Moroccan Tiles For Your Home
Moroccan tiles are a trending choice for homeowners looking to add an exotic, yet elegant, atmosphere to their home. Typically used to create a layered effect, Moroccan tiles feature bright colours that are both fresh and eye catching. With a plethora of shapes and patterns to choose from, there is something for everyone.
The most popular Moroccan tile style is called Zellij, or Zelige. These Moroccan tiles are intricately hand crafted from clay to create beautiful geometric mosaic designs. They are also often glazed and baked in traditional wood fire kilns, which can create a rich and varied colour finish to the tiles.
In order to achieve the desired Moroccan tile design, Maallems (the artisans that produce these tiles) use a process known as ‘faux bois’, whereby layers of different coloured clay are applied to the surface of each tile to create a textured and patterned effect. A range of motifs are then applied over the top of this base, including diamonds, triangles, stars, polygons and crosses, all fitted together in an arithmetical fashion to form precise mosaics.
Authentic Moroccan tiles are handmade using traditional methods and techniques that have been passed down through generations. Natural clays (often from the Fez or Meknes area of Morocco) are soaked and then shaped by hand, before being dried in the sun to give them their classic Moroccan shape. Once the tiles are dry they are then kiln-fired, and glazes are added by hand in order to create their colourful finishes.
When deciding on Moroccan tiles for your home, the first step is to decide on the colour palette that best suits you and your décor scheme. Then, you can begin to select the patterns and motifs that best complement this palette. You can fully embrace the Moroccan theme by choosing a full room set, or you can be more subtle in your approach and opt for a decorative wall tile.
There is also the option of combining these beautiful Moroccan tiles with other modern elements, creating a mix of old and new. This is particularly useful if you are planning to use these Moroccan tiles in the kitchen, where you can combine them with a range of modern colour palettes.
Once you have decided on the design of your Moroccan tiles, it is important to consider the maintenance of these beautiful products. As with all natural terracotta and unglazed porcelain tiles, they require specialised cleaning techniques to ensure that the beautiful colours don’t fade or become damaged over time. Products containing acidic cleaners should be avoided, as these can damage and discolour the tiles.
As well as a wide range of glazed and unglazed ceramic and porcelain tiles, we offer an exclusive collection of Moroccan tiles handmade by the Maallems in the famous Zellige workshops of Morocco. We work directly with the craftsman who are phenomenally proud of their work, and by purchasing these authentic zellige tiles you can help to support this ancient tradition and bring some Moroccan beauty into your own home.