Akka Home
Few design features can match the enduring charm of Delft tiles. With their distinctive blue-and-white patterns, these hand-painted tiles have brought their timeless beauty into our interiors for more than 400 years.
Originally placed behind kitchen ranges in the Georgian period because they were easy to clean, Delft tiles could be considered the original splashback. These days, they might be found well beyond the stove but the reasons we love them haven’t changed.
“Delft tiles are timeless. They speak to a rich design heritage, but they’re also unpretentious,” explains Chloe Kim from Akka Home.
“The classic blue and white is instantly recognisable and surprisingly neutral, allowing the tiles to sit comfortably in both traditional and contemporary interiors. But more than anything, I think people are drawn to the detail and craftsmanship of hand-drawn imagery. The slight irregularities that make each tile feel genuine and imply a lived-in, authentic quality.”
A longing for more authentic, lived-in interiors may be behind the renewed popularity of this 400-year-old trend. It’s no coincidence that the elegant yet-lived in interiors of Nancy Meyers’ films and the relaxed coastal style of Nantucket homes are also highly coveted right now. These spaces celebrate comfort and timeless style, where imperfection adds character and warmth – and the unique beauty of Delft tiles perfectly tap into this mood.
What are Delft tiles?
Delft tiles refers to a specific type of blue-and-white painted tile that originated in the Dutch city of Delft in the 17th century. Originally, these tiles featured pastoral or maritime imagery but today, the designs are much more customisable.
Unlike Champagne, there’s also no location-bound protection on tiles that can be referred to as Delft.
“Today, I think ‘Delft’ describes more of a visual language,” Chloe tells Home Beautiful. “Artists and studios around the world — including ours, here in Australia — continue the tradition, inspired by the same aesthetic and spirit — hand-painted ceramic tiles, usually in blue and white, with distinctive illustrative motifs and storytelling at their heart.”
Antique or modern Delft tiles?
When it comes to selecting the right Delft tiles for your home, many people naturally gravitate towards the authenticity and heritage of antique designs. However, antique Delft tiles may not be the right decision for every home.
“There’s a romance to antique Delft tiles, but with age comes fragility, and sourcing a full set in good condition is not only difficult, but often prohibitively expensive,” says Chloe.
Modern Delft tiles, on the other hand, are generally a lot more affordable and also offer the chance to customise the designs to better reflect you and your home.
“We offer a large range of narrative motifs from zodiac signs to hot air balloons and baked goods. We’ve done some beautiful work for clients, who’ve wanted pictures of their pets, drawn landscapes from clients’ honeymoons and painted coordinates to meaningful locations. Each tile really feels like a tiny snapshot of personality,” explains Chloe.
Internationally, designers like Petra Palumbo have become renowned for these types of playful takes on the traditional Delft tile motifs.
When investing in modern Delft tiles, it’s still important to do your research, making sure that you source authentic pieces with handcrafted qualities.
“Some are digitally printed and mass-produced, resulting in tiles that can feel flat and too consistent, so that they lack the organic imperfections that give Delft its character,” warns Chloe, explaining that at Akka Home, the tiles are carefully crafted.
“Each tile is made to order and hand-painted so that no two are exactly the same. There are slight variations in tone, an aged sheen and patina. And we celebrate this. We want to honor the nuance of each tile, and we take the approach that our tiles should never be replicas of each other, but are in their own right, singular.”
How to use Delft tiles in your home
Delft tiles are most commonly used for kitchen splashbacks but there are plenty of creative ways to use the tiles in your home.
“You can use Delft tiles just about anywhere in the home,” says Chloe. “While splashbacks and fireplace surrounds remain classic applications, our tiles are durable and versatile.”
“We’ve seen customers get wonderfully creative, transforming entire walls into tiled murals or using them as doorway surrounds in place of traditional architraves, and we’ve also seen unexpected creations like a single motif tile in a shower niche.”
For those wondering if you can still bring the heritage charm of Delft tiles into a more contemporary space, such as a modern kitchen, Chloe believes that the tiles work with both modern and traditional interior styles.
“I think the key is balance. Delft tiles bring a layer of charm and craftsmanship that juxtaposes, yet complements, the clean lines and finishes of a modern kitchen. Rather than tiling an entire wall, we often suggest a more restrained approach. A single row of motif tiles as a border, or a handful scattered among plain or corner-only tiles to create a curated effect,” Chloe suggests.
“Our tiles work especially well alongside natural stone, open shelving and sleek cabinetry. But we’re also seeing our clients make bold colour pairings lately too – Delft blue against olive green, ochre, even deep plum. And for those wanting something a little different, we’ve introduced new colourways like red and charcoal that are a modern interpretation of the traditional blue.”
When it comes to anywhere that you shouldn’t use Delft tiles, Chloe says to be careful with flooring.
“We don’t recommend them in areas subject to extreme wear and tear underfoot,” says Chloe. “Not because they aren’t durable, but because each tile is hand-painted, and you’ll want to preserve that detail and character for years to come.”
Where to buy delft tiles in Australia
For Australian hand-painted and custom Delft tiles: Akka Home
For reclaimed antique Delft tiles: Aeria Country Floors
For the original Dutch Delft tile: Royal Delft
For international custom Delft tiles that ship to Australia: Petra Palumbo, Poarte
For stick on Delft tile designs: Etsy
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