For centuries, hand-cut mosaic tiles called Zellige (also Zelige or Zellig), made from a particular clay mixture found in Morocco, have covered walls, fountains, pools, floors, and more across the western Islamic world. And recently, the age-old decoration—likely a spin-off from Byzantine mosaics—is having a resurgence across the globe.
But in its latest incarnation, the Zellige tile trend is veering away from the traditional mosaic and into monochromatic territory as designers apply shimmering surfaces of a single glazed hue to surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms, and more.
“The glazing, color, and imperfection of Zellige tiles evoke their handmade quality,” explains AD100 designer Nicole Hollis, who wrapped a bathroom in her ownSan Francisco housein aturquoise blue versionfrom Clé. “I prefer using one color in showers,” Hollis adds. “Because the glazes are hand applied, no two tiles are exactly the same. It creates a watercolor effect.” The tiles’ varying thickness only adds to the drama.
Precisely this look—in a rainbow of hues—has been infiltrating a slew of AD100-designed homes. ASH NYC recently usedthe tiles(also from Clé) in apowder room in Tribeca. Giancarlo Valle used creamy swaths of them (on hearths, sinks, and bathroom walls) in a188bet体育投注投 . And when it came time for Clements Design and Waldo Fernandez to design supermodel Kendall Jenner’spool bath in L.A., in went a heap of mosaic tile byBadia Design.