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Lee Thornley and his partner Phil Brocklebank had only one disagreement when designing a kitchen in Yorkshire, England. The question was which tile to use for the backsplash. Brocklebank claimed a graphic cement plaza reclaimed from southern Spain. Thornley argued that the sand-colored zellige in the 2-by-6-inch format will be timeless. But if you know anything about this couple, you should already know who won.
Founder of UK-based handmade tile manufacturer Bert & May, Thornley's choices, which were ultimately reflected in the walls, were a compromise he made with love. The colorful Rio tiles chosen by Brocklebank now decorate the kitchen fireplace. “It was perfect,” Thornley says. 'It really feels like a work of art.' A tile pro reveals how he created a kitchen that makes everyone in the house happy.
Treat your island like any other piece of furniture
The couple's agreement from the beginning was to use DeVol to build the cabinets. They came up with her Haberdasher's line of this brand. The line consists of unpainted oak cupboards (he finished them with one coat of colored oil to make it easier to repair scratches) and by the time DeVol perfected the design he had built nearly 100 pieces. It features an island that has gone through different design iterations.
Still, Thornley and Brocklebank decided to customize the central structure by extending it up to 10 feet in length to make it look more like home with an oversized open-plan kitchen. The see-through glass door provides the perfect place to put your food, but the old world-inspired interior also houses spices and cookbooks. “Recent Favorites [recipe] Some of us have been eating Pad Thai,” says Thornley. “The combination of flavors perfectly matches the freshness of the space.”
Match wall paint to backsplash tile
In choosing Hessian Vegemat Zellige for the backsplash, Thornley's idea was to let everything else in the space (the tambour-style slatted door, the glass pantry front) shine. So he took it a step further and painted the walls and ceiling with Little Green Roman Plaster. It's the same pink color as the tiles.
Stay calm around copper counters
Copper is a material that most people don't want near their sink (the metal oxidizes when exposed to moisture and air, giving it a greenish tint). But that's what Thornley likes about it. “Over time, a patina naturally develops and enhances its character,” he says. For cleaning, only use a mixture of mild detergent and water; never use abrasive detergents.
Infuse your favorite vacation memories into your flooring
For Thornley and Brocklebank, it was important to choose materials that would be as old as the Georgian house itself (150 years old, to be exact), but that doesn't necessarily mean sticking to a Yorkshire aesthetic. I didn't mean it. The raw thick veggie mat floor tiles are handcrafted in Morocco from a clay blend and have natural wear that makes them look like they came straight out of a Mediterranean villa. “I was inspired by the laid-back, vibrant vibe of Los Angeles and the rustic charm of Spain after spending time in both places,” says Thornley.
Lead the way to the pool
The most important update the couple made to the kitchen wasn't actually in the kitchen, but the view. “We both love being outside, so we wanted to design a garden that would encourage people to be outside as much as possible,” Thornley says. Someone yells, “Come on, bring me the chips and salsa!” Is it more than just a giant natural pool? In the summer, the couple removes the bifold doors so their two children can easily move from snacking to playing in the water.
