Muddy Stilettos


<p>Hand-painted or glazed, encaustic or porcelain – the tile world is vast. Start browsing and suddenly you’ve lost an entire afternoon (and possibly your grip on reality) to finishes, formats and 50 shades of something called ‘warm limestone’. </p>



<p>The catch? Tiles aren’t a scatter cushion you can swap out next season. By the time you’re choosing them, you’re usually knee-deep in a renovation that’s already slightly over budget (hello,&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/the-house-muddy-built/">The House That Muddy </a><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/the-house-muddy-built/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Built</a>).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="700" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-1500-px-1500-x-1000-px-1000-x-1500-px-52.jpg" alt="Claybrook tiles Dijon limestone wall and floor tiles in kitchen" class="wp-image-132533" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-1500-px-1500-x-1000-px-1000-x-1500-px-52.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-1500-px-1500-x-1000-px-1000-x-1500-px-52-420x600.jpg 420w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></figure>



<p>So rather than adding to the Pinterest noise, we went straight to tile royalty. <strong><strong><a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Claybroo</a></strong><a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>k</strong></a></strong>&nbsp;– founded by former Fired Earth directors Rob Whitaker and Lucy Kenna – is beloved of interior designers, has flagship showrooms on the King’s Road and Banbury, Oxfordshire and quietly pops up in the chicest homes in the land. Think serious design pedigree, craftsmanship obsession and the kind of tiles that make architects go a bit weak at the knees. </p>



<p>Here&#8217;s their inside track on the tile looks set to define 2026.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-burgundy-is-the-new-neutral">1) BURGUNDY IS THE NEW NEUTRAL</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-burgundy-NEW-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Claybrook Tiles " class="wp-image-132518" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-burgundy-NEW-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-burgundy-NEW-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-burgundy-NEW-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-burgundy-NEW-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-burgundy-NEW-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-burgundy-NEW.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/formella-plum.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Formella Plum</a>, £1.67 each and <a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/kromatic-wine.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kromatic Wine</a>, £1.32 each</figcaption></figure>



<p>Grey may still be haunting Google searches, but what people are actually choosing has shifted firmly into warmer territory. Matt, gloss, walls, floors and marble – both real and porcelain lookalikes &#8211; are leaning into this rich tone of red that just goes with every style of home and decor style. And it&#8217;s not just &#8216;burgundy&#8217; either. Think wine, fig, plum, oxblood, berry, claret – rich red-wine shades rather than anything violet or lilac. </p>



<p>It’s a reaction to years of white-and-grey interiors &#8211; that coastal, Hamptons look that’s been everywhere for so long, people are quietly a bit done with it. Marble itself hasn’t gone anywhere, but instead of cold grey veining, it’s warming up. These tones work beautifully in kitchens and bathrooms and pair surprisingly well with other colours – cream and white, greens, pale oak, even terracotta floors. The result feels richer, warmer and slightly more eclectic, without tipping into anything too shouty.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-terrazzo-done-your-way">2. TERRAZZO, DONE YOUR WAY</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Claybrook tiles terrazzo moodboard " class="wp-image-132538" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/chunk-moss-big-chip.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chunk Moss Big Chip Terrazzo Effect</a>, £30 each and<a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/isola-bella-fern.html#mainimage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Isola Bella Fern</a>, £7.20</figcaption></figure>



<p>Terrazzo isn’t going anywhere, but the way it’s being used is changing. Tiny, confetti-like chips for the minimalists; big chunky fragments for those feeling bolder (with plenty in between). Traditionally an Italian invention (pieces of stone or marble set together), it’s always been as practical as it is good-looking, which explains why it works so well underfoot. You’ll see it mostly in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways, with modern porcelain versions offering the same look without the palazzo-level commitment. Basically there’s terrazzo for every confidence level.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-checkerboard-gets-brave-and-a-bit-cheeky">3. CHECKERBOARD GETS BRAVE (AND A BIT CHEEKY)</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-4-1000x1000.png" alt="CHECKERBOARD  TILE TREND CLAYBROOK" class="wp-image-132262" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-4-1000x1000.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-4-600x600.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-4-300x300.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-4-500x500.png 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-4-1100x1100.png 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-4.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/sunset-strip-viper.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunset Strip Rainbow</a>, £1.21 each and <a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/bungalow-22-peach-cocktail-square.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bungalow 22 Peach Cocktail Square</a>, 86p each. </figcaption></figure>



<p>Checkerboard has been around forever, but until fairly recently it meant one thing: a black-and-white hallway floor. Now? It’s having a much braver moment. Thanks largely to Instagram (and the way it quietly feeds you bolder designers from all over the world), people are experimenting with warmer and more interesting combinations &#8211; brown and cream, burgundy and white, even softened versions in bathrooms using cream-on-cream. And it doesn’t stop at the floor. Kitchens are seeing checkerboard splashbacks, stripes instead of blocks, and in some cases both walls&nbsp;<em>and</em>&nbsp;floors getting the treatment. It sounds bold, but seeing it done well — in restaurants, hotels or a perfectly styled photo &#8211; seems to give people the confidence to try it at home.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-warm-stone-over-cold-grey">4. WARM STONE OVER COLD GREY</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-stone-NEW-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Claybrook Warm Stone NEW" class="wp-image-132520" style="aspect-ratio:1;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-stone-NEW-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-stone-NEW-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-stone-NEW-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-stone-NEW-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-stone-NEW-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-stone-NEW.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/allaperto-stone-ivory-60x120-6mm.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Allaperto Stone Ivory</a>, £39.28 each and <a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/dijon-tumbled-limestone-7x30x1-3cm.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dijon Limestone Herringbone</a>, 94p each </figcaption></figure>



<p>This is a clear reaction against years of concrete-look tiles and chilly greys. In their place: warmer, more natural-looking finishes &#8211; travertine tones, creamy stone, walnutty browns &#8211; whether that’s real stone or manmade tiles designed to look like it. Porcelain has come on enormously in the last 25 years and can now convincingly mimic stone while being tougher, easier to fit and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, which is why so many people choose it. That said, in larger or more traditional homes we&#8217;re still seeing a strong pull towards the real thing &#8211; partly because it suits the character of the house, and partly because natural stone just feels different underfoot. Warmer, more tactile, and made to last.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-glossy-wall-tiles-are-back">5. GLOSSY WALL TILES ARE BACK</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-gloss-NEW-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Claybrook Glossy Tiles New" class="wp-image-132519" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-gloss-NEW-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-gloss-NEW-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-gloss-NEW-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-gloss-NEW-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-gloss-NEW-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claybrook-gloss-NEW.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/fellini-pianta-gloss.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fellini Pianta or Crema Gloss,</a> 58p each and <a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/tutti-flutti-gooseberry-gloss.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tutti Flutti Gloss,</a> £2.10</figcaption></figure>



<p>Matte and satin finishes have had a long, respectable run, but higher-gloss wall tiles are making a confident return. Not flat, shiny slabs – these are glossy tiles with a bit of movement: subtle colour variation, a slightly wobbly surface, and just enough texture to stop them looking clinical. They reflect light beautifully and work particularly well in longer brick formats, rather than small metro tiles (which aren’t going anywhere, they’re just evolving). Expect to see them laid in stretched formats or even herringbone, especially in kitchens and showers, where fewer grout lines make life easier. The overall look? Brighter, softer and a little bit Californian — with a hint of Mediterranean warmth thrown in.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-to-watch-the-return-of-wood">ONE TO WATCH: THE RETURN OF WOOD</h3>



<p>A few years ago, everyone wanted wood flooring &#8211; it felt natural, warm and textural &#8211; and then people discovered it could be a bit of a pain to live with. Floors stained, warped, and cracked, and the love affair cooled. That’s usually how it goes. But trends are generational, and once enough time has passed (and we’ve worked out how to do things better), the look starts to feel appealing again. Recently, very realistic porcelain tiles that look like wood &#8211; including parquet and herringbone styles &#8211; have begun to spark that familiar&nbsp;<em>hmm, I like this</em>&nbsp;feeling. And whenever that happens &#8211; when something you thought you were finished with suddenly looks good again &#8211; it’s often a sign that a trend is quietly on its way back. At Claybrook, we&#8217;ve learned to &#8220;trust the tingle&#8221;.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-common-tile-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them">COMMON TILE MISTAKES (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-1500-px-1500-x-1000-px-1000-x-1500-px-39.jpg" alt="Tiles from Claybrook" class="wp-image-132013" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-1500-px-1500-x-1000-px-1000-x-1500-px-39.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-1500-px-1500-x-1000-px-1000-x-1500-px-39-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-1500-px-1500-x-1000-px-1000-x-1500-px-39-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-1500-px-1500-x-1000-px-1000-x-1500-px-39-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/scottsdale-desert.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scotsdale Desert</a>, £3.53 each</figcaption></figure>



<p>Before you disappear down a Pinterest rabbit hole, a quick reality check. The biggest mistake?&nbsp;Leaving tiles too late. People happily choose the bath, the loo, the taps and the blind fabric (basically all the fun bits), then panic-buy tiles days before the tiler arrives. Tiles feel technical and intimidating, so they get pushed down the list &#8211; even though they’ll define the finished room.</p>



<p>Next:&nbsp;underestimating the cost of fitting.&nbsp;Tiles are only part of the budget. Add prep, adhesives and grout, then brace yourself for labour, which can easily match (or exceed) the cost of the products. Bathrooms also have a habit of escalating fast: take out a bath, find a leak, rip up tiles, uncover plumbing horrors &#8211; suddenly your “simple refresh” is a £20k project.</p>



<p>And finally, choosing something wildly trendy because you love it right now. If you’re itching to go bold, do it with paint or soft furnishings. Tiles are the long game &#8211; and the happiest homes tend to be the ones that balance personality with staying power.</p>



<p><em>For more tile inspo (and the chance to see it all in real life), have a nosy at <a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Claybrook</strong></a> &#8211; either <a href="https://www.claybrookstudio.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">online</a> or in one of their showrooms in Chelsea, Shoreditch, or Banbury.</em> <em>Fair warning: you may leave wanting to redo everything. </em></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/home/dulux-heritage-interior-paint-colours-improve-mood-feeling/">Feel better! The paint colours in your home that make (or break) your mood</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/national/tips-how-to-choose-mid-century-retro-bathroom-furniture-basin-units/">The secret to buying the best retro bathroom units</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/home/interiors/where-to-buy-mid-century-furniture-and-homewares/">Where to snap up mid-century interiors classics</a></li>
</ul>


The 5 hot new tile trends you need to know for 2026

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