Restaurants, hotels and commercial projects

1. Does Smink Studio supply tiles for restaurants, hotels, cafés and shops?

Yes. Smink Studio has supplied tiles to hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars and shops in many countries. One international fashion chain, Sandro, has been using Smink Studio tiles in its new and renovated stores since 2019. That’s hundreds of stores in over 50 different countries so far. We have also supplied tiles for various premium hospitality locations including The W Hotel Hollywood, The Grayson Hotel in New York, Moxy Banff in Canada, Hyde Hotel in Ibiza and Novotel Seville. Commercial clients receive the same bespoke layout design service as private clients, adapted to each site.

2. Are handmade tiles durable enough for commercial interiors?

Yes. Glazed ceramic tiles are among the most durable surfaces available for commercial interiors. Smink Studio tiles are hard, heat-resistant, waterproof on their glazed face and easy to clean, so they withstand the daily wear of busy restaurants, hotels and shops. For commercial floors, check that the slip resistance meets local requirements.

3. Can you provide technical data sheets and specifications?

Yes. Smink Studio can supply technical data sheets and glaze guides for its tiles, covering dimensions, water absorption, strength, frost resistance, glaze properties and slip test results. To request them, or for any other specification question, contact the studio.

4. Can a logo or brand pattern be built into the tile design?

Yes. Smink Studio can build a brand pattern, motif or logo into a tile installation, using shapes and colours from its design system or developing new ones for the project. Contact the studio to discuss a custom project where a specific pattern or logo is required.

5. Can Smink Studio supply large projects and phased deliveries?

Yes. Smink Studio supplies projects of every size, from a single café counter to roll-outs across hundreds of shops, and can schedule production and delivery in phases to match a building programme. Contact the studio early so that production can be planned around key dates.

6. Can you guarantee delivery before an opening date?

Smink Studio does its best to meet every date but cannot offer guarantees. This is because the tiles are made to order and things can go wrong in the kiln. When this happens, the tiles must be remade. Over and above this, delivery is handled by couriers and freight companies, over which the studio has no control. Production usually takes between six and ten weeks and delivery usually 10–20 days, depending on location, so order early and build a margin into the programme.

Production also slows during the factory’s two-week holidays in August and at the end of December.

7. Is there a trade programme for designers, architects and contractors?

Yes. Smink Studio works with interior designers, architects and contractors on trade terms. Contact the studio for details of the trade programme.

8. Where can I see Smink tiles installed?

Smink Studio tiles can be seen in restaurants, hotels and shops around the world. Projects in the US include The Big Night store in New York, Starter Bakery in Oakland and Kappo DC restaurant in Washington DC. In Europe projects include Bar L’Astorg in Paris, Novotel Seville and various Nando’s restaurants in the UK including Swansea, Prestwich and Putney. More projects are shown on the projects page. Because the studio is not a showroom, the best way to see the tiles in person is to order samples.

9. Can I see Smink tiles in a showroom?

Because Smink Studio tiles are made-to-order, they do not work with showrooms. They do not have a range of tiles to sell; instead there are endless possibilities with tens of thousands of different tiles possible and unlimited combinations of those tiles in a single installation. Smink Studio is more a ceramic atelier than tile producer and they offer custom-made designs to suit each project.