Country Creatures Design Series: Designworks Tiles

At Country Creatures we are proud of the British craftsmen and designers that we use in the refurbishment of our properties. The Double Red Duke (due to open in February 2021) is undergoing a major renovation programme utilising the very best of British manufacturing. We work with people we know and trust. Our Country Creatures Design Series showcases the skill and incredible workmanship of these brilliant companies. For part two in our series we are shining a spotlight on Designworks Tiles, which includes Winchester Tiles and it is this range of tiles that we are proud to fitting at the Double Red Duke.

Credit Original Style and Designworks Tiles

As England’s leading producer of hand crafted tiles, Winchester Tiles continues to design and produce tiles in Devon’s historic city of Exeter. The team of experienced and highly skilled artists, designers and crafts people have created a beautiful and continually developing collection of tile patterns and glazes. Hand-crafted tile making is certainly an art form or possibly even an alchemy. They start as ‘bisques’, blank canvases of moulded clay but it’s what happens next that dictates the end result: firing temperatures and frequency; different glazes and how they react to heat and to each other; hand painting, and finishing – tile making at its finest.

One of the ranges we will be featuring at the Double Red Duke is the Winchester Cosmopolitan. A collection of beautifully crafted, high gloss tiles in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Cosmopolitan tiles have a rustic clay base that helps to create their signature undulating surfaces and uneven edges for an artisanal look.

We caught up with Laura Churchill, from Original Style and asked her a few questions:

Can you tell us about the history of the company?

At Original Style and Designworks Tiles, we supply over 48 countries worldwide offering a wide range of ceramic and porcelain products, from contemporary large format wall and floor tiles to hand-finished glazed wall tiles, many of which are designed and produced in our factory in Exeter, Devon. Tiles are our craft and we are committed to manufacturing quality tiles using traditional techniques teamed with new technologies. Some of our most cherished collections are those created in our Devon factory, such as the Winchester collection, which has a heritage spanning over 30 years, but is still just as timeless today, thanks to the rich glossy glazes and quality feel of the tiles.

Designworks Tiles also source original and innovative tiles for their collections from across the globe, such as gorgeous glass tiles and unique mosaics, enriching their portfolio for a versatile choice. We also have a dedicated design studio where creative and skilled designers make it a priority to ensure they are on top of the latest interior trends.

Credit Original Style and Designworks Tiles

Could you guide us through the design to finished product of, for example a tile from the Cosmopolitan range that we are using at the Double Red Duke? 

Our design team take inspiration from all sorts of experiences, locations and landscapes when developing new tile collections. Our Exeter based production site is unique, with a combination of state of the art technology and beautiful antiquated machines that are very loved. Working with a natural based product and beautiful handmade glazes all add to the possibility of not always getting what you anticipate, however, our hand-crafted tiles really are a work of art and unique in their own right. We have a wonderful team that are incredibly passionate about what they do and have a brilliant amount of technical knowledge that has enabled us to create a variety of tile collections from contemporary patterned floor tiles to delicate, glossy glazed wall tiles in a number of formats, colours and styles.

Credit Original Style and Designworks Tiles