In Conversation With: Fired Earth
It might be tempting to overlook your bathroom when it comes to renovating your home, but we believe there’s great value in investing the time and imagination into this space. While of course bathrooms are primarily functional rooms, this doesn’t mean they have to be boring; they can be somewhere that brings together style and practicality. A brand that champions this is Fired Earth, who have been creating artisanal tiles since 1983.
We’ve sat down with Carly Allison, their Head of Product Design to talk about all things bathrooms – in particular, how to create a space that stands the test of time. Our conversation covers everything from incorporating colour schemes and patterns, to choosing materials that balance durability and design – as well as getting the lowdown on the latest bathroom trends.
Whether you're at the beginning of a renovation or starting from scratch, this blog offers expert insight on creating a bathroom that elevates your home.
Hi Carly. To begin, what’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to someone embarking on a full-bathroom redesign?
Designing a bathroom will perhaps take more thought than any other room. I’d always encourage clients to keep longevity and practicality in mind. It should be a space that evokes calmness and relaxation, but it also has to work hard – this is particularly true of family and downstairs bathrooms. It’s therefore important to choose components that suit your personal style and taste but are durable and won’t go out of style quickly.
Many of your designs incorporate colour and pattern. For those wanting to introduce these elements to their bathroom, what advice would you offer?
Introducing pattern and colour into a bathroom can add personality, and it’s interestingly a space that many people do feel they can be quite brave with in terms of style. Incorporating an intricate pattern through tiling accents, such as a shower area or splashback, can add detail and create a focal point without feeling overwhelming. In recent years we’ve also seen more clients feeling confident in using wall-to-wall colour and pattern, so we spend time advising them on how to balance both elements for a timeless look.
That is interesting - we spoke to Matthew Williamson recently about colour drenching too. What trends are you seeing in colour and material?
This year, soft shades inspired by natural materials like terracotta and sand are replacing cooler tones, bringing warmth and encouraging an organic feel in bathrooms. We’re also seeing a renewed appreciation for deep, earthy tones and materials with rich textures, highlighted through the popularity of some of our latest collections including Jaipur and Medina.
The Medina collection mixes sand tones with earthy, terracotta tiles.
Image Credit: Fired Earth and Bert & May
Is there a way to combine traditional and modern design, or do you have to select one style?
Yes, you can definitely combine! I’d suggest beginning with a traditional foundation, such as elegant, neutral tiles, then layering in modern touches, such as a colourful basin or an unusual side unit. It’s about finding the right balance between old and new, to create a space that is unique to you.
What materials have the biggest visual impact in a bathroom?
I always think that marble adds instant luxury and is a good example of how something ‘traditional’ can still be fun. Whether you want to create a chequerboard effect or a mosaic, this can all be created with marble tiles. If you have the space, a beautiful freestanding bath is also a luxurious addition to any bathroom. It’s sometimes the smallest details that can have the biggest impact though. Choosing the right brassware can really elevate your room and is something I’d always say is worth the investment. Whether you opt for a classic chrome or choose a living finish which ages beautifully and creates a patina over time, these materials transform a bathroom into a truly bespoke space.
Do you have any tips on how to ensure your bathroom doesn’t go ‘out of fashion’?
For me, creating a timeless bathroom involves choosing classic elements, prioritising functionality, and avoiding trends that may date. It’s worth choosing natural stones that provide a neutral and calming base that won’t date quickly, and classic shapes on your sanitaryware allows you to balance form with function. It’s important to consider the layout closely too, to ensure you’re maximising your space - and always overestimate how much storage you’ll need! I also recommend investing in high-quality finishes and craftsmanship. Well-chosen, enduring materials provide both visual and functional longevity.
An Aegina bowl with Aegean Pink Marble Herringbone and Ixworth Forest tiles.
Image Credit: Fired Earth
What do you think will be the big bathroom trend in 2025?
I think we will see a move towards rich, moodier colours and warmer neutrals, as well as deeply textured materials. I expect that more people will enjoy putting a modern twist on classic designs, whether that’s a fun chequerboard tile tessellation with confident colours or using traditional delft tiles in an unexpected contemporary way. Bathrooms should feel like an escape, and creating designs that feel a bit ‘different’ to the rest of your home’s interior design helps this greatly.
Thanks so much, Carly!
Header image: Nina Campbell Jodhpur Aqua tiles, Image Credit: Fired Earth