LOOKBOOK
THE STORY SO FAR
I initially stumbled across the world of tiles when creating my first business, Casa La Siesta, a boutique hotel that started life as a rundown outbuilding on a field in southern Spain and went on to become one of Tatler’s Top 100 hotels in the world.
We built Casa La Siesta from the ground up using a mix of reclaimed materials, including antique tiles, and it was during this time I realised just how much these special finds, with their aged colours and distinct patina, could totally transform both interior and exterior areas.
Inspired to share the look to a wider audience, I started a new business with the intention of not simply selling tiles, but helping people create beautiful, timeless spaces. This goal remains central to the company’s ethos today.
Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May
Casa La Siesta Hotel, photography by Beth Davis
HANDMADE TILES IN CURATED COLOURS
Committed to exceptional materials and fine craftsmanship, the Bert & May name is synonymous with a raw yet refined aesthetic. We work with our expert artisans to create high quality, design-led tiles in a palette of curated colours we’ve developed ourselves.
We firmly believe that the right design choices can impact, and ultimately enhance, our lives, and therefore make products that can be used to create spaces with real meaning. Interiors that don’t just look good but are infused with depth and character, too.
Within this lookbook we are delighted to share a selection of remarkable projects that showcase our tiles in a variety of ways and locations. Please explore, enjoy, and be inspired.
Our maker’s workshop
Natural pigment used in the making of our cement tiles
Sanabria tiles in Marigold, Pearl and Leather, Plain Herringbone tiles in Marigold with reclaimed marble basin
BERT & MAY
KITCHEN
Whether traditional or contemporary, patterned or plain, tiles make a stunning impact in all styles of kitchen. Chalky encaustic tiles in easy-living hues create a look that will never tire; cool and contemporary terrazzo bridges the gap between practicality and style-led living, and chunky zellige provides a tactile finish that’s softly glamorous. Kitchen islands are an ideal space to experiment with pattern and shape, while glazed tiles make splashbacks really shine.
Little Greene Collection Plain tiles in Purple Brown and Aquamarine
Reclaimed tiles
Design by Cathy Emmins Interiors, photography by House Up
Plain tiles in Plaster
Little Greene Collection Plain tiles in Purple Brown and Aquamarine
Sprouts tiles in Pistachio and Brighton Stone
Bejmat tiles in Raw
Left: Hexagonal Split tiles in Brighton Stone with Pearl
Alalpardo tiles in Forest and Brighton Stone
Soho House Collection Redchurch tiles
Right: Reclaimed and Plain tiles in Leather Image credit: Casa La Siesta Hotel, photography by Beth Davis
Reclaimed tiles
Design by Kirsten Blazek, photography by Virtually Here Studios
Angular Collection Pinnacle tiles in Pearl, Leather and Marigold
Design by Emily Ricard, photography by Beth Davis
Antique Collection Damas tiles on wall and Bejmat tiles in Raw on floor
Right: Stripe Midi and Stripe Skinny tiles in Bassoon and Brighton Stone Styling by Marianne Cotterill, photography by Jon Day
Alalpardo tiles in Brighton Stone and Old Iron Design by Lou Davies, Box 9 Design, photography by Jon Day
Above and left: Bejmat tiles in Clear Glazed on wall and Bejmat tiles in Raw on floor
Photography by Beth Davis
Bejmat tiles in White Design and photography by Nel Theakston
Handmade Terracotta tiles
Sanabria tiles in Sweet Yellow, Mandarin and Milk
Right: Alalpardo tiles in Mandarin and Sweet Yellow on wall, Terracotta Naranja tiles on floor
BERT & MAY
BATHROOM
From fresh, energising spaces to opulent oases of calm, tiles can be used to create a wide range of bathroom moods. Chalky encaustic designs impart a comforting cocoonlike feel; sumptuous marble adds a touch of luxury, while intricate antique patterns offer a traditional look with a soft edge. Playing with different tile finishes makes for a look that really catches the eye - richly glazed will reflect light throughout the day, while a combination of contrasting materials in complementary tones creates a harmonious space packed with texture.
Wave, High Bar and Low Bar tiles in Pearl and Limestone
Luna tiles in Livid and Brighton Stone and Plain tiles in Livid
Left: Alalpardo porcelain tiles in Forest and Brighton Stone
Herringbone tiles in Brighton Stone and Bejmat tiles in Raw
Little Greene Collection Rectangle Glazed tiles in Bassoon and Rolling Fog
Majadas tiles in Forest, Livid and Brighton Stone
Image credit: Suzie Tipple, photography by Cici Interior Photography
Right: Little Greene Collection Plain and Rectangle Glazed tiles in Livid
Herringbone marble tiles in Green
Herringbone marble tiles in White
Square marble tiles in Lilac and Herringbone marble tiles in White
Square and Herringbone marble tiles in Black
Antique Collection Carmona tiles in Marron
Left: Alalpardo tiles in Pearl and Brighton Stone
Alalpardo tiles in Old Iron and Brighton Stone
Churriana tiles in Limestone and Brighton Stone
D`esign by Samantha Jacob, photography by Beth Davis
Herringbone tiles in Brighton Stone
White Terracotta tiles on wall and Reclaimed tiles on floor
Samantha Todhunter Collection Ric Rac One tiles in Bubblegum
Right: Samantha Todhunter Collection Ric Rac Two tiles in Bubblegum
Alalpardo tiles in Cherry and Brighton Stone and Plain tiles in Cherry, Blush and Opal Design by Louise Curnuck for Landscape Lodge
Alalpardo tiles in Cherry and Brighton Stone Design by Louise Curnuck for Landscape Lodge
Right: Antique Collection Espiga tiles
Antique Collection Quinta Marron tiles
Antique Collection Monsaraz tiles
Reclaimed tiles
Design by Louise Curnuck for Landscape Lodge
Bolonia tiles in Cherry, Blush and Brighton Stone
Bolonia tiles in Navy, Lake and Brighton Stone
Antique Collection Manarola tiles
Reclaimed Cozar tiles
Hexagonal tiles in Old Iron
Right: Mazes tiles in Marigold and Brighton Stone and Plain tiles in Marigold
Bejmat tiles in Indigo Blue and White Design by Sarah Southwell, photography by Beth Davis
Bejmat tiles in Indigo Blue and White Design by Sarah Southwell, photography by Beth Davis
Livingetc Collection Cap, Arch and Column tiles in Pearl
Wall: Livingetc Collection Arch and Column tiles in Pearl Floor: Plain tiles in French Grey and Brighton Stone
Left and above: Irregular Collection Quad tiles in Brighton Stone and Mandarin Design by Kitesgrove for Casa La Siesta Hotel, photography by Beth Davis
Right and above: Bejmat tiles in White Design by Sarah Southwell, photography by Beth Davis
Plain herringbone tiles in Pearl
Angular Collection Ascent tiles in Marigold and Pearl and Glazes square tiles in Pearl Pale
Left: Reclaimed tiles, design by Emerald Blenkin, photography by Beth Davis
Bejmat tiles in White Design by Emerald Blenkin, photography by Beth Davis
Plain tiles in Cherry, Opal, Iris, Blush and Bejmat tiles in White
Pradena tiles in Cherry and Brighton Stone
Glazed Square tiles in Old Iron and Limestone, Cozar porcelain tiles in Old Iron and Brighton Stone
Left: Anthropologie tiles in Noir
Maze Two and Maze Four in Old Iron and Brighton Stone, Plain tiles in Brighton Stone and Square Marble tiles in Black
Grid 04 tiles in Ebony and Brighton Stone
Split Shift tiles in Forest and Brighton Stone
Right: Churriana tiles in Forest and Brighton Stone Design by Cotswold Farm Hideaway, photography by Marina Denisova
Marble porcelain tiles in Green and White
Terrazzo tiles in Green and Skinny Metro tiles in Portland Stone
Floor: Bejmat tiles in Raw
Wall: Sanabria tiles in Jade, Brighton Stone and Pearl, Plain Herringbone tiles in Jade
Left: Small Plain tiles in Jade and Brighton Stone
Plain tiles in Rhubarb and Jade
Little Greene Collection Plain tiles in Royal Navy and Bassoon
Left: Stripe Skinny, Stripe Midi and Stripe Wide tiles in Rhubarb and Brighton Stone
Styling by Marianne Cotterill, photography by Jon Day
Luna and Plain porcelain tiles in Cherry
Herringbone marble tiles in Green and Majadas tiles in Brighton Stone, Forest and Livid, photography by Beth Davis
Antique Collection Deia tiles
Photogpahy by Beth Davis
Left:
Plain tiles Forest and Brighton Stone
Design by Sarah Southwell, photography by Beth Davis
Plain porcelain tiles in Forest Green and Navy
Left:
Darkroom Collection Split Shift tiles in Ebony and Brighton Stone and small plain tiles in Old Iron Products from BC Designs, photography by Darren Chung, styling Alison Davidson
Skinny Glazed tiles in White on wall and Split Shift tiles in Limestone and Brighton Stone on floor, design by Amy Rynehart, photography by Beth Davis
BERT & MAY
HALLWAY
Hallways are all about first impressions, so maximise the impact. Heritage designs with a rug-style border will add elegance to a traditional property, while bold, graphic patterns offer a contemporary edge that suits modern spaces down to the ground. For a simple look, the muted orange tones of terracotta are a smart choice, providing soft warmth and beautiful texture, while a monochrome palette in porcelain or cement is perfect for creating a nononsense look with serious attention-grabbing qualities.
Herringbone tiles in Navy, Sea, Sapphire and Brighton Stone
Above and right: Darkroom London Collection Split Shift One tiles in Ebony and Brighton Stone and Herringbone tiles in Navy
Hexagonal Split tiles in Pearl with Leather and Brighton Stone with Pearl
Majadas tiles in Navy, French Grey and Brighton Stone
Above
and left: Otura tiles in Livid, Forest and Brighton Stone
Design by India Hares, photography by Beth Davis
Coarse Terrazzo tiles
Alalpardo tiles in Navy and Brighton Stone
Above and right: Basco tiles in Limestone and Brighton Stone
Design by Forbes Rix Design, photography by Alex Wilson
Reclaimed Terracotta tiles
Image credit: Casa La Siesta Hotel, photography by Beth Davis
Reclaimed tiles
Design by Emily Rickard, photography by Oliver Perrott
Above and right: Plain tiles in Leather
Image credit: Casa La Siesta Hotel, photography by Beth Davis
Above and left: Antique Collection Quinta Marron tiles
Design by Pearl Lowe, photography by Beth Davis
BERT & MAY
LIVING
Comforting and characterful with a relaxing feel that invites you to switch off and recharge - living spaces are arguably the most important areas in the home, and tiles make them really special. Gently weathered terracotta is beautifully soft underfoot and lends its muted colourways to inside spaces in stunning style, creating a laid-back look that’s instantly calming, while an encaustic tiled floor is a texturally interesting - not to mention incredibly striking - alternative to carpet. When it comes to walls, elegant patterns in soft tones make for impactful headboards, and fireplaces become real focal points when surrounded by glazed or encaustic designs.
Handmade Terracotta tiles
Hexagonal Split tiles in Brighton Stone with Pearl
Right: Reclaimed tiles
Design by Kitesgrove for Casa La Siesta Hotel, photography by Beth Davis
Plain tiles in Sea
Samantha Todhunter Collection Ric Rac One tiles in Glacier Mint
Reclaimed tiles
Right: Hexagonal Split tiles in Brighton Stone with Livid
Above and left: Herringbone tiles in Brighton Stone and Forest
Right: Marbled tiles in Mandarin, Marigold and Canola, Styling by Marianne Cotterill, photography by Jon Day
Reclaimed Terracotta tiles, image by Unique Homestays
Livingetc Collection Arch, Column and Cap tiles in Livid
Livingetc Collection Cap and Column tiles in Mars
Plain tiles in Leather
Diamond tiles in Sweet Yellow, Marigold and Ebony
Herringbone tiles in Brighton Stone, Old Iron and Limestone
Right: Majadas tiles in Navy, French Grey and Brighton Stone
Luna tiles in Old Iron and Brighton Stone
Crosses porcelain tiles in Old Iron
Above and right: Reclaimed tiles on wall and Bajmat tiles in Raw on floor, photography by Beth Davis
BERT & MAY
OUTDOOR
A natural extension of indoor living areas, outdoor spaces offer so much scope for creativity, and from patios and pathways to seating areas, showers, and alfresco kitchens, tiles are a great addition. Terracotta will always be a garden go-to thanks to its naturally worn finish and warm colour palette, which pairs so naturally with lush flowers and foliage, while encaustic patterned tiles in bright blues and whites prompt memories of stunning Mediterranean skies, and gently aged antique styles exude a sun-soaked look whatever the weather.
Reclaimed Terracotta tiles
Wave tiles in Petrol Blue and French Grey
Design by Ellie Edkins, landscaping by Big Fish Landscapes, photography by Kat Weatherhill
Pals tiles in Navy and Brighton Stone
Reclaimed tiles
Image credit: Casa La Siesta Hotel
Right: Alalpardo tiles in Forest and Brighton Stone
Design by Jessica Alken-Theasby, photography by Alexander J Collins
Formentera tiles in Azure and Brighton Stone
Vejer tiles
Reclaimed tiles
Image credit: Casa La Siesta Hotel, photography by Beth Davis
Left: Tivissa tiles in Verde and Bejmat tiles in Moss Green
Tivissa tiles in Marron
Reclaimed Rectangular Terracotta tiles
Design and photography by Lisa Dawson
Antique Collection Carmona tiles in Verde
Plain tiles in Bay
Herringbone tiles in Milk
Design by Studio Pim for Javá Rooftop bar & restaurant
Reclaimed tiles, design by Dee Campling
Reclaimed tiles
Right: Plain tiles in Bay and Marigold
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BERT & MAY
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