Perfect The Vintage Kitchen Look By Using These Gorgeous Backsplash Tiles

Vintage kitchens are having a modern heyday with the rise of thrift, antique furniture, and rustic decor. Smeg accessories have transformed toasters and kettles into stylish statement pieces, and vintage kitchen appliances, like Big Chill refrigerators, are in high demand. If you need more proof, farmhouse and cottagecore decor trends show no indication of going anywhere as consumers shy away from the minimalist and mass-produced in favor of a vintage look that provides an inviting atmosphere of nostalgia and warmth.

Vintage lovers know that a kitchen isn't just a place to make sourdough loaves — but to show off your best finds, era pieces, and antiques. Suppose you're a vintage enthusiast on the hunt for unique details. In that case, you may consider delft tiles — the distinctively Dutch tile perfect for creating beautiful kitchen backsplashes. With subway and zellige tiles dominating recent tiling trends, delft tiles are a lesser-known yet incredibly charming style full of history and old-world allure. Delft tiles feature a white background that acts as a craftsman's canvas. On each, an item or scene is hand painted, telling a story in the signature color: Delft blue. Steeped in rich history, delft tiles are a playful vintage trend with lots to love. Below, we explore everything you need to know about delft tiles and discuss how to use them in your kitchen backsplash to create a vintage look that reflects your personality and style. 

Delft tiles get their namesake from the city of Delft in the Netherlands, where artisans have made delftware pottery since 1602. Inspired by the influx of blue and white Chinese porcelain, the Delft craftspeople readily embraced the Asian color scheme. To create white tile, the potter would begin by coating earthenware with a tin glaze. Tiles were then hand-painted with a rich shade of blue to depict scenes and stories from Dutch life, religion, and mythology. 

Today, retailers based in the Netherlands and worldwide sell antique tiles and new ones made with traditional craftsmanship and Dutch style. Contemporary takes from upcoming designers are also growing in popularity. Designer Petra Palumbo designs handmade delft tiles, at a price of about $35 each, that display modern images from daily life. Etsy, online antique shops, and studios make it easy to find the perfect tiles for your vintage kitchen backsplash.

The paintings on delft tiles exemplify one of the best things about vintage pieces. Handcrafted, each tells its own story. As a collector, you can search for a selection that best reflects your look. You can source scenes showing activities, patterning, agriculture, nature scenes, food, florals, animals, Dutch windmills, and ships. These picturesque pieces have made their way into the tiling of royal kitchens and palaces around the world. Luckily, you don't have to be royalty to complete your kitchen backsplash with a touch of Delft history and flair.

Storied delft tiles that capture your personality may be perfect for your next kitchen backsplash refresh. If you've been captivated by these charming little squares, here's what you should consider before breaking out the tile spacers and grout. Delft tiles, especially prized antique pieces, require extra planning and care. For one, older tiles are known to be particularly thick. If you're purchasing an antique tile, you'll want to ask the retailer for the thickness and ensure that it fits well within your other backsplash tiles to avoid an unsightly protruding finish. 

Centuries-old tiles may display cracks, chips, and discoloration. While this adds to an authentic vintage look, if you're hoping to work delft tiles into a backsplash with other white tiles, you'll have to plan in advance to ensure that the shades are complimentary. You'll also want to know that antique delft tile sizes may not match standard tile sizes in big box stores. Additionally, to affix delft tiles, lime-based mortar is recommended to preserve the tile if it ever needs to be removed. Incorporating this look may require some extra planning on your part. Luckily, there are plenty of options for Delft tiles online, with retailers even offering customizable bespoke tiles. Alternatively, if you'd like to add historical touches to your space on a budget while flexing your artistic skills, consider making your own delft-inspired tiles. Many DIY blogs offer advice on recreating the vintage look using porcelain paint, spray glaze, and similar shortcuts.