The company
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We are the team that brought cement tiles, also known as Portuguese tiles , back to life in the 21st century. These handmade products, elevated to an art form, have unleashed a great passion in us and you can find these tiles in all corners of the world today.
The real authentic patterns of the past have made way for cheerful, trendy variants in different colour combinations, which means that cement tiles have ultimately become design tiles. -
And it didn't stop at cement tiles! Over the years, we have specialized in Moroccan tiles such as Zelliges, Bejmat and Platta's. The beautiful colors in these tiles can't be found anywhere else. Time and time again, when we visit our factory in Morocco, we are filled with the beauty of these handmade tiles. In addition to the above-mentioned types of tiles, our collection also includes beautiful Spanish wall tiles in hundreds of colors and shapes, marble mosaic, Italian tiles and many tiles and patterns designed by ourselves.
Did you know that..
We regularly visit our factories to ensure a strong and direct collaboration. These visits not only allow us to check the quality of the products, but also ensure that we stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the tile world. Furthermore, these trips give us the opportunity to discover new materials and experiment with innovative designs. Through this collaboration with the factory, we can always develop new creative ideas and unique concepts. In this way, we continue to distinguish ourselves from other tile companies and continue to strive for originality and quality in everything we do!
Photos: Factory visit Morocco
Only what we like!
We used to say it: We only do what we like! And that remains our guiding principle. Whether it concerns the sale of our products or the design of our showrooms, we give free rein to our creativity! This enthusiasm and passion for tiles are the core of who we are. And today we continue that mission with conviction, with a creative, energetic and enthusiastic team of tile lovers: The DesignVlegels !
This creative club of tile enthusiasts from Breda, Utrecht and Berlin is always ready to help you, both in the showroom and online. Our website already offers a good overview of our unique products, but nothing beats a visit to one of our showrooms. It is not without reason that we are seen as the "tile candy store of the Netherlands". Here you will not only find the most beautiful tiles, but also plenty of inspiration and personal advice to make your space truly special.
Our team is ready to think along with you about color combinations, styles and applications. Whether you are looking for a unique wall tile or a stylish floor tile, you will always find something that suits your style. Come by for a bit of happiness, because happiness is handmade!
How it all started
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His old Volkswagen van is having a hard time when Ramon Huigen drives three and a half thousand kilometres back from North Africa to Utrecht in 2003. In the back is a batch of colourful authentic cement tiles. Ramon had come across them by chance during his surfing holiday in a small tile workshop in southern Morocco. He was immediately sold. And so were the tiles. The motifs, the colours, the artisanal, natural production process and the rich history fascinate him so much that Ramon decides to take a few boxes back to the Netherlands for his own use.
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At home he lays a beautiful new colourful cement floor full of patterned tiles in his kitchen and on his terrace. This does not go unnoticed by his family, friends and acquaintances. They want that too. Ramon decides to have a container of cement tiles shipped over from Morocco with his last savings and when some time later his entire circle of acquaintances imagine themselves in Mediterranean atmospheres at home, he knows that he cannot deprive the rest of the Western world of this pleasure either. This had to be tackled on a larger scale.
Own production
Together with his then brother-in-law Martijn Dijkstra, Ramon starts looking for possibilities to have the tiles produced themselves. They end up in countries such as Portugal, Spain and Morocco. Vietnam also appears to be a good option. Not only is the production process cheaper there, there is also craftsmanship and the quality of the raw materials cement, pigment and marble powder is better there. After much travelling, arranging, calling, emailing and faxing, www.designtegels.nl goes online in 2006. Containers full of high-quality cement tiles find their way to the Netherlands. They all have a colourful Moorish design and are given the new brand name "Azule". Designtegels.nl is born.
From garage to major supplier
The first orders are processed from a small garage box on the Duurstedelaan in Utrecht. The demand is so great that Ramon and Martijn have to rent a new garage box every six months. It is clear: this hobby is getting out of hand. Designtegels.nl can no longer be combined with a permanent job. Both budding entrepreneurs therefore decide to follow their passion and from now on dedicate themselves full-time to further expanding their company. Nowadays, Designtegels.nl is one of the larger suppliers of cement tiles, also called Portuguese tiles, in Europe. In recent years, new products have been added to the range, such as Spanish and Italian wall tiles and Moroccan zelliges. With more than four hundred and fifty different tiles and deliveries to more than 20 European countries, the company has grown into a leading player in the niche market of tiled floors and walls.
Designtegels.nl now has 20 full-time employees in the Netherlands, while more than a hundred professionals use their expertise in foreign workshops to produce the most beautiful and best tiles. In the Netherlands, Designtegels.nl has two branches: one in Breda, where stock is managed, designs are developed and production is coordinated, and where a fantastic showroom can also be found. We also have a cozy and inspiring showroom in Utrecht, where customers can admire our collection and discover the latest trends. In addition to our Dutch branches, we also brought a bit of our passion to Germany a few years ago, with the opening of a cool showroom in Berlin. This branch has quickly become a beloved place for our German customers, who can immerse themselves in tile inspiration here.
Volkswagen T2A 1969
In the warehouse, hidden behind the recently completely renovated Utrecht showroom, you can still find a special piece of ''Designtegels'' history: ''The'' gray Volkswagen T2A from 1969. This charming van is not just any old-timer; it is the van with which it all started in 2003. In the meantime, the more than forty-year-old van has been lovingly restored and looks as good as new again. But do you know what's best? If you look really closely (and maybe bring a magnifying glass), you might just come across a lost grain of Sahara sand. That sand is a silent witness to the adventures that this iconic van has once experienced. Cool, right?
Ramon Huigen & Martijn Dijkstra Designtegels.nl