Dishwashing in a rustic wooden kitchen showcases the popularity of Delft tiles - discover methods to replicate this style
In the heart of a charming Edwardian-era terraced home, photographer Caroline Briggs has transformed her kitchen, breathing new life into the space with the help of heritage brand Fired Earth. The focus of her revamp was to bring character back into the kitchen, and she achieved this beautifully with the use of Delft tiles.
The kitchen now boasts a bright and open appearance, thanks to the installation of white porcelain Delft tiles and contemporary stone worktops. Open shelving has been incorporated to display everyday kitchenware and one-off knick-knacks, adding a personal touch to the space. To tie in the blue tones from the tiles, Caroline accessorized the dresser unit and worktop with pale blue kitchenware.
Delft tiles, originating from the town of Delft in the Netherlands, are characterized by small blue hand-painted motifs on a simple white square tile. These traditional tiles are making a comeback in kitchen design trends, often seen in cottages and traditional kitchen ideas. They add a warm, down-to-earth feel to the cooking space, creating a touch of intrigue.
In a pared-back kitchen scheme, Delft tiles create a bright and simple design without being void of character. To incorporate Delft tiles into a modern kitchen design, use them thoughtfully as a distinctive backsplash or feature wall, combining their classic blue-and-white motifs with clean, contemporary elements to create a balanced look.
Caroline's kitchen is a perfect example of this approach. She has paired the Delft tiles with a pared-back, neutral palette, using simple white, wood tones, or muted colors for cabinetry and countertops. This creates a bright, open feel and emphasizes the tiles as artful accents rather than clutter.
Selective tile placement has also been used in Caroline's kitchen. Rather than covering entire walls, a strip or cluster of Delft tiles interspersed with plain white tiles or contemporary formats showcases the traditional hand-painted motifs that give Delft tiles their charm.
In addition, Caroline has customized her tile patterns and colors, choosing tiles with a slightly deeper or more saturated blue to align with her kitchen’s color scheme. She has also mixed patterned Delft-style tiles with plain or subtly textured tiles for a vintage-inspired but fresh backsplash.
The combination of old and new elements in Caroline's kitchen makes it both Instagram-ready and timeless. A cafe curtain on the top cupboard allows for the hiding of clutter while displaying aesthetically pleasing paraphernalia.
Holly Cockburn, a Content Editor at a platform, writes about kitchen and bathroom designs and buys. She previously worked at Top Ten Reviews, focusing on TikTok viral cleaning hacks and the care of investment purchases such as lawn mowers, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners. Holly's favorite kitchen style is Shaker.
In recent kitchen trends, nostalgic, traditional-inspired design, such as down-to-earth wood tones and curated clutter, are popular. This trend aligns perfectly with the use of Delft tiles, which, when used thoughtfully, can create a warm, personalized, and homely atmosphere in a modern kitchen.
[1] Fired Earth (2021). Delft Tiles for Kitchen Splashbacks or Walls [2] Homes & Gardens (2021). How to use Delft tiles in your kitchen [3] Real Homes (2021). How to use Delft tiles in your kitchen [4] Living etc. (2021). How to use Delft tiles in your kitchen
- Photographer Caroline Briggs' kitchen renovation, featuring Delft tiles, is a testament to how traditional elements can be seamlessly integrated into modern interior design, creating a warm, personalized, and homely atmosphere.
- Incorporating Delft tiles into a contemporary lifestyle can results in a unique blend of old and new, as demonstrated by Caroline's kitchen, which showcases personalization through open shelving and selective tile placement.
- Delft tiles in kitchen designs are not just trending in traditional settings but are also being embraced in personalized,Shaker-style kitchens, as evidenced by Caroline's renovation and according to kitchen and bathroom design expert Holly Cockburn.
