I was spending too much energy looking for an ideal tile style for our kitchen walls. I thought of many styles; Mosaic 1x1 or 2x2 squares, but didn't care for the square grid paper look it would have resulted in; Arabesque lantern shapes, but knew I would soon grow tired of seeing the curves and mad as H for overspending on it to get a quality ceramic version that would have to be ripped down in two years when the curves begin to make me scream. Glass tiles are too cold looking and trendy, and the colorful ones can appear to look a bit cartoonish.
Porcelain tiles (IMO) are American tile stores drug of choice, meaning that the sales people try to shove and push the stuff on every potential customer walking through the door, despite of what they asked for. Most Americans are addicted to using faux materials verse the real thing, which is why this country is stuffed with cheap knockoffs that look cheesy, don't age well, and don't last very long. I realize using natural stone, which has been around for centuries is not appealing to everyone. But visit a stone architectural structure, or tiled wall in an ancient country that has been standing for 100s, or perhaps 1000s of years improving the look of its patina with time and get back to me on that. I do love natural stone tiles, but they would make the kitchen look like stone overkill since the floor tiles are marble and the counter tops are honed black granite.
I knew the choice needs to be something ceramic with a casual elegance, yet a simple design that would presenta timeless French or European country look in an American urban townhouse,
but this is what I kept running across…
White Subway Tiles!
Porcelain tiles (IMO) are American tile stores drug of choice, meaning that the sales people try to shove and push the stuff on every potential customer walking through the door, despite of what they asked for. Most Americans are addicted to using faux materials verse the real thing, which is why this country is stuffed with cheap knockoffs that look cheesy, don't age well, and don't last very long. I realize using natural stone, which has been around for centuries is not appealing to everyone. But visit a stone architectural structure, or tiled wall in an ancient country that has been standing for 100s, or perhaps 1000s of years improving the look of its patina with time and get back to me on that. I do love natural stone tiles, but they would make the kitchen look like stone overkill since the floor tiles are marble and the counter tops are honed black granite.
I knew the choice needs to be something ceramic with a casual elegance, yet a simple design that would presenta timeless French or European country look in an American urban townhouse,
but this is what I kept running across…
White Subway Tiles!
Source Unknown
The copycat inspiration I found suggested to follow the direction of overabundant kitchen remodeling images on the internet and in home interior blog-land, which would result the same look. Seriously, I must pass on this popular trend. I do consider the look to be good for adding a simplistic and accommodating visual to walls, but it has become so trendy that other tiles which are indeed timeless, simplistic and aesthetic are either overlooked, forgotten, or unknown.
Kitchen owners having not understood the depth of what can be accomplish by having a broader vision and a little patience for finding proper materials, instead rush to big box stores and purchase the cheapest supplies to create another rectangular, or 3x6 white brick-laid tile, wall of fame.
Where's the individuality for creating a sanctuary in that?
I realize we all borrow most of our creative ideas from someone else, but even in this world of mass production there is still room for a little bit of individualism… something different… some up-cycled and resourceful design style… borrowing and reflecting timelessness and quality made materials of the past, while being ingenious for the future of a kitchen wall.
Friese Witjes ~ Old Dutch Tiles
Old dutch tiles that come in approximately 25 various shades of white, is a resourceful material
worth consideration for creating a classic European style and aesthetically tiled kitchen wall.
The copycat inspiration I found suggested to follow the direction of overabundant kitchen remodeling images on the internet and in home interior blog-land, which would result the same look. Seriously, I must pass on this popular trend. I do consider the look to be good for adding a simplistic and accommodating visual to walls, but it has become so trendy that other tiles which are indeed timeless, simplistic and aesthetic are either overlooked, forgotten, or unknown.
Kitchen owners having not understood the depth of what can be accomplish by having a broader vision and a little patience for finding proper materials, instead rush to big box stores and purchase the cheapest supplies to create another rectangular, or 3x6 white brick-laid tile, wall of fame.
Where's the individuality for creating a sanctuary in that?
I realize we all borrow most of our creative ideas from someone else, but even in this world of mass production there is still room for a little bit of individualism… something different… some up-cycled and resourceful design style… borrowing and reflecting timelessness and quality made materials of the past, while being ingenious for the future of a kitchen wall.
Friese Witjes ~ Old Dutch Tiles
Old dutch tiles that come in approximately 25 various shades of white, is a resourceful material
worth consideration for creating a classic European style and aesthetically tiled kitchen wall.
(Belgian Pearls)
(Belgian Pearls)
(Belgian Pearls)
(Belgian Pearls)
After viewing these and many other images of European kitchens with Friese wijtes tiles on the walls, I began to appreciate the simple elegance they offered and desired to use this classic approach for our kitchen. The only problem was I didn't know if I'd find these tiles in the USA, or whether to skip the authentic old dutch look and use American square white cheap field tiles instead. But the choice was not hard. Going authentic old dutch is the only way for me. So I began to search the Internet for the real thing and eventually...
I found them here!
I contacted the company Rozendonk Antiques of Holland, via email and their representative Wil Elderman responded and sent me an invoice for the shipping fee, to send a sample box of varied shades of white tiles. The 14 tile samples were free!
The samples arrived...
There are 14 samples in the box.
These square old dutch tiles (Friese witjes) are 5 inches and came in 13 shades of white. The small hole is in two corners of some of the tiles and it is a custom to have them on various tiles used in a project.
The tile below (AW2) comes in 8 shades and has a crackle surface. This style is often used in restoration projects for homes to match antique dutch tiles.
Each tile has the color number label on the back.
In the box was also a cute gift. A small journal with a replica cover of a 5 inch antique dutch Delft tile.
Now I will pick out 9 or 10 of the shades, or maybe use all 13 shades of the samples I received and send in the proper measurements, along with photos of the kitchen project area. There are also "edge tiles" and I will need a few of them to be added with the order for the top of the backsplash on both sides of the kitchen window. The entire wall area above the stove and behind the refrigerator will be covered in these Friese witjes tiles. I am so excited and can't wait to share the finished project with you. I look forward to having a tiled wall that will have a variation of whites like this one...
(Belgian Pearls)
Be sure to check out Rozendonk Antiques of Holland here
~
Stay inspired!
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