A New Take on Delft Tile: Contemporary Artisans Reviving a Classic Craft

Stefani Stein
Sep 12
6 min read

Updated: Nov 7

Although widely recognized for its role in seventeenth-century Dutch interiors, Delft tile emerged from a centuries-long lineage of ceramic craftsmanship. The technique of tin-glazed earthenware was first developed in the Middle East before traveling across North Africa into Moorish Spain. From there, it spread through Italy and France before reaching the Netherlands, where it was adapted with a distinctly northern sensibility. Delft tiles are carefully crafted using traditional techniques, emphasizing their artisanal and handmade quality.

Classic kitchen with white cabinets, blue-patterned tiles, a glass cabinet with vases, and copper pots. Cozy and vintage ambiance. — Image courtesy of Regts Delft Tile.

Golden brass faucets on a wooden countertop with nautical-themed tile backsplash in blue and white. Sink is visible below. — Image courtesy of KV Tiles.

The Enduring Legacy of Delft Tile

In Delft, Dutch potters began producing ceramic tiles inspired by imported Chinese porcelain. These hand-painted pieces typically featured a rich cobalt blue on a soft white ground, portraying pictures of pastoral scenes, biblical stories, sailing ships, animals, and geometric borders. More than decoration, they were functional elements integrated into hearths, walls, and stair risers—adding visual rhythm to the architecture of everyday life.

As the tile became more popular across Europe, Delft evolved into a symbol of both domestic refinement and artisanal heritage. Its restrained color palette and delicate handwork allowed it to elevate a space while still providing practical functionality. Over time, its iconography expanded, but its core appeal remained unchanged: balance, softness, and storytelling in ceramic form.

What makes Delft tile so enduring is not only its beauty, but its ability to feel personal. Even in today’s interiors, it serves as a visual anchor that connects past and present through craftsmanship and material presence.

Bright kitchen with light green cabinets, marble countertops, and beige tiled floor. Decorative plates on the wall and a lamp add charm. — Image courtesy of Marlborough Tiles.

A Contemporary Return to Blue and White

In recent years, a new generation of tilemakers has begun to revisit Delft as a source of inspiration. The goal is not replication but reinterpretation. Their work is united by a sensitivity to handwork and a deep respect for tradition, with many focusing on handmade techniques that highlight artisanal craftsmanship, yet each brings a distinct perspective. Some lean into folklore and figural motifs, while others explore material texture, scale, and quiet irregularity.

While the classic cobalt blue remains a defining element, many artists are embracing a broader palette. Smoky graphite, soft sienna, muted ochre, and pale mineral tones now appear alongside the familiar blue and white. Contemporary Delft tile collections now offer an extensive variety of styles and color options, appealing to those seeking both tradition and innovation. These variations allow for a more nuanced dialogue with other surfaces such as limewashed walls, antique wood, or unlacquered brass. The result is a more expressive and flexible visual language that feels grounded in history while remaining entirely suited to contemporary interiors.

These eight makers offer a compelling lens on what Delft means today.

Aviva Halter

Aviva Halter approaches tile as both craft and quiet poetry. She is able to create custom, hand-painted tiles tailored to individual preferences, often depicting intimate scenes such as solitary figures, undulating landscapes, and architectural silhouettes, rendered in a muted palette of deep blue, charcoal, and umber. The mood is introspective and painterly, with compositions that feel suspended in time. Aviva’s work offers a darker, more nuanced take on Delft, perfect for clients who want something contemplative and romantic rather than nostalgic. Her tiles work beautifully as accents in powder rooms, fireplace surrounds, or as a focal point above a range where tone and texture speak with subtle confidence.

Tiled artwork displaying various brown botanical sketches on a light background. Each tile features different plant illustrations. — Image courtesy of Aviva Halter.

Elegant kitchen with a black stove, dark counters, and beige tiles with delicate botanical drawings. A mortar and pestle rest nearby. — Interior design by Jenni Kayne. Image courtesy of Aviva Halter.

Cle

Cle is a tile studio known for bridging artisan technique with broad design appeal. Their collections often reference historical forms while stripping them back to their essence. The 17th century: maiolica de delft evokes the historical blue and white tradition while introducing a contemporary sensibility. Tiles might feature figural elements, stylized florals, or unexpected abstractions that draw from the same visual language as the originals. For designers seeking high-impact tile moments that remain grounded in history, Cle provides a flexible, artful entry point, with tiles suitable for a wide range of project types, from residential to commercial applications.

Historically inspired room with a mint green sofa against a patterned wall. Above, a painting of birds in flight in a frame adds a serene touch.

Two white tiles with blue floral designs sit on a stool beside paintbrushes and bowls of paint on a green table. Artistic workshop setting.

White tiles with blue delft floral patterns. A horizontal blue stripe divides the upper and lower sections, creating a classic look.

Images courtesy of Cle Tile

Douglas Watson Studio

With decades of experience in hand-painted ceramics, Douglas Watson Studio holds a deep respect for the craft’s historical roots. Their Delft-inspired tiles are painted in traditional cobalt and manganese oxide using methods that closely follow eighteenth-century techniques. Scenes range from pastoral countryside to maritime vessels and are often bordered by classic corner motifs. The precision and polish of their linework make these tiles well suited to restoration projects or to layering into new homes that reference English or Dutch heritage. Whether used as a single scene or an entire mural, the result feels timeless and deeply considered, as the studio takes steps to ensure the quality and authenticity of each tile.

Blue and white tiles depict various scenes, including animals, ships, and people. Intricate patterns accent each tile, creating a vintage feel.

White ceramic tiles with delft blue designs depict birds, flowers, and an elephant. Ornate patterns at corners. Simple, classic aesthetic.

Patterned tile wall with interconnected star shapes and arc designs in blue and brown on a white background, creating a geometric look. — Images courtesy of Douglas Watson Studio.

KV Tiles

Katherine Verdickt, of KV Tiles, brings a Connecticut sensibility to the Delft tradition with a light-handed, warm, and quietly expressive approach. Her work ranges from single-line illustrations of flora, fauna, and figural moments to mural depictions to meanders. Each commission is painted with a looseness that feels fresh and intimate, and KV Tiles works closely with clients to accommodate their individual preferences in design and color. The soft tones and painterly strokes evoke Delft while maintaining a voice of their own. Her pieces have a sense of immediacy, as if drawn directly onto the surface. They work especially well in spaces where a more structured tile might feel too formal, offering charm and character to backsplashes, niches, and smaller tile runs.

Fifteen beige tiles with green floral sketches arranged in a grid. Each tile features a unique flower design with decorative corners.

White ceramic tiles with brown sketches of animals, flowers, and a character. Tiles are scattered on a glossy surface.

Tiles with etched leaf patterns in various shapes cover a wall. The neutral background highlights the delicate brown leaf designs.

Twelve ceramic tiles with blue floral patterns on a beige background, forming a symmetrical, decorative design.

Textured tiles with green and white floral design, featuring a 3D petal in relief. Soft light and neutral background. — Images courtesy of KV Tiles.

Marlborough Tiles

Marlborough Tiles is known for its commitment to hand-painted ceramics and its ability to bridge tradition and modern application. Their Delft-style collections include both classic Dutch motifs such as windmills, boats, wildlife, and food, as well as more stylized floral designs inspired by the English countryside. Each tile is painted in their signature cobalt on cream. What distinguishes Marlborough is their ability to produce consistent yet characterful work, making their tiles especially well-suited for traditional kitchens, butler’s pantries, or laundry rooms. Their collections also appeal to clients who value historical reference without the imperfections or unpredictability of reclaimed material.

A cozy kitchen with a cream tile backsplash, blue motifs. A blue pot on a black stove, a tea towel and utensils nearby, eggs in the corner.

Kitchen counter with a basket and greenery, metal pitcher, and bowl. Cream tiles with blue animal designs in the background.

Hand painting a blue tulip on a ceramic tile with a brush. Wooden plank rests above. Calm, detailed artistry in progress. — Images courtesy of Marlborough Tiles.

Petra Plumbo

Petra Plumbo's bespoke tile offerings infuse a sense of whimsy and visual wit into hand-painted tile. Her work often includes surreal or symbolic imagery such as birds in flight, watchful eyes, or twisted fruit, rendered with a delicate yet confident brush. While she frequently uses Delft blue, her palette also includes burnt sienna, soft graphite, and muted pastels. The result is deeply personal and a little eccentric in the best way. Each tile feels like a standalone expression, offering an emotive and modern counterpoint to the structure and repetition often associated with traditional Delftwork.

A photo of a sheep and lamb in a field, alongside a blue paint rendition on paper and tile, with a paintbrush and blue paint nearby.

Architectural sketch of a kitchen with a pencil and tape measure. Calculator and rolling ruler highlight a design setting. Neutral tones.

Ceramic tile with green patterns and ornate design featuring a religious altar image. Gold rays and a heart emblem are central. — Images courtesy of Petra Plumbo.

Poarte Tile

Poarte Tile takes a painterly approach to Delft traditions. Each tile is hand-painted in the Netherlands with careful attention to rhythm, gesture, and narrative. Designs range from folk-inspired botanicals and geometric flourishes to simple figural scenes. The glazes are soft and luminous, often allowing the brushwork and surface variation to remain visible. The result feels tactile and quiet, like a fresco interpreted in ceramic. Poarte’s tiles are especially suited to smaller moments in a home, such as alcoves, fireplace surrounds, or backsplash accents, where the intimacy of the work can be fully appreciated.

A neat kitchen with cream cabinets, wooden countertop, wall shelves with plates, mugs, and glasses. Knife rack and kettle by the sink. Neutral tones.

Tiles with ornate black floral and bird designs on a white background, arranged in a grid pattern, creating a vintage artistic feel.

Cozy kitchen with red cabinets, open shelving with dishes, vintage wallpaper, and natural light from a window. Earthy, serene vibe. — Images courtesy of Poarte.

Regts Delft Tiles

Regts is one of the few studios still practicing Delft tile painting in the traditional sense. Located in the Netherlands, their workshop follows original glaze formulas and historical firing techniques that preserve the soft crackle and patina found in centuries-old tiles. Every scene is hand-rendered, whether it be a classic sea vessel or a countryside vignette, and reflects a commitment to authenticity that few others match. These tiles are ideal for historic restorations or for new builds that seek a layered, timeworn quality. Their clarity and craft make them a meaningful addition to both classic and contemporary interiors.

Geometric tile pattern with brown and blue triangles forming diagonal stripes. Tiles are arranged in a grid, creating a symmetrical design.

Yellow flower with green leaves on a ceramic tile; blue decorative patterns in corners on a white background. Simple and artistic.

Nine blue floral patterns on white ceramic tiles arranged in a 3x3 grid. Each tile features a unique flower design, creating a classic, decorative look.

Person working on blue-patterned tile backsplash in a kitchen, with sage green cabinets and a large stove, creating a focused mood.

Images courtesy of Regts Delft Tiles.

Why Hand-Painted Still Matters

The renewed interest in Delft tile reflects a shift toward interiors that feel meaningful, layered, and grounded in craft. These hand-painted pieces offer more than decoration. Each tile acts as a visual fragment of a story, inviting a slower and more intentional way of living. Whether used sparingly in a niche or across an entire wall, Delft tile brings texture, rhythm, and a sense of quiet history into the home.

What sets these contemporary makers apart is their ability to honor tradition while allowing room for expression and softness. Each brushstroke carries a sense of presence. Whether behind a range, inset into a powder room, or used as a border detail, these tiles bring warmth and nuance to the spaces they inhabit. They are not about perfection. They are about connection, memory, and the enduring appeal of hand and material.