Zellige tiles: their history and how to decorate with them

Zellige tiles are one of those buzzwords or phrases that arise time and again when people talk about interiors. In short, Zellige (pronounced zell-idge) is a type of tiling that originated in Morocco, in which handcrafted tiles were made from a special blend of local clay and then glazed and fired, resulting in a surface with various irregularities that give each tile a unique look. That variety of tone, flatness, depth and shade is perfect for lending character to whatever space is being tiled – hence Zellige’s popularity.

Historically, Zellige’s etymology has been traced back to zelij, a style of North African mosaic work found in Islamic art. The fact that Islam forbids depictions of Allah or Muhammad means that pattern and decorative arts hold a high status within Arab aesthetics, and zelij was just one of many ways of adorning mosques or other important buildings. Often, the hand-made tiles would be made in lozenge or star shapes and fitted together into elaborate, tesselating patterned schemes in different colours, with an emphasis on blues, whites and greens (though you’re more likely to find them in simple squares in contemporary Western homes).

For the best examples of Zellige, the Alhambra in Granada can’t be beaten; nor can the madrasas – the Islamic schools – of Fes and Meknes in Morocco. That said, you’re as likely to find contemporary Zellige in a trendy French farmhouse or the bathroom of a Manhattan apartment as you are in North Africa, which is no bad thing and evidence of the huge, huge popularity of the style. In 2019, they were even used in Hermès’ showcase of their new homeware collection at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, in which beautiful plates, vases and trays were set in the midst of astonishing pavilions decorated with 150,000 imported Moroccan zellige tiles; those shimmering walls in rich hues of blue, purple, yellow and green set the design world’s hearts a-flutter.

You can buy Zellige tiles from any number of outlets in the UK and abroad, including Bert & May, Zellige Tiles, Terrazzo Tiles and Habibi Interiors. It’s worth keeping in mind that genuine Zellige has certain requirements to be described as such. The tiles should be hand-made, glazed, and should comprise only clay, without lime or iron in them. They will look imperfect, and probably quite shiny, too. Instal them without any gaps between tiles; the grouting should be invisible.

As for how to decorate with them, there are all sorts of ideas you can steal from the House & Garden archive, including a range of creative uses by our Top 100 designers. Take a look…