and the photograph was of the Minton & Co Mosaic floor at Bury Parish Church

Towards the end of last year I asked Andy if he had some more images he could share with me and also if he would be good enough to write a guest blog for me. Fortunately he agreed - and look what he's come up with!

The odd concoction of squat steeple and towering nave have contributed to Bury Parish Churches 'hidden gem' status. Because of the eclectic nature of the outside, people never think to go in and take a look. If you suspend your disbelief for a second and head inside, your faith will be rewarded by a magical mix of theatrical church-craft and downright beauty.

The breathtaking beauty of the soaring nave is heightened by the repetitive swirl of geometric patterns sweeping up through the nave and into the chancel and sanctuary. As you walk along the arcades, you are confronted by tesserae contrived into floral motifs, Gothic fleur-de-lys and verdant guilloche ribbons - all leading up to the alter.

Thank you Andy for sharing these wonderful images with us, I will certainly make a detour to visit next time I'm travelling up the M6!

Memorable Moments

2012-01-03T21:52:00.436Z

Happy New Year to one and all. Before the last embers of 2011 are extinguished, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit my highlights of last year. So here goes, in no particular order!

Pantone's Honeysuckle - One to keep us cheerful

Rubacuori Ebano

I was delighted when Simon and Fiona choose our tiles for their Highland

B & B Rumblie.com, simply for their Eco credentials

Lush fabric at mulberryhome.com

Inspiration at Decorex - Retrospectives littlegreene.com

Fabulous Launch Party - hearthomemag.co.uk Arrives

Working with the lovely Jacqui and David of homesmiths.co.uk on the Gresham House Care home project.

Life range - Working with apdinteriors.com

Monday Inspiration with marymiddletondesign.blogspot.com

Exciting receipes from my good friend Charlie eggsontheroof.com

And now to the year ahead - we have a much more exciting year to look forward to. Even Pantone are pushing up the passion with Tangerine Tango, the 2012 colour of the year.

So, what are your memories from last year, I would love to hear about them?

Paving the way for 2012

2011-10-24T20:11:00.000+01:00

Jorstone Melange

Over the past couple of years tile designs have been somewhat reserved; not so for 2012- things are much more daring. We're living in a world of contrasts and this is very much the flavour for the coming months. There is a shake up on the way for stone effects, with the ubiquitous conservative limestone replica being firmly shunted out of the limelight in favour of stronger multi-hued markings.

Our Jorstone collection is already here, with its' chic yet comfortable good looks it's perfect for setting off contemporary fixtures and fittings.

Storm

Hot on the heels and arriving in the spring is Storm, which will certainly kick up the design dust! A greatly varied surface colouration, more usually associated with rustic living is given a sharp edged twist for a contemporary North European sense of elegance.

Kensington Jade

Another arrival is the brand new Kensington collection, with colour inspired by late 20th century English interiors. High gloss meets soft tones in this elegant linear wall covering, with a delightful three dimensional border detail.

Mauk Esa

With contrast in mind, the over-sized geometry and dead pan greys of the super thin Mauk collection, creates the perfect floor for a bright and glossy wall.

2012 is definitely the year for an open mind. Look beyond the quiet generic pale stone finishes and you will find colour, geometric shapes and strong surface patterns inspired by elemental forces.

It's a new year - time for a new design broom.

So, what do you think of the new designs?

It's Show Time!

2011-09-09T09:25:00.000+01:00

The exhibition season is almost upon us. 100% Design, Decorex, Focus and Cersaie are all fast approaching and I'm really looking forward to picking up on the new trends and colours for 2012. The myriad of product launches and latest innovations will be there to get our creative juices flowing into next season. And, of course this year I am looking forward to hearing from Andrew Dunning of APD Interiors, winner of the prestigious 'Decorex Loves Bloggers' award.

Diamond Tables from Incorporated

Increasingly, hexagonal shapes are popping up everywhere and it won't be long before they arrive en-mass in tile form. I've noticed that the new geometric generation does not include many right angles, which isn't a bad thing. It's been a relatively quiet year on the colour front, with warm subdued hues proving more popular than ever. Next year will undoubtedly see an obligatory 80's revival, thanks to the London Olympics and it's hyper coloured branding. As a consequence I'm expecting to see the introduction of some more grounded tones to calm things down.

Lines Slimtech Decor

I have noticed that recently the much-loved scheme of the millennium year, lilac and silver, appears to be enjoying a renaissance, albeit slightly reinvented with some deeper smoky lilacs and fabulous pewter metallic. It's also interesting that more and more coverings are arriving with a handmade, crafted feel. Hand drawn patterns and super-sized illustrative repeats have also gained momentum throughout 2011, providing some wonderful results to feast our eyes on. I'm expecting this trend to continue and it's already making a tentative appearance on the super thin Slimtech tile series, with 'Wave' and 'Line' decors.

Grid Terrazzo

Keep an eye out for traditional materials which have been revitalised with a modern take. The contrast of an established material, fused with contemporary design is quite special and this series of hand molded terrazzo sums it up perfectly. The modern designs in this collection are so cool and even traditional motifs can be individually styled from the colour palette. You can even have 80's style 'space invaders' etched into them, which may be handy next summer, just in time for the Games!

Don't let the grout shout out! - A guide to choosing grout colour.

2011-08-09T15:34:00.000+01:00

Atlante Toki Rosso

Although grout is quite often the least expensive component of a tiling project, it's amazing how the colour can have a huge impact on the end result.

Nowadays grouts are produced for many different applications and the choice of colour is so much greater than just the grey and white of yesteryear.

Remember grout colour plays a major part in how your tiling looks and shouldn't be left as an afterthought - you'd be surprised how many times I've heard 'white will do'. You can spend a lot of time and money choosing your tiles, so why not take a few more minutes to consider the impact the grout colour will have?

It's interesting how more and more tile manufacturers are recommending grout colours to suit their products and some even stipulate and supply their prescribed finishing product as part of your purchase. You might think that this is slightly extreme but the principle is a good one.

Grout Colour Swatches

Sometimes white grout can be the perfect choice, there is nothing wrong with it in the right situation but what are the alternatives? Grab a grout colour chart with your samples and make an informed choice.

As a general rule, find a colour that closely blends in with your tiles. If you have two distinct tiled areas in your scheme, you can choose a different grout colour for each. It's acceptable to have more than one grout colour in a room; there are no hard and fast rules. You may choose a certain colour in the showroom but sometimes the method of installation, temperature and moisture content can actually affect the final colour in your own home.

Neobarocco Imperiale Nero

Use a light-coloured grout if you want to make bright colours stand out. However if you do decide to use light grout in a high traffic area, I would strongly recommend that you seal the grout joints to avoid the grout getting too dirty.
Don't be afraid to be bold if you want your scheme to really stand out, choosing grout the opposite colour to your tiles can certainly make them look more dramatic.

I hope this helps to make your decision a little easier, you can always ask me if you need any more help.

Measuring Up

2011-07-19T17:36:00.000+01:00

How many tiles will I need? A question I hear almost every day - The answer is easier to arrive at than you may think. It will take a few minutes, some mental arithmetic (or a calculator) and a tape measure to work out an estimate.

For a very rough estimate, measure the width and height of the wall and multiply to get the square area. For example: 1.85m wide x 2.54m high = 4.7 square metres.

To work out the number of tiles in a square metre divide 1 by the dimensions of the tile in metres, so for example, if you are using a 330mm x 250mm tile, the number of tiles per square metre is 1m /.33m/.25m = 12.12 tiles per square metre. You then need to multiply the number of tiles per square metre by the number of square metres required and your answer should be 57!

This is only an approximate figure which may vary according to the actual positioning of the tiles on the wall. For a more accurate figure, divide the width of the room by the width of the tile, so assuming you are fixing the tiles portrait, 1.85m / .25m = 7.4 tiles. Similarly divide the height of the room by the height of the tile 2.54m / .33m = 7.7 tiles. Round each result up to the nearest tile, multiply the two together, in this example 8 tiles x 8 tiles = 64. As you can see there's a bit of a difference and had the initial rough estimate been used, there wouldn't have been enough tiles to complete the work.

So bear this in mind, working out the number of tiles including cuts is a very good habit to get into.I like to recommend taking an extra 10% to cover any cuts that may not go according to plan, or any accidental damage that may occur. After all, much like wallpaper, tiles are produced in batches and trying to find a matching box, even a couple of weeks later can sometimes be impossible.

For irregular walls or floors with complicated shapes, it is well worth breaking the space up into simpler rectangles and adding the results together, remembering to allow for returns into window recesses where required.

Have you ever had a measuring up disaster? I'd love to hear about it if you have!

Use it or lose it!

2011-06-21T15:20:00.003+01:00

New Classic

Have you ever considered what happens behind the scenes? Tile designers are really no different to any other designers. As with any scheme the creative process involves research, technical solutions have to be applied and the style has to be consistent to create that 'wow' factor! As soon as the tile collections come off the drawing board, manufactures take over to put carefully conceived ideas into production which eventually turn up in our showrooms where we try to show them off to their best advantage - It all takes time and effort!


Lumina		New Classic

Recently I've noticed that the jewels in many a ranges' crown have become increasingly overlooked in favour of the trend for simpler schemes using contrast and shape. I realise that this is a sign of the times and in the not too distant future another design influence will arrive to take it's place. All I'm asking is that you spare a thought for the lowly tile designer who feverishly researches colour and texture to bring those little gems to our plain and simple world. OK, so I may be getting slightly carried away now but the essence still stands.

Electa

Nowadays there are so many interesting ways of using tiles that the traditional tile layout has almost become an endangered species. The use of borders, capping pieces ad quarter rounds is a practice that shouldn't be relegated to the history books. It's true that there are fewer manufactures who are prepared to go to the extra expense of making these pieces and it's also true that costs involved can be high, which in the current climate can sometimes be an issue. However there is a distinct air of quality and understated luxury which comes unsurprisingly with a properly tiled scheme. Decoration is nothing to be afraid of, the Victorians did it and we still preserve and live with examples of their tiling today. Tiles are made to last. Plan your tiling well and you'll want to keep them for as long as possible, after all styles change but good quality is always going to be in vogue.

Match made in heaven!

2011-05-25T14:11:00.000+01:00

Atlante Toki Arancio Salamanca

What have tiles and clothes got in common? Absolutely nothing I hear you say, with a smile on your face. I'm sure you've heard the expression "It's not what you do; it's how you do it"! We all know that if you want to look and feel good, you have to put in a bit of effort. Well exactly the same thing applies when choosing tiles. If you want your home to look good you need to make time to do a little bit of research. And that means looking at magazines and visiting various showrooms to get as many ideas as possible. When it finally comes to 'make your mind up time', you need to be confident that you have made the right choice and that whatever you have chosen goes with your 'look'!

Most of out tile ranges come with co-ordinating decorative pieces and in a multitude of colour options. The possibilities are endless and for many people the decision making process can be incredibly daunting and one that can take simply ages. Others find the opportunity to create something completely unique an exciting prospect and arrive at their decision relatively easily.

Sketch it out

Contrast is the key to success! This may sound like a sweeping statement but as I'm sure many professional designers out there will agree, in many cases it holds true. Texture, colour and size variations can all be used in interesting ways to create that wow factor! Combinations of large smooth polished finishes can be offset with a rough hewn stone mosaic. There are also practical reasons for using contrasting materials, for example heavier textures can be used to act as a form of slip resistance on a wet room floor.One of our favourites is the perfect marriage between the smoothness of Stonehenge Savana with the beautifully textured Rainforest White mosaic. This combination plays with contrasting finishes to the extreme and shows that by simply using even just one form of contrast, you can achieve a sumptuous result.

Don't forget that sketching out is not to be underestimated, as described in my previous post. Also having a selection of samples to hand to experiment with is equally as important.

Using mosaic to contrast with unfussy wall tiles

Remember - tiles are used as a background , they will be sitting behind other fixtures and fittings which in turn all have their own finishes. For instance, a typical bathroom is likely to have high gloss white sanitary ware, a glass shower screen and not forgetting the taps and shower valves to to add some form of metallic glamour. With all this going on, it shouldn't take much to create the perfect backdrop to set the stage.

If in doubt - Sketch it out!

2011-05-11T14:26:00.000+01:00

The early stages of any bathroom project are always steeped with the unknown. For some people it can be extremely daunting, whilst others find the idea of a new project really exciting. Since there are lots of things to consider when tiling any new area, it's best to be organised - So where do you start?

First of all you need to decide if the fixtures and fittings are "coming or going"! If your budget allows, the best way forward is to strip the room back to basics and start again. Either way, a simple drawing is often enough to get your creative juices flowing.

It needn't be a da Vinci or something you would expect to see at Tate Modern, a simple sketch outlining a bird's eye view of the floor plan will suffice. Mark doors and windows on the outline and any other structural features the room might have.

To help you plan the wall coverings and placement of sanitary ware, you need to expand on the initial plan. Draw the outline of the room again, slightly larger this time and centered around the first drawing. Join the matching corners together with a straight line e.g. connect the top left corner of the inner drawing with the top left corner of the outer drawing. Once all the corners have been joined, your sketch should start looking like an Ariel view of your room. Now you can add in the doors, windows and any other permanent features within the room, to create the basic room shell. If you don't want to sketch out the basic room shape again, now would be a good time to take some copies, just in case you need them later.

Now the fun part begins! Your drawing will give you a much better idea of how your finished space will look, so you can start to add fixtures and fittings and decide where to place things. Scribble away to your heart's content and don't be afraid to try out various different versions. Mark out any feature walls or panels and plan how they relate to the furniture. You can have as much fun as you like at this stage, nothing is set in stone.

The obvious advantage of planning out your ideas in this way is that you will be able to tell what either will or won't work, thus avoiding potential mistakes and hopefully save time and money with expensive fit-out costs. Another reason to be prepared is that you will have something tangible to help you describe your vision to your tradesman, which will help everyone understand what you expect and avoid unnecessary disappointment.

I'm looking forward to seeing your sketches.

.

Inside out!

2011-04-19T17:33:00.000+01:00

All this glorious sunny weather makes me want to throw open my kitchen dorrs and spend more time in the garden - I'm sure you know what I mean? We don't get enough sunshine in this country, so the moment we see the sun, we all want to be out in it!

It shouldn't surprise you to hear that there's a growing trend for kitchen spaces to be extended outwards on to external patios and terraces. People want to create a seamless look by using the sames tiles inside out; there's no better way to make a small space look bigger. Easy - problem solved! so what's the catch? - "Slip Resistance"

Bourgogne Gris

Most porcelain floor tiles have a slip resistance rating measured under various different standards. This may not necessarily be of interest to you but it should be considered when making your choice.

Station Covent Grey Textured

It goes without saying; you are completely at liberty to choose whatever product you like in the confines of your own homes, however in commercial environments there are countless rules and regulations which have to be adhered to.

There is also a growing concern over liability, particularly with "No Win No Fee" lawyers only too happy to try and push through claims for the most innocuous slippages! Many a time I've been asked to supply glass floor tiles in a wet room, and even glazed or polished procelain tiles for a patio - Ah but have you supplied them, I hear you ask? Not to the best of my knowledge because, as a responsible Company we have an obligation to advise everyone, irrespective of their position, to ensure materials are fit for purpose '

When is white white?

2011-04-06T16:52:00.000+01:00

Merano Matt White

This may seem like an odd question but what do you think of when you think of white? Snow, fluffy clouds and wedding dresses? - The list is endless. How would you actually describe white, an opposite to black for example? All you need do to confirm that there is a vast choice of white, is to have a look at a Farrow & Ball or Dulux paint chart and see at least a dozen shades of white, most of which are actually very light shades of grey, pink or yellow which reflect the light around them and so take on different tones.
I'm asked to recommend a good white tile quite regularly and believe me it's not as easy as you might think. Apart from the obvious things like size, edge detail and finish of the tile, there are a number of different types of white tiles available. Here are a few things to look out for when choosing yours - depending on your idea of white of course!

Luminar Matt White

Tiles can either be glazed or unglazed. They are mainly made from porcelain, fired clay or ceramic with a hard glaze, however other materials can be used too, such as glass, conglomerate and stone. The closest you'll get to a perfect bright white is a glossy, glazed red bodied tile, which is how they were traditionally made in Spain. It's the glaze itself which actually gives the tile its' whiteness, so depending on the amount of glaze used the colour can vary considerably. For the purists amongst you, this is the one to look out for. If in doubt, always check with a sample, as an economical production line may sometimes be sparing with the glaze, leaving the finished product a little translucent or even pink.

Porcelain tiles have become very popular these days, they are extremely hard wearing and are manufactured to higher more exacting standards than glazed ceramic tiles. They tend to have an off-white appearance, which is not necessarily a bad thing as it can give a softer look to a potentially hard unforgiving finish. What's more, the unglazed variety can be polished to create a highly reflective surface which helps to intensify the colour and make them a perfect choice for areas of really heavy traffic.

Made + Victoria

If white is the covering for your next project, be warned - there's more than one shade! If you're finding it nigh on impossible to match a tile to your sanitary ware, then it's probably best to go for a matt finish to contrast the bright gloss of the fixtures.

Have you ever had trouble with white? What did you end up doing?

Don't be afraid of Colour.

2011-03-15T17:05:00.000Z

Street Kyoto

Choosing coloured tiles as opposed to neutral shades can very often be a daunting decision for many of us, so more often than not we just go for beige! Using colour can take some people out of their comfort zone and pose more questions than answers. Doe colour make the most of the space? Will it make the place hard to sell? What if I go off it in three months' time? There are bound to be many more where these came from but let's consider what the real issue are.

Progetto L14 Origano

One thing is certain, colour is nothing to be afraid of; you just need to bear a couple of things in mind when using it, that's all. For example, avoid using lots of bright green in the bathroom, the reflected light won't do your skin tone any favours first thing in the morning and there's no magic mirror in the land that can counter that effect. If green is your favourite colour use a dark olive instead of a vibrant lime.

Colour is perfect for defining features or focal points especially when offset with a harmonious neutral. Use it to pick out a shower and balance it with a panel of the same colour behind a basin. Don't be afraid to use dark neutrals for stronger contrast and brighter colour.

For Love

To address some of the common worries when presented with colour, here are some more things to consider. If you are thinking of selling your home and you want it to stand out from the crowd, use colour moderately. Yes- you do have to play to the mass market, so don't tile floor to ceiling in eye watering orange. You can simply use a splash of orange with a cool neutral or even white, or for a bolder contemporary feel, temper bright citrus colours with equal amounts of grey.

Atlante Toki Rosso Siso

Will you really change your mind in three months' time? If this is a real concern then stick to a colour you have always loved and simply use it as an accent. Remember - always follow the golden rule - keep it simple.

If after hours of indecision, beige is still looking like a favourite, you can always be bold and add some deep aubergine, or midnight blue to make things a little more interesting.

Pura Celeste

Colour is such a personal thng but this doesn't mean it can't have a broad appeal. Admittedly an acid pink isn't going to win in a popularity contest but using blues in the bathroom or reds in the kitchen isn't going to be too much of a stretch for most people.

Where has colour worked for you?

Happy Birthday to our new website

2011-02-28T13:35:00.001Z

It's an exciting day for Reed Harris today - I'm delighted to say that our brand new website has gone live over the weekend. It was switched on overnight and is now out in the big wide world for all to see!

Web design is not something we are hugely familiar with - we do tiles!

One thing we do know is that our customers are important to us and that's what we had in mind when we started researching this project. We wanted to make things easier and quicker and the new technology used to create 'our new baby' has certainly helped us to achieve that.

The overall image is lighter, brighter and much more user friendly. As with all babies, they grow up very quickly and ours is no exception. The plan is for it to mature over the next few weeks, offering additional useful features and content - that's why I need to hear from you!

What's important to you when you look at supplier websites? Is it the level of information available, or the facilities that the site offers? What else would you like to see on our website? We want our new baby to grow up to be a useful member of web society - that's why I need your help!

Tiles that don't cost the earth!

2011-02-22T15:59:00.002Z

Green isn't just a colour anymore - these days it means a whole lot more. It's a descriptive word used to encapsulate products that are kind to our environment.

Station Piccadilly Ivory

So how can tiles be green - Eco friendly? You may be surprised to discover that when you buy ceramic or porcelain floor tiles, you're buying the most Eco-friendly type of flooring available. Here are some of the reasons why:

When properly installed and maintained, ceramic tiles have an expected 'lifespan' of around 50 years and sometimes even longer, as borne out by Victorian installations. Such a high degree of durability means that using tiles on the floor and wall will have less of an impact on the environment than, for example, carpet and synthetic finishes which have a shorter lifespan. This reduces the time, money and resources spent on extracting raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, demolition and eventual disposal.

Serie 100 - 100% Recycled porcelain floor tiles

Ceramic tiles are made from 100% natural and plentiful raw materials that are usually found in close proximity to the factories where they are made, so reducing fuel consumption and transport costs.

Ceramic tiles don't absorb or emit pollutants. When used with the most common cement-based fixing and grouting materials, they can inhibit the growth of mould, mildew, fungus and even viruses, helping you to breathe more easily. There are even new developments in antibacterial tiles which include an active element that reacts with the air, reducing bacteria.

Percorsi Extra Pietra Di Faedis

Ceramic tiles can be cleaned using just warm water and pH-neutral cleaners. There's no need to use chemicals, waxes, strippers, or other solvents that add to the level of toxic cleaning products being flushed into our ecosystem. Another plus point is that ceramic tiles have been proven to survive fire and floods and can easily be installed over existing tiles.

Percorsi Style Ardesia Nera

Our Eco Collection includes tiles that use Eco-friendly materials and have been manufactured using Eco-friendly processes. They have been accredited by the European Eco Label, which is a unique certification scheme and the premier European award for products and services that meet the highest environmental standards.

So relax. Tiles are a good thing.

There are currently five Eco standards that we are currently aware of that manufacturers can choose from to give their products Eco credentials. Is it right there are so many or should there be a single standard to provide a yardstick? I want to hear what you think.

Not such an 'ugly duckling'!

2011-02-11T12:21:00.000Z

One day last summer I was asked by the powers that be at Reed Harris, if I would mind 'tweeting' for our company.

"You'll love it - you like a good chat", I was told.

I have to say that at that time, I knew absolutely nothing about twitter and dare I say it, was somewhat unenthusiastic about it all. Anyway, once I got over my initial reservations, I actually began to enjoy it and haven't looked back since. In a relatively short space of time, I've met some wonderful people both on twitter and in person at 'tweet ups'. It amazes me that there are so many genuine people involved with twitter, who are always ready to offer help and support at the drop of a hat.

I was astonished to learn a few weeks ago, that I had been nominated for a Be2award for 'Best Web 2.0 application for construction products or materials', by Benedikte Ranum of ESI.info. And was even more flabbergasted to learn that I had actually won!

Winning this award is an incredible honour for Reed Harris and also for me personally - I feel absolutely delighted. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those people who thought me worthy of this award and voted for me.

A hot night on the tiles!

2011-02-03T16:12:00.001Z

Wave Sunset Purple

And now for something a little different! Not so much a beautiful finish, more a beautiful feeling.

So far this winter we've experienced one of the coldest periods on record: a jolly good reason not to use cold floor tiles, I hear you say. I agree. Tiles feel colder than other flooring materials, particularly when installed over concrete. Don't let that put you off! There's a perfect solution - one that has been around for centuries: underfloor heating. If it was good enough for the Romans it's good enough for you.

In Roman times your slave had to be up with the dawn chorus to fire up the 'Hypocaust'. Fortunately, nowadays, things are a little simpler - involving just the flick of a switch. Historically, floor height has always been an issue with any form of underfloor heating, involving either pipes or wires. Things have moved on and we now have 'Elements', a brand of underfloor heating which sits in the actual bed of floor tile adhesive. Job done, problem solved!

Stonehenge Anthracite

Electric 'Heating Mat' kits are effectively one single heating element of wire, slalom shaped and pre-fixed to a roll of mesh. The mats are designed to cover a specified area by laying the mesh back and forth across a room until the floor is covered. They have to be laid on a flat surface as a single layer and the wire should never be taken off the mesh. Given that tiles are excellent heat conductors, they will take on the ambient temperature very quickly; therefore there is no need to fit heating mats right up against walls or permanent fixtures such as kitchen units. Heat will be drawn across the tiles as well as up and through them. So the area of mat can be smaller than the entire tiled area. For instance, for 4 square metres of tiling, you would require a mat designed to cover 3.5 or even just 3 square metres.

Technoquartz Gneiss

'Does it cost a fortune to run?', I hear you ask (gosh, I'm doing a lot of listening today!). Lets face it if a house is poorly insulated and draughty, and you're using under floor heating instead of traditional central heating, then yes, it could break the bank!
However if you are using it to take the chill off cold floors in the mornings or at bedtime, it can cost as little as running a couple of light bulbs. Sophisticated thermostats and controls do all the work and the system will only come on when it needs to.

Ever considered underfloor heating but decided against it? Why don't you change your mind?

New Year, New Colour

2011-01-11T11:45:00.001Z

I always find this time of year very exciting, not only is it time for reflection, it's a time when we can put into place new ideas and explore new opportunities. We are all very aware that 2010 was another year of financial uncertainty but despite this we saw some bold surface patterns in gold and black, interesting textures and of course lots of geometrics.

The mood for this year is set for a much warmer and meditative approach. Pantone has declared Honeysuckle to be the 2011 colour of the year, knocking Turquoise off the top spot. What does this actually mean for us? Well in short Turquoise evokes feelings of escape, a seaside holiday, a walk in the country or simply a relaxing daydream. This year it is time to knuckle down and face the music with a more reassuring, vibrant and uplifting hue to help us through the year. Honeysuckle is the accent colour to watch out for and will without doubt pop up on everything from small appliances through to sportswear.

The trends for 2011 are very likely to see warmer neutrals being thrown into the mixing pot together with intense inky hues creating a seamless blend. Northern Europe is a strong influence this year with those gorgeous Danish tones arriving to offset foggy greys.

Dark saturated Plums bring an earthy heat into the mix against fleshy neutrals and semi-precious metallics. Look out for subtle detailing in copper, bronze and antique gold as an alternative to the bold and sometimes brash approach we have seen in recent years.

Another surprising contender to watch out for is the intense and confident, Marigold. There is only one purpose this colour can serve and that is to lift the spirits. When used discreetly together with deeper marine greys, this playful shade will find itself at home with the grownups.

A "handmade" more personal feel will come into its own this year, with traditional and illustrative patterns continuing to take on contemporary functionality. Look out for hand engineered fabrics and the progression of geometric surface patterns and form. I am glad to say that cold and impersonal contemporary is definitely over, this year it is all about warmth and vitality, suits me down to the ground.

Whatever 2011 has in store for us, there is a colour story to take us through with a smile. Our journey through the year will be full of inspiration and discovery: the perfect way to move on from the embers of 2010.

Would love to hear more about what your colour choices will be for this year...

Little Black Dress

2010-12-08T16:25:00.033Z

Le Vie Della Seta 75

‘Tis the season for all good hostesses to don a little black frock and try and enjoy the pre-party stress of wondering if anyone will turn up! When your guests eventually arrive shivering on the doorstep in their finery clutching bottles, you need to make sure your home has made as much effort to dress up too.

At any good party there is bound to be many a visit to the guest cloakroom so why shouldn’t it join in with its own take on sartorial elegance? There’s more to tiles than just gloss and matt these days, in fact there are a great variety of textures and patterns all from the Henry Ford school of colouring in.

If you want to get your smallest room kitted out with a timeless classic, here are some ideas to consider.

Fabric textures are no longer exclusive to textiles. The last five years have seen an explosion of damasks and paisleys appearing on tiles, some more successfully than others. Shocking colour contrasts and oversized motifs have thankfully moved on and a new generation has taken over. These more subtle finishes can quietly dress a wall with an understated glamour, which we are confident will be looking just as cutting edge in years to come.

Atlante Punto Mosaic

For a more informal approach, mosaic leads the way. There is much fun to be had when using mixes of mosaic but for the purists out there you can’t go wrong with a plain gloss black. Should you wish to accessorise, adding in silvery metallic is a guaranteed winner to contrast
and add a touch of chic.

Made +

We mustn’t forget the all-important shoes to complete the look. If your walls are going to remain on the quiet side why not liven up the floor with the unexpected? I’d recommend that if you are using something strong on the floor then the walls should try not to compete and vice versa. You don’t want to send visitors into a whirl of confusion with design overload. There are many simple black floor tiles to compliment a perfectly dressed wall but few can stand as a feature in their own right. For something a bit different a textured gloss for the floor can have a ‘wet’ look with the right lighting.

Neobarocco Imperiale

Everyone has a favourite outfit, one we know looks good, feels comfortable and one that can be relied on to turn heads. If there was a tile equivalent, this would be mine. Neobarocco has been around for a few years now and is still effortlessly brushing off the competition. It has the elegance of a fabric finish, the glamour of a lustre finish and most importantly can still turn heads (for all the right reasons of course).

Reflecting On Space

2010-12-02T15:28:00.020Z

Infinita

Is your bathroom smaller than you'd like it to be, or is your ensuite the size of your wardrobe? Don't worry; it's not the end of the world. Small spaces are never going to look palatial, however with a little bit of planning and some clever use of tiled surface finishes, they do not need to appear quite so small.

These days the possibilities are endless, porcelain, ceramic, glass, mosaics and natural stone tiles all come in a huge variety of sizes, colours and finishes. These can be utilised in a variety of ways to help enhance your room and show it off to its’ best advantage.

Metropolitan

People often think “white”, because white is light and will make the room look bigger – True, pale colours do bounce light around and help with a feeling of space but there is more to it than that. The way in which tiles are used can greatly affect the perception of space. The size of grout joints is also a factor to consider, keep them as thin as possible as this helps to create a seamless tiled effect. Choose rectified tiles for this purpose as they have been cut to a precise dimension, so as to allow a minimal grout joint.

The simplest rule to follow for a smaller space is to use a tile as big as you dare, and there are some big boys around these days! Glossy finishes are a small rooms’ best friend. As they help to reflect light, they create a mirror effect which helps to amplify the space. Don’t be afraid of using a bold colour on one wall, as when combined with a more neutral contrasting colour the effect can visually expand room dimensions.

For Love

Finally a good tip to remember is to try and find a grout colour that closely matches your tiles so that it blends in with the overall effect. This should not be a problem as there are so many to choose from these days.