Victorian & Federation Wall Tiles

FAQs

• How high up the wall should I tile?

  A quick guide:

  Victorian bathroom walls were typically tiled in three sections from floor to ceiling. The lower section used 150x150mm tiles (plain, decorative, or a combination of both) from floor to dado height, approximately 1 metre, finished with a frieze and capping. Above this, 150x75mm plain brick-bonded tiles continued up the wall to around 300mm below the ceiling. The top section was a richly patterned frieze of embossed or printed tiles with a capping tile, sometimes with additional trim tiles. The best examples of this treatment can be seen in the bathrooms at Rippon Lea House in Melbourne.

  Federation bathroom walls were more simply treated, which undoubtedly explains why this look has been the dominant one in the restoration of period bathrooms. Bathroom walls were generally tiled in 150x75mm white ‘subway’ tiles, with a contrasting coloured skirting tile at the base and a matching frieze and capping at a height of approximately 1800mm. Decorative friezes usually depicted floral motifs with a strong Art Nouveau styling. Occasionally the plant forms were specifically Australian. Waratahs and flannel flowers in particular lent themselves to an Art Nouveau treatment.

  This is a very general rule, and there were many exceptions to this approach, as there are now.

• Which tiles suit my style of house?

  The decorative styles of the Victorian era were extremely diverse. Apart from the taste for Gothic Revival styling, the innovation of the international trade show which started with the Great Exhibition in 1851, exposed the public to the decorative arts of the whole world.

  Subject matter was extremely varied, including everything from mythological, historical and literary to animals, insects & flowers. Inspiration also came from different cultures, e.g. Persian, Turkish, Indian & Japanese art had a strong influence on the decorative style of people like William Morris.

  As a general guide: Gothic Revival and Boom Style homes suit bold, ornate patterns with rich colours such as burgundy, green, and heritage brown. Arts & Crafts homes suit naturalistic floral motifs — waratahs, flannel flowers, and botanical designs. Art Nouveau and Federation homes suit sinuous floral friezes in softer tones, often white or vanilla with a single contrasting colour. If in doubt, our showroom team can help you identify the right style for your home.

• Prints: Do they come in other colours?

  Several of our printed frieze tiles, notably ‘Persia’ and ‘Baroque’ are available in a wide variety of colours that coordinate with our standard subway glaze colours. Most other multi-coloured prints, such as ‘Birds & Berries’ or ‘English Rose’ are only available in one colourway on either a white or vanilla base.

• Are your heritage wall tiles made in Australia?

  Yes. All our Victorian and Federation wall tiles are hand-glazed at our Sydney factory. Local production means no international shipping delays, no minimum order quantities for custom work, and faster turnaround for restoration and renovation projects.

• Can your heritage wall tiles be used in a commercial setting?

  Yes. Our range is well-suited to commercial heritage restorations including pubs, hotels, cafes, restaurants, and shop facades. We have supplied tiles for heritage projects across New South Wales and Victoria, and work regularly with architects, builders, and heritage councils on commercial fit-outs.

• Can you match or reproduce an existing heritage tile?

  In most cases, yes. Our Sydney factory allows us to reproduce custom profiles and original designs. If you have an existing tile you need to match — whether for a restoration or an extension — bring it into our showroom or send us photos and we'll advise on the best approach. There are no minimum order quantities for custom reproduction work.

• What is the difference between capping, coving, and skirting tiles?

  Capping tiles finish the top edge of a tiled wall — they are a key feature of period bathrooms and are commonly used on commercial facades. Coving tiles address the junction between the wall and floor (internal coving) or the external corners of nib walls and niches (external coving) — they are hygienic, practical, and eliminate sharp edges. Skirting tiles run along the base of a wall, protecting it from impact and moisture. All three formats are available across our full range of 14 heritage colours.