Subtle Imperfections: Screen-Printed Ceramic Tiles from a Small-Batch London Company
When it comes to individually hand-crafting her muted ceramic tiles, Marianne Smink finds beauty in imperfection. A Dutch former fashion designer now based in London, Smink is “drawn to tiny upsets in a pattern’s balance,” and the small idiosyncrasies that occur when she translates her screen-printed designs onto tile.
Smink has added new designs since we last checked in (see our post, Wabi-Sabi Tiles from a Dutch Fashion Designer), and they’ve got us thinking about abstract, artful kitchen backsplashes. Here’s a new look at the expanded collection.
Photography courtesy of Smink Things.
Above: Smink Things’ triangular Going Overground ceramic tiles were inspired by the London Underground. Shown here in the muted Soft palette, the 30cm by 10cm tiles are £12.50 ($15.30) each. (They are also available in a Warm color palette.)
In addition to ceramic tiles (which are individually screen-printed before being fired, “revealing individuality in every piece,” Smink Things also sells pre-designed ceramic tile murals and wallpaper reproductions.
Above: The oversized Eclipse square tiles are 14cm by 14cm and offer endless options for patterns (£7.50, or $9.18, each).
Above: Inspired by English artist L.S. Lowry’s paintings of cities, the After Lowry ceramic tile collection (£7.50, or $9.18, per tile) is also available in concrete (£6.25, or $7.65, per tile).
Above: “Bold circles on loosely painted backgrounds:” Quarter Circle ceramic tiles are £7.50 ($9.18) each and are also available in deep red and orange.
Above: The Recubed ceramic tile collection is available in green, gray, and blue color washes (£7.50, or $9.18, each).
Above: The After Lowry ceramic tiles are available in hues of cream, taupe, and gray and can be arranged into simple patterns, like the one above.
Above: When arranged in a simple pattern, gray and white Quarter Circle tiles make a calming kitchen backsplash.
Above: Another variation on the After Lowry collection: less patterned, more eclectic.
Above: The most striking of the designs, the Squared ceramic tiles, feature “deep inky blacks against pale ivory” (£7.50, or $9.18, each).
We love the look of hand-painted tile in the kitchen (and bath and entryway). For more inspiration, see our posts:
- Earth and Clay: Tierras Tiles by Patricia Urquiola for Mutina
- 10 Easy Pieces: Handmade Patterned Tiles
- Subtle Printed Tiles from a UK Kitchen Upstart
