A 28m2 Belgian St Remy ceramic floor c.1905

One of two period floral themed ceramic floors reclaimed from the same house close to Cambrai, France, now fully restored and ready to relay. 

The floor was handmade c.1905 by Societe Anonyme des Produits Ceramiques de St. Remy, Chimay, Belgium. The main field tiles and border are both 15cm sq. and the surface area totals 28m2 / 300 sq ft. In configuration, the floor comprises of a field tile complimented by a same size border for which both the external and internal border corner tiles are (cleverly!) also the field tile. 

The floor can be laid in two different ways and we present in the photo gallery a random section of the floor with the motif based on a four tile tessellation. A larger and more impressive motif can be created, and was indeed how the floor was laid, and it can be seen in the two photographs below, taken before the floor was lifted. 

The border series can be laid singularly or as a back to back double border lay. If the latter is chosen then the linear meterage available would be halved.

These floral themed hand made ceramics are exquisitely detailed, creating the impression of a hand-painted design. In very good condition, some display edge nibbles and small groutable chips, delivering a charming antique patina on a quality 14mm thick ceramic. Being fired to over 1,100F degrees the floor can be laid inside or outside making it ideal on a patio or in a summer house where the floral theme would superbly link house and garden, on a garden path or in a conservatory. Should it be chosen for inside the house it can be laid with an underfloor heating system as the tiles are excellent conductors and retainers of heat.

Details of the second reclaimed St Remy floor can be found if you click here.

Tile quantities, give or take one or two:-

Field tiles – 940 - 21.2m2 / 228 sq ft.
Large borders – 285 - 6.4m2 / 69 sq ft. or 43.9 linear metres / 144 linear ft*.

*Halve the linear measurements for a back to back border lay as shown in the photos.
 

NOTE
Antique tiles were most commonly made in single or two tile moulds. Before current computer automation methods their moulds were made my hand and the colour slips mixed by eye. Kiln temperatures could also be variable, as could the firing time. The result is that often tiles display subtle size and thickness variations and there can be tonal variations in colours, owing to the slip mixing and/or firing time. All of this makes these handmade tiles unique and adds to their charm. Some floors display their subtle variations in size and tones, some not, but when photographing we always take a random section of the floor so that it is representative of the whole. A tiler should always dry lay a section of the tiles to familiarise himself with them before starting to fix lay.