Smink Things: Wallpaper and Tiles

Firstly can I say Welcome Back especially to those of you who noticed the blog had a sick spell over the weekend and was offline for 25 (loooooong) hours. We’re back now, but I realise that those of you who subscribe (and may I just thank you for doing that and I hope you’re still here after the weekend’s shenanigans) subsequently received that very important post about the new Farrow & Ball colour with no words. One subscriber very kindly contacted me to say she assumed I had done it on purpose as it was a post about colour, but no, that was just a mistake. I spent an hour writing it and then the blog went down without taking my finely honed words with it. For anyone who does want more information then here is the post on the new paint colours from Farrow & Ball complete with words.

And, meanwhile, on with today’s post. We seem to be developing a basics theme this week as we began with paint, today is tiles and wallpaper and tomorrow is part III of the series on how to get the lighting right. We’re moving into the bedroom for that so be sure to drop in. There’s more to it than you might think.

I’ve digressed. Again. You only have to try and read this (or look at the pictures) imagine trying to keep up with the 47 different conversations that are currently going on in my head. RIGHT Tiles. Nice aren’t they? I do love tiles and I’m slightly at a loss as to why there are so few in my house. There definitely aren’t enough patterned ones and, just as soon as I can find a place to put them, these beauties are coming home to The Mad House.

Made by Marianne Smink, of Smink Things, these simple graphic designs – which you can lay in a multitude of different ways (brilliant for the homeowner who gets something unique, nightmare for the tiler who may need therapy afterwards)  – are top of my tile wish list. To be fair to the rest of you tile manufacturers out there I have only  just created this list so don’t panic that you don’t feature.

Marianne trained as a fashion designer and her studio is based in East London but the tiles are made in Portugal. Each tile is individually made so no two are the same, which is a key part of the Smink Things ethos as Marianne is drawn to those tiny upsets in a pattern’s balance.

In addition to tiles, many of the designs also come in wallpaper. This will be better for those of you who want the design already created rather than having to work it out yourselves. There are lots of designs in lots of colours, go and have a wander round. You can buy the wallpaper online for £160 a roll and the tiles are made to order.