The Lucia olive terracotta tile is painted by hand in Southern Italy, combining flowing white decoration with a deliberately aged olive green ground. De Ferranti identifies this four-tile repeat as Sicilian in origin and 19th century in character. The warm clay body, softened background and irregular brushwork give the patterned surface an earthy quality suited to material-led interiors.

Earthy Movement in the Lucia Olive Terracotta Tile

Olive green reduces the contrast of the fluid motif while keeping its structure readable. When four tiles meet, the white lines connect into a larger ornamental figure, balancing curving botanical movement with geometric repetition. Small differences in colour density, alignment and surface ageing should be blended across the installation rather than removed, as they are part of the handmade finish.

Within the Italianate collection, Olivia Olive Green offers a more ornate interpretation of the same colour family, while Leonarda Olive Green and White places olive within a different repeating structure. Elsewhere at De Ferranti, Olive Grove MC30 can provide a plain handmade glaze for calmer adjoining fields, and Neisha Crosland’s Can-Can in Jade develops botanical pattern on the same Sicilian terracotta biscuit used for the Italianate range.

It forms part of the Italianate Handpainted Tiles Collection.

Using Olive Pattern with Natural Materials

Lucia Olive works particularly well beside limestone, warm marble, timber, aged brass and lime plaster. It may be considered for floors, walls, kitchens, bathrooms, staircases, fireplace surrounds, restaurant interiors and selected exterior areas in warm climates, subject to project specification. A four-tile sample panel should be reviewed to establish grout width, orientation and the balance between the olive ground, white decoration and surrounding materials before installation begins.

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.