Tiling my Antique Fireplace with Poarte Delft Tiles

There’s something magical about breathing new life into an old space...especially when that space holds as much character and history as an antique fireplace. After scoring the perfect one off Facebook Marketplace, I knew I wanted to refinish it and make it into something very special. The secret ingredient? Poarte Delft tiles.

Before diving in, let's take a look at what this fireplace looked like before...

I’ve always been drawn to the timeless charm of Delftware...the delicate blues, the intricate hand-painted designs, the way it bridges the rustic and refined. Poarte, based in the Netherlands, makes authentic Delft tiles using traditional techniques. I absolutely adore the fact that their tiles are based off 17th, 18th, & 19th century original tiles. Each tile is a little work of art, with soft crackle glazes and subtle imperfections that feel like they belong to another era. As soon as I found Poarte, I knew these tiles were what I needed.

One of the best parts of the project was choosing the tile designs. Poarte offers a mix of traditional motifs (windmills, birds, ships, and florals) all painted by hand. I picked a set that combined corner motifs, a crackled finish, and pinholes, with a series of floral scenes. I wanted it to feel curated, not overly perfect...like it had always been there. Here are all of their hand-painted collections that Poarte offers: Poarte hand-painted collections. 

Installing the tiles myself was surprisingly satisfying. It was a weekend project that required patience, but the results were worth every second. I prepped the fireplace surround, laid out my tile pattern on the floor to get the spacing just right, then slowly and carefully installed each piece.

A few tips for anyone considering something similar:

• Plan your layout before you start. Decide what layout you want to create and begin in the center and work your way out. A dry run is a good idea before committing and helps avoid surprises.

• Use a level and spacers if needed. Even if your fireplace is old and a bit wonky (like mine!), getting a clean grid makes a huge difference. Most of the time, spacers are needed, although I decided to not use any for my project. I wanted my tiles installed closely together so I just eyed it and it worked perfectly fine! 

• Install and grout carefully. I used a tile adhesive to install the tiles and a soft white grout to match the antique look. I then caulked the edges to give it a more polished look. 

When I stepped back and looked at the finished fireplace, I actually gasped. The Poarte tiles brought warmth, color, and texture into the space in a way nothing else could. What used to be a dusty, forgotten corner is now a conversation piece...a place where friends gather and where I sip coffee on quiet mornings.

It’s not just about aesthetics, though. This project reconnected me with my home. It reminded me that good design isn’t about trends...it’s about soul. And there’s nothing more soulful than centuries-old tilework, lovingly recreated and set by hand in a space that deserves to shine again.