We’ve long admired the colorful patterns of vintage Portuguese tiles (see Object Lessons: Portuguese Azulejo Tiles Made Modern), so we were surprised to discover that one company handcrafting azulejos in the traditional way is English. Despite being based in the UK, Everett & Blue‘s method and inspiration comes from centuries of Portuguese tradition: The company sources their clay in Lisbon, draws their designs from the “architecture of Lisbon and Porto, where endless patterns and murals adorn the facades,” and partners with a family-run factory in Portugal to craft the tiles by hand. Here’s a look at some of their designs.
N.B. All tiles shown here are £3.49 ($4.42) each or £174.50 ($220.89) per square meter. For shipping information beyond the UK, see Everett & Blue. Photography courtesy of Everett & Blue.

Above: The inspiration: Antique tiled walls, like this one, in Portuguese cities. “The art is slowly disappearing as factories close and generations of tile artists lose their trade,” Everett & Blue says, but the local artisan-run factory with whom they design the tiles is “trying very hard to keep this beautiful handcraft staying alive by introducing younger generations to the craft.” Everett & Blue offers tiles in three colorways, designed in collaboration with these Portuguese artisans: Azul (blue), Verde (green), and Cinza (gray), plus solid Cores (which are currentl...