Bringing timeless tile design to Sarah Beeny's new life in the country

By Julian Hill • Founder, London Mosaic
4 minute read
Inspiration
A collage made up of four photographs. One with Sarah Beeny sat crossed legged on the finished greenhouse floor. A before photograph showing the grey concrete floor. An after photograph showing the black and red 100mm square chequerboard tiles and the centrepiece motif. Finally a photo of the finished floor and the text 'A good floor can make all the difference'.

Greenhouse floor tile project

At London Mosaic, we know that great design can transform a space. So, when Channel 4's production team approached us to supply tiles for Sarah Beeny's stunning greenhouse, we were thrilled to contribute to her ambitious country home project.

Renowned property expert and renovator Sarah takes on her most ambitious project yet in Sarah Beeny's New Life in the Country. After relocating her family from London to a 220-acre former dairy farm in Somerset, this fourth series captures the challenges they face updating a large country residence.

Among the many spaces carefully designed throughout the project, the greenhouse is a particularly special feature: a place for growing and gathering, where practicality meets beauty. We were delighted to help create a floor that complements the space and the surrounding landscape.

These are the best tiles for a greenhouse ever!

★★★★★
Sarah Beeny

A classic look with a custom twist

The final design is a striking chequerboard pattern in bold Black and Red, using 100 x 100 mm squares for a clean, traditional look. This Victorian-inspired style provides a structured elegance that connects seamlessly with the broader design of Sarah's country home. But what makes this floor special is the bespoke centrepiece, a hand-crafted feature motif developed exclusively for the greenhouse.

Diagram showing tile layout for central motif
Final motif design approved by Sarah and Graham

We explored various motif options, refining and adapting the design through our consultancy process, ensuring it would harmonise with the existing architecture and colour scheme.

The process began with some initial ideas that Sarah and her team had put forward. At first, they considered incorporating an emblem or family name into the design, but as discussions progressed, the idea of a compass was explored. This concept eventually led to the selection of a more formal geometric motif that would integrate nicely into the checkerboard pattern.

During the consultancy process, we presented various options, carefully refining each concept as the colour selection changed. We offered visualisations and samples to guide Sarah and her team in illustrating how different motifs would interact with the overall floor design. This iterative approach allowed us to arrive at a final motif and complete a layout that felt both distinctive and in keeping with the elegant aesthetic of the greenhouse.

Craftsmanship and precision – Our sheeted tile service

Our sheeted tiles ensure the quick installation of mosaic designs

Once the design was finalised, we prepared the tiles using our sheeted service, allowing for efficient installation while maintaining perfect alignment. This process, which involves pre-assembling sections of tiles using a surface adhesive clear tape or film, ensures precision and ease of fitting, especially for intricate patterns like the bespoke motif featured in the greenhouse.

Diagram provided with sheeted tile kit
Sheeted layout diagram showing how to fit the mosaic

This approach not only simplifies installation but also helps achieve the highest level of accuracy, ensuring the final result looks as intended with minimal on-site adjustments.

To provide a hands-on experience, at the request of the production company, we also supplied some tiles from the central motif loose, allowing Sarah and her husband to familiarise themselves with the installation process and to appreciate the craftsmanship behind a tile design like this.

Bringing a vision to life

Every project is a collaboration, and this one was no exception. Our work on Sarah Beeny's greenhouse highlights how thoughtful tile design can enhance a space, blending aesthetics with practicality. From initial concept discussions to the final installation, the process was a testament to the art of bespoke tile design and configuration and the impact of carefully considered layout.

As Sarah and her family continue their journey in the countryside, this greenhouse floor will serve as a lasting feature that connects the home's heritage with its new chapter.

Watch Series 4, Episode 5 of Sarah Beeny's New Life in the Country on Channel 4 in the UK, to see more of the project and explore the transformation of her Somerset home.