Seeking to transform your space with something extraordinary? Handcrafted zellige tiles stand out from the crowd. They shun uniformity, embracing the beauty of irregularity to lend a unique charm to any room. As tile specialist Deborah Osburn notes, “When one encounters a piece of zellige, one can almost sense its narrative, its heritage, the craftsmanship, and its enduring connection to ageless traditions; it transcends mere ornamentation.”
Zellige tiles are unparalleled in adding a distinctive personality to any space. Osburn adds, “They lend a weathered, lived-in look that breathes life into any style of decor. They can breathe new life into traditional aesthetics while infusing warmth into the most contemporary of settings.”
To tap into this time-honored design trend, we’ve sought out insights from interior designers regarding this captivating tile type and how to maximize its potential within your home. Deborah Osburn, a tile connoisseur and founder of Clé Tile, and Aubrey Butcher, the creative mind behind Gilded Heights and a partner at Riad Tile, share their expertise.
Butcher, who has been working with zellige for centuries, emphasizes that each tile is a piece of art, meticulously crafted by artisans who have inherited their skills from previous generations. This uniqueness, she believes, is the driving force behind zellige’s current allure. “There are few materials as adaptable and unique as zellige,” she remarks.
For a tile to be deemed authentic zellige, it must be crafted in Morocco. The intricate process of hand-cutting and chiseling the tiles, a craft passed down through generations, is a testament to the art form. Osburn explains that each tile is hand-shaped, hand-cut, and hand-finished, ensuring that no two zellige tiles are identical.
Osburn details that the authentic Moroccan zellige utilizes clay from Fez, a city located in the country’s northeast. The clay is shaped into blocks, cured under the sun, and then hand-cut into tiles before being hand-finished and kiln-fired in ancient beehive kilns, fueled by olive pits and branches.
This meticulous process and the accumulated wisdom of generations contribute to zellige’s handcrafted and “imperfectly perfect” look. These distinctive imperfections, Osburn points out, are the hallmark of genuine Moroccan zellige. “Its most striking feature is its lovely flaws, irregularities, and variety,” she notes.
Despite its intricate appearance and handcrafted nature, zellige is surprisingly resilient. Butcher explains that the tiles are kiln-fired multiple times, making them highly durable and resistant to heat. Cleaning them is a breeze, too; Osburn suggests using a mild, pH-neutral soap, but recommends testing it on a small area first.
When it comes to color choices, Osburn highlights the popularity of white options like Clé Tile’s Moroccan Sea Salt and Weathered White, while their collection of Neo-Neutrals, which includes pinks, beiges, platinum whites, and gold, is gaining traction. “We’re also seeing a surge in demand for deeper colors like green and red,” she observes, noting that the rich luster of the glaze enhances the tile’s distinctive texture.
Butcher appreciates the natural variance in the glazing of colored zellige tiles, which is impossible to replicate with porcelain or ceramic options. “Natural color palettes complement marble beautifully in bathrooms and kitchens, creating an enduring, harmonious space,” she says. “For a bolder effect, introducing color is always an exciting choice.”
The versatility of zellige tile design is nearly limitless. “In Morocco, from park benches to building facades to interior staircases, zellige is ubiquitous,” Butcher observes. She is particularly fond of using zellige for kitchen backsplashes, but her favorite use may be a more personal one. “We also renovated our fireplace a few years ago, covering it from floor to ceiling in a deep green zellige tile, which has become a cherished aspect of our home.”
Popular applications for zellige include bathrooms, showers, bar areas, and accent walls. However, Osburn advises against using zellige in freeze-thaw environments or on staircases due to its potential slipperiness compared to wood or other materials.
Osburn notes that traditional zellige installations forego grout in favor of a butt joint. While this age-old technique is tried and true, she suggests opting for grout and a slightly larger joint of 1/16. “Since each zellige piece is handmade, there will be minor imperfections along the edges,” Butcher explains. “We typically recommend a tonal grout to complement the tiles best.”
Zellige tile installation requires skilled professionals, preferably those experienced in handling handcrafted tiles. Osburn cautions that without experience, installers may struggle with the “perfect imperfection” of authentic zellige and may not maximize its inherent texture, size, and color variations. Clients are encouraged to be present during the installation to collaborate with the installer and ensure satisfaction with the final result. Tiles should be laid out from the box to achieve the desired blend. Be prepared for a bit of rearranging to find the perfect layout.
