Pump up the pattern: how tiles are taking over the hippest London gardens this summer

Something exciting is happening in our city’s courtyards and terraces. Bold-patterned tiles are replacing plain paving and making a real statement in outdoor rooms, reminiscent of California, Morocco or the Med.

In London we’re used to seeing decorative tiles on the front paths of Victorian terraces, but now they’re bringing character to seating areas and side returns.

There’s no need to tile your whole outdoor space. At the recent Hampton Court Flower Show 7sq ft of blue and white decorative tiles were the pretty focal point of Ula Maria’s Style and Design Garden, surrounded by delicate planting and gravel and topped with a vintage courtyard table and chairs.

“They create a ‘holding space’, somewhere to arrive at, to sit down in,” says the RHS Young Garden Designer of the Year 2017.

“Don’t cover the whole garden. Treat tiles as a character feature exactly as you would use a carpet or rug inside your house.”

Maria used Victorian-style Bexley tiles from London Mosaic (£556.15 plus VAT per square metre) which come pre-sheeted.

Art Deco, Fifties-inspired and bold contemporary patterns are gaining ground, too, as interiors trends spread outside.

Tile supplier Bert & May has noticed an upsurge of interest in its outdoor tile encaustic cement ranges.

“Our reclaimed tiles have been particularly popular as well as our bold patterned tiles such as our Alalpardo tile (from £125 plus VAT per square metre).

“We love the edge these bring to an outdoor scheme. You can use tiles to zone areas, or one look we love is using the same tiles outdoors as indoors, to create a link between the two and give your scheme continuity.”

FUN AND EFFECTIVE

London designer Barbara Samitier included striking graphic grey, black and white encaustic cement tiles from Mosaic del Sur in Columbia Road, E2, in a contemporary south London courtyard with an outdoor kitchen (similar tiles from £70 plus VAT and shipping per square metre, minimum order 3.6 square metres).

“They’re a fun and effective way to introduce pattern and texture near the house,” says Samitier.

“There is a trend in interior design for pattern and layers. It makes total sense to extend it to courtyards and urban gardens in order to reflect and create a link between indoor and outdoor spaces.”

Alasdair Cameron, managing director of Cameron Landscapes & Gardens, in W10, loves the “hope and joy” patterned tiles can bring to a space, even to a dingy dark corridor in winter.

The company recently gave the side return of a central London garden a new lease of life with faded blue-and-white tiles (blue Pradena tile, £147 plus VAT per square metre, Bert & May) combined with a lush-looking artificial “living wall”.

Cameron adds: “Exteriors are becoming more influenced by interiors. People are wanting more colour outside and tiles bring a bit of an interior spin. They work really well on balconies and roof terraces, too.”

HELPFUL TIPS

Buy tiles that are meant for outside to avoid slipperiness and have them laid professionally on a solid concrete slab. Tile suppliers have helpful installation information on their websites.

“Lay the tiles, lightly sand then seal until watertight,” says Bert & May. “We recommend sealant Lithofin Stain Stop.”

Encaustic cement tiles “evolve” over time, their colours slightly fading, but it’s all part of their charm.

“They won’t stay the same forever,” says Mosaic del Sur. “They have more of a handmade feel which is why people fall in love with them – they have more character.”

Samitier agrees: “Encaustic concrete tiles are porous and will chip, but there is a beauty in that wear and tear. It makes the space look lived in and as if the tiles have always been there.”

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