Geometric Tiles - Tips and Tricks
Whenever I go to stay at my mum's house in Turkey I always pop into the local ceramics shop to browse and inevitably purchase a hand painted bowl or a coaster or two. One year I picked up some incredibly beautiful patterned tiles, I have them leaning behind my mason jars ready to use as trivets for hot dishes.
For those of you that don't live in Turkey I spotted that Tiles Direct have a lovely collection of geometric designs available. Patterned tiles are so easy to mix and match and should compliment a lot of interior styles, I have Mid Century furniture in my flat and these sorts of tiles look wonderful in my kitchen area. My mum's house in Turkey is based on a very traditional Greek house and geometric tiles work wonderfully there too. The images below illustrate how versatile these sorts of tiles can be.
I had a little chat with the folks at Tiles Direct and asked the owner Suhayl Laher a few questions to help you out in case you were thinking about installing something similar in your own home...
Why do you think Moroccan tiles have become so popular?
Moroccan tiles have a broad appeal because they are so diverse and cater to a wide range of interiors. For instance, whether you want to create a centrepiece mosaic, tile your kitchen or bathroom, or even your entire home, this can all be achieved using an assortment of Moroccan tiles.
Any tips for people who have never tiled a surface before?
Tiling a surface is not easy, and in most cases it’s probably best to leave it to the professionals. However, if you are really looking to get involved with a project, there are some pointers you should be aware of.
Firstly, make sure your tile mix is completely smooth. Mix it thoroughly in a bucket and allow it to stand for approximately 10 minutes, as this gives any dry chunks time to completely dissolve. Secondly, if you’re tiling a floor you should make sure the surface is even. Use a self-levelling compound to give yourself a totally flat base to work from. Alternatively, if you’re tiling a wall, make sure you set your tiles on a ledger to support them.
How can you prepare your room before tiling?
Make sure you cover up the area with fabric sheets and remove any appliances that could be easily damaged. Then, you should begin by setting out your tiles in a well-ordered fashion, making sure everything you need is easily accessible. Although the joints between your tiles will create a clear grid effect, it’s important to identify the best place to start tiling. While many people would assume that beginning in the corner and working your way across would be the best place to start, you could actually end up with awkward amounts of tile to cut at the end if the wall is not totally vertical. Instead, it’s better to centre your grid on the wall, starting at the midpoint and working outwards. This ensures that your overall tiling is symmetrical and each end of the wall is equal.
How can you mount fixtures to a tiled wall?
To mount hardware onto tiles, you should begin by cleaning the wall and removing and obvious dirt. Once you’ve done this, mark where the fixtures will be positioned. Then, apply at least two layers of
masking tape where the drill bit will be used, as this will help to hold it steady. Slowly begin to drill into the tile, making sure you don’t go too fast in case of cracking. Finally, insert your screw anchor
then mount your hardware as per the instructions.
How can you prepare your room before tiling?
Make sure you cover up the area with fabric sheets and remove any appliances that could be easily damaged. Then, you should begin by setting out your tiles in a well-ordered fashion, making sure everything you need is easily accessible. Although the joints between your tiles will create a clear grid effect, it’s important to identify the best place to start tiling. While many people would assume that beginning in the corner and working your way across would be the best place to start, you could actually end up with awkward amounts of tile to cut at the end if the wall is not totally vertical. Instead, it’s better to centre your grid on the wall, starting at the midpoint and working outwards. This ensures that your overall tiling is symmetrical and each end of the wall is equal.
How can you mount fixtures to a tiled wall?
To mount hardware onto tiles, you should begin by cleaning the wall and removing and obvious dirt. Once you’ve done this, mark where the fixtures will be positioned. Then, apply at least two layers of
masking tape where the drill bit will be used, as this will help to hold it steady. Slowly begin to drill into the tile, making sure you don’t go too fast in case of cracking. Finally, insert your screw anchor
then mount your hardware as per the instructions.
I hope you find this post helpful and thank you to the lovely team at Tiles Direct for being so helpful and answering my questions!
