With the advent of coloured cement in the late 19th century,
encaustic tiles were largely replaced in Europe by beautifully coloured and designed cement tiles, which combined the beauty of the
encaustic tiles with strength and longevity," she says.
Old World architectural details include carved-wood doors, patterned
encaustic tiles and ornamental iron work, much of it sourced from the arts-and-craftsy Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende.
When a student, aged 17, Stair visited the Cathedral and was inspired by the carpet of 13th-century
encaustic tiles lining the pilgrim way to the Shrine of St Swithun.
Stone is easier to replicate - modern
encaustic tiles are very similar to Victorian ones, for example, and some companies specialise in laying them in intricate designs that match original ones.
The surrounding floor is covered with
encaustic tiles, obsessively bearing his monogram and invented crest, a martlet, while above is a stained-glass window depicting both the life and work of his patron saint, St Augustine, and Pugin himself with his three (successive) wives.
Barbara purchased antique
encaustic tiles for the entry hall's staircase from L'Antiquario of Miami (she found them online).
Its
Encaustic tiles come in tasty shades - aubergine, olive and verdigris, and are pounds 93.
Encaustic tiles are thicker than conventional floor tiles but if you need extra pieces, use thinner tiles and pack underneath with extra adhesive.
Modern
encaustic tiles are similar to Victorian ones, for example, and some companies specialise in laying them in intricate designs that match original ones.
In 1830 Samuel Wright of Shelton took out a patent for the manufacture of
encaustic tiles, which Herbert Minton bought.
ITS glorious 140ft by 72ft mosaic floor is made up of 30,000 individual
encaustic tiles, made by the Minton factory in The Potteries.
This month, a key element of the park's architectural centrepiece shines once more: the Bethesda Terrace Arcade ceiling, composed of almost 16,000 handmade Minton
encaustic tiles.
