A decade of timeless craft: Inside Kathy Crisp’s Bloomsbury-inspired home

At Marlborough Tiles, we are endlessly inspired by the homes our customers create - spaces where craftsmanship, colour and personal history merge in thoughtful, characterful ways. Kathy Crisp’s home is a striking example of this harmony.

Set in the Sussex countryside, her Victorian house reflects a deep reverence for the handmade and the historic, shaped by her daily life among some of Britain’s most iconic interiors. Step inside, and you’ll discover a home where artistry is not merely admired - it is lived.

Living among Bloomsbury icons

Few people live as closely to artistic heritage as Kathy Crisp, Collections Assistant at both Charleston and Monk’s House - two of Britain’s most evocative Bloomsbury interiors. Immersed daily in expressive hand painted surfaces, richly patterned rooms, and the everyday objects of artists and writers, Kathy carries this world with her long after she leaves work.

Her background in textile design has only deepened this connection. For Kathy, interiors are not mere decoration; they are an ever-evolving creative practice. So, when she and her partner settled into their Victorian home in the Sussex countryside, it was almost inevitable that echoes of Bloomsbury’s colour, craft, and character would soon begin to infuse the space.

Crafting a Charleston-inspired kitchen

By the time Kathy turned her attention to the kitchen - the final part of a long, thoughtful renovation - she had lived with the house for several years. This allowed ideas to simmer, settle, and become shaped as much by the home’s history as by her own aesthetic sensibilities.

Having collected an array of vintage pottery and kitchenalia over the years, Kathy knew she needed a backdrop that felt equally timeless. She was drawn to materials with spirit and tactility - elements that carry the warmth of the hand and the individuality of craft. This is what led Kathy to our Vintage collection.

A quiet influence across the home

The tiles have done more than simply hold their own - they’ve become a foundational part of the room’s character. Over time, they have gently guided Kathy’s evolving choices in furniture, colour, and even living greenery. A shelf of plants now thrives above the tiled splashback, a small ecosystem that has grown organically alongside the room itself.

Everything in Kathy’s home resonates with its Victorian roots, a sensitivity she has cultivated with intention. This harmony between old and new, between collected treasures and handcrafted materials, illustrates why a carefully chosen tile can become a silent but powerful anchor within a space.

Over a decade of living with handmade craft

For Kathy, choosing handmade tiles is an investment in long-term joy. Tiles endure for decades, she reminds us, making it worth choosing something genuinely beautiful. Even as she plans to repaint the walls for a fresh seasonal shift - the tiles will remain untouched, ready to complement whatever palette comes next.

When it comes to renovating, Kathy’s philosophy mirrors the patience and artistry of Bloomsbury itself: live with a space, listen to it, and allow it to evolve. Respect the history of the home, collect pieces you love, and choose materials that bring character rather than conceal it.

Thank you to Kathy for sharing the story of her characterful and charming home, and her journey in choosing our tiles, now over a decade ago - it is a true testament to the enduring appeal of handcrafted design. Much like our Bloomsbury collection, Kathy’s home reflects a love of artistry, heritage and culture echoing the creative spirit of the Bloomsbury Group. 

Explore the Vintage collection here.