Wednesday 30 April 2014

High Tiling Stylin'

So, we're 100% moving by next Tuesday. There is 6 sleeps to sleeping in le maison - It isn't sinking in yet but that's probably in part due to the fact that it still looks totally like a tip. (Skip arriving today - wish us luck). 
Monochrome and green making a lovely contrast.
With that in mind, I'm distracting myself with tiles. Mostly our tiles are in now. The bathroom, which you are probably bored by already has a grey slate effect floor (slate effect is easier to clean than slate and far cheaper). I bought mine here at 50% off which is an incredible price for porcelain rather than ceramic - buy porcelain for floors if you can as it's far harder wearing than ceramic. Our walls are black and white victorian brick effect. White walls with a dividing line to break up the room visually and to use as skirting against our 'Avon' blue wall. 



The kitchen was a little more spenny because I'm ashamed to say that I used Topps Tiles. Ashamed because they are undoubtedly overpriced and wherever I can, I've bought trade. 

In any case, I fell in love with these Mexican Talavera tiles on Ebay and then decided that the importation charge was simply too high and the different sizes would make grouting them a nightmare. Instead I found these which are a happy alternative and far easier to get hold of. 



Something that you should always think about with tiles is what's going to offset them. When you're choosing everything seems like an extreme design decision, but too often tiles just fade into the background and you end up not noticing them. For me, the metal accents in the room was the important factor in decision making. I was happy with a monochrome bathroom because I chose gold accessories to create the more unusual Victorian effect that I was after. In the kitchen, I have my chrome range cooker and chrome accents throughout which looks lovely with the cold blue tiles and warm wood tops and floors.

Victorian stlye  inspiration - I would have loved to have exposed copper pipes too but it wasn't practical.
My kitchen sink tap - sink is taped up for painting.
Gold accents in the bathroom - walls shown before they were painted.
Finally, having gotten the chimney swept by a lovely company in Green Lanes, I was ready to sort out the fireplace. We have the original cast iron insert still but no surround. It didn't take long to find a nice simple carved pine on again from Ebay and only in Archway (just up the road). I spent a grand total of £25 on this which was pleasing. 

I had already had some Victorian traditional quarry stone tiles laid which contrast beautifully with the wooden floors. I had quite a bit left over at the end of this and during the renovation process the terracotta front step tiles had been smashed, so I used the rest of them up like this - a nice motif for the ground floor. 


When the pine surround arrived, I felt that it needed some colour and was inspired by the green tiles that you seen in old English pubs. Again, all very Victorian. These are being put in today so watch this space. For now - the thing


Inspiration - Victorian green fireplace.
The tube underpass in Kensington.
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