The Tile House

The Tile House involves the refurbishment and extension of an existing early 20th century property in Kensington, London. It takes its name from the building’s original use as a tile factory and captures Palladian’s holistic approach to design. This is a property that embodies the spirit of the Arts & Crafts movement, with interiors that feature a blend of man-made and natural materials, including stone and timber finishes.

The project unveils a narrative woven with heritage and innovation. During the excavation for the new foundations of the house, the team came across beautifully preserved tiles from the former tile factory. These relics from the past became more than mere artefacts; they became integral elements, seamlessly interwoven into the new interior fabric and used to clad an entire new feature wall, for example, as well as for other, smaller uses.

The design had to accommodate the evolving needs of a growing family. Key features included the creation of a contemporary open-plan living space at the rear of the ground floor and the addition of a new staircase leading to the newly created extension, as well as the restoration of the entrance foyer which is accentuated by the revival of the original fireplace position.

A key focus behind the design philosophy was enhancing the living experience by maximising natural brightness to promote a sense of well-being and harmony. One of the standout features of our project is the repurposing of the tiles discovered during the excavation of the former tile factory site. By seamlessly incorporating these tiles into various aspects of the interior design, including kitchen walls, the entrance hall fireplace, and bespoke writing desks, we added a distinctive and personalised touch to the space. This approach not only celebrates the history of the property but also reduces waste by contributing to sustainable design practices.

Carefully sourced suppliers for certain elements and details such as Granby Rock kitchen worktops offer a striking, marbled recycled terrazzo made with crushed recycled brick, slate and other waste materials. RHMB was also commissioned to design and build the kitchen cabinetry and joinery from recovered timber from local London woodland.