Black & White Tiles

Traditionally, black and white tiles were used in a checkerboard design. This staggered pattern can be traced back 2,000 years to the Romans and was reignited during the Renaissance as grand homes emulated the riches of that long lost empire.

Post war 1930s saw a resurgence of checkerboard in the lobbies and ballrooms of grand hotels – a fashion statement replicated across many home hallways, bathrooms and kitchens.

Wind the clock forward 80 years and black & white is trending again, but with a twist. Like Carrara Bianco and Marquina Nero, below, which has veins running throughout and has a glossy finish to give it a realistic marble look. (this perfectly disrupts the old-school checkerboard pattern).

CARRARA

Black & white is a proven enduring colour way and a truly flexible option for any space in the home. All colours go with black & white so you can choose a pattern that is itself the hero or opt for something a little more subtle and then ‘ice’ the cake with a range of furnishings and accessories.

Here are a few tips for using black and white tiles:

• Dial it up or tone it down: Pure black & white will give a bold high contrast that’s classic and timeless. Tone down the contrast with decorative monochrome and you have a modern country feel.

• Create a feature: Use black & white tiles in a nook or niche area such as a bath hob or fireplace. The intricate detail of Titan Black which is pictured below, makes for a stunning feature floor.

TITAN

• Choose between dramatic or subtle: Choose more black for dark and moody (this is trending in bathrooms at the moment) or white for light and airy.

• Finish with fittings and furniture: You can match colourful fittings with versatile black and white tiles. In a bathroom use matt black taps and shower fittings to add drama or go for gold taps and wooden fittings for a warmer effect.

Black & white never dates. Every so often – like now – it’s bang on trend.