Tiles for Period Properties

We believe that owning a period property is a privilege—each home tells a story of the past through its architecture, character, and design details, and as custodians we have an opportunity to sympathetically restore and maintain these beautiful homes.

Whether you’re restoring a Georgian townhouse, updating a Victorian kitchen, or bringing Art Deco glamour to your interiors, understanding the defining styles of each era is key to creating an authentic and beautifully curated home. 
As colour experts we understand how décor, design and colour evolved through the ages and how you can enhance your home with timeless, period-appropriate design features.

Read on to learn more about the interior décor and colour trends of the Georgian, Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Mid-Century periods, and discover how you can incorporate those colours into your home using tiles.

The Georgian period, spanning over a century, was defined by symmetry, proportion, and classical influences. 
Inspired by the European style of Palladian architecture, interiors featured high ceilings, decorative cornicing, and grand fireplaces. 
Colour palettes were initially muted, with soft whites, stone greys, and pale blues, but became richer over time, incorporating deep greens, blues, and terracotta hues. 
Mahogany furniture, damask wallpapers, and elegant panelling were hallmarks of this era, creating a refined and sophisticated aesthetic.
 

Tiles for a Georgian home

Embrace the light in your space. For off-white walls, choose muted green, blue or grey tiles for interest.

With light blue, go for off-white, grey or pale blue tiles, and for gentle green walls choose off-white or pale green tiles.

Alternatively, choose a pale paint colour and complement it with soft, off-white tiles or a pale shade of a similar tone.

A brief but influential period, the Regency era introduced a bolder approach to design. 
Inspired by neoclassical and Egyptian motifs, interiors featured intricate detailing, gilded accents, and dramatic contrasts. 
Rich jewel tones such as emerald green, ruby red, and royal blue were popular, often paired with gold embellishments. 
Decorative wallpapers, striped fabrics, and lavish chandeliers added a sense of grandeur, making Regency interiors both opulent and inviting.

Tiles for a Regency home

Celebrate the colour of the Regency period with deep colours on your walls or woodwork, or bold patterned wallpapers alongside complementary coloured tiles.

Why not bring the detail in with your tiles - with handpainted tiles in a range of patterns or designs. 

Delft was at the height of fashion in the 1700's and 1800's, and these tiles sit perfectly in heritage homes from the 18th and 19th centuries.

For plain tiles, neutrals and off-whites pair with any colour, whilst soft blush pinks create a luxurious feel alongside dark greens. Cool greys or warming neutrals and beiges sit harmoniously with deep blues.

Feeling brave? Consider colour drenching in a deep, opulent colour and finishing with dark coloured tiles in deeper blue, red or green tones.

Victorian homes were a celebration of decorative excess, reflecting the prosperity of the Industrial Revolution. 
Dark, dramatic colours such as burgundy, forest green, and deep navy dominated, complemented by intricate floral wallpapers and heavy drapery. 
Rooms were richly furnished with ornate woodwork, carved fireplaces, and plush upholstery. 
The Victorian kitchen embraced practicality with quarry-tiled or stone floors, Belfast sinks, and wooden dressers, while the Victorian bathroom saw the introduction of clawfoot tubs, patterned tiles, and decorative brass fittings.

Tiles for a Victorian home

Bold handpainted tiles are a perfect addition to a Victorian bathroom or kitchen, from ornate patterns to intricate Delft images of landscapes and ships.

The Victorians were fascinated by animals, birds and sciences, so our Wilding tiles are a great way to bring Victorian curiosity to your home.

For plain tiles, pair warm neutrals with strong paint or woodwork colours, or introduce colour with bold green, blue or terracotta tiles.

Why not consider a checkerboard pattern of a dark and light colour, often seen as Victorian kitchen tiles both on the floor and walls. Great pairings include white tiles alongside terracotta red, purple, dark green or bright blue - or pair off-white with taupe or beige for a gentler look.

Finish your space with ornate border tiles, often called dado tiles or bolection tiles, around the top edge, for a decorative flourish.

In contrast to the darker Victorian aesthetic, Edwardian interiors embraced light, airiness, and a return to nature. 

Pastel hues, including soft pinks, sage greens, and sky blues, became fashionable, often paired with white-painted woodwork. 

Floral motifs, wicker furniture, and stained-glass windows reflected the era’s love for craftsmanship and elegance. Open-plan living spaces and bay windows enhanced natural light, making Edwardian homes feel spacious and welcoming.

Tiles for an Edwardian home

Floral handpainted tiles are the perfect nod to the Edwardian love for nature, or choose a subtle nod to craftsmanship with a wall of Delft Corner tiles, elegant and understated.

Neutrals and pastel shade tiles are well suited to Edwardian kitchens and bathrooms, reflecting the abundant light around the room.

The Art Deco period was all about glamour, modernity, and bold geometric patterns. Interiors featured sleek lines, mirrored surfaces, and luxurious materials such as marble, chrome, and exotic woods. 

Colour schemes included high-contrast black and white, deep blues, rich golds, and decadent jewel tones. 

Art Deco bathrooms often showcased statement tiling and streamlined fixtures, while living spaces embraced curved furniture, sunburst motifs, and opulent lighting.

Tiles for an Art Deco home

Geometric patterned tiles are a great addition to art deco kitchens and bathrooms, either using hand painted tiles or creating pattern using plain tiles. Think scallops, stripes, zig-zags and checkerboard - or perhaps contrasting border tiles around your space to create clean lines and interest.

Choose jewel toned tiles for a statement wall feature in your art deco bathroom or kitchen, such as jade greens or sapphire blues. 

For a gentler backdrop, consider crisp whites, rich ochre or yellow tiles, or a softer version of your blue or green paint or woodwork, to complement the bolder colours in the room.

A departure from previous ornate styles, mid-century design focused on simplicity, functionality, and organic forms.

Influenced by Scandinavian and American modernist design, interiors featured warm woods, minimalist furniture, and open-plan layouts. Colour palettes ranged from earthy tones like mustard yellow, olive green, and burnt orange to sleek monochromes.

Mid-century kitchens emphasized clean lines, Formica surfaces, and built-in cabinetry, while statement lighting and abstract art brought personality to living spaces.

Tiles for Mid-Century inspired homes:

Square tiles, or metro tiles in a stacked formation are the perfect addition here - creating clean lines and grid patterns on your bathroom or kitchen walls.

Embrace the period with tiles in warm tones of yellow, terracotta, pink and red, or opt for olive or teal green.

For a more neutral companion, choose yellow-toned off whites to sit alongside warm coloured wall paint or woodwork, or choose a muted blue or green to complement those colours used elsewhere in the room.

You could also consider a tiled feature elsewhere in the room - such as a tiled kitchen island worktop, a tiled sink unit, or tiles around a mirror - for a statement period feature.