WORDS BY ELEANOR SHARMAN
PICTURE COURTESY OF REGTS DELFT
There are few decorative pieces as instantly recognisable —and as enduring—as the Delft tile. Rich in history and a warmth which belies the cool touch of the polychrome, these hand-painted Dutch tiles have been beloved for centuries; their soft, distinctive blue-and-white motifs gracing 17th Century Delft canal houses and contemporary London kitchens alike.
At the heart of this tradition today is Regts - Delft: the largest supplier of antique Delft tiles in the world. A Friesland-based company run by Durk Regts, Durk is continuing his parent’s lifelong passion for collecting, restoring and reviving this iconic Dutch craft. Over the past 50 years, the Regts family has built an extraordinary collection of Delft tiles, travelling across Europe to rescue them from demolition sites and shuttered buildings, curating a stock which covers the entire production period of the original Delft tile (circa 1570-1900). Their encyclopaedic knowledge, deep respect for the craft, and passionate commitment to preservation has earned Regts - Delft global recognition - not just as suppliers, but as stewards of Delftware history.
Not many design pieces have such a strong brand identity that for 400 years you could pinpoint its place of origin and marque, from a glance.
Part of the magic and appeal of a Delft tile lies in its individuality. Each tile has been painted by hand—no stencils, no shortcuts—so no two are exactly alike. Almost anything can appear on a Delft tile: pastoral scenes, sailing ships, mythological figures, battles, brawls or children at play; each brushstroke telling a story and inviting closer inspection. These charming, perennial illustrations are little works of art. Unlike mass-produced tiles, Delft tiles carry the mark of the maker and the texture of time.
Their uniqueness also makes them inherently sustainable. Many of the tiles Regts sells are antiques, salvaged from buildings across the Netherlands. They are reclaimed, restored and reused - given new life in modern homes. A perfect example of circular design long before it became a buzzword.
Such is the cult appeal of these instantly recognisable blue and white squares, that through Poarte Tiles, a new generation of craftsmen are producing Delft inspired tiles. Hand painted, made slowly and thoughtfully in small batches by skilled artisans, using traditional glazes and clay. Style and technique mirrored in a continuation of Delft’s centuries-old tradition.
Whether old or new, their appeal is timeless. The resurgence of Delftware in recent years speaks to a deeper longing for authenticity and craftsmanship in our interiors. Delft tiles have gone from niche antique to modern must-have and designers are using them in unexpected ways: from fireplaces and stair risers to entire bathrooms.
Regts – Delft is more than a supplier; it is a guardian of heritage. As interest in artisanal interiors grows, it seems that Delft tiles—like all good stories—are destined to be retold again and again.