Our traditional Moroccan zellige tiles are handmade using age-old methods. Need Help? Ceramic tile is the most popular tile. Although I dont think zellige will ever go the way of subway, I like to be creative and use something when it is right and there is no other option and I MUST have it. I think we all chose Cl tile in weathered white (which they literally cant keep in stock right now) and all of us still LOVE it. La Riviera Rose | 6. How do you finish the edges of zellige in this scenario? They will withstand the test of time and look more authentic than ceramic tiles. x 4 in. If you want to pay tribute to the home of zellige tiles, then consider vibrant tiles like these. https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/how-to-pronounce-design-terms. And if I use it now it will be EXPECTED. Would love to see more views of the kitchen and anything written up about it. Nevertheless, I feel grey can be perceived as a sad color in some years, perhaps not the bright zellige one though. White and wood are only neutrals I like. Cleaning zellige tiles is different than cleaning regular tiles. My grand mother had a bathroom tiled with white metro style tiles with a top border at the middle of the wall of belgian hand painted tiles with seaside scenes. (I have the square Cle Zellige in Weathered White but it has not been installed yet). For example, Emilys kitchen has the tile very even with visible grout lines, while other photos have it closer and rougher. As a 60 years old lady, if memories are useful for you, young people, I remember that I have always also loved hand made style, i.e mexican tile, in, not so dark, blue or sea like green. Things that I dont think are ever dated should definitely be a blog post. They were first made in Fez, Morocco and the most authentic zellige tile still comes from that region. In our case, the house is not our forever home and I dont want buyers in a few years to mark down their offer because they feel zellige is just too 2021- it is an expensive permanent design feature to alter. Pick a neutral or bright color to offset the natural-colored tile that you have picked out. The rest can be covered in zellige tiles, creating an awestriking effect. I definitely agree with you, neutral tones never go out of style. Your glaze layer and grout should both be water-resistant. No one has ever regretted tiling their shower. I may ask them to sand the edges a bit, based on Julies comment below. Thats what I did in our kitchen and it absolutely worked with the English cottage vibe we wanted. If you dont feel like zellige tile is right for you, then maybe you are still looking for the tile you want for your home. Its not easy to find real zellige tiles in such fragile shapes, but if you do, youve found a real gem. Through this meticulous process, incredible variation in color and surface texture from tile to tile is achieved, giving each piece its own unique look and feel. With little grout needed, they work just fine. Glass tile is fairly self-explanatory. Morrocan tiles have a whiter base. For example, I feel like it would scratch your skin if you accidentally bumped into the wall. Take a look at these different types of tiles that are available to the public. zellige | moroccan sea salt | unmounted square, zellige | parched vellum | unmounted square, zellige | weathered white | unmounted square, zellige | battled armor | unmounted square, zellige | tarnished silver | unmounted square, zellige | charred cedar (textured satin) | bejmat, zellige | charred cedar (textured satin) | hex, zellige | charred cedar (textured satin) | square, zellige | charred cedar (textured satin) | unmounted square, zellige | scribes' ink (gloss) | unmounted square, zellige | classic cerulean | unmounted square, zellige | pending storm | unmounted square, zellige | shattered pearl | unmounted square. This tile was crafted and designed to go in this style of home so it wont feel out of place to have more fun with it. I can give you a million examples of things that I dont think are ever dated (should this be a blog post?) Idris by Ait Manos Mosaics | 2. I also like how it looks like in newer homes. 888-398-6595 But tile isnt something you want or should switch out easily. Wedge spacers will allow the butted tiles to be different, but the goal is not to have spaces or visible grout. Im leaning toward a smoother install like Emilys to make wiping it down and keeping it clean easy. Steel Hex | 5. Natural Bejmat | 12. Zel-ig? I just ran into this in my kitchen with a section of wall. Ive been deep diving into what is *really* classic for a couple of years now too, and the neutral thing was a total hangup for me for a while until I stumbled across this site by a blogger named Maria Killam. Pastels are my jam, but I think muted blue is quite possibly the worst color to have ever been discovered. It can withstand any amount of traffic and is safe in just about every way. It is the only one that doesnt mention where it is from? Despite the name, it is even more durable than ceramic tile. Every single one is different in both texture and color, even within the same color choice. The tiles are handmade by craftsmen called malems. You can get them custom cut or buy sets that will fit together like puzzle pieces. but I think thats the wrong question. But neutral colors can be tricky, there are many shades of white, ivory, cream and grey. ( function( $ ) { $( '.faq-section .faq-q' ).on( 'click', function( event ) { event.preventDefault(); $( this ).closest( '.faq-item' ).toggleClass( 'toggled' ); }); })( jQuery ); Copyright 2008-2022 - All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy and Disclosure Update Privacy Settings. I had a moment of hesitation before i ordered for all these reasons set out so well here, but in the end, ive loved these tiles ever since i saw them all over Morocco, and knew theyd make me happy to have a bit of them in my home! also, that lake arrowhead bathroom forever! For shower floors, you should use 2X2 zellige tiles. Luckily for you, predicting what design elements will look dated is an obsessive pastime of mine and its especially important when something reaches a certain almost peak level of popularity. and then I saw everyone come to the same realization. I love aqua and mint, but any other blues and greens I hate and I dont use hate lightly for colors. Moroccan tiles are generally lighter or brighter than Mediterranean tiles. But if you have one installed, they can make a home look and feel toasty. it could honestly be a whole series stone/tile/installed stuff, furniture, decor/accessories, clothes(!!!) Team Weve historically loved and used Cl tile so I want to give them an extra shout-out. If you cant find tiles like these, you can get ceramic tiles in the same pattern and accent them with square zellige tiles for a similar effect. But this tile job makes a huge statement. If you have a fireplace, consider retiling it with zellige tiles. If you cant afford full zellige tiles, then consider mixing and matching. Kelsey and her contractor are right the most classic way to finish Zellige is the mitered edge for a crisp finish with no clay showing or you can fish around in your lot for ones that have some edge glazing and use those. This bathroom cabinet is gorgeous, and features long, vertical zellige tiles. This process from those materials come together to bring SO much movement and organic texture to a simple solid color. Most installation guides will tell you not to use grout joint on Zellige tile. Something Im definitely working on! You can take the old world vibe out of it by stacking it horizontally or vertically, even switch those orientations (like 1/2 way up a wall for instance), play with color blocking them, and absolutely play with squares both big and small. A thicker shelf is preferable, but you can usually get by with two-by-sixes. Hi Hilary, I had this same issue when renovating my kitchen a few years ago. I just posted a very similar question above, I desperately want the answer to this question! I really dont want a metal schluter messing with the rusticity of the zellige, but no one seems to sell trim pieces, and its SO thick and rough on the edge. I love love love zellige tile and dont see myself ever tiring of it. This weather, uneven look. Often with something so simple like a weathered white brick tile, its all the other less permanent accessories and textiles that can make it look totally unique while still being timeless. But no love letter to a design element is complete without a roundup of where to get your hands on these tiles. 37333705), Str. I love the shiny finish too, but I wonder if it is too iridescent and shiny to be timeless. A row or two of zellige tiles can make a big difference. How you design with that classic yet popular element to represent your personality and home. However after chiseling out miles of tumbled neutral marble in a recent renovation, I reverted to simple marble subway throughout our recent renovation. I had Zellige tiles in our English country house in LA in both our bathroom and the kitchen. Make sure you seal the grout joints. Cles website suggests using no finishing edge. Metal tile is one of the newer tiles on the market. Theyre lovely, but all I think about when I see them is my cleaning cloth getting caught on the jagged edges, and dirt settling into the nooks and crannies. It is my assertion that there are some things that just dont date. Are there lots of books and crannies where dirt hides? 158.76 /m. Where To Buy Moving Boxes At The Best Price, How To Achieve A Minimalist Living Room Decor. Can these be used outside? Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Weathered White Square, Opener Image Credit: Design by Amber Lewis | Photo by Jess Issac | via All Sorts Of. They create a statement without any busyness just movement. Lets explore. Or keeping clean? As stated previously, these tiles are not uniform. its amber lewis, same as the final photo, of the bathroom. I opted for glazed brick instead of zellige since it felt more grounded and still had that movement but isnt toooooooooo ostentatious. But there are lots of new builds that are kind of a mix of styles. So I get weary of something that is everywhere, the same as subway tile. I used Fireclay handmade tiles in all my remodels (over 10 years ago), not only because theyre beautiful, but they used to be a mile from my house before they moved to San Francisco. I redid my kitchen almost 6 years ago and this talented woman showed me gorgeous Zellige tile (weathered white, smaller square) which I used and LOVE. Im just starting a kitchen reno and am using that exact Riad tile white hex as my backsplash. The tiles are also expensive, which is why they arent seen as often. They are made with natural clay and water, then hand-shaped and kiln-fired, with olive pits. Thanks! Id just keep it simple within there dont get too decorative with the details or mix too many different styles or shapes together. I think for a shower, the key is to clean often (which is the case with any tile really) so grout grossness never becomes a problem. Sat 9am-4pm CST. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I love this from afar, but I dont know how I feel about the chips. That way, you can still use the zellige tiles and pay tribute to Morocco. I want it in the kitchen, but Id love something less photographed at this point. But they dont stop being beautiful. Zellige tile, or Moroccan tile, are terracotta tiles that call Morocco home. Our sites use cookies to improve your experience. The more natural your fireplace, the better. The fact that it has become trendy doesnt help. Battled Armor Square | 7. I actually sell tile and handle installs. Customer Service is open: I recall I did not like grey when I was young, neither do now. Some beautiful things arent timeless (remember how dated houseplants looked for a few decades there?) If the unevenness in thickness is not your jam due to cleaning issues, you can get the look by using a more manufactured tile that still bounces the light, but has a uniform thickness and shape. Important question on edges with this tileI have one section of my new kitchen where the tile will finish without an edge to butt up against. Ive found her thoughts on what is actually timeless immeasurably helpful, so I thought Id share. Introduce the organic beauty of handmade Moroccan tile into your space with the Zellige collection. The tiles are small, square, and textured. How is it for cleaning? -How to Actually Pronounce It:Zil-eehj, with the second syllable pronounced like legion. FIRST OFF, I have a universal belief that most things that are well crafted out of high quality materials, and in relatively neutral palette/finish do not date (easily). The edges will be very visible around my range niche area. Its just utterly depressing to me, if I have to be in a room with it, it better come with Prozac. If your house is Mediterranean, Spanish, Moroccan, more bungalow-y, etc you have far more leeway to take risks in shapes, orientation, and even colors (and adding borders and decorative details). Tiles of Ezra also has zellige and they make a thin tile so you dont have to worry about their unusual thickness! i love the zellige tile! Just make sure that if you do tile yours, a professional does it. Moroccan Mosaic Solid Color Off-White | 10. Since some materials arent safe to use around them, you have to be careful when building. Ive been thinking about installing zellige in my shower for our bathroom remodel, but wouldnt it be a nightmare? They were always beautiful, if wed had the sense to see. In a rural Italian country house (in my dreams!) Zellige has been used for thousands of years and even old applications look like a million bucks. While it certainly feels fresh and now, it is not new and has in fact been around for over a thousand years getting better every day. They're available for delivery in just 3-5 days. This walkway was inspired by the Mediterranean area, which also uses a terracotta tile. But if you want to be super safe, stick to whites, grays, warm neutrals, blacks, and tones of blues and greens to ensure longevity and resale. AND LEARN ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY - WE PROMISE ITS SUPER COOL. Ive loved zellige tile, since I was first introduced to it in your kitchen. Mon-Fri 7am-6pm CST This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But the same cant be said for zellige tile. Has anyone does this in their shower? The rest of the wall, floor, or backsplash can be done with cheaper tiles. Crazing is when zellige tiles have hairline cracks caused by the glaze surface after firing, which isnt uncommon in hand crafted tile. These are beautiful tiles! , with the second syllable pronounced like legion.. Porcelain tile designs are usually digitally printed on top, giving you the look you desire at an incredible price. I would love to use it one day but it has to be unexpected. Emily Medlock is a freelance writer, published author, and certified life coach. Wood cookstoves arent as common as they used to be. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Then my mom used it in her kitchen but the skinnier subway they had recently started to make. Be sure to hire a very skilled tile installer if you go this route! Dont believe me? Here you go, 1. All Rights Reserved. Todays subject is the Zellige tile. Contact, About But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Zellige tiles were invented in the 12th century, and have been popular ever since. I just did a bathroom and Im hoping I didnt do it wrongha! CUSTOMER SERVICE (We shot both for the book so I cant show you that yet :)). Sure I see it a lot, but its just so good. About 75-90 percent of the tile youll see is ceramic tile, its definitely a safe choice. They are easy to clean, can be configured many different ways, and are super versatile in their application herringbone, parquet, horizontal or vertical, stack or stagger. People have been paving with stones for thousands of years, and to this day, they havent stopped. He mentioned if that had not been the case, he would have cut the tile with a mitered edge and brought two pieces together at a 45 degree angle to create a finished look (not sure if that makes sense). Or the shape will be fine but the backsplash height will look hilarious. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I really love the look, particularly in the soft blues. Id love a blog post about the top thjngs that dont date or go out of so-called style. Can you please reference the kitchen in the first photo? Iron Grey Zellige | 3. If it cant be the star I wouldnt use it. Another factor Ive been considering is how closely and evenly to ask the tiler to install the tile. Is it one you designed? I agree handmade, craftsman quality elements are timeless. They also offer some Trendline options which are a texture coated aluminum. Cl and Fireclay both are used frequently, and would fight for my business if I had another tile application in the future. Color is always tricky, but I think thats more for resale. Not a huge deal since it only extends a foot or so. This tile is smooth in texture and easy to lay. Bottom line do what you love and can afford. Absolutely beautiful! At first it was fun to see it popping up and become more accessible but then it was EVERYWHERE. is the Zellige tiles charm. Scroll down to do so now! While most backsplashes are oblong while unique backsplashes are square. I love our Carrera as much and it worked out to actually be less expensive as well as easier to work around edging. THANK YOU FOR THESE GREAT IDEAS. Guides You can do the same thing with Morrocan terracotta tiles for a similar effect. Dumb question: how do you pronounce zellige? They are simply less guaranteed to be loved for as long, and by as many. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A backsplash covered a small portion of the wall and over the oven and countertop. In fact, I have the same tile in the kids bathroom of our modern cabin in Lake Arrowhead a totally different style, installed in 2018 (we actually had overage from the first time and then just ordered floor tile to match in a smaller scale). If they arent uniform, then theyre authentic. I would also like to vote for a post all about finishes and furnishings that are timeless! Then, you can paint the remaining surface the same or complimenting color. Am I imagining things? If you have an ounce of perfectionism in you, then you probably want to get an expert to lay your zellige tile. I remember how classic, how timeless and how simple the rustic tumbled marble was hailed as being- only to morph into another clich of 90/ early 2000s trend. Idris by Ait Manos Mosaics | 9. These ideas will get the gears moving in your brain and create new ideas to make them your own. Again, Im NOT saying to not use that rust color, mustard, or aubergine Zellige tile Ive seen them done and they can be STUNNING, but if timelessness is your goal then just know you are taking more of a risk (check out this bright yellow SO AMAZING I WANT TO TAKE A SHOWER IN AN ALL YELLOW SHOWER SO BAD). One of my best friends has the same ones in her bathroom in her Uber contemporary home square stacked in the bathroom. Im definitely using these. 189.00 /m, From Youll need to add a slip-resistant coating. If you dont want to go that route, look up some natural stone jollys or pencils. After the zellige tile has dried, clean it with a wet sponge and mild soap. The base of the tile is hand moulded from a special blend of clays and each one is dipped into glaze individually, meaning no two tiles are the same. Id love to hear any other ideas! I love these deep dives, and hearing all that you are learning. Im thinking specifically about as a backsplash on a roofdeck kitchenette. Or the counter I have toned them with will look extremely dated because of the thickness /edge profile / whatever. And its worth the time/thoughts because searching for timelessness is a valid goal that we should all be after. Because they arent uniform, zellige tiles require scrubbing, often with a special sponge. White good quality ( not mate) tile have always been right. Luckily, you can install shelves inside the zellige tile walls. You can find ceramic kitchen and bathroom tiles that are affordable and easy to install. I also didnt want a Schluter situation and didnt use a trim piece. Jobs, Legal We went with the Cle Weathered White and randomly about 25% of the tiles had glazing on the edge enough to be considered finished and my contractor just picked those out to use for that section and it looks great. Although youve seen zellige tiles, you might not have known their name. If your house is traditional, colonial, farmhouse, craftsman, country/cottage I personally would lean on the more traditional brick shape (think subway, 24 or even better 26) and stagger it horizontally in a more traditional way. . It adds a shininess and brightness for all rooms, though it should only be used indoors. Take the live edge dining table for instance Sure you can find cheap and faux versions at major retailers, but that still hasnt cheapened the BBDW table that launched the movement 15 years ago (and the use of live edge has been around forever). , This style of tile is gorgeous. You could find one that could coordinate well with the tile. Well learn more about different types of tile later on. If your house is midcentury, postmodern (70s, 80s, 90s style), or contemporary then this can absolutely work for you, too. Should you have a tile design in mind, a simple trim in zellige tiles will look amazing. Just because one thing is popular, it does not mean we should be over it in fact, its popular for a reason. I know this is a traditional tile, and I love how it looks like in a traditional application. Im onboard for seeing other timeless elements. However I do have some hesitstion about this. I dont have a cleaner, I do it all myself, and the grout where the tiles over- or under-hang would surely end up grotty?? The tile is surrounded by shelves to complete the look. I also love the way Studio DIY used these tiles in the bathroom, she just wrote about it again on her blog! This could be a great blog series here. Will it look timeless in 10 to 15 years? Id really love to see examples of the elements used throughout the decades. I love looking through old designs to see if something from 10, 15, 20, or more years ago would still appeal to me. They are made in Morocco as well and have all the standard colors. You can also cut your zellige tiles with a tile cutter, but you should hire a professional. Here is everything you need to know about zellige tiles. Additionally, these glossy tiles reflect so much light without feeling glam. Just add extra support underneath them as well. If you want uniform tiles, you will want to get ceramic tiles instead, which are more common and easier to use. I like to use Daltiles trim pieces. 2022 The Tile Shop All Rights Reserved. This will create a sturdy base and a rustic-modern look. Laying zellige tiles requires skill and focus. In my experience with people, readers, and clients, 99% of people love neutrals (whites, grays, creams, and blacks) and most people really like muted blues and greens. Even the popular patterned cement tile hasnt quite hit like this. The tips about using handmade tiles are fabulous, especially the one about mixing tge boxes before tiking to avoid colour lots bring different due to glaze differences. Also ivory or very pale cream, not yellowish, have always been right for me. Get better results in your visual search by selecting one of our categories (Optional), Zellige Tile | White Square / Rectangle Tile. After they are fired, enamel glazing is applied by hand. Emily said theyre easy to clean, but I wonder about that, because of all those uneven thicknesses. explore our zellige collection and use our filters to find the perfect zellige for your project. Hope this helps! Because of its high price tag, Zellige tile imitations are growing in popularity. Making zellige tiles isnt as simple as turning on a machine at a factory. Not to mention, its extremely low-maintenance. Most tiles can be washed, like ceramic sinks or bathtubs. Gheorghe Titeica 202-204, 020305, Bucharest. Hi! I see in your choices that you have a very good eye for neutral colors. Although subway tiles were invented in the early 1900s, while Zellige tiles are hundreds of years old. Each zellige tile is completely unique in tone, texture, and shine. Ceramic tiles are more common than zellige tiles, but not as beautiful. Stone tile is the most natural and probably the oldest option. Sign up to our newsletter to get 5% off your first purchase as well as news and previews: From Yes, Id live to read and exchange ideas about this too. It would be very helpful. our classic modern master bathroom reveal, mountain house reveal: the riskiest bathroom i designed, https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/how-to-pronounce-design-terms, This post that she wrote outlining the evolution of kitchen neutrals over the past few decades. Zellige is lovely! Kathy, this was part of the blog post yesterday Sometimes you can order a certain percentage of tile with a finished glazed edge at some tile companies that will act like a trim piece instead or like someone else mentioned because of the 5/8 thickness there is the possibility to mitre the edges. I used it before them and Im still living off that high!