When it comes to individually handcrafting her muted ceramic tiles, Marianne Smink finds beauty in imperfection. A Dutch former fashion designer now based in London, Smink is “drawn to tiny upsets in a pattern?s balance,” and the small idiosyncrasies that occur when she translates her screen-printed designs onto tile.
Smink has added new designs since we last checked in (see our post, Wabi-Sabi Tiles from a Dutch Fashion Designer), and they’ve got us thinking about abstract, artful kitchen backsplashes. Here’s a new look at the expanded collection.
Photography courtesy of Smink Things.

Above: Smink Things’ triangular Going Overground ceramic tiles were inspired by the London Underground. Shown here in the muted Soft palette, the 30-by-10-centimeter tiles are £12.50 ($15.30) each. They are also available in the Warm palette. In addition to ceramic tiles, which are individually screen-printed before being fired, “revealing individuality in every piece,” Smink Things also sells pre-designed ceramic tile murals and wallpaper reproductions.

Above: The oversize Eclipse square tiles are 14 by 14 centimeters and offer endless options for patterns; £7.50 ($9.18) each.

Above: Inspired by English artist L.S. Lowry’s paintings of cities, the After Lowry ceramic tile collection, £7.50 ($9.18) per tile, is also available in concrete, £6.25 ($7.65) per tile.

Above: “Bold circles on loosely painted backgrounds:&...