Original Style Ltd Avis 47

I ordered three samples from the Winchester range based on this website description:
'Handcrafted by a team of experienced and highly skilled artists, designers and crafts people, Winchester offers tile patterns and glazes that you’ll adore for years to come.'
The tiles in question are also on the site under the 'Handcrafted' category which states: 'our handcrafted tiles will add that something special.'
However, when the tiles arrived they didn't look handmade or hand glazed. I emailed to double check - and was told they were neither.
Glad I asked as I could have been misled into paying £110-£190 per square metre for plain white mass-produced tiles that I could have bought anywhere!

We purchased premium, ‘Solstice’, glass tiles manufactured by Original Style at a cost of over £60 per single tile, spending well over £5,000 in total.

As the tiles were being installed, we noticed the edges of many were more white and blurry than some others. We contacted the manufacturer, but were told this was normal and so accepted it and used the worst ones as cut tiles.

Despite referring to the twenty page installation guide, and using specialist cutting / drilling equipment as advised, the installer was having issues in cutting the tiles; they continuously chipped and shattered along the cut edge.

We and the installer were so concerned, during installation, that the installer asked for a representative from Original Style to attend site. The lady came and confirmed the tiles were being installed correctly, that the installer was doing a ‘good job’, and that the white distorted edges were completely acceptable despite ruining the black design of the tiles. She even took photographs to use as advertising material (without our consent).

Since installation, three tiles have cracked from the corner where cut at an L-shape, despite the advised substrate being used, and a further two tiles have fogged up in the shower area, despite the tiles being advertised as suitable for wet rooms. Additionally, all tiles are mounted on Wedi board as recommended. I am extremely concerned further L-cut tiles will crack over time as it seems they are weak on the diagonal extending from the cut right angle.

I have spent a lot of money on the bathroom and now have five damaged tiles which require replacement and are difficult to remove; almost certainly resulting in surrounding tile damage. I am fearful further tiles will crack / degrade over time.

I contacted Original Style customer service who referred me back to the supplier / installer who has subsequently closed down. On hearing this, Original Style have done everything possible to deny responsibility; as they have with other people commenting on this site. Original Style insist it’s an installation issue, despite their representative saying our installers were doing a good job. Original Style next told me to obtain a technical inspection by the Tile Association despite me insisting the tiles are faulty and I would first like their representative to perform an inspection. (An independent inspection, by the TA, costing in excess of £1,000). I believe the manufacturer should request this if they are disputing the appropriateness of an installation previously witnessed as good by their own representative, and refusing to provide their own representative to inspect the failing tile performance.

All we requested from Original Style was a box of five replacement tiles for the failed tiles; not an unreasonable request for the amount spent and the fact that I would have to pay for an installer to remove the damaged tiles and reapply the replacement tiles.

Original Style have now ceased all communication with myself and my husband. I am in the process of filing a legal claim against them for my financial loss.

Thank you to all the staff for their friendly and efficient service. Everyone put themselves out to provide a super service

I wanted to say thank you to the staff at the Exeter store. I was just about resigned to the idea I wasn’t going to find what I was looking for but they had just what I wanted. Some fantastic tile designs. They gave help, ideas & space to make up our minds. Will definitely recommend.

Don’t bother requesting a CAD design, they take upwards of 3 weeks; dimensions are completely misaligned with those provided and then take another 3 weeks (still waiting) to correct.

Why even offer this service if it’s so poor?!

Awful experience with this company. Purchased hand made tiles which were hugely expensive but when they arrived they were damaged due to little care in packaging, poor quality and did not look like the images sold in the brochure. They looked like cheap factory made tat not hand made at all. Not only that the colours were nothing like the samples I had seen in the showroom. All brochure no content. The customer service I received was also poor. There was an arrogance in their replies and little interest after the point my partner had paid for the tiles. I won't be shopping with them again and would not recommend.

Original Style's tiles are outstanding in design and quality, backed up by exemplary customer service, which showed especially in 1) tile selection advice; 2) rapid replacements for tiles damaged in transit; 3) no quibble refund for surplus tiles on project completion. Mark Thomas was extremely helpful throughout; Steve ensured that returning surplus tiles was a quick and efficient process. Top tile company.

Staff at the Plymouth store are great. Always helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I have purchased tiles from them for two bathroom remodels and very happy. I may be buying more tiles when we move onto the utility remodel.

Excellent stand-out range of stock. Range of subtle and vibrant colours and every style. Lovely, warm, welcoming, approachable and very helpful staff - patient with all our queries and with helpful suggestions. Would have no hesitation in recommending to others.

Original style Cheltenham.
Are exceptional helpful, giving excellent advice, storing our tiles for almost two months (sry about the delay guys). Did everything possible to get us the tiles we wanted. Brilliant quality products too.
I highly recommend you go vist the store.

I feel compelled to let potential customers know that the OriginalStyle Tiles showroom at Millbrook Southampton is quite exceptional. Here are some reasons why:

The two staff members who helped me, Ant and Abbey, have all the traits that one would wish for from their employees. Thank you both of you.

No other organisation would have stored the tiles that I had bought from them for months until I needed them for intallation. Quite remarkable.

The quality of their tiles is superior to many other tile shop outlets.

You cannot go wrong shopping with them.

Jacqueline Staniland
Southampton

What truly impressed me was Briana's customer-centric approach. She valued my input, listened to my concerns, and tailored their services to meet my specific requirements. Their dedication to customer satisfaction was evident throughout the entire process, making the journey smooth and enjoyable.

Terrible customer service, tiles delayed but over 2 months and still not arrived. No one able to provide estimated date

Carly Pearson at the Hillington branch in Glasgow was highly professional and efficient when I came in looking for some slate tiles for a fireplace - immediately locating options that would be suitable and ordered them up from the factory straight away. Excellent customer service. Thank you Carly.

Great service from Carly & Paul at the Hillington branch.
They really knew their products, made choosing tiles easy and enjoyable.
Would highly recommend them. If I ever need tiles I will be back

I cannot underestimate how pleased i am with the staff at the Plymouth branch especially Caitlin andf Grant. Tiles were brilliant and reasonably priced.
From walking into the showroom we were made very welcome and nothing was too much! I don’t do reviews usually but felt compelled this time because of the exceptional customer service

Visited the Originalstyle new showroom in Durham today and left feeling extremely happy with the selection and service provided. I was quickly greeted by Matt who listened to what I wanted and showed excellent selection making my final decision easier. They calculated exactly what was needed from my simple floor plan. I found Manager Darren and Courtney very helpful and friendly. This team are an asset to the company and eill certainly recommend .I can't wait to have the perfect floor for my dream kitchen. THANKYOU

Really helpful, nothing to much trouble

We bought some beautiful reproduction Victorian floor tiles from Original style - they needed to closely match our original tiles to fill in an empty patch of floor space due to some renovations. Not only did the staff kindly help us estimate the amount of tiles we needed, they swiftly sent us samples too and they were also happy for us to return any tiles we had leftover. The tiles are an excellent quality and a perfect match to the originals - we are absolutely delighted with the outcome, the hallway looks wonderful and the new tiles fit seamlessly into the pattern of the old. Thank you to the amazing team at Original Tiles

Lovely range/choice of tiles with a huge range of lovely big displays that you just don’t get at other tile showrooms. The staff are so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. 100% recommend.