Renovating
Decorating
Tile Guide: Choose the Right Styles for a Federation Home
Renovating an original Federation property? Here's how to choose the correct tiles to suit its style and history
Federation architecture (homes built between 1890 and 1915) is an enduring favourite in Australia and it’s easy to see why – homes from this period are packed with rich character and period charm. Whether you’re renovating your Federation home to bring it back to its original glory or are updating it for contemporary living, getting the materials and finishes right is crucial. Decorative tiles play a key role in Federation home design – here’s how to choose well.
Where to use tiles in a Federation home
Tiles were used to add decorative flair – and a durable, practical and easy-to-clean surface – to both the interior and exterior of Federation homes.
If you’re renovating a Federation home, there’s no shortage of places you can use decorative tiles, including the front path, verandah, kitchen, bathroom, living room and laundry.
Find a tiler and supplier near you on Houzz for professional advice on achieving your design goals
Tiles were used to add decorative flair – and a durable, practical and easy-to-clean surface – to both the interior and exterior of Federation homes.
If you’re renovating a Federation home, there’s no shortage of places you can use decorative tiles, including the front path, verandah, kitchen, bathroom, living room and laundry.
Find a tiler and supplier near you on Houzz for professional advice on achieving your design goals
Choosing the right colours and patterns
The colours and patterns of the Australian landscape inspired many of the tile designs you’ll see in Federation architecture. Australian floral and botanical motifs were common design features. Tiles of different shapes and colours were also combined to create dramatic looks. The classic ‘octagon and dot’ tile pattern was another style that peaked in popularity during this period.
The colours and patterns of the Australian landscape inspired many of the tile designs you’ll see in Federation architecture. Australian floral and botanical motifs were common design features. Tiles of different shapes and colours were also combined to create dramatic looks. The classic ‘octagon and dot’ tile pattern was another style that peaked in popularity during this period.
Colour-wise, natural tones of brown, leaf green, rust, ochre and shades of grey dominated tile design in the Federation era.
Tile layouts often featured three or four tonal shades of the one colour, creating a subtle sense of depth.
Decorating 101: Know Your Tile Pattern
Tile layouts often featured three or four tonal shades of the one colour, creating a subtle sense of depth.
Decorating 101: Know Your Tile Pattern
Front-path flair
For a classic Federation look, lay decorative, tessellated tiles along your front path.
For a look that honours your home’s history, opt for tiles in rich, heritage colours such as burgundy, rust, forest green and cream and lay them in a complex arrangement with tiles of different shapes and sizes.
If you’d prefer a cleaner and more modern aesthetic, opt for a simple palette of no more than three or four warm neutrals, such as charcoal, taupe and brown and keep the tile shape and size fairly uniform.
For a classic Federation look, lay decorative, tessellated tiles along your front path.
For a look that honours your home’s history, opt for tiles in rich, heritage colours such as burgundy, rust, forest green and cream and lay them in a complex arrangement with tiles of different shapes and sizes.
If you’d prefer a cleaner and more modern aesthetic, opt for a simple palette of no more than three or four warm neutrals, such as charcoal, taupe and brown and keep the tile shape and size fairly uniform.
Tips for success
Decorative tiles along your front path will make for an eye-catching feature, so it’s important they blend in well with the other colours in your home’s facade. When selecting tile colours, factor in the tones in your home’s brickwork, landscaping and features such as fretwork or leadlight windows. It’s also a good idea to factor in the colours used in neighbouring properties.
Bear in mind, too, that tiles along a front path will be exposed to heavy footfall for years to come, so you’ll want to be sure that whatever you choose is up to the job. Select high-quality tiles that are slip-proof, water-resistant and extremely durable.
Decorative tiles along your front path will make for an eye-catching feature, so it’s important they blend in well with the other colours in your home’s facade. When selecting tile colours, factor in the tones in your home’s brickwork, landscaping and features such as fretwork or leadlight windows. It’s also a good idea to factor in the colours used in neighbouring properties.
Bear in mind, too, that tiles along a front path will be exposed to heavy footfall for years to come, so you’ll want to be sure that whatever you choose is up to the job. Select high-quality tiles that are slip-proof, water-resistant and extremely durable.
Decorating a Federation living room
Decorative tiles are perfect for adding depth and charm to a Federation living room – plus they present a great opportunity to imbue the space with a touch of your personality.
Draw attention to a beautiful fireplace by lining the surround with decorative encaustic tiles or installing striking subway tiles on the hearth.
Tiles with botanical patterns in rich neutrals will convey a period feel. For a modern spin, opt for encaustics or subways in breezy brights – perhaps picked up from the tone in a surrounding artwork or sofa.
Keen to try something a bit different? Why not create the look of a rug using encaustic tiles on your floor. It’s a fun alternative to soft flooring – and far hardier and easier to keep clean.
Let’s Talk Tiles: An Alphabetical Guide to Tile Terms
Decorative tiles are perfect for adding depth and charm to a Federation living room – plus they present a great opportunity to imbue the space with a touch of your personality.
Draw attention to a beautiful fireplace by lining the surround with decorative encaustic tiles or installing striking subway tiles on the hearth.
Tiles with botanical patterns in rich neutrals will convey a period feel. For a modern spin, opt for encaustics or subways in breezy brights – perhaps picked up from the tone in a surrounding artwork or sofa.
Keen to try something a bit different? Why not create the look of a rug using encaustic tiles on your floor. It’s a fun alternative to soft flooring – and far hardier and easier to keep clean.
Let’s Talk Tiles: An Alphabetical Guide to Tile Terms
Choosing styles for a Federation bathroom
Decorative tiles are guaranteed to add wow factor to a bathroom. They can also be used to reinforce heritage styling in a Federation home.
To complement period fixtures, such as a clawfoot bath or a vintage-style vanity, consider adding a tessellated-tile floor in rich, natural hues such as brown and burgundy with accents of black and cream. For walls, opt for classic subway tiles with a feature border in glazed, embossed tiles.
Balance is essential to keep the room feeling bright and open; if you’ve chosen dark colours for your floor tiles, contrast them with light colours for your wall tiles, ceilings and timberwork.
To add some old-meets-new magic to your bathroom, combine heritage architectural detailing with modern fixtures such as a streamlined, freestanding tub and bold, geometric-patterned tiles in fashion-forward combinations, including navy and white or olive and white. Add in touches of copper, brass or brushed gold in tapware and lighting to up the luxe factor.
As the bathroom is a wet room, ensure you select premium-quality tiles that are long-lasting, water- and slip-resistant.
Decorative tiles are guaranteed to add wow factor to a bathroom. They can also be used to reinforce heritage styling in a Federation home.
To complement period fixtures, such as a clawfoot bath or a vintage-style vanity, consider adding a tessellated-tile floor in rich, natural hues such as brown and burgundy with accents of black and cream. For walls, opt for classic subway tiles with a feature border in glazed, embossed tiles.
Balance is essential to keep the room feeling bright and open; if you’ve chosen dark colours for your floor tiles, contrast them with light colours for your wall tiles, ceilings and timberwork.
To add some old-meets-new magic to your bathroom, combine heritage architectural detailing with modern fixtures such as a streamlined, freestanding tub and bold, geometric-patterned tiles in fashion-forward combinations, including navy and white or olive and white. Add in touches of copper, brass or brushed gold in tapware and lighting to up the luxe factor.
As the bathroom is a wet room, ensure you select premium-quality tiles that are long-lasting, water- and slip-resistant.
Your turn
Have you renovated a Federation house? Tell us the biggest lesson you learned in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more tile advice? Take a look at last week’s What Do I… Need to Know About Tile Slip and Appearance Ratings?
Have you renovated a Federation house? Tell us the biggest lesson you learned in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more tile advice? Take a look at last week’s What Do I… Need to Know About Tile Slip and Appearance Ratings?
Homes from this era had a simpler and more laid-back aesthetic than their Victorian predecessors. But they still boasted plenty of charming architectural detailing, including decorative brickwork, multi-faceted rooflines, colourful leadlight windows and beautiful tiles.