Delft tiles: the perfect addition to traditional and contemporary homes

Traditional Delft has a timeless appeal that is unmatched by other tile designs. With a rich and vibrant history spanning over 500 years, today we're exploring the fascinating history of Delft tiles, and how you can incorporate them into traditional and contemporary homes alike.

Delftware originated in the Netherlands in the 16th century, inspired by imported Chinese porcelain that captivated European tastes with its blue-and-white designs. 

As demand for such pottery grew and importation slowed, Dutch artisans in the city of Delft began producing their own tin-glazed earthenware, which became known as Delftware. They developed a distinctive, hand-painted style featuring floral patterns, landscapes, and scenes from everyday life, all rendered in blue and white. 

By the 17th century, Delft had become a major centre for this craft, with tiles becoming a popular way to decorate homes. Delft tiles were both decorative and functional, often adorning walls in kitchens, fireplaces, and bathrooms for easy cleaning. This enduring style has become synonymous with Dutch artistic heritage, blending craftsmanship and tradition in a medium still cherished today.

We're the UK's oldest Delft tile manufacturer

At Marlborough Tiles, we're the custodians of the Delft legacy. As the UK's oldest Delft tile makers, we're not just keeping the tradition alive – we're celebrating it.

We have been making Delft tiles since we were founded in 1936, and our artisans meticulously hand paint each and every tile using techniques passed down through generations.

Buying a tile from us is truly a vote for traditional British craftsmanship.

We paint in the traditional way

We are, to our knowledge, the only remaining maker in the country painting Delft tile in the traditional way — with each brushstroke painted by hand into unfired glaze.

Precision in production

We paint our designs onto the raw glaze, before they are fired in the kiln. This means there is no room for mistakes, each tile has to be exactly right, first time.

Our distinctive firing technique means that we only fire our tiles once, which ensures consistency. If we painted onto already fired tiles, the base glaze would be fired twice and therefore would become darker, and no longer a precise match for any plain tiles that accompany it.

Customised designs

Our Delft collection is created in such a way that you can choose your design, corner motif, paint colour, tile background and size - creating truly bespoke tiles for your home. Give it a try today - have a play with our Classic Delft collection.

Our Delft tiles are the perfect addition to any kitchen and are as practical as they are beautiful, suitable for use behind sinks, worktops, hobs and range cookers.

A Delft tile kitchen backsplash adds timeless charm and a touch of handcrafted artistry, whether just as a featured space behind your range cooker or sink, or above your kitchen worktops.

Create a visual focal point using a range of traditional designs, and choose our 11x11cm rustic handmade biscuit or undulating 13x13cm crackle glaze finish for subtle texture as an additional feature.

Alternatively, a panel of decorative Delft corner motif tiles is a subtle way to introduce hand painting onto your kitchen wall, especially if looking for a modern taken on a Delft tiled kitchen.

Our varied Delft tile designs add an artisanal touch to traditional and contemporary bathrooms alike, creating a unique style all of your own.

Consider placing Delft tiles as an accent wall behind a freestanding bath tub, around a mirror or as a shower wall feature.

Alternatively, a large area of Delft corner tiles can be used for a delicate but impactful visual effect.