Quarry tiles - what do you think?
Happy new year everyone!
I'm much in need of your design opinions please...
We're in the middle of a fairly extensive renovation of our Victorian townhouse. The typical single-story galley return at the rear of the house has been the main focus of our efforts, with a vision to open up what was a largish breakfast room (aka a through-corridor) and a smallish kitchen, into a large living space. In doing so we've swapped the kitchen and breakfast rooms round to better dedicate the space and vaulted the ceiling over the dining area to add skylights and french doors onto a terrace. The space is fantastic and we're almost ready to install the kitchen but I'm really struggling with flooring choices. We've yo-yo'd between stock grey matt tiles laid metro, white-wash parquet laid herringbone and reinstating the original terracotta quarry tiles. I keep coming back to the quarry tiles. Whilst renovating the space we found a very small area (about 2m sq) of the original quarry tiles. Had they all been there we would most definitely have retained them, no questions asked, decision made.
We're working hard to sympathetically retain all the original features from the period and I am 99% certain that reinstating the quarry tiles is the right call. But I hesitate and I think that's because I've found so few image references that show quarry tiles in a positive light. They all look so cold and mortuary-like. Is that because quarry tiles actually look cold and mortuary-like? Or just because they're off-trend? I can live with off-trend. I can't live with cold and mortuary-like.
I've attached images of the space from our kitchen designer. The kitchen itself is very modern in grey matt with a white and grey quartz worktop - I like the contrast of that against the original period features in the space (stash windows, doors, high ceilings...). The walls will be painted a green (not a sludgy earthy green - more grey blue). I think the quarry tiles will be a nice nod to the period and juxtapose well against the sleek modern finish of the kitchen. Or am I wrong and actually it's just going to look odd?
What do you think?
Perhaps it's all in the laying of the tile? I've found a nice hexagon shape quarry tile that could bring a modern slant to the look. Or maybe we should lay rectangular quarry tiles herringbone style to lift it? Or perhaps we mix terracotta and black/cream tiles to mix it up? I've attached some pics - admittedly they're not very inspiring.
Pros on this decision that I'm certain about a) the terracotta colour of the tiles will look really nice against matt grey cabinets and the green walls, and b) quarry tiles are really budget-friendly at around £20 per sq meter (the rest of the renovation has NOT been budget friendly!)
Any opinions much appreciated! Thank you!
Comments (10)
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5 years agoRelated Discussions
Victorian tiles on toilet floor- what do you think?
Comments (12)You did a very good job of mixing those different tiles, it looks wonderful & like the newest on the market patchwork style tiles available at extortionate prices..beautiful, well done.....See MoreWhat do you think I should do about this old dresser?
Comments (25)wow stellahome, what a grand house and entrance! I'm intrigued! Do you have many original features left in the house? servant bells maybe? :) Post some pictures for us! I am very familiar with lassco, in fact I currently live 5 mins away from there, and pop in often, they have many wonderful items which really enhance an old house. Took a couple of more pictures today of the dresser, as even though it looks very worn, look at the dovetail joint details! They certainly don't make them like this anymore (unless you pay a hefty price for it!)...See MoreFlooring over Quarry tiles
Comments (6)The SPAB also run courses for owners of historical properties and have a huge series of short guides on various technical features of historic properties. And if you haven't already bought it, buy "The Old House Handbook" And make sure you've got a copy of the listing to refer to -- thankfully for my hovel, the listing is fairly brief, but even then there are things on there that aren't around any more thirty years fown the line. if you're thinking of digging up the floor, you'll almost certainly need listed building consent. https://www.spab.org.uk/advice/technical-qas/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0711227721/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499984967&sr=8-2&pi=SL75&keywords=old+house+handbook...See MoreWhich patio tiles to choose & what do you think of the design? TIA :)
Comments (2)It’s a nice design! Tough choice on the tiles because I like both. I’d carry on the wooden tiles to the edge of the step so it looks streamlined but it’s entirely your choice. Perhaps you can lay the samples out again when your raised beds are done? One thing I notice with the raised beds is I don’t think the one one the left and the curved one will be wide enough. Not sure what you’re using to build them but when you’ve taken into account the thickness of the walls it will leave a lot less then 50cm width for the soil and plants. I’d have at least 40cm for the soil width (better for the plants) and an extra say 10cm for the wall each side but this is assuming they’re brick or block construction. Love the sunken bed idea:)...See MoreShirelle Grant
5 years ago
PROJade Jefferies
5 years agoI like the idea of the black quarry tiles laid in a herringbone pattern. (note that it is v labour intensive to lay small tiles this way). Its nice to take inspiration from the original building where possible. I think the terracotta tiles would be too much unless they are reclaimed. Make sure you get samples and look at them together with the other kitchen finishes.
The pictures shown below also have lighter walls which contrast well with the floor/kitchen, make sure you are happy with the green walls - or could you use that colour elsewhere?
Juliet Docherty
5 years agoI like handmade terracotta tiles like these below, but they are high maintenance and quite expensive. However, looking at the images Jade Jeffries has posted, something earthy looking would work well with the dark kitchen. Pale bleached wood would look lovely with the dark units and go well with some earthier elements (see bottom image) such as handmade Moroccan tiles too.
Sonia
5 years agoI really don’t like quarry tiles - too utilitarian and very light sapping. I worked at an animal shelter years ago and the kennel floors were lined with quarry tiles - terrible to try and keep clean. The kennels have been knocked down and the new ones have a better, smoother flooring which is easier to clean. Not trying to put you off or anything! There are so many lovely floors you can choose now for not much more than the cost of quarry tiles. Have a look at porcelain tiles which come in every configuration from large format to herringbone to wood effect.
tamp75
5 years agoShirelle Grant
5 years agoA B
5 years agoJonathan
5 years agoGiven the cabinets are a strong colour perhaps the floor should be light. Given the clean lines of the kitchen I like a large format tile (so fewer fussy grout lines). But you could also consider terrazzo, marmoleum, or LVT to give you a subtle pattern.
Jonathan