So finally after months and months of this project, I can show you the finished Victorian floor tiles and my gorgeous new look patio. Now, I know you’ll be chomping at the bit to scroll down but I would be remiss if I didn’t first mention that this project was only possible with the amazing help of Original Style. Working with them on this has genuinely be a pleasure from start to finish and I’m so grateful to have such wonderful sponsors here on Swoon Worthy.
Catching up? Start here:
Intro to the Project and Before Pictures / Deciding on a Tile Pattern DesignΒ / Work BeginsΒ / Tile ProgressΒ / DIY Planters
Before we get to all the ‘after’ photos,Β Β I really have to show you guys again what we started with. I took these pictures back in September of last year so nearly a year ago now (!) to show Original Style what we were starting with and shared them with youΒ in October. Whilst I had repainted the front door, gave it some new hardware,Β painted the alcove earlier and ripped out some of the old planting in 2013, that was as far as I had been able to get in terms of creating any kind of curb appeal and the rest was really looking rather sad and neglected.
Weeds had taken over, the white post needed painting and the only saving grace was the laurel hedge which provided a bit of green and privacy.
The old tarmac was falling to bits, the gate was rusted and the steps were cracked and broken.
With Original Style‘s assistance, we chose colours, styles and tiles we liked and it was a collaborative effort to create the design. Β Then, Original Style’s local retailer here in Disbury, Alberti Pavimenti, worked tirelessly to prepare the ground and painstakingly lay each individual tile to the design.
Aside from the tiling, I have painted the white posts as well as given the iron gate a fresh coat of shiny black paint and I painted the window sills as well. I also created some really simple DIY planters to dress up the space in flowers and plants that I knew had a better chance of surviving the lack of direct sunlight.
Well, it’s nearly unrecognisable from those ‘before’ pictures so I’m just going to shut up now and let the pictures do the talking…
Welcome to my new look front patio.
Everyone I dealt with on this remodel from the lovely Sarah at Original Style who organised everything to Scott the designer who created my wonderful design to the team at Alberti Pavimenti (Paul, Ian and Matt) who were such a pleasure to deal with and finally, to freelance photographer Martyn Hicks who I just met last week to take pictures of the tiles for Original Style’sΒ brochures – EVERY SINGLE PERSONΒ was a joy to deal with. I love when that happens and I was grateful to work with such passionate and talented people on this.
I adore the way the front of the house now looks. Martyn took some fantastic shots of Quito whilst he was here so I’m going to be sharing those with Β you soon for you dog lovers out there. I couldn’t believe how photogenic Quito was – so keep an eye out for that ;)
And I have to give a little shout out to Paul from Alberti Pavimenti who volunteered to pop by the evening before the shoot to give the tiles a proper deep clean before their debut – you’re a star!
A huge huge thanks again to Original Style!
So… what do you think of the final look? Was it worth the wait?!
Disclaimer:Β *Please note that Original Style does not supply directly to the public but works with carefully selected and incredibly talented retailers to bring the same kind of personal service that Iβve received straight to you locally. To find your nearest retailer, please visit Original Style. Β I am working with Original Style on this latest project but as always, all words and opinions are completely my own. Thank you for supporting the businesses that allow me to bring you new content here on Swoon Worthy. That said, I only work with companies I really like and think you might like too!
WOW!. Just Wow. That is all!
Yay! Thank you Afa! xx
i just want to come over and stroke your patio. seriously.
You can come and stroke my patio any time Cassie!! lol (the neighbours already think I’m bonkers, I can’t imagine they’d be surprised by anything these days) ;) xxx
Oh wow, wow, wow!!!! Seriously another WOW! It’s so, so gorgeous! I absolutely love it and it just looks amazing!!! Fantastic job! xo
Yay! Thank you darling! I’m pretty smitten with it myself :D xxx
It’s stunning, great job. I’d be very interested to hear what the costs would be to achieve this look. it looks super.
Thank you darling! The pattern you see here would have been around Β£150 per sq m plus installation but that’s due to both the complexity of the pattern design as well as the work needed to prep the ground which might not be necessary in every job. These sorts of tiles start at around Β£60 per sq m so there are more affordable options out there too! It really depends upon so many different factors so it’s difficult to put a cost on it but I hope that helps :) xxx
Now that is some serious curb appeal! Absolutely stunning Kimberly! I LOVE it :) xxx
Thank you Claire! I love it too! :D xxx
I am in awe. This is SPECTACULAR. Love your style.
Thank you Catherine! I love it too! :) xxx
I think your neighbor is thinking how am I going to measure up to that? It’s gorgeous!
Hahaha!! Thanks Mary!! xxx
BEAUTIFUL XXX
Thank you Pauline!! :D xxx
Seriously… Unbelievable!!! You can’t ever leave now! Well done.
Aww thanks Whitley! I know, right? I don’t think I will want to after doing this! xxx
It is stunning. What a difference. I love it!
Thank you so much Sandy! xxx
Wow, that is totally amazing. What a fabulous difference.
Thanks so much Marty! It really is just SO different out there, those tiles have transformed it :) xx
Love it! I really love the way it is contemporary and traditional at the same time!
That’s such a nice comment Sheran! And exactly what I was hoping for – it was so hard choosing a pattern because I wanted something that looked fresh but still complimented the age of the property :) THANK YOU! xxx
Oh my word, Kimberly – this is incredible! So so beautiful! Those tiles are out of this world!
Thank you Brynne! I’m super happy with them! :D xxx
Absolutely breathtaking!
Thank you so much Joyce! I love them too :D xxx
Absolutely stunning Kimberly!!! It looks amazing. I love love love it. I dont know what part I love more. Everything looks so fantastic together. I bet all the neighbor’s are jealous:)
Aww thank you Shavonda!! I really love it to – so happy with the makeover and the difference it’s really made :) xxx
Love it! It definitely has curb appeal now! Love the black and white together with the black door, great transformation!
Thank you Sharon! I love it too!! :D xxx
I was thinking the same thing, Mary! The neighbor probably came home when it was all finished, muttered a choice word and then started brainstorming. Ha! ;-) I have to admit that I haven’t really understood the pattern from the start (I’m crazy for symmetry and equality, so my brain won’t process what you’ve done), but it looks SO freaking good. I love how the black & white pattern punches you in the face, but the planters with their white gravel are so sleek and classy… Can a patio be sexy? If so, I think you’ve nailed it!
Hahaha! Thanks so much Tracey! And hell yeah, a patio can be sexy ;) Whoop! #sexypatiosforall xxx
Absolutely Amazing! Love all of it!
So beautiful! I wish to have my front garden transformed like yours now. Looks like I need to go and pick up some weeds and buy new plants:)
LOVE THIS! what a 180degree improvement!
Totally worth waiting for! It’s beyond beyond. The pattern is intense. I LOVE IT. Of course I have questions.
Does your ground freeze in winter? And if so, what is the base under tile? I want tile but fear the deep freeze will wreck them.
How did they deep clean them? And is it hard for you to keep them looking fresh?
Thanks for sharing Kimberly.
Hi Nadine! Thank you so much!
It doesn’t really get THAT cold here to worry too much about the ground freezing however this is what Paul from Alberti Pavimenti said when I asked him your questions!
“They are a frost proof tile. The only thing that could crack the tiles is the subfloor cracking. This can be prevented by using fibre in the slab to reduce the risk. If the slab is existing, the use of an anti fracture/de coupling membrane should prevent any cracks.”
“For a deep clean best to use LTP Grimex. For day to day maintenance LTP Waxwash. After using Grimex, a reseal is required. For other stains and marks look at the full ltp range. There is a product for every problem. http://www.ltp-online.co.uk/ ”
Looks like I have some LTP stuff to buy! They are outside so obviously they don’t stay super white and perfect all the time. I find a quick brush is normally fine and I’ll probably do a maintenance clean on them once a month and a deep clean & reseal every 6 months to a year :)
Hope that helps!
xxx
OH MY! The pattern is just amazing! I had to rescroll those images because it is STUNNING! You have to be so pleased K :) Love love love! xo
Totally worth the wait! I love the tiles.
Amazing transformation! Love the entire porch tiling and the planters are so pretty!
It is amazing, I am so jealous. I would love to recreate something like this in my front garden. It was most definitely worth the wait.
That looks truly gorgeous!!!
I may worry too much but wonΒ΄t it be very slippery once snow falls on it? Just please, please donΒ΄t put salt on this beautiful tiles! Some alternatives are leftover coffee grounds, sand and sawdust.
And now enjoy the envious glances of your neighbours. hehehe ;-)
Loving the tiles Kimberly! Looks pretty snazzy!
Just beautiful!!! Such a wonderful front entry now. You did a fantastic job :)
Wow, Kimberly….this turned out gorgeous! It looks like it came straight out of a magazine! So beautiful, I love everything.
So beautiful! And so low maintenance. I’m very jealous ;)
It looks chuffing amazing!! Love it so much – so very smart! What a transformation! xx
Oh holy lord. The snippets you sent me a couple of weeks ago don’t do it enough justice – it’s INCREDIBLE. You know me and black and white – yeesh, I am actually weak at the eyeballs hahahahaha! I do have a quick question though, and forgive me if I don’t remember if you mentioned it in one of your previous posts, but how do the tiles handle in the rain? Meaning, are you like Disney On Ice out there? While we’re on the topic of Disney dames, you’d so be Esmeralda circa Hunchback of Notre Dame. That is all.
Frankly it looks way too good to be outside! I think I’d rapidly become one of those old fashioned housewives obsessed with cleaning my front step!
I’m literally floored. It’s so gorgeous and I’m sad now looking at my entrance ;)
gorgeous! what an amazing transformation – congrats!