Material
Zellige
Hand-pressed Moroccan terracotta with glaze that pools and pools.
True zellige is made the way it has been for centuries in Fez: chunks of clay shaped by hand, dipped in mineral glazes, and fired in wood kilns. The result is wildly variable — irregular edges, color pooling, subtle waves on every face — and exactly why no porcelain imitation captures it.
Best for
When zellige earns its place.
- 01
Kitchen backsplashes that want hand-made warmth
- 02
Powder room walls
- 03
Fireplace surrounds and built-in alcoves
- 04
Accent walls behind floating vanities
From the catalog
Zellige pieces, by appointment.
We carry curated zelligepieces that aren’t all online yet. Visit our Lomita studio or reach out and we’ll prepare a selection for your project.
Common questions
Working with zellige.
- Is zellige variation considered a defect?
- No — variation is the point. Color pooling, hairline crackle, and irregular dimensions are intentional and prized. We always recommend ordering 15-20% overage so installers can lay out the field aesthetically.
- How are zellige tiles installed?
- Most zellige is back-buttered and laid with very tight (1mm) grout joints in a 'butt-jointed' pattern. Installers experienced with handmade tile are essential.
- Can zellige go in a shower?
- Yes on walls. Use a quality sealer and a non-acidic cleaner. Avoid using zellige on shower floors — the soft glaze isn't slip-rated.
Compare materials
Other materials in our catalog
Porcelain
Engineered density, virtually any pattern, indoors or out.
Ceramic
Handmade-feel surfaces with depth, craft, and color.
Marble
Quarried stone, polished or honed, no two pieces alike.
Natural Stone
Limestone, travertine, quartzite — earth's own materials.
Terracotta
Sun-baked clay, warm underfoot, ages like nothing else.
Glass Mosaic
Light-catching small format, slip-resistant in the wet.
Metal
Brushed brass, oxidized copper, blackened steel — accents only.