A cozy, dimly lit living room with dark gray walls, wooden furniture, a sectional sofa with cushions, two armchairs, a wooden coffee table, abstract wall art, and large windows letting in natural light.

CASA ZIA

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Zia Tile was born from our founders’ love for travel and appreciation for artistry across the globe. Madrid, Spain has been a frequent destination for creative inspiration and rich cultural heritage, near and dear to the Zia family’s hearts. When the idea for a vacation property came to mind, we knew the property would serve as not only a home to Zia’s founders and staff, but our close community of interior designers, architects, and partners.

A narrow European street lined with tall, colorful buildings featuring balconies and plants. People walk along the cobblestone road beneath a partly cloudy sky. Shops and streetlights are visible on both sides.

A dark wooden door stands ajar, revealing a hallway with patterned tile flooring, frosted glass windows with black frames, and a woven basket bench against the wall. Warm, soft lighting fills the space.

The Zia team turned to London-based Pernille Lind and Richy Almond of LIND + ALMOND, the team behind Denmark’s esteemed Hotel Sanders, as the perfect partner to breathe new life into the historic Madrid space. The project was a welcome and rewarding challenge for all: to draw inspiration from the vibrant surroundings of Madrid’s central Malasaña neighborhood, to honor the culture and materials native to Spain, and to incorporate Zia’s multicultural mix of tiles throughout the home.

Welcoming each guest to the home is a foyer full of tile, a cement set now known as Madrid Set One, featuring matte squares and diamonds in Coffee, Terra Cotta, Sonora, Black, and Canyon colorways. This particular palette incorporates both the Hispanic heritage of the property and selections from Zia’s Mexican-made collections, inspiring an entire line of new cement sets.

At the core of the flat is the kitchen, relocated as a central gathering place. 4x4-inch Red Clay Cotto tiles envelop the design, with thick grout lines framing the clay squares in an installation equally timeless and fresh. The red tones continue in the Rosso Alicante marble countertops, a more traditional material bringing natural interest in its veining and variation. Copper lighting introduces a metallic moment, in custom-designed modern pendants. The iron-framed paneled screen leaves one wall open to the home’s entrance, a bespoke moment paying homage to the city’s wrought iron accents.

A modern kitchen with warm terracotta tiles, copper pendant lights, sleek dark cabinets, and large windows with frosted glass. A vase with dried branches sits on the counter, adding a rustic touch.

A cozy living room with a tan brick fireplace, cream sofas, mustard yellow armchairs, a round marble coffee table with a flower arrangement, wood flooring, and neutral walls with classic trim and molding.

The family room is serene and sun-drenched, as light pours in from a row of windows. Glazed Earth trapezoid zellige tiles decorate a focal fireplace, a statement feature amongst a quieter palette of soft, neutral upholstery. Classic moulding meets the furniture’s soft lines in this masterful mix of old and new.

The formal living room plays on a moodiness that invites intimate conversations and late-night gatherings. A contrast to the lighter tones found throughout the city, this intimate haven showcases antiques from independent local dealers.

A bathroom with a bathtub and a shower, surrounded by square tiles in orange, gray, and cream colors. The fixtures, including the showerhead, faucet, and towel rack, are gold-toned.

A modern bathroom features a brass sink and faucet, a small potted plant, and square beige tiles on the wall. A large round mirror and an oval wall light hang above the sink, with natural light coming through sheer curtains.

View through an open doorway into a bathroom with glossy burgundy tiles on the lower wall and floor, a dark brown wooden door, deep red painted upper walls, a white sink, and rich wooden wall paneling.

And last but not least, we see handmade Moroccan zellige appear in each beautiful bathroom. The contained spaces offer an opportunity for bold colors and creative patterns, each boasting a wholly unique perspective. From seemingly random mixes to thoughtful colorblocking to allover color, the versatility of zellige is on display.

While Zia Tile remains headquartered in Los Angeles, California, this most special part of our story belongs to Madrid. Stay tuned for more about our inspiration and work in this part of the world.