Inspired by the papal floor in the Pope’s bedroom in Avignon, this bespoke hand-painted ceramic floor composition combines rich glazed colour fields with illustrated motif tiles, creating a historic, narrative surface reimagined for contemporary interiors.

De Ferranti creates made-to-order hand-painted ceramic floors and panels that transform architectural surfaces into works of art. Beginning with a handmade tile base – available with a white crackle glaze or a range of subtle colour-wash backgrounds – each commission is conceived, scaled, and painted to order by skilled artists.

The Papal Floor design is built around a disciplined grid of colour blocks in warm ochres, deep greens, and softened blue-greens, punctuated by white tiles carrying mediaeval-inspired motifs. The alternation of plain and illustrated squares gives the installation its distinctive rhythm: structured at a distance, richly expressive up close.

Designs may be adapted from an established archive or developed entirely from a client brief, with collaboration on palette, motif selection, and the level of ornamentation. The same language can be translated across floors, splashbacks, bathroom enclosures, fireplace surrounds, and feature walls, allowing pattern and storytelling to become part of the architecture.

Because each set is hand-painted to order, subtle variation in brushwork, glaze tone, and edge character is integral to the authenticity, ensuring every commission is genuinely one of a kind.

Planning a Hand-Painted Ceramic Floor

The composition works through the relationship between plain colour fields and individually illustrated tiles. Fish, birds, foliage and geometric emblems interrupt the square grid, giving the scheme a collected, narrative quality without obscuring its underlying order. The format can be scaled to suit the room, but the placement of motifs, perimeter cuts and principal sightlines should be resolved before production so that the finished arrangement feels intentional.

Supplied by Alex Zdankowicz, this made-to-order surface is best developed as a complete project rather than selected as an isolated repeat. A representative layout or sample group can assist with reviewing the balance of ochre, green and blue-green, the spacing of decorated tiles and the proposed grout tone. Substrate preparation, waterproofing, movement provision and slip requirements should be confirmed for the intended setting.

For further historical and decorative references, explore the Cross-Cultural Tile Study Collection and the Piglet Parade hand-painted tile panel, or browse the wider ceramics collection.

Project Guidance and Enquiries

For project guidance, availability, pricing, samples or further information, please use the Send E-Mail button below this description. Your enquiry will come directly to De Ferranti, and we will be pleased to discuss suitability, quantities, lead times and options for your project.