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
See these in person — visit our Lomita showroom · Open Mon–Sat
Take-Home SamplesFrom 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.