Poarte Featured in the Financial Times: The Crafted Home series.
Poarte’s Story in the Financial Times
We are honored and excited to share that the Financial Times has featured Poarte in its renowned ‘The Crafted Home’ series. In the article, journalist Isabella Smith talks about how Poarte is reimagining the Delft tile tradition by offering reproductions that stay true to their roots, while also creating custom pieces that add a fresh, personal touch.
From a skinny-dipping figure to a cat in a kimono, some of our more whimsical custom pieces might raise an eyebrow, and that is precisely the point. As highlighted in the article, our mission is to create tiles that are authentically Delft, even when they depict modern or playful subjects. As Durk Regts explains in the interview, “We always want to make something that feels very authentically Delft, even if it shows the buyer playing tennis or having a barbecue.”
A Gateway to the Past
Poarte, based in Franeker in the Netherlands, was launched with the idea of becoming a “gateway” to the past (our name is Frisian for gateway). Our company builds on decades of expertise thanks to the start of Regts Delft Tiles in 1969 by Durk Regts’ father, Klaas. Together, they have spent many years deeply engaged in the world of Dutch tin-glazed ceramics. This has led to a unique level of craftsmanship in tile reproduction.
“We know so much about the originals that the smallest detail being off [in a replica] is disturbing,” Durk tells the Financial Times.
The FT article offers a thoughtful glimpse into how our deep respect for antique delftware is the base of everything we do, from our carefully matched corner motifs to the gentle imperfections we preserve in every piece. But it also highlights what sets us apart: the ability to offer authentic Delft tiles that can be tailored to your preferences, whether it’s adjusting the color, choosing a different tile base or corner motif, or incorporating personal elements into the design.
Traditional Craft
Our workshop operates with a team of skilled tile painters who follow time-honored processes, including glazing, hand-painting and firing. With 12 shades of white and endless decorative possibilities, every tile is a small reflection of our love for quality and eye for detail. As Durk highlights in the Financial Times article, “There is just so much we can discover and revive.”
It is this balance of tradition and experimentation that has drawn interest from clients and designers around the world. Interior designer Meta Coleman commissioned bespoke tiles for one of her projects, Virginia Tupker used our tiles on fireplace surrounds in Connecticut and Heidi Caillier designed a unique bathroom using Poarte tiles. Even actor David Rasche of Succession fame has our tiles in his New Jersey home, which included a mix of animal designs and our Colourful Mix base.
For those interested in reading the full article, it is available (to FT subscribers) here:
🔗 The Crafted Home: An Irreverent Riff on Delft Tiles
We are grateful to The Financial Times for shining a light on our work and proud to be part of the continuing story. Whether you love classic designs or something a bit more playful, we invite you to discover Delft tiles in a way you probably haven’t seen before.
