Inspiration
The timeless appeal of white tiles
Bringing a sense of harmony to any space, white is a wonderfully versatile choice when it comes to interiors — beautiful in its own right or as a companion to almost any other shade. Yet there is more to this neutral than initially meets the eye.
As part of her role developing our new products, Anita Rivers spends hours in her lab, experimenting with colour. When creating whites, Anita always begins with our hand mixed opaque white frit. Next, she adds the smallest amount of a stain chosen from our bank of over fifty pigments. “Subtle undertones within whites can create a very different overall effect,” Anita explains. “A dash of blue makes for a cool, bright white, stunning in a contemporary bathroom. Adding a touch of pink to the white frit creates a softer look that works beautifully in a country kitchen.”
Our colours are renowned for their complexity, and while our precise colour recipes are a closely guarded secret, we can tell you that one of our favourite whites has no less than four different pigments.
China Clay, Shell and Ivory, from our Elements collection.
By example, our Elements collection, shown above, is a palette of three tiles in different whites, each with a gloss glaze. From left to right, China Clay is a bright white with a touch of blue. Shell is a soft white with yellow undertones, while Ivory is a warm white with pink undertones.
Understanding the light in your space and having an idea of the feeling you seek to evoke will help you to choose the perfect white tile. South facing rooms are basked in light from the sun all day long, and a white that has cooler blue and green tones will bring a sense of balance to your space. On the other hand, north facing rooms will be warmed and softened by a white that includes subtle yellow or pink tones.
White hot
You'll find white tiles in a variety of tones and textures across our collections. Here are just a few of our current favourites.
When it comes to choosing the perfect tile for your space, we always recommend ordering several samples. Take the time to consider the tiles in the light – literally – of the space you are renovating. Move them around the room, and look at them at different times of day as the light changes.
"Finally, though it perhaps doesn't sound the most glamorous of design decisions, grout can be used to stunning effect with white tiles. Choose our Medium Grey grout to add a dramatic, contemporary edge, or White Grout for a crisp, clean finish."
Need a little more help making your decision? Our design experts will be very happy to advise you. Simply get in touch.
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