Bert & May
-B E R T & M A Y-
In order to produce innovative products that actually differentiate from the rest of the ordinary products you need to learn from the old techniques and appreciate the nature of their naturality.
In this case Bert & May started as an online venture selling reclamation turn into be the pioneers of design industry focusing their collection on three companies: materials, spaces and encaustic, blended together by passion for design rage, craftsmanship and discovery.
The business started in Spain as a reclaimed tile company founded by Lee Thornley, who was a former barrister that moved from London to Spain in 2004.
Actually, the idea came from the opening of Lee Thornley “Casa de la Siesta” which in English means sleeping house, who is a Hotel Boutique located in Andalucía, Spain opened in 2008, who turn to be one of the main attractions for interior architects and designers. Traveling through Spain, Thornley discovered his talent for raw materials and antique house details.
In 2010 Thornley met Juan Menacho who was the owner of a small family artisan business who make encaustic tiles using the traditional technique.
“You need to extend with a layer of hot wax over the paint and later polish with a well-dry linen cloth”.
-Vitruvio (c.70-25 b.C) describing the encaustic technique.
Since then, the company has evolved into an expert supplier of artisan tiles, engineered wood, natural pigment paints, and recently in furniture, bathroom and kitchen fittings, moreover a new fabric collection.
However, until september 2013 they opened their first showroom in Vyner Street in Bethnal Green, where the full collection is available as well a complete design service.
-M A T E R I A L S-
Designed in the UK and hand poured in Southern Spain by a fourth-generation artisan tilers family, is how they create their unique handmade tiles. For instance, to create a raw finish, each tile is precisely crafted with crushed marble which is included as an element of the cement mix in order to strengthen the tile. If you want some of this handmade tiles, they come within a 7-week lead time and can be customized by Bert & May colorways. For all the materials, you can get the samples on their website: http://www.bertandmay.com/
H A N D M A D E T I L E S
Every time you heard the word handmade, actually it has a special meaning. Meaning that is not industrialized, meaning that actually its design has a meaning. One of Bert & May special techniques is the Encaustic, which has been used since the Egyptian Empire, later on used to permeabilize the boats with wax and during the wars the color was added. The technique involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. Metallic tools and special brushes can be used to shape the paint before it cools. Of course, over the years, several artists have practiced this technique adding different types of wax, resins, pigments and Bert & May are not the exception. In their selection of handmade tiles, they provide customized designs of handmade tiles, glazed tiles, handmade terracota, fresh new talent and short lead.
-C E M E N T T I L E S-
Providing customized designs, the cement tiles come in neutral, blue, green, orange/yellow, red/pink and black/grey presentations.
N E U T R A L
If you need to highlight the colors or details of your furniture, it is recommended to use neutral colors in order to create a contrast between the background and the furniture. Bert and May provide the following options:
L I M E S T O N E A N D M I L K D U C H A M P
If you like 3D effects such as the ones in the left pictures, the Duchamp inspired from Escher could be a good option. The graphic pattern provides a modern treatment that contrasts perfectly with clean sharp lines of a contemporary kitchen furniture. If you are looking for an edgy industrial eating area, you just need to add a polished cement door to get it.
Color spec: Old Iron, Limestone and milk
Price per tile (ex VAT): £6.00
Price per m²: £150.00
Size: 20cm x 20cm x 1.8cm
Tiles per m²: 25
Standard delivery: 4 weeks
B A S C O T I L E
If you are more into antique outdoor and indoor designs. The Basco design from the 1800s, can be a fastest option (1-week delivery), and it provides an on-trend feeling. To have a luxurious finish, crushed marble is included in the crafting process.
Color spec: Old Iron, Limestone and Brighton Stone
Price per tile (ex VAT): £5.20
Price per m²: £130.00
Size: 20cm x 20cm x 1.8cm
Tiles per m²: 25
Standard delivery: 1 week
-H A N D M A D E G L A Z E T I L E S-
It should be noted that given the high demand of this product, the lead time is of 6 weeks. However, it is totally worth it. The collection is available in the classic Bert & May patterns and plains. Made in Spain with a hand finished stoke on trent, the dazzling finish and colorways provides a unique personality to the look and are ideal for wall surfaces, that come in monochrome glazed, pink glazed, blue glazed, green glazed and yellow/ orange glazed.
-G L A Z E D B L U E B E J M A T T I L E-
From the blue glazed collection, one of the oldest techniques of Morrocan handmade tiles is the Bejmat So, if you are interested in herringbone, the Bejmat is a good option.
Price per tile (ex VAT): £1.00
Price per m²: £134.00
Size: 15cm x 5cm x 1.84cm
Tiles per m²: 134
Standard delivery: 10 weeks
-B R I G H T Y E L L O W S T R I P E G L A Z E D T I L E-
From the yellow/orange glazed collection, suitable for walls and splashbacks is the bright yellow stripe glazed tile, which provides a yellow pink candy-stripe bright flash of color, that can be laid in uniform or as a random design.
Price per tile (ex VAT): £2.33
Price per m²: £139.80
Size: 13cm x 13cm x 1cm
Tiles per m²: 60
Standard delivery: 4-6 weeks
-F R E S H N E W T A L E N T-
An innovative project, who has a meaning behind its design, colors, textures, composition which enhance people from different ages to create meaningful materials.
S E M I P I O N E T I L E
Inspired on the enchantment of seemingly prosaic components that have been excluded as an element of inspiration was the concept of the Sempione tile. This tile derives from the detailing and combination of different materials and textures seen on the facades of buildings, and each tile is named after the street that inspired the design.
Price per tile (ex VAT): £5.20
Price per m²: £130.00
Size: 25cm x 25cm x 1.8cm
Tiles per m²: 25
Standard delivery: 6 weeks
-R E C L A I M E D T I L E S-
Another option if you like vibrant colors and textures for your walls and floors are the traditional Spanish tiles, Bert and May provide 2m², 5m² and 10m². They are called reclaimed tiles and can be from cement or terracota. The prices can vary from £120.00-£320.00 per m².
-W O O D-
On the other hand, if you are looking for a wood texture, Bert and May are providing: the engineering wooden flooring, reclaimed wooden flooring and wall cladding.
-E N G I N E E R E D W O O D E N B O A R D S-
Ideal for underfloor heating, the engineered wooden board created in the Netherlands use the technique of backed onto birch faced ply for a robust flooring which is suitable for modern day living. Hand finished in Yorkshire, the natural grains of timber later on are brought to life by applying up to six layers of color wash to the surface until the patina is similar to that of reclaimed timber. Besides providing an impressive appearance, it is practical and easy to lay with a tongue and groove mechanism. To accomplish a more authentic finish similar to reclaimed timber, Bert and May provide as well a mixed variant of widths. The Engineered wood prices can vary from £108.00-£175.00 per m².
V E R S A I L L E C L A S S I Q U E A N T I Q U E
This astonish engineered parquet wood originally from mainland Europe, aged by hand and engineered in the UK, suitable for anyone wanting statement flooring. However, this product is only available online.
Board dimensions: 1000mm x 1000mm
Price per m²: £175.00
Standard delivery: 4 weeks
-B A T H R O O M S-
Continuing with innovative designs Bert and Meg did a collaboration with the British designers Studio Ore, taking Bert and May palette of raw materials and crafts them into simplistic forms with beautiful attention to detail.
Their cast concrete sinks are colored with raw pigments that are exposed against the dazzling patina of naturally ageing brass.
B A T H R O O M T A P S
In this area, they offer a range of brassware designed by Studio Ore and the Watermark Collection which offer a modern industrious style with timeless appeal.
In order to the pieces to naturally age and develop a beautiful patina over time. Each piece is made from solid hand-polished brass, been consciously left unlacquered. They are hand made in the UK and available with a 6-week lead time. Within their products we can find deck mounted bath taps with lever, deck mounted bath taps with cross, wall mounted basin taps, flip top basin waste and spout with cross. The prices can vary from £605-£921.25.
T H E H A C K N E Y T A P W I T H P U L L O U T K I T C H E N S P R A Y B Y T H E W A T E R M A R K C O L L E C T I O N
This handcrafted industrial-looking tap created in Brooklyn, New York for Bert and May by the Watermark collection. It has been machined from solid lead-free brass, then hand finished in either oil rubbed, bronze or charcoal options.
Height 336mm x Extension 300mm
Price: £921.25
-B E R T & M A Y K I T C H E N S-
Offering a core palette of raw materials that provide delicate finishes and personality to their kitchens. Curated in collaboration with Red Deer Architects, a Bert & May kitchen provides pure crafted materials into a space that bluster generous proportions, simple forms and an architectural attention to detail.
R E C L A I M E D T I M B E R
If you like pure materials, the reclaimed range was created with the purpose to provide a warm, rustic look that blended with marble and brass is quite an antidote. Using Bert & May’s collection of reclaimed and new timbers. Bert & May’s wooden door facades are made of solid timber with a raw finish, waxed or painted in a choice of Bert & May color washes.
MARBLE
Sourced by the finest Italian merchants, Bert & May select the marble for its natural patina and quality. Working with highly skilled craftsmen, each piece is cut, finished and precisely assembled in order to create a unique luxurious interior.
-F A B R I C-
Based on the popular artisan tile patterns and a selection of plains in their signature muted tones. This collection was launched at Decorex; Syon Park as well in the London Design Festival 2016.
-M A N U K A E F R A I N F A B R I C-
From the patterned collection, a good option for curtains, blinds and light domestic upholstery use I the Manuka Efrain Fabric, with a width of 1.38m, the repeat pattern is 44.5cm. According to Bert & May, the Manuka Yellow Efrain fabric has been designed and made in the UK by highly skilled crafters. Using a mix of the finest quality raw cotton (37%) and linen (63%) their fabric is then silk-screen printed by hand, and finally distressed which softens and gives a stonewashed finish that is akin to the signature Bert & May aesthetic. The price is £61.67
As a way of conclusion, Bert & May are doing a great job providing excellent vintage quality products. However, given to the quality of their products, their prices are higher compared to other similar products. On the other hand, if you want a meaningful design Bert & May are a great option.
Sources:
http://www.bertandmay.com/
http://www.bertandmayspaces.com/
http://www.bertandmaygroup.com/
