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Oyster Mosaic River Pearl fired earth and chic craquele tiles. Are they easy to keep clean in a kitchen

23 replies

Chihuahuas · 23/02/2013 10:58

Hello

I'm thinking of having these in my kitchen part tiled and part painted. www.firedearth.com/tiles/tile-type/mosaics/river-pearl

Also liking the look of these tiles www.toppstiles.co.uk/range314/page1/Chic-Craquele.html

Does anyone have any feedback on how these tiles stand up to being a kitchen for cleaning etc?

I'm going for a very pale wood blue painted shaker style kitchens with oak worktops.

Would love some thoughts.

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shufflebum · 23/02/2013 22:34

I love the topps tiles ones, had my heart set on them for the bathroom but our plumber was worried about the finish letting water in so we've gone for a plain finish version by Laura Ashley. Got them from Tons of Tiles online at half the regular price.
Think the craquele ones would be fine in a kitchen.

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Pannacotta · 24/02/2013 11:36

I love the Topps ones too but they do look a bit fragile perhaps. I did see some reviews on the Topps site so worth a look there.
shuffle do you have a link to your tiles?

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Chihuahuas · 24/02/2013 19:28

I'm getting some samples tomorrow hopefully so will see then. I guess they do look a bit fragile. But so pretty! Reviews are good though.

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Pannacotta · 25/02/2013 14:46

Oh do let us know how the samples look.
I have a Topps catalogue and they are the only tiles I picked out from the whole lot!

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Chihuahuas · 25/02/2013 15:06

Will do. They dont stock them in store so have had to send off for samples.

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Curioustiger · 27/02/2013 11:27

I've got glass mosaic tiles from FE in parts of my bathroom. They look amazing, and they clean very easily. I love them!

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Pannacotta · 27/02/2013 14:57

They sound lovely tiger, I always thought mosaics were really hard to keep clean, doesnt dirt get stuck into all the tiny grout lines?

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Curioustiger · 27/02/2013 15:58

I thought that too and tbf have only had them a year but so far no problem. I was obsessed with the grout though ... Got very expensive anti mould grout, then put a special sealant on top which I will renew every year (actually thanks as this is a reminder!) so not the easiest option but they look so beautiful!

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Curioustiger · 27/02/2013 16:03

Oh actually have just seen the crackle tiles which are very similar to the tiles I have elsewhere in the bathroom. OP you have great taste! (Immodest face). I got another special sealant for the crackled ones as was told in no uncertain terms that they required it. You can test their likeliness of picking up stains etc... Oh how my husband enjoyed a weekend of dropping water and shampoo on tiles, then painting them with sealant and trying it again... I prob wouldn't have the crackle ones in high splash areas like behind the hob but again have had no problems in my bathroom (potters off to gaze lovingly at bathroom again)

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shufflebum · 28/02/2013 23:03

Sorry forgot I'd posted here!
These were the ones we got
www.tonsoftiles.co.uk/artisan-laura-ashley-c-101.html
However, I have just posted a dilemma in home decorating topic!
Any input gratefully received, wish we'd gone with the Topps ones now! :(

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Chihuahuas · 02/03/2013 09:26

Tiles are lovely but I found a much cheaper place to get them from almost half price than topps www.tile-importers.co.uk/kitchen-wall/craquele/craquele-white-7-5x15-cm-ceramic-wall-tile.html

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Pannacotta · 02/03/2013 11:31

Thanks for the link Chihuahas, have bookmarked that website.Glad the tiles are nice.

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Chihuahuas · 03/03/2013 11:01

Im still choosing which blinking colour(s)..not sure whether to go for all white (which is still a creamy white) and jasmine grout or a mix of the two lightest whites and the grey..my kitchen is a very pale blue though so im not sure about the mix of colours..this the only decision i have left to make!

Im having a graphite coloured sink and handles too with an oak worktop.

Im conscious of the kitchen looking a bit insipid.

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Pannacotta · 03/03/2013 11:25

Why not mix the colours if you are cocnerned about it looking bland?
The colours are so strong they will jar but the variety would add some interest.

Or you could go with the white and have colour elsewhere, eg wall prints, blind, flowers, fruit etc?

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Chihuahuas · 03/03/2013 11:38

thanks for that, much appreciated...i think im going with white (which is still a creamy white) and the jasmine grout and then have a nice colour on my walls..will decide that though once kitchen and tiles are in place..

:)

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midnightinmoscow · 03/03/2013 11:54

We have recently had the Tops Tiles one's put into our bathroom. They look lovely, and have had no trouble with the finish and keeping them clean.

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Chihuahuas · 03/03/2013 12:40

thanks thats good to hear ..which colours did you go for? and can i ask what colour grout too?

Thank you :)

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midnightinmoscow · 03/03/2013 14:09

We have a mixture of the all of them except the lightest white. Grouting is off white too.

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Chihuahuas · 04/03/2013 15:29

Ooooh I'm in a quandary! Arghhh

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Chihuahuas · 23/03/2013 16:13

I went for 3 colours in the tiles in the end and got them for half of the price topps were charging, went for grey/blue and the two lightest whites and am in the process of sealing them all today..a very long and boring job!

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Chihuahuas · 09/04/2013 16:20

The finished job. The tiles are beautiful and go well I think!

www.flickr.com/photos/94868316@N08/8635155990/

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NotGoodNotBad · 19/06/2013 12:19

Hi all,

I'm reviving this thread as I'm thinking of going for these Topps Craquele tiles for our kitchen.

Those of you with a similar finish, how do you find them? Do you have to redo the sealer at intervals or do you do it once and that's it? Can you scrub them? (they'll be used for a splashback and elsewhere). Are they a nightmare to clean?

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NotGoodNotBad · 19/06/2013 17:26

Just talked to the guy at Topps Tiles, who said they should get resealed every couple of years. Now, given the amount of stuff we have that this applies to (floors etc) I know that this just won't happen in our house. Anyone seen anything with a similar look, but not actually crackle-glazed?

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