Handcrafted Tiles and Unique Floors with a Story

Classic white subway tiles offer a clean, glazed finish that never goes out of style. They have a way of making grout lines look intentional and walls look considered, providing a perfect canvas for any design.

This is the story of the subway tile, a 120-year-old classic from New York. Originally designed for subway stations, its practicality and simple beauty have made it a timeless choice for homes around the world.

The subway tile was 'the tile that lit up the dark'. In 1904, its glossy, glazed surface was used in New York's underground tunnels to bounce light and make the spaces feel brighter and cleaner. A practical solution that became an icon.

The subway tile has been reinvented, not replaced. Over the decades, designers have refreshed this classic with bolder colors, bigger sizes, new textures, and darker grout, giving the same tile a new personality for every era.

This timeline shows the evolution of the subway tile, from the tunnels of New York to everyday life. Its ease of maintenance brought it to butcher shops and hospitals, while its timeless look made it a design staple in the 2000s.

This infographic illustrates the making of an Athangudi tile. It's a century-old craft involving a brass mould, natural oxide pigments, and a cement body, all cured in the open air. No kilns are used, just patience and generations of knowledge.

The 'Naalu Malli Mottu' is a traditional Athangudi tile pattern named after four jasmine buds. Arranged in perfect symmetry, their white petals unfurl against a bold terracotta red, creating a floor that is both geometric and floral.

This is the Athangudi tile, a 150-year-old secret hidden in Tamil Nadu. This series explores its history, craft, and design, showcasing a flooring tradition that is entirely handmade and sun-cured.

Athangudi tiles were born out of necessity when imported flooring was out of reach for Chettinad's artisans. They perfected a method using local sand, pigment, and brass moulds that is still practiced the same way today.