Book review: The Art of the Tile

Image credit: Thames & Hudson

For us Brits, the humble tile is generally sequestered to the bathroom, the laundry room and, if it is lucky, the occasional splash-back above the stove. I confess that I myself rarely give tiles much thought as a design entity in themselves, unless I am travelling, and a bright Mediterranean or Moroccan design catches my wandering eye.

However, flicking  – compulsively – through Jen Renzi’s aptly named book, The Art of the Tile, my appreciation of these little ceramic squares has come on in leaps and bounds. It turns out that a well-chosen tile can totally alter the look of a room, and with a little research and forethought you too could turn your shower into a colourful Moroccan sanctuary or transform a tired wall into a mosaic of mind-bending beauty.

The book is nicely structured, and doesn’t bombard. It is split into two sections, “The Big Picture” and “The Options”. The former covers everything you will ever need to know about using tiles – materials, colour, going green, shopping for the tiles themselves etc. The latter is a visual extravaganza, showcasing examples of every different tile imaginable, with designs ranging from geometric patterns to clouds to monkeys and pandas. Personally I would steer clear of animalia but that’s just a question of taste.

You may feel overwhelmed with choice, but as Renzi comfortingly says, “The most effective way to find a… variety that’s best suited to your needs, your taste, and your heart’s desire is to dive right in.”

So go for it. Visit amazon UK to purchase The Art of the Tile, priced at £18.