In 2016, creative director Hamish Smith created the intricate star-shaped lily pad tile Ca’ Pietra, which is characterized by its hexagonal pattern and angular lines, inspired by natural patterns.
This Lily Pad tile design brings to mind ice crystals, a web made of spiders, and a lily pad that loves water. Hamish says there’s been a real push for natural design in interior design, and this pattern is no exception. Hexagons are all the rage with interior designers, so this pattern is perfect for adding a pop of colour and making a small space look bigger. It’s a great choice for both modern and classic interiors.
But how did it all start?
This style got attention when a lifestyle blogger posted a picture of her shower with Lily Pad tiles.
Alex Stedman, a lifestyle blogger, influencer, stylist, and trendsetter, is the star of her own lifestyle blog, ‘The Frugality’. She shares candid photos of her home renovation projects on Instagram, and her bathroom photos have put Lily Pad tile designs front and center. View of Alex’s bathroom has got thousands of likes. The blue tiles in this en suite bathroom are complemented by brass fittings and fixtures.
The tiles were a huge hit and sold out in no time. But the fans wanted more, so they asked for a different tile that had the same look but was smaller and easy to look after. That’s where the Ca’ Pietra Lily Pad Porcelain collection came in. Ca’ Pietra had a design that was patented and allowed them to make their encaustic Lily Pad tile available on porcelain. Porcelain tiles are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces because they come in basic colors and don’t require a lot of upkeep. Plus, they’re thinner than their concrete counterparts, so they’re great for both walls and floors.
The popularity of the Lily Pad design is attributed to its ability to create multiple visual effects with a single tile. The Lily Pad tile can be used to create a variety of visual effects, such as a traditional starburst pattern, arrow patterns, and web patterns. It is suitable for floor and wall applications, and can be used in a variety of bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces to create a dramatic effect.
How is porcelain different from encaustic tiles?
Porcelain tiles are man-made and therefore require very little upkeep. They do not need to be sealed or maintained in the same way that cement tiles do. A simple clean will ensure that your porcelain tiles look as good as they did on the day of installation. The new porcelain tiles are also thin, making them perfect for wall payments.
They’re also cheaper. Original encaustic tiles cost £3.96 a tile, while porcelain tiles with the same design cost £2.30 a tile.
The Ca Pietra Lily Pad tile is a great example of how even the most tried-and-true design can still feel custom. You can choose to place the tiles in a single ‘starburst’ pattern, just like Alex did.
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