Introducing: Rediscovered

What first drew you to the idea of designing a tile collection with Bert and May? 

One thing I really like about Lee, Bert & May’s founder is his vision to best facilitate where possible customers' dream ideas in design, and make them into a reality. Whether that is sourcing something unique, or working out the colour balances for bespoke encaustic tile patterns, Lee and the team are innovative and always up for creating something special and unique. With this in mind, I knew between us we would be able to create something rooted in purpose, a collection that is honest and thoughtful. It has been fantastic to have the freedom to create the Rediscovered range that holds many values of craftsmanship with the intention of it being valued and lived with for generations to come. 

When you began sketching concepts for this collection, what themes or inspirations were you most drawn to? 

I love the idea of giving old patterns, historic designs and their stories a new lease of life. Refreshing a story that had already been told in a new way, whether that be scale, layout, colour or finish... allows something to evolve yet remain relevant for today while still preserving character. I think this can add into a design's timelessness. There are very few physical reclaimed or vintage glazed tiles to draw inspiration from because of their beautiful delicate nature, but patterns and imagery from more robust tiles were a great start point as a theme to create something new that linked to something historical.  

How did the heritage of British craft influence your design approach for these tiles? 

Britain has long standing links to craft, with tiles particularly in the Victorian era used in all sorts of public buildings, homes, churches and railway stations. They play a huge part in art and architecture as well as social history, depicting stories, perhaps something symbolic or simply aesthetic like floral patterns or geometrics… So, it is almost impossible to not be influenced somehow in design by that. British tile makers have historically also developed distinctive glaze colours and finishes.  

William Morris and William de Morgan both also emphasised strong influences in handcrafted tiles in the Arts and Crafts movement which highlights and draws attention to hand crafted product with quality materials and design over industrial production. The Rediscovered range, I hope fits neatly into this ethos, celebrating British heritage with beautiful handcrafting, timeless design and high quality product. 

The tiles are hand brushed in two directions and have a crackled glaze. How did you and Bert & May decide on these specific techniques and finishes? 

Something I particularly enjoy about working with product is learning the limits of what is possible in terms of design and production. I love to understand and evolve ideas naturally as the process and range is developed. It is great to be able to work with local artisans and learn more of their craft.  

Initial stencilling in only one direction felt too regimented, the additional brush marks really add to the individuality and depth of each tile's authenticity, it allows each colour to hold its own more firmly and gives more opportunity for the coloured areas to dry in different ways allowing small variations and less uniformity. Each tile finish is entirely unique, and the gorgeous crackle adds yet another special level to the finish. 

What do you feel the texture and finish you chose bring to interior spaces that might not be captured by machine made tiles? 

Human touch adds so much to any piece within your home, or other interior space. Someone’s time, love, attention to detail, care and decisions make the pieces have their own story, and brings some emotional connectivity through the maker’s marks that can lack in machine made tiles. These processes are visible in the results, the tiny inconsistencies and imperfections make them have a deeper value, which as well as being functional allows each tile real character and to be beautiful individually. 

Many customers are drawn to the reclaimed look. How did you interpret this in your designs while keeping the collection original and for contemporary use? 

Reclaimed design and product is an absolutely fantastic resource for many reasons, however glazed tiles are notoriously hard to reclaim due to their fragility and finish. The very initial concept of our design brief was to create a British made, glazed tile collection. With “reclaimed" being at the very heart of Bert and May's aesthetic it seemed the natural start point to begin. Keeping the design simple and classical, the intention was to create something timeless and fresh that was both effective for contemporary use whilst drawing on inspiration from the past. 

Were there particular challenges or surprises that came up while working with handcrafted techniques in the UK? 

We are very fortunate to collaborate with true experts throughout all of the development processes. It has been wonderful to be able draw on the wealth of experience that comes along with being masters of a craft. Whether that be hand painting, glaze colours and their broad variety of results, bases, finishes… One real benefit of the range being hand-made in the UK was the ability to pop in and chat ideas through. Seeing for yourself gives a much deeper understanding of any imminent challenges or limitations there might be, allowing one to adapt quickly in real time to keep seamless development moving.