Our Customer Tile Style Profile feature takes a closer look at some of the amazing renovation and redesign projects our customers undertake using products from the Tile Mountain range. This month’s feature takes a closer look at a wonderful garden project by Kevin Cloud of Newport, Gwent, who used our Quartzite Black Matt tiles to great effect in an outdoor seating area. We caught up him to chat about the project…
What were the circumstances behind the project?
The house is a new build property, so we pretty much had a blank canvass to start with. The garden was very basic so we decided to create an outdoor area that would allow us to enjoy the space when the weather is nice.
Was your choice of decor & colour scheme influenced by the tiles you chose, or did you pick the tiles to fit in with a style you’d chosen for the rest of the house?
Our property is a new modern house with a neutral colour scheme in the downstairs room leading to the rear garden, so the outdoor area had to have a modern feel and flow. We felt that black or dark tiles were the only way to achieve this look. We also wanted to include straight lines to help with the contemporary aesthetic and then add curved furniture to soften the area.
What made you decide that the tiles you chose were the right tiles for your project?
As mentioned, we really wanted a modern, clean look and the Quartzite Black Matt really provided this. The matt surface texture also offers grip when the tiles are wet and they’re much easier to look after than regular paving slabs.
How long did the project take to complete and did you do the tiling yourself or hire a professional tiler?
In total, the whole project was around three months work, but I also work full time so in actual terms of days spent, about 20 days! I have been involved in the construction industry over 20 years so I know a thing or two about building and this allowed me to carry out all the work (including brickwork and groundworks) myself. Everything else was easy enough to achieve with a little help from guides on YouTube etc.
What part of the project was most difficult and why?
Laying the foundations was very time consuming and labour intensive, but it pays to spend time on what is perhaps the most important part of the project. If the bottom is out of level, the top will be!
Do you have any further decorating projects lined up?
Not in the immediate term. My wife has other ideas though!
What advice would you give to people considering undertaking a similar project?
The most important advice I could give would be to spend time in the planning stage – check everything twice to avoid mistakes that may end up costing money to rectify. You should also get samples of the materials you want to use – bricks, tiles, anything, where possible. Cost the whole project and then add an extra 15% to account for unforeseen expenses. Finally, never start a project without a clear plan or the money to complete it!
What would you say to people who are thinking about buying tiles from Tile Mountain?
Good service, well delivered and packed. I did have one box of tiles missing from my order but it only took a single phone call and an email and everything was sorted out. You can’t ask more than that.
If you’d like to see your project featured in our monthly Customer Tile Style Profile, simply leave a review of the products you bought and share photos of your completed tiling project on our Facebook wall. If we use your photos on our website we’ll send you a crisp £10 Amazon voucher for your troubles and even make you internet famous for a bit in this very feature.
Here at Tile Mountain, we not only have a huge range of tiles to suit every purpose, we also have a wealth of tiling knowledge gained from over 30 years in the tile industry, (which we’ll do or best to share with you across these very pages).
Whether you’re looking for the perfect tiles for your next home improvement project, are searching for some style inspiration, or simply need a bit of help and advice, you’re in the right place.