What tiles would you use for Victorian porches?
Many Victorian porches would have had tiled internal walls to protect them from wind and rain blowing in and wet umbrellas leaning against them. Tiles were often used up to the dado line and different types of porch tiles can be purchased to emulate skirting and dado with decorative and plain designs used in the area between the two. These tiles need to be suitable for exterior use as tiles meant for internal use will not be sufficiently frost resistant to be used outside. External tiles that you purchase can also be treated with silicon for additional weather proofing and colour protection.
The Victorian Emporium's external wall tiles are shown here comprising Leighton and Cressage relief tiles with skirting, dado and plain wall tiles all in a mixture of Chestnut, Laurel and Buttermilk
Victorian fireplaces
Victorian fireplaces often have decorative tiled panels either side of them. These were in many different designs including musical instruments and flowers and reproductions of the Victorian designs can be purchased today. If replacing missing or damaged tiles, choose a tile design and colour scheme that will complement the rest of the room and your fireplace.
Victorian kitchens and utility rooms
These tended to have brick shaped plain tiles as these were easy to clean and hygienic. Off white was the most popular colour choice and often these had bevelled edges. Reproduction brick tiles are easy to source and now come in a dizzying array of different colour choices. If you are going for the authentic Victorian effect, avoid decorative wall tiles in the kitchen as the Victorians did not tend to waste decorative elements on non-public rooms.
The Victorian Emporium's Bevel tiles
Victorian bathrooms
The Victorian Emporium's Delft wall tiles
Again here the Victorians did not tend to use decorative multi coloured wall tiles however there are some pretty and low key patterned Victorian tiles that would coordinate with otherwise plain white or black and white bathrooms such as these Delft tiles. Relief tiles are another way of introducing some interest to the bathroom tiles without introducing something really decorative and not very Victorian.
What's the right colour grout to use with Victorian Tiles?
Traditionally the grout was made out of portland cement and sand which would have given an off white or beige hue and this would be the traditional colour grout to use with any Victorian tiles, especially hallway floors, porch wall tiles and garden paths. However in bathrooms you will probably want to have white grout used with white or light coloured tiles otherwise it may look like the tiles are grubby or mouldy. On a fireplace you are most likely to want a darker grout as a lighter grout would very quickly look grubby so here we would recommend a black or dark grey colour is used.
The Victorian Emporium sells the full spectrum of Victorian style tiles for porches, bathrooms, kitchens and fireplaces.
For more tips and advice from some of our customers, have a read of our article "Things I wish I'd known before buying my period house".
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