What Shape of Tile — and Which Layout?
Milagros handmade tiles come in five different formats, from tiny Inset tiles to elongated bricks and decorative Arabesques: Each tile can be laid in a number of different formats such as herringbone, brick bone or horizontal stack.
Inset tiles — 50 × 50 x 5mm
Our smallest format, perfect for introducing small areas of colour and pattern, creating chequerboards and borders, or tiling more intricate spaces such as fireplace surrounds or niches.
Square tiles — 105 × 105 x 7mm
The classic Milagros format and perhaps the most versatile. Available in both plain colours and decorative patterns, these tiles can be used alone or mixed together.
Metro tiles — 60 × 130 x 7mm
A smaller rectangular format that works beautifully in kitchens and bathrooms and can be arranged in anything from a traditional brick bond to a contemporary vertical stack.
Brick tiles — 70 × 210mm
The longer proportions of our brick tiles offer a more architectural look and lend themselves particularly well to brick bond, stacked and herringbone layouts.
Arabesque tiles — 150 × 150 x7mm
With their distinctive curved shape, Arabesque tiles create pattern through the form of the tile itself. Even when used in a single colour, the repeating shape creates movement and decoration across a wall.
Within these five formats, there are countless possibilities for combining colours, patterns and layouts. How you arrange your tiles can dramatically influence how a finished room looks and feels.
Straight Stack
Simple doesn't have to mean boring. Laying tiles directly above one another creates a clean, contemporary grid and allows the colour, glaze and subtle irregularities of handmade tiles to take centre stage. This kitchen by Olivia Outred uses sun 105mm X 105mm tiles layed in straight stack pattern.
Brick Bond
A classic for a reason. Each row is offset from the one below, introducing movement while maintaining a relaxed and traditional appearance.
With handmade tiles, the slight variations in edges and surfaces soften the geometry of the brick pattern and give it a very different character from a machine-made tiled wall. This restaurant, formly Jamie's Italian in Islington used terracotta 105mm X 105mm tiles laid in brick bond.
Vertical Stack
Increasingly popular in contemporary interiors, turning rectangular tiles vertically immediately changes their character.
The strong vertical lines draw the eye upwards and can give the impression of greater height — particularly useful in smaller bathrooms and kitchens.
Diagonal Layout
Square tiles don't always have to be square to the wall. Turning them through 45 degrees creates a traditional diamond layout and introduces movement into even the simplest tiled surface.
A diagonal layout can be particularly effective in smaller areas, where the pattern draws the eye across the space. We love this herringbone pattern using 70mm X 210mm gold and orange tiles behind the stove designed by Emma Fisherman.
Herringbone
Herringbone works beautifully with rectangular brick and metro tiles. The repeated zigzag arrangement introduces movement and makes a relatively simple tile layout feel much more decorative.
It is equally at home in a traditional interior or used as a graphic element within a contemporary kitchen or bathroom.
Combining Plain and Patterned Tiles
One of the joys of the Milagros collection is that plain and patterned tiles can be used together.
A few decorative tiles can become focal points when surrounded by complementary plain glazed tiles, while larger combinations of patterns can create something altogether more exuberant.
There doesn't necessarily have to be a rule. You might use a single decorative tile amongst a field of colour, create a border, alternate plain and patterned tiles, or mix several patterns together.
If you consider your plains and patterns as a percentage that we help you visualise how you wish your wall to look. For example on in ten tiles will be less busy than five in ten tiles.
At Milagros we love this example of all our patterned blue and then just one rosa tile and horizontal special blue brick tile. A customer from Finland sent us these images they seem to reflect a Nordic sense of aesthetic.
Weave Layout
Inspired by the structure of woven cloth, rectangular tiles are laid in alternating horizontal and vertical directions.
The changing orientation creates a subtle rhythm across the wall without forming a rigid pattern.
It works particularly beautifully with handmade tiles, allowing variations in glaze, colour and texture to catch the light differently.
The result feels relaxed, contemporary and slightly unexpected.
A lovely way to turn a simple rectangular tile into something much more distinctive. This kitchen was designed by **** and uses the 60 X 130mm tiles.
Basket Weave Layout
Rectangular tiles are grouped together and alternated horizontally and vertically to create the appearance of woven cloth.
Using two contrasting colours makes the structure of the pattern particularly striking.
The simple repetition creates rhythm and movement without feeling overly decorative.
It works beautifully with handmade tiles, where subtle variations soften the geometry.
A bold way to create an architectural pattern using very simple tiles. We love this example from Las Iguanas in Westgate Stratford. They use Claro green, Mexican white and Special green 70mm X 210mm tiles to create this design.
Arabesque Layout
Arabesque tiles are designed to tessellate naturally, their curved edges fitting together to create a continuous flowing pattern.
Unlike a conventional square or rectangular tile, the shape itself creates the decoration.
The repeating geometry has its origins in traditional Islamic and Moorish design.
Used in a single colour, the grout lines reveal the beautiful interlocking pattern.
Perfect for creating a dramatic feature wall, splashback or floor. We love this former fireplace that uses Milagros gold arabesque tiles.
