Saint Martin Pale Terracotta Arabesque Tiles 21 x 20 x 2cm

A Customer’s Beautiful Transformation Using Our Saint Martin Pale Arabesque Terracotta Tiles

One of the best parts of working with handmade materials is seeing how customers make them their own. Recently, a customer shared photos of their completed project using our Saint Martin Pale Arabesque Terracotta Tiles, and their creative finishing technique gave the tiles an incredibly soft, pale, rustic look that feels both unique and effortlessly natural.

The Saint Martin Pale range already carries a gentle blend of sandy tones with hints of pink, red, orange and amber. But in this project, the customer chose to whitewash the terracotta using watered-down grout, brushing it across the tiles after installation. This method left a delicate veil of colour on the surface, softening the natural clay shades and giving the floor a beautifully muted appearance. The result is an almost leather-like, worn-in texture that feels warm, earthy and wonderfully tactile.

The whitewash technique enhanced the handmade character of the tiles rather than covering it. Each tile absorbed the wash slightly differently, creating subtle variations that add depth without overwhelming the space. The softened tones paired perfectly with the curved Arabesque shape, giving the room a calm, airy feel while still maintaining the authentic charm of terracotta.

Because the tiles are crafted from natural clay, shaped by hand and wood-fired in traditional kilns, they respond beautifully to finishes like this. The porous, organic surface takes on the wash in a way that machine-made tiles simply cannot replicate. In the customer’s room, this created a surface that feels grounded, inviting and full of personality.

The whitewashed terracotta works particularly well in bright interiors, helping to reflect light and create a gentle, soothing atmosphere. Even with its paler finish, the texture of the clay still comes through, giving the floor a rustic elegance that feels timeless and lived-in. The tiles also remain fully compatible with underfloor heating, making the space warm and comfortable throughout the year.

What really stands out in this project is the sense that the floor belongs in the home—not as a statement piece, but as a natural extension of the room itself. The combination of handmade clay, the flowing Arabesque design and the customer’s whitewashed finish resulted in a truly personal and beautifully understated look.

For anyone considering these tiles, you can find them here:
👉 Saint Martin Pale Arabesque Terracotta Tiles – https://bakedearth.co.uk/collections/saint-martin-pale-terracotta-tiles/products/saint-martin-terracotta-arabesque-tiles-20-x-22-x-2cm