Interwar geometric tiles by Designer Ceramics

The use of geometrics to form borders as ornament has its origins in Egyptian times 6000 BC. The use of such forms as squares, diamonds, triangles and zig zag have been used and reused in many variations. During the inter-war period following the 1925 "Exposition of Decorative Arts" in Paris the Art Deco/Jazz Modern Style grew in popularity.

Bathrooms in the 1920's made the transition from the back veranda to the inside of the house. Walls often had gleaming white ceramic wall tiles sometimes tilux for more modest bathrooms. Floors were often black and white checkerboard sometimes in ceramic tiles but often in linoleum, also there was common usage of vitreous black and mosaic tiles often with Greek key borders. Walls with ceramic tiles often had decorative strips and at times capping tiles (as in Edwardian times).

Pedestal basins of various designs were used, claw foot baths with rolled edges and at times with a ripple iron shower screen. Towards the later part of the inter-war period the appearance of built in baths and separate showers became more common. Nickel plating to fittings and glass shelving were commonly used.

Bungalows generally were far simpler in design however some Edwardian features were reused. Tiles had a more Art Deco influence rather than the more intricate nature of Art Nouveau. Designer Ceramics have a vast range of decorative wall borders from the very ornate Sunrises and Kites to the simpler listellos such as Crystals and Diamonds which are available in single or multicolour formats.