25/01/23
Decorum: Cornwall Studio Creating Hand Painted Tiles
“Our tiles, due to their hand painted nature, each have their own individual character, as opposed to the standard manufactured look. Each piece is truly a work of art.”
Decorum creates hand painted tiles in Cornwall, UK. Made in their signature colours, the small team of painters and designers follow not only their extensive range of patterns and designs, but also create bespoke ideas for their customers. Given the dimensions they can fill a space, assisting clients to add their own style to their home.
Based near the northern coastline on a secluded farm, Decorum’s studio is a peaceful place bustling with creative activity. Inspiration flies about in abundance between the artists, whilst ducks and dogs roam the network of outbuildings, vegetable patches and fields.
When the weather allows, the first order of the day is to throw open the double doors at the end of the studio to let the early morning sun flood in,” describes Helen, one of Decorum’s local artists, “We are lucky to work in a rural location. I always like to take advantage of the fresh air and birdsong.
“No two days are ever the same here, whether we are fulfilling a customer order or working on some new design ideas, loading or unloading the kiln or gathering inspiration for new collections.”
With their first tile business originally established in 1982 by Ray Koomen in Oxfordshire, Ray and his wife Susan launched Decorum 10 years later in 1992 with the intention of bringing colour and creativity into the homes of their customers. Three decades later they decided to relocate the studio and business to Cornwall. During the process, Ray began to collaborate with his youngest daughter Jessica Koomen, who lends her passion for sustainability and her MA in Sustainable Design to the company, and son Oliver Koomen, and the next stage of Decorum’s life began.
“Working with dad, who has 45 years of experience within the tile industry, and bringing together a team of local talented artists to produce high quality products, feels amazing,” said Jess, “After a decade-long trend of grey and beige we are excited to bring colour, fun and personality to homes. We offer something unique that transforms spaces and brings joy with a splash of colour or detail.”
She added, “Our tiles, due to their hand painted nature, each have their own individual character, as opposed to the standard manufactured look. Each piece is truly a work of art.”
In keeping with Jess’s dedication to sustainability, the Decorum studio is powered by solar, whilst the ancient art of firing clay in kilns keeps the company rooted in its heritage. The family-run business also likes to keep things within the UK and Europe. The tile bases are made in Italy and Spain to exact specifications and then hand painted in Cornwall.
Oliver Koomen, who takes care of Business Development, said, “With the relocation came a change in direction and the focus on solely hand produced ranges. It felt like the perfect time to get involved in the family business. Its great to be able to provide opportunity to local artists and offer locally handmade products. Working alongside Dad, for whom tiles and business are second nature, has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of where we can take things.”
“Patience is a virtue when it comes to hand-painting tiles,” added another of the artists, “You have to wait for the washes of colour to dry in between each stage, so you have to think carefully about the order of your painting. The bees are my favourite to paint, starting with hues of lemon and mustard. Once dry we paint the round little body, delicate wings and the tiny hairs on their legs. When finished they’re placed carefully into cranks holding 10 painted tiles apiece which are then stacked in the kiln ready for firing.”
It’s a lengthy process. The tiles are fired in the kiln for 10 to 12 hours at 800 degrees, before being left for another 12 hours to cool off. One tile takes 24 hours to make, and the care in which they are created is apparent in the finished product.
Decorum’s signature ranges include classic Delft (which have been shipped to Holland in the past, the very birthplace of Delft tiles), design-led Geometric, Moroccan-inspired Safran and floral English Garden, Glass House and Cornish Meadow, to name just a few.
Now selling online nationally and internationally, Decorum’s unique pieces are created to be loved by generations. Throughout the coming year the team hope to develop, expand and grow their ranges with different designs and sizes, allowing for a more diverse usage, whilst branching into a bigger international market.
