Original Style Tiles celebrates 40 years of unique styles and British manufacturing
Marking 40 years of British tile manufacturing, Original Style stands as one of the few companies to have not only endured but evolved within a rapidly changing industry. From its origins producing tile sets for cast iron fireplaces, the Exeter-based business has grown into a globally recognized manufacturer, known for its distinctive glazes, design-led collections and unwavering commitment to in-house production.
Today, Original Style occupies a unique position within the market, balancing heritage craftsmanship with modern innovation, while continuing to manufacture in the UK at a time when much of the ceramics in-dustry has moved overseas. It is this commitment to both place and process that has defined the compa-ny’s journey over four decades.
“As a ceramics manufacturer and distributor, we specialize in the glazing and decoration of ceramic tiles,” explains Managing Director Matt Fripp. “Our growth has been very organic. We began as an associated product within the fireplace industry, but over time we saw those tiles being used more widely, particularly in kitchens and across the home. We followed that demand, developing new ranges to suit.”
A pivotal moment came as the business prepared to expand its offering. Faced with a breakdown in its supply chain, the company made a defining decision, rather than seeking alternative suppliers, it brought production capabilities in-house.
“We chose to invest in our own manufacturing,” Matt continues. “That decision has shaped the business ever since. In many ways, we’ve grown by necessity – adapting to challenges, responding to change, and embracing new opportunities as they arise.”
Such adaptability has underpinned Original Style’s longevity, particularly within a sector that has seen sig-nificant consolidation and the widespread offshoring of production. By contrast, the company has re-mained committed to UK manufacturing, preserving specialist skills while carefully integrating new tech-nologies.
Craftsmanship sits at the heart of this approach. Across its Exeter facility, skilled artisans continue to practice and refine techniques including mold-making, hand-painting, screen-printing and the complex chemistry of glazing – skills that have been developed and sustained within the business over decades.
“As a company, we feel a real responsibility to preserve those skills,” says Matt. “What we’re striving for is a balance, using digital technologies alongside traditional methods, not as a replacement but as a complement. If the Victorians had access to today’s tools, they would have embraced them in much the same way.”
This interplay between past and present is perhaps most evident in Original Style’s enduring collections. Many of the designs produced today trace their origins back 30 to 40 years, offering a level of continuity that is increasingly rare in a trend-driven market. The Artworks range, for example, remains a cornerstone of the portfolio, with its richly glazed, small-format tiles and extensive selection of moldings enabling high-ly detailed, characterful interiors.
“It’s that combination of elements – tiles, colors, moldings and finishing pieces that allows us to create a complete design language,” Matt notes. “It’s also what sets us apart.”
Alongside these heritage collections, the business continues to evolve its offering to meet contemporary tastes. Its Living range introduces larger formats and more current aesthetics, complete mural panels – reaching up to 2.4 meters in height – demonstrate the company’s ability to deliver impactful, design-led solutions at scale.
Winchester Classic Collection
Few projects, however, better illustrate Original Style’s commitment to quality than the ongoing revival of its Winchester Classic Collection. First introduced over 30 years ago, the range has long been valued for its distinctive color palette and handcrafted character. When supply challenges began to impact production standards, the company made the decision to rebuild the collection from the ground up.
“We weren’t prepared to compromise,” Matt explains. “So, we’ve spent the last few years re-sourcing every element and effectively re-engineering the range. It’s been a complex process, especially given how much the UK ceramics industry has changed but we’re now very close to bringing it back to market in a way that stays true to its original character.”
This careful, considered approach to evolution has been a defining feature of Original Style’s 40-year jour-ney. Rather than treating heritage as a constraint, the company has used it as a foundation – retaining what matters, while adapting where necessary.
Operating as a UK-based manufacturer brings its own challenges, from higher labor and material costs to increased operational complexity. Yet for Original Style, these are balanced by the ability to maintain con-trol over quality, nurture in-house expertise, and remain true to its founding principles.
As it enters its fifth decade, the business shows no sign of standing still. With continued investment in both people and process, Original Style is not only preserving British tile manufacturing, but also actively shap-ing its future. In an industry defined by change, its story is one of continuity: of craft, color, and a commit-ment to doing things properly, sustained over 40 years and counting.
