Pattern Power: Encaustic Tiles That Pack a Style Punch
Encaustic tiles have been used in buildings for centuries, but work just as beautifully in today's homes
Rebecca Gross
14 November 2017
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Encaustic tiles have a history that dates back centuries, but with their striking patterns and durable construction, they can be surprisingly effective in contemporary homes. The key to making them work is balance – balancing the size, pattern and colour of the tile with the space it’s going into. Here’s everything you need to know about where they came from, and how to make them work for you.
What are encaustic tiles?
Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles in which the pattern is made up of two to six different colours of clay. The pattern is inlaid into the tile three to six millimetres deep, which is why encaustic tiles were originally known as ‘inlaid tiles’ during the middle ages. Encaustic tiles can be glazed or unglazed, and the inlaid pattern remains even when the tile is worn down. They are also now commonly made with cement, where different colours of cement are moulded to form a pattern, then pressed together into a single piece.
Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles in which the pattern is made up of two to six different colours of clay. The pattern is inlaid into the tile three to six millimetres deep, which is why encaustic tiles were originally known as ‘inlaid tiles’ during the middle ages. Encaustic tiles can be glazed or unglazed, and the inlaid pattern remains even when the tile is worn down. They are also now commonly made with cement, where different colours of cement are moulded to form a pattern, then pressed together into a single piece.
“Encaustic tiles are handmade, with each piece taking up to five minutes to produce,” says Diana Di Lorenzo, retail manager at Di Lorenzo Tiles. “They can be customised to suit your colour scheme – something that isn’t easily achieved with other tile styles. This makes them very appealing to homeowners and designers wanting to stamp their own personality on a space.”
Drew Mansur, co-founder at TileCloud concurs, adding; “Encaustic tiles are really trending right now. Styles with bold geometric patterns, which are a little less ornate than traditional encaustics, are particularly popular.”
“We are also seeing encaustics in playful shapes such as diamonds, hexagons and mini brick shapes, as well as soft, pastel colours being used to add interest to room schemes,” says Di Lorenzo.
How Do I… Choose a Kitchen Benchtop Material?
Drew Mansur, co-founder at TileCloud concurs, adding; “Encaustic tiles are really trending right now. Styles with bold geometric patterns, which are a little less ornate than traditional encaustics, are particularly popular.”
“We are also seeing encaustics in playful shapes such as diamonds, hexagons and mini brick shapes, as well as soft, pastel colours being used to add interest to room schemes,” says Di Lorenzo.
How Do I… Choose a Kitchen Benchtop Material?
A brief history
Monastic potters of the Cistercian Order first developed the production of encaustic tiles in the 12th century, which they used for paving. Early tiles had a colour palette of red, dark brown, yellow, white, green and black, shaped into repetitive geometric designs that reflected Eastern influences. Later designs expressed local heraldry. The use of encaustic floor tiles diminished over the coming years, but their durability meant they lasted for centuries.
Monastic potters of the Cistercian Order first developed the production of encaustic tiles in the 12th century, which they used for paving. Early tiles had a colour palette of red, dark brown, yellow, white, green and black, shaped into repetitive geometric designs that reflected Eastern influences. Later designs expressed local heraldry. The use of encaustic floor tiles diminished over the coming years, but their durability meant they lasted for centuries.
In the 19th century, a renewed interest in Gothic architecture and decoration stimulated a new demand for the medieval inlaid tiles. In 1835, Herbert Minton and Samuel Wright released a pattern book of 62 encaustic designs based on medieval originals.
Encaustic tiles became increasingly popular in public and private buildings during the early- to mid-19th century, with architects and interior experts using them to enhance the colour or graphic form of their interior designs.
Encaustic tiles became increasingly popular in public and private buildings during the early- to mid-19th century, with architects and interior experts using them to enhance the colour or graphic form of their interior designs.
How are they made?
Where other tiles have a design applied to their top surface, encaustic ceramic tiles are made of two or more colours of clay that are inlaid together to create the pattern. The tiles are then fired.
Encaustic cement tiles are made using a steel mould of the design (like a super-sized cookie cutter). The coloured cement is poured into the various sections of the mould, which keeps the colours separate, allowing the desired pattern to form. It is then placed into a hydraulic press with evenly applied pressure until the layers become a single tile. Once removed from the mould, the pressed tile is placed in a rack and submerged in water for the necessary chemical reaction in the concrete to occur. The tiles are removed from the water, dried and stacked for curing.
Where other tiles have a design applied to their top surface, encaustic ceramic tiles are made of two or more colours of clay that are inlaid together to create the pattern. The tiles are then fired.
Encaustic cement tiles are made using a steel mould of the design (like a super-sized cookie cutter). The coloured cement is poured into the various sections of the mould, which keeps the colours separate, allowing the desired pattern to form. It is then placed into a hydraulic press with evenly applied pressure until the layers become a single tile. Once removed from the mould, the pressed tile is placed in a rack and submerged in water for the necessary chemical reaction in the concrete to occur. The tiles are removed from the water, dried and stacked for curing.
How to choose encaustic tiles
When it comes to choosing a tile, look for one that not only suits your style preferences, but will give your interior a balanced look, advises Sonya Marish of Jatana Interiors, a specialist in encaustic tiles.”There are so many designs it can be overwhelming,” she says. “What you choose comes down to personal choice, but from a design perspective it’s also important to achieve a sense of balance.”
When it comes to choosing a tile, look for one that not only suits your style preferences, but will give your interior a balanced look, advises Sonya Marish of Jatana Interiors, a specialist in encaustic tiles.”There are so many designs it can be overwhelming,” she says. “What you choose comes down to personal choice, but from a design perspective it’s also important to achieve a sense of balance.”
Balance refers to three aspects of a design:
- balancing the size of a tile’s pattern with the size of the room,
- balancing the pattern with other features and elements in the space, and
- balancing the tile colour with other materials in a space.
Balance pattern and space
As a general rule, it’s best to use a small pattern in a small space and a large pattern in a large space. “Most tile patterns will create a secondary pattern when they’re laid together, which you can’t see in a small space,” says Marish. “Larger patterns suit larger spaces because the more they’re repeated the more beautiful they become.”
As a general rule, it’s best to use a small pattern in a small space and a large pattern in a large space. “Most tile patterns will create a secondary pattern when they’re laid together, which you can’t see in a small space,” says Marish. “Larger patterns suit larger spaces because the more they’re repeated the more beautiful they become.”
Also try not to go overboard with too much pattern. When you’re dealing with a compact room, for example, you’ll find that small doses of pattern can work best. Kitchen splashbacks are a great spot for a small punch of colour and pattern.
Balance pattern and other elements
In order to create a balanced feel, factor in any surrounding patterns and finishes when choosing your patterned tile. One of Marish’s favourite pairings for encaustics is subway tiles, which are low-key and won’t vie for attention. Pressed metal is another great option, she says.
This bathroom features ‘Blue Sunflower’ encaustic tiles on the floor from Jatana Interiors, and handmade subway tiles.
Browse stunning contemporary bathrooms
In order to create a balanced feel, factor in any surrounding patterns and finishes when choosing your patterned tile. One of Marish’s favourite pairings for encaustics is subway tiles, which are low-key and won’t vie for attention. Pressed metal is another great option, she says.
This bathroom features ‘Blue Sunflower’ encaustic tiles on the floor from Jatana Interiors, and handmade subway tiles.
Browse stunning contemporary bathrooms
It’s also important to choose a colour that doesn’t clash with other surfaces in a room, be it joinery or timber. “Especially with earthy tones,” says Marish. “Mustard colours can clash with woods that have an orangey tinge.”
Balance colour and materials
The colour palette of the encaustic tiles should harmonise with each other and with the other materials in the space.
If you’re using more than one tile design or colour, Marish recommends choosing three or four (up to a maximum of six) and repeating them over and over. “This creates rhythm in the chaos, and some repetition for the eyes,” she says. “It’s very European to mix and match patterns, but make sure to balance the colours and designs.” The key is to have a common thread that unites the different tiles, such as colour or pattern.
The colour palette of the encaustic tiles should harmonise with each other and with the other materials in the space.
If you’re using more than one tile design or colour, Marish recommends choosing three or four (up to a maximum of six) and repeating them over and over. “This creates rhythm in the chaos, and some repetition for the eyes,” she says. “It’s very European to mix and match patterns, but make sure to balance the colours and designs.” The key is to have a common thread that unites the different tiles, such as colour or pattern.
Both modern and traditional good looks
Depending on the tile design and how it is used, encaustic tiles can look traditional, eclectic or contemporary. This geometric design would work equally well in a light-filled modern room as it does an older-style bathroom.
Depending on the tile design and how it is used, encaustic tiles can look traditional, eclectic or contemporary. This geometric design would work equally well in a light-filled modern room as it does an older-style bathroom.
Where to use encaustic tiles
Hardwearing and low-maintenance encaustic tiles can be used in a variety of spaces, including bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, outdoor areas and entryways. They are suitable for floors, walls, splashbacks, benchtops, island fronts and hearths.
When making your tile selection, you should be aware that no two tiles will be exactly alike: “As encaustic tiles are handmade, chips and tonal variations are all beautiful features,” says Di Lorenzo.
Hardwearing and low-maintenance encaustic tiles can be used in a variety of spaces, including bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, outdoor areas and entryways. They are suitable for floors, walls, splashbacks, benchtops, island fronts and hearths.
When making your tile selection, you should be aware that no two tiles will be exactly alike: “As encaustic tiles are handmade, chips and tonal variations are all beautiful features,” says Di Lorenzo.
This bathroom features a black and white ‘White Moorish Night’ encaustic tile from Jatana on the floor to complement the bathroom’s monochromatic colour palette rather than contrast with it. “Encaustic tiles work particularly well on floors as they become softer with age and feel incredible underfoot,” says Mansur.
Encaustic tiles look effective outdoors too – here, a simple geometric-patterned design on the facade of an outdoor bar area adds texture and interest to the space.
Caring for encaustic tiles
If you’re handy you can lay encaustic tiles yourself, but they will need to be sealed with a penetrating sealer, just like any natural stone.
Encaustic tiles are thick and durable, and won’t chip or crack. They can be cleaned with hot soapy water. “They’re easy to maintain if you have sealed them correctly and they will develop a beautiful patina with age,” Marish says.
Tell us
Would you consider using encaustic tiles in your own home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find tile professionals on Houzz
If you’re handy you can lay encaustic tiles yourself, but they will need to be sealed with a penetrating sealer, just like any natural stone.
Encaustic tiles are thick and durable, and won’t chip or crack. They can be cleaned with hot soapy water. “They’re easy to maintain if you have sealed them correctly and they will develop a beautiful patina with age,” Marish says.
Tell us
Would you consider using encaustic tiles in your own home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find tile professionals on Houzz
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Interesting history and some gorgeous tile patterns in this article. As an aside, theres a lot of neuro research on architecture emerging... and one of the findings is that human beings are actually wired to appreciate detail, pattern, symmetry and rhythm. They please the eye and the brain and make us feel good. If we want to build happy homes then including areas of detail and pattern (like encaustic tiles!) might be a good idea!
Thank you for the thoughts on using Encaustic tiles in a home. I have finally found the tile of my dreams and hope to work out the spacing and application of these tiles as a kitchen back splash. Stay tuned for pictures!
That solid black paint with black pattern tiles is just stunning! It compliments very well and looks really clean and neat, squeaky clean. Where to find these contractors though? This site also contains a plethora of bathroom designs to choose from, and i tell they are such a good contractor, Im telling you based on my experience, great value for the money bathroomrenovationscanberraact.com.au