Delft Tile Obsession: Why This Centuries-Old Style Still Stuns

A blue and white color combo has never looked so soulful. We’ve been spotting Delft tile in some of the dreamiest spaces: lining shower walls, dotting fireplace surrounds, and peeking out behind kitchen counters like tiny painted heirlooms. There’s something about their delicate, hand-painted details and storied feel that feels especially right now, offering a soft, historic counterpoint to all the clean lines and slick surfaces we see everywhere else.

Emma Diaz‘s home, Photography courtesy of Marlborough Tiles

Design by Jamie Haller, Photography by Jenna Peffley

The Charming History of Delft Tile

Originally crafted in the 1600s in Delft, Netherlands, these tiles were inspired by imported Chinese porcelain—specifically, the blue-and-white patterns that were wildly popular at the time. Dutch artisans created their own interpretations using a tin-glazing technique called maiolica, painting scenes of daily life: windmills, ships, florals, animals, and entire villages captured in miniature brush strokes. The tiles were practical (they lined hearths and stoves to reflect heat), but they were also decorative, turning utilitarian surfaces into works of art.

Photo courtesy of clé tile

Design by Meta Coleman, Photography by Chaunte Vaughn

Design by Jamie Haller, Photography by Jenna Peffley

Photography by Owen Gale

Photography by Simon Brown

Making Delft Tile Feel Fresh

Now, Delft tile is being reimagined with modern eyes. Designers are mixing them into checkerboard backsplashes, layering them into bathrooms, or surrounding fireplaces with a band of soft blue narrative. We’ve seen them paired with natural wood cabinetry for a cozy European farmhouse feel, or mixed with other tile styles entirely for something more eclectic and collected.

What really makes these tiles so special is their irregularity. No two are quite the same, and that’s the magic. The team at Delft Tiles says their tiles “attract attention because of their unique characteristics and appeal.” We couldn’t have said it better.

Design by Jamie Haller, Photography by Jenna Peffley

If you’re not quite ready to commit to the real thing, there are some beautiful Delft-inspired wallpapers that can give you the look without the tile install (but we’d argue: part of the charm is the real thing).

Photo courtesy of Greenly Living

Where to Shop Delft Tiles (and Lookalikes We Love)

Adding a little Delft to your space doesn’t have to mean tracking down antiques, though we fully support that kind of treasure hunt! (Etsy, eBay, and Chairish are full of gems if you’re patient.) Whether you’re after something timeworn, made-to-order, or totally unexpected, these are a few of our favorite places to start:

clé tile

A go-to for artisan tiles, clé’s 17th century: maiolica de delft collection offers delicate blue florals with a fresh edge. The designs feel rooted in tradition but are still easy to mix into a modern space.

Historic Decorative Materials

If you’re after authenticity, this is where to go. Historic Decorative Materials carries 17th-century-style Delft tiles with hand-painted ships, sea creatures, and pastoral scenes that feel like tiny storybooks.

KV Tiles

An interior designer favorite, Katherine Verdickt is a visual artist who first caught the internet’s attention when she made her own Delft tiles during a home renovation. What started as a personal project quickly turned into a sought-after tile business.

Marlborough Tiles

This UK-based studio has been painting Delft tiles by hand since 1936 using the traditional majolica technique. Each tile is painted to order, stroke by stroke, which means you’re truly getting a one-of-a-kind piece.

Petra Paulmbo

For a modern, cheeky take, Petra Palumbo’s Delft-inspired tiles are equal parts nostalgic and irreverent. Her hand-drawn designs range from florals to fish to hamburgers—and somehow, it all works. We love how these tiles don’t take themselves too seriously.

Tiles of Ezra

Not technically Delft, but their Amano collection has a similar feel: artisanal and softly graphic. The scalloped edges feel like a wink to traditional forms, with a little more movement and flair.