9th July 2021 | IN KBB DESIGN | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn Using tiles in interiors has been common practice for decades, from our bathroom floors to our kitchen walls. In fact, the use of tiles stems back to Ancient Egypt! Today, as interior designers are always looking for new ways use materials and innovate their designs, the specification of floor and wall tiles is getting more and more creative. Newly SBID Accredited specialists in tiles for specifiers, Craven Dunnill share their story; from a longstanding heritage, to how they work with interior designers to supply unique and bespoke tiling solutions for their projects. Discover their insight on the latest trends for interior tiles! What are the origins of Craven Dunnill? We have been manufacturing and supplying ceramic tiles for commercial and residential projects for 150 years, since 1872; and we use every bit of that experience to ensure that our clients are always provided with professional, market-leading and passionate support. Our vast portfolio is stocked here in the UK, showcasing the very latest of British and European produced ceramic wall and floor tiles. Our specialist production factory, based in Ironbridge UK, still operates as the oldest surviving purpose-built tile factory in the world. With a deeply rooted history in providing tiles for interior design specification, we offer distinctive designs inspired by our longstanding heritage, with an unrivalled reputation for quality, style, and service. With experience stretching back 150 years, we pride ourselves in our flexibility, technical support, fit for purpose guidance, and high product quality standards. How do you work with interior designers? Craven Dunnill stock the widest selection of ceramic tiles from the leading manufacturers around the World. Our vast range provides interior designers with limitless possibilities according to their project needs and requirements. We appreciate that every project is unique and we have extensive experience across a wide variety of projects and installations. With the knowledge and experience of what is achievable, we work closely with interior designers to ensure we select products which fit the performance, quality and longevity demands for their projects. We can provide a truly bespoke solution for even the most challenging of projects. If you can’t find the tile you need in our vast portfolio of wall and floor tiles, we have the facility to produce ceramic wall or floor tiles to almost any shape and/or size. All custom design and manufacture solutions are provided through our own specialist factory. Craven Dunnill Jackfield have been hand-making ceramic tiles for over 150 years and now combine modern and traditional production techniques to create bespoke wall or floor ceramics to almost any design and specification! What value does your sector add to the interior design industry? Tiles are an integral element for any project and offer a wide variety of materials, finishes and styles with versatile laying options which can bring the vision of interior designers to life. They can deliver stunning aesthetics, unify indoor and outdoor spaces with a seamless transition and offer everyday solutions to meet the challenging creative and practical demands of contemporary projects. Creating surfaces for many projects involves not only meeting requirements in terms of practicality, durability but also aesthetics. Tile materials can guarantee comfort, elegance, very high-quality performance and longevity for long term use to meet more eco-friendly specification approaches to sustainability. Today, hygiene and safety is more important than ever. Everyone wants to live and work in healthy environments. Ceramic surfaces with antibacterial protection, an anti-microbial shield integrated into the tiles, eliminate up to 99.9% of surface bacteria, 24 hours a day, forever. How do your services/offering enhance an interior designer’s projects? Specialists like no other. Craven Dunnill is renowned for the production and supply of ceramic wall and floor tiles to all market sectors, including specification, housebuilder, commercial, retail and specialist, for both the UK and global markets. Product: Craven Dunnill prides itself on its choice and selection of best-in-class ceramic wall and floor tiles, sourced from the leading manufacturers around the World. Our products represent quality. And more than that, it is an ethos throughout the organisation. We have an appreciation and understanding of high-quality products, and that is recognised across everything that we do. Sampling: Fast and efficient sampling is an important part of our specifier support service. Smaller tiles can be despatched as full tiles, and larger tiles can be sent either as 100×100 colour swatches – perfect for mood boards – or delivered as larger tile samples. Service: We take our service and support very seriously – putting your needs first, and continually striving to exceed expectations. We aim to deliver an experience worth talking about, every single time. We have an experienced team of customer service advisors who are always on hand to assist with your specific enquiry, whether its face-to-face, online, or on the phone. Technical: At Craven Dunnill, we set ourselves apart through the quality and accuracy of our technical support and guidance. We aim to build confidence and earn the trust of our clients by providing correct and appropriate technical information, and finding a solution to meet your specific needs. We are on hand to give all the necessary guidance on selection, installation, maintenance and care. Our technical experts sit on a number of standards and technical committees including BSI, UKSRG (UK Slip Resistance Group) and TTA (The Tile Association). This ensures that any technical advice given is absolutely in line with current standards and industry guidance. Custom Design & Manufacture: Using our own specialist factory, Craven Dunnill Jackfield, we combine modern and traditional production techniques to create bespoke wall or floor ceramics to almost any design. If you can’t find the tile size you need in our vast portfolio of wall and floor tiles we have the facility to produce ceramic wall or floor tiles to almost any shape and/or size. Sustainability: Respect for the environment is more critical now than ever. We are market leaders in the supply of ceramic tiles with a green agenda, sourcing only from manufacturers with responsible practices and certified credentials. We have an experienced team that can support you in specifying tiles with the appropriate eco-credentials for your project. What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests? Indoor/outdoor living is an enduring trend that continues to drive the need for creative and practical solutions. Large format tiles in a variety of effects and finishes are increasingly moving into domestic and residential projects, while natural effect tiles as wall surfaces and feature walls remain popular. There is a trend emerging towards a mix and match approach, with interior designers pushing the creative use of contrasting effects and finishes, incorporating 3D wall tiles with bold patterns and dramatic reliefs. Thinner porcelain slabs, which are easier to handle and install than large stone slabs but offer the same aesthetic, are helping designers create stunning and expansive surfaces. Wet room solutions are continuing to grow in popularity. Highly durable porcelain is also increasingly be used as an alternative to other materials such as granite for surfaces such as kitchen worktops. Porcelain is highly durable and offers a wider variety of attractive effects and finishes. Discover Craven Dunnill To find out how to join the SBID professional membership, click here