When it comes to creating a truly special space, the details matter. Maud Holmes, Lead Colour Consultant at Fired Earth, shares her insights on selecting tiles, finishes and accessories to bring your shepherd’s hut bathroom to life…
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role as Lead Colour Consultant?
I’ve been with Fired Earth for just over seven years, starting out as a Sales Consultant at the Sherborne showroom in Dorset, to now leading the Colour Consultation service across the company. I’m still based at the Sherborne branch but work with clients across the country – and occasionally across the world – both virtually and in client’s homes.
What makes the collaboration between Fired Earth and Plankbridge such a great fit?
I think it’s the shared vision between the two companies of creating something truly bespoke for every customer. The magic of a Plankbridge hut is that it can be designed so uniquely to the client, and with Fired Earth products we can take that a step further to create something truly special – whether that’s with a funky tile layout or combination, or with a brassware finish which ages over time.
How do you approach selecting tiles and bathroom accessories for Plankbridge kitchens and bathrooms? Tell us about your mood boards…
It all starts with a vision for both the look and feel of the space. Understanding the location the hut will be placed for example, or how it’s intended to be used is the foundation for a lot of the decision making. I always want to offer options that are a bit quirky and different, so will seek out finishes that vary in texture, colour and pattern. You then get this beautiful, layered look, which when paired with the signature Plankbridge build, creates this extra special space.
I love to show this in my mood boards, so will use a combination of images – from inspirational interiors to elements from the natural world – as well as product proposals and finishes. You then get this overall view of not just the look of the hut, but the feel of it too, which is something I think is so important to convey.
What are some of your favourite tile trends?
I am loving the resurgence of rich, earthy textures and colours. Fired Earth started out with handmade terracotta and there’s been a real rise in seeing this kind of tile used both inside and out. There has been a real uptake in clients looking for authentic, handmade products too and I love the storytelling element of this. We’re also seeing a lot more natural tones introduced in paint too, creating grounded and comforting schemes.
What advice would you give to someone choosing tiles for a shepherd’s hut?
I think I’d say be you! Fully embrace your own authenticity and the things you love. It’s generally a small space, so creating detail and little areas of interest are so important. As it’s a small space, I think creating flow is also key, so creating links by picking out a colour from a patterned tile and relaying this with a plain tile in another area, for example, is a great way to create cohesion.
Can you share a bit about the craftsmanship behind your tiles and accessories?
Everything is designed to look beautiful, perform brilliantly and stand the test of time. We source tiles from all over the world, curating a very versatile collection. From our English Deflt tiles hand-decorated here in the England, to the Handmade Classic terracotta made in Spain, there’s craftmanship rooted in so many ranges. We also offer lots of options in porcelain and ceramic, using the latest technology to replicate the beauty of natural stone for example, without the need for sealing or regular maintenance.
Our bathroom collections are designed to work seamlessly with our other ranges to create the perfect scheme for every client. The majority of our brassware is handmade here in the UK, with each element polished by hand.
Do you have a favourite project for us?
It’s so hard to choose! I love how unique and individual each project is! I’d say our collaboration hut must be the highlight though. It was so special to create a signature Fired Earth X Plankbridge design and it all came together so beautifully. It was wonderful to see the hut go from concept all the way to completion, a real standout moment of our partnership so far.
Do you have a personal favourite tile or bathroom accessory from the Fired Earth collection?
My favourite tile has to be the Jaipur Old Ochre. We’ve used it several times now in Plankbridge projects and it always looks beautiful. Old Ochre is the softest plastery shade – based on our paint colour by the same name – with a glossy watercolour glaze and it just seems to work with everything, from clean and crisp marbles to the roughest handmade terracotta.
If you were designing your own shepherd’s hut, what Fired Earth pieces would you choose?
I’m a neutrals girl through and through but love layers and texture. I’d use our Medina Zellige tiles in Cloudy White for the shower walls, with a marble Alimia basin and Aged Brass taps. For the kitchen I’d mirror the Zellige tiles but in the Raw finish, with a couple of lines of the Cloudy White rectangles running through to add some detail and tie in with the bathroom.
Any exciting upcoming collections we should watch out for?
We’re adding some exciting new tiles to our collection! Think rich textures and beautiful, understated marbles, such as Calacatta Viola and a warm, sandy-toned marble called Louvre – it has this unique soft, velvety texture which I love. We’re also expanding the Nina Campbell range in our Designer Collection with fresh, distinctive patterns. And to top it off, our updated tile brochure is packed with new additions across 16 ranges, giving plenty of new inspiration.
- Would you like to bring the timeless style of Fired Earth to your own hut design? Speak to our friendly design team to see how we can create your dream bathroom.
- Discover more inspiration for your shepherd’s hut interiors, here
