The first thing you'll notice about Old English is the surface.

Rather than being completely flat, the glaze has a gentle ripple that creates small changes in how light reflects from the tile. This gives the wall a soft, almost water-like movement without introducing strong tonal variation from one tile to the next.

That's an important distinction.

If you're drawn to handmade or Zellige-inspired tiles because you like surface movement, but don't necessarily want pronounced colour variation, Old English offers a more controlled alternative. The individual tiles work together as a cohesive surface, while the rippled glaze stops the installation from looking overly uniform.

The 200x65mm proportions also sit comfortably between a traditional metro and a more contemporary elongated tile. There's enough length to create flowing horizontal lines, but the slightly shorter profile retains a familiar, classic character.

If you're comparing collections, this is where I'd draw the distinction:

Choose Old English if you want a rippled gloss surface, traditional proportions, plenty of colour choice and a more accessible price point.

Choose Lucia if you prefer a cleaner, more consistent colour and a longer 75x300mm format where the surface texture does the work.

Choose Cotswold if you want softer handcrafted detailing and a more relaxed, understated aesthetic.

Choose Artesano if you specifically want stronger artisan influence and more expressive glaze variation.

That comparison is useful because it helps a customer make a decision rather than simply telling them that every collection is "beautiful and versatile."

At 200x65mm, Old English offers a useful middle ground.

If you're unsure how much character you want from a wall tile, Old English is a very safe place to start. The ripple gives you enough texture to make the wall interesting, but the relatively consistent colour means you're not committing to the stronger variation associated with handmade-effect or reactive-glaze tiles. We'd particularly recommend looking at a full-size sample next to your cabinetry or worktop, the way the gloss catches the light can be surprisingly different from what you see on a screen.

Smaller tiles naturally introduce more grout lines, which can give a wall a more traditional, detailed appearance. Larger formats tend to feel calmer and more architectural. Old English sits between the two, retaining enough grout definition to emphasise the individual tiles while still creating a relatively clean overall surface.

A classic brick bond is an obvious choice and works particularly well with the collection's traditional character. But don't overlook vertical stacking. Turning the 200x65mm tile through 90 degrees creates a much more contemporary arrangement and allows the rippled glaze to become the main feature.

For a kitchen splashback, brick bond gives you a familiar, understated finish. In a bathroom, a vertical installation can make better use of the tile's proportions and draw the eye towards the ceiling.

I'd particularly consider Old English when you want to introduce texture into a room without making the tile itself feel overly decorative.

In a kitchen, it works beautifully between worktops and wall cabinets, particularly alongside shaker cabinetry, timber shelves and aged or brushed metal hardware.

In bathrooms, the rippled gloss surface is particularly effective around vanity areas and shower walls, where directional lighting can pick out the texture. Darker colours such as Indigo and Viridian can create an enveloping feel, while White Daisy and Silver Pearl help maintain a lighter, more open atmosphere.

And because the collection is deliberately straightforward in its design, it doesn't require a perfectly styled room around it. That's one of its advantages: the tile adds character without demanding attention.

One of Old English's strengths is its colour palette.

Green Viridian creates the strongest connection with nature and works particularly well with timber, stone and dark metal. Blue Indigo offers considerably more depth and can turn a simple shower wall or splashback into a striking focal point.

For something softer, Pink Rose introduces warmth without becoming overpowering, while Olive Tan sits comfortably within earthy, natural palettes. Silver Pearl is particularly useful when you want colour without committing to a strong hue, creating a sophisticated neutral backdrop with more character than a completely flat grey. White Daisy keeps things fresh and bright, allowing the rippled glaze to provide the visual interest.

This range makes Old English especially useful when you're designing around existing cabinetry or worktops. You can choose the tile colour according to the room rather than having to build the entire interior around the tile.

Does Old English have a completely flat surface?

No. The defining feature is its softly rippled gloss surface, which creates subtle highlights and shadows as light moves across the wall.

Is the colour different from tile to tile?

The collection is designed to provide a relatively consistent colour appearance rather than the pronounced tonal variation found in some handmade-effect and reactive-glaze tiles. The visual movement comes primarily from the rippled surface.

Is Old English a traditional-style tile?

It has traditional influences, particularly through its proportions and glossy rippled finish, but the collection can look remarkably contemporary when installed vertically or paired with modern cabinetry, black fittings and minimalist furnishings.

Which colour would you choose for a darker bathroom?

For a darker room, White Daisy or Silver Pearl will make the most of available light. If you're deliberately creating a more atmospheric bathroom, Blue Indigo or Green Viridian can work beautifully with warm lighting and timber.

Can Old English be used with modern kitchens?

Absolutely. The traditional surface doesn't dictate a traditional interior. In fact, pairing the rippled glaze with handleless cabinetry, quartz worktops or matt black fittings can create a very contemporary contrast.

Why does the ripple look different under different lighting?

The surface isn't perfectly flat, so light strikes different parts of the glaze at different angles. Daylight, pendant lighting and under-cabinet LEDs can therefore reveal different highlights across the same wall. This is part of the appeal of a textured gloss tile.