Grazzie Wilson, Head of Creative at Ca' Pietra takes a look at zellige tiles

Seen and loved the grout-less, butted-together, bare-naked tile trend? You’re not alone. Associated most with Moroccan Zellige tiles (more on those in a moment), this is a look that’s all about beauty in imperfection wherever you choose to lay them. From understated bathroom to woodburner surround, here’s why you might want to lay your tiles bare in your next project… 

Zellige, You Say?

Aka Zellig, aka Zilij, these typically terracotta or clay tiles have become a bit of an icon of late. But where did it all begin?

In brief, we have Morocco to thank for Zellige tiles. The truest forms are made from a very special combination of natural clay and water from the Fez region. Formed entirely by hand and then left to bake dry in the scorching Moroccan sun, they then pass to the kiln to be fully fired into what are called Beimat. 

Next, colours are applied which get fired again to set the enamel and then they’re broken into the soft-edged squares we’ve come to know and love. (Yes, broken. Zellige are traditionally broken rather than cut – it’s all part of their artisanship at the hands of Maalam Farach or Maâlems – master craftsmen to you and I). 

Moroccan by Name, Moorish by History

Zellige tiles have been around for some time – we’re talking 10th-century Iberian Peninsula. Here was the home of the original Zellige tile, translating as ‘little polished stone’ in Arabic. Across Spain, Portugal, Morocco and much more of North Africa, they were a big part of Moorish art. Zellige are as cultural as they are well crafted. 

Once upon a time, they were seen in white and brown alone and in all sorts of shapes and sizes from stars to prisms, but over time more and more colour found its way onto its undulating surfaces. Zellige tiles became a representation of luxury and of style, but little did anybody know they’d become quite so coveted centuries on. 

Today’s Zellige Tiles

The real McCoy are still in existence with Maâlems producing traditional Zellige tiles for places and spaces all over the world. But, like with all great things, more modern imitations are available too for homes looking to create the very same look on a budget – try our Maroc or Fondant collections as a case in point. 

The key thing to remember is that to create the Zellige effect, you’ll want your tiles to be as close together as possible. That means no spacers anywhere near your tiles.  If you want the bare look but with the stability of grout, go for a super slim grout line with the excess wiped away and you’ll never know it’s there…