I have always had a love of original white tiles. Aged, cracked, time warn. It began as a boy, when my parents began restoring out country home, we regularly visited Melbournes grand old properties.

Among them were the houses of the National Trust... and Como in South Yarra was one of my favorites. While it had been modernised in the 20's and 30's, it had retained a lot of its stately Victorian grandeur, its bathrooms for example.

I remember the sight of the enormous hand basins, perfectly chipped and stained, sitting against original white tiled walls and floors. Beautiful, solid, substantial tile work, installed to last, and showing just the right amount of age. I loved it. I think these moments also formed my aversion to colour. The white tiles on their own were enough, teamed with handsome original steel tap ware, perfection!