Zellige tile is something that I have been noticing in great design feeds on Instagram for quite awhile now and it’s popularity has not seemed to wane one bit over time. If anything, demand is increasing as this handmade Moroccan terracotta tile is showing up more and more frequently in seriously chic kitchen and bathroom spaces throughout the world.
Photo via Houzz
What makes Zellige special, and a current darling in Interior Design, lies in its handmade features. Zellige tiles are imperfect. Their natural flaws give them eye-catching interest and shine. The tiles are also available in a wide range of colors to fit into nearly any design scheme. However, they are subject to shade variations from the handmade process. Due to their variation in shade it is recommended to use a professional tile installer for your home project, if using Zellige in your design. The tonal difference in color makes for a beautiful, warm and natural design element if installed with care.
Photo via Houzz
Photo via Houzz
Photo via Cle Tile
Photo via Houzz
Photo via Houzz
In the past few years there has been a shift in home design ideals from making the home this perfect, “photograph ready,” meticulously designed space to one that is more imperfect, comfortable, liveable, yet stylish. I LOVE this shift in thought on how we live. Life is messy! As a mother of two little ones and a giant pup I can honestly attest to that fact! I personally could not live up to the “perfectly clean home at all times” myth and, truth be told, I don’t want to! I fully support the idea of Wabi Sabi, “embracing the imperfections,” in the home and I am so happy that the home decor world seems to be embracing this idea as well. We are seeing an influx in handmade decor items for the home. Items that have meaning, history, a story. Things that we can display in our home that are beautiful and unique despite of (and often because of) their little imperfections. These are the things that give our homes personality. The things that provide a multi-layered, loved and lived-in feel instead of a glossy magazine spread feel. Zellige tile is a statement making surface that is beautiful because of each individual tile’s differences. I’m loving this tile trend for the home and I hope that you do too!
