Technological advances are giving us a feast of beautiful printed designs, textures and shapes to choose from. Whether you’re planning a full-on redo or just replacing a splashback, where should you start your tile journey? We asked our favourite experts…
I’M UPDATING MY KITCHEN – WHAT TILES ARE BEST FOR THE FLOOR?
‘There’s been a swing away from natural stone due to the maintenance it needs,’ says Rob Whitaker, creative director at Claybrook. ‘Terracotta, stone and marble are all-natural products that can be porous (although you can mitigate that through sealing). This leaves porcelain. New technology means that you can’t tell the difference between stone and its porcelain lookalikes, which makes for an effective and easy-to-clean floor.’
WHAT ARE THE SAFEST COLOURS TO CHOOSE?
‘Mid-range colours seem to work best if you hate attending to every crumb,’ says Rob. ‘Think about dark tan shades or mid greys. The more porous the floor, the more likely dirt will get ingrained. Sealing the floor and having an experienced tiler do the work is the best way to avoid disappointment.’
HOW CAN I MAKE A STATEMENT BEHIND THE HOB THAT WON’T DATE?
‘Not many homes can take that cockerel or Italianate fruit basket behind the hob nowadays!’ says Rob. ‘But I wouldn’t worry about it dating: most “looks” last 10-15 years – the average time between kitchen refurbs. Just think practically and make sure it’s wipeable! A beautiful glazed tile in a rich colour can create a focal point without being too fussy.’ Jordan Cluroe, a co-founder of 2LG, says: ‘We would suggest a gloss or patterned tile across the whole wall for a unified effect.’
WHAT WOULD YOU GO FOR IN A BATHROOM?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2020 من Ideal Home UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2020 من Ideal Home UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Maximise Outdoor Dining Space - If your outside eating area is a little cramped, follow these tricks to make the most of what you do have
If your outside eating area is a little cramped, follow these tricks to make the most of what you do have. We asked a host of garden experts to share their top tips on making the most of a small space, whether you're hosting friends and family for a special occasion, relaxing at the end of the day or enjoying your morning coffee.
hometruths
KELVIN AND LIZ FLETCHER GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THEIR HOME
Fresh & delicious
Chicken traybake with garlic & cherry tomatoes
NATURAL habitat
KERRY HARRIS' EAST LONDON HOME IS A LESSON IN BLURRING THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUT
"WE AREN'T traditional"
RACHAEL AND ALEX'S RELAXED FUNCTIONAL HOME IS A BLEND OF VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE, MID-CENTURY MODERN AND PALM SPRINGS SHADES
GROWING up
ARCHITECT ROB AND WIFE EMMA HAVE TRANSFORMED A 1970S HOUSE, GIVING.THEM MORE SPACE FOR THEIR FAMILY
The shortlist PARASOLS
Create a cool spot with these dazzling sunshades
Weekend decorator
CLEVER TRICKS TO MINI DECOR PROJECTS... WE ROUND UP THE SIMPLEST, QUICKEST WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE BEAUTIFUL NOW
The shortlist PICNICWARE
Everything you need for the perfect spread
PLAN THE PERFECT - Outdoor living room
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN BY CREATING A DEDICATED SPACE FOR RELAXATION, SAY OUR EXPERTS