NEW YORK – As Bert & May celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the London-based handmade tile brand has officially entered the U.S. market.
This month, Bert & May is partnering with Martin Kesselman, the New York City-based color expert behind INCOLOUR, his paint and color studio and showroom at 100 Lafayette Street in Tribeca.
The story of Bert & May began with founder Lee Thornley’s first restoration project, his countryside hotel, Casa La Siesta in Cadiz, Spain. Sourcing reclaimed materials and rare antique fittings inspired him to sell to a wider audience and eventually reopen a family-run workshop to create artisan encaustic handmade tiles.
Since launching in 2013, Bert & May has become known for its curated palette of natural pigments, materials and craftsmanship, states the firm. Collections range from signature cement encaustic and porcelain to zellige and reclaimed.
“We are a design brand with a clear aesthetic and not merely a tile company. We help create spaces with the customer, giving them the unique Bert & May look and feel,” notes Thornley. “Our tiles have a distinct patina and palette, which we can’t ignore the demand for in the States. We feel New York City is a design capital and a great base to launch our arrival in the U.S.”