THE LINHA COLLECTION

Hand-painted Ceramic Tiles

Close-up of a hand-painted tiles from the Linha collection.

HAND-PAINTED CERAMIC TILES MADE IN SINTRA, PORTUGAL

The LINHA tiles, inspired by Brazilian Modernism, speak a conceptional and colorful language. Hand-painted individually, the tiles display a high level of quality and artistry.

design: Paula Gisler

craft: Viùva Lamego in Sintra, Portugal

STORY

Case study of a tiled wall installation with Giorgios tiles.

BESPOKE TILE INSTALLATIONS

The LINHA tiles can be arranged in various combinations to create a unique spatial element to complement the surrounding architecture. The hand-painted tiles add a high level of individuality and craftsmanship to any space.

In collaboration with our clients, we develop bespoke arrangements, creating truly unique installations.

CASE STUDIES

Case study with tiles on the floor from the Gion collection.

LINHA TILES IN THE COLORS GION

Image of a built-in Sofa with a wall installation with La Mola ceramic Tiles

LINHA TILES IN THE COLORS LA MOLA

Case Study of tiled bathroom with Gion Tiles
Case study of the Algaiarens collection as a pool covering.

LINHA TILES IN THE COLORS GION

LINHA TILES IN THE COLORS ALGAIARENS

THE COLOR WORLDS

Image of glazes to paint tiles.

The color worlds of the LINHA collection are incarnations of places around the world that I have traveled to and that have inspired me in a special way. Each color world captures a unique color palette inherent to that place and conveys its essence through the paint on the ceramic tiles.

ALGAIARENS

Reference image from beach algaiarens on the mediterranean island of Menorca.

The bay of Algaiarens lies in the green valley of La Vall, a region in the north of the Balearic island of Menorca. The landscape is shaped by dense pine forests, wild shrubs, dune systems, reddish rocks, and sandy beaches. The evergreen pines radiate a deep, rich green that contrasts with the fresh, light-green hues of wild olive trees and surrounding shrubs, all nestled in bright, light-gray sand. As an ensemble, the flora of La Vall forms the vibrant yet  serene Algaiarens color palette.

The image is blank with a dark, solid background.

pino

The image is blank with a plain gray background.

caliza

A person holding a fork and cutting into a burger with fries and a drink on a wooden table.

oliva

Close-up of the hand-painted green algaiarens tiles.
Image showing both options of Algaiarens tiles in green and grey color.
Close-up of Distels and sand on a beach in Menorca.
Close-up of a green olive bush on beach in Menorca.
Facade of a Mediterranean stone house with green shutters.

GION

Image of Canal in the Manamachi district Gion in Kyoto, Japan.

This color world is inspired by the Gion district in Kyoto, Japan. The streets are lined with traditional wooden townhouses known as machiya. Brown and ochre tones define the atmosphere of the wooden architecture. The soft beige of sudare (traditional bamboo blinds) and the bright off-white of shōji paper contrast with the dark timber structures. Kyoto is surrounded by subtropical forests and moss-covered ground, which complement the warm, earthy hues of the Gion color palette.

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shoji

sudare

machiya

Image of two tiles from the Gion collection.
Image of a ceremonial japanese stone garden in Kyoto
image of a temple in kyoto, Japan
Image of a temple in a green, dense forest in japan

LA MOLA

Image of a pine forest with mediterranean ocean in Formentera in the background

El Pilar de la Mola is a small village on the Balearic island of Formentera, located on the limestone plateau known as La Mola, which forms a peninsula at the island’s eastern tip. The crystal-clear, almost transparent turquoise waters along Formentera’s pristine beaches contrast with the vibrant marine blue of the deeper Balearic Sea. These two blue tones are complemented by the fresh green of Posidonia oceanica — a seagrass species endemic to the Mediterranean. Surrounding the island, this underwater plant protects the coastline and marine life, playing a vital role in preserving Formentera’s natural beauty.

posidonia

dark blue tile glaze

mar

light blue tile glaze

illetes

sabia

close-up of green, blue hand-painted ceramic tiles from the La Mola collection
close-up of La mola tiles in green, blue and white
image of cliffs in Formentera with blue sea in the background
Close-up of a wooden boat shelter on the beach of Formentera
image of posidonia in formentera

GIORGIOS

chapel in agios giorgios on cycladic islands Antiparos.

Agios Giorgios is the name of a secluded beach in the Greek Cyclades. White marble pebbles line the shore, meeting the calm, clear blue water. Next to the beach sits a white chapel with a vibrant blue dome. Behind it, the glittering Aegean Sea stretches beyond the horizon and meets the pastel blue sky. This hidden little beach serves as the inspiration of the Giorgios color palette, composed of the crisp whitewash of the marble, the pale blue of the sky and the deep, serene blue of the Aegean Sea.

A plain dark blue background with no objects or details.

aegean

celeste

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marble

image of blue and white ceramic tiles
image of hand-painted tiles in the colors blue and white
image of detail of antiparos chapel
image of the dark blue aegean ocean
detail of chapel on island of Antiparos

THE STORY

tile factory viuva lamego in sintra, portugal

MADE IN SINTRA

The LINHA collection is a collaboration between FRIENDS OF PAULA and the historic factory Viúva Lamego, founded in 1849 and located in Sintra, Portugal. 

With over 175 years of expertise, Viúva Lamego continues the legacy of Portuguese majólica—the art of hand-painted ceramics. All tiles are hand-painted by the talented artisans at Viúva Lamego, just as they have been throughout the factory‘s long history.

image of tile samples in factory

FROM IDEA TO PRODUCT

When I first came into contact with Viúva Lamego for an interior project, I didn’t realize that this was the beginning of turning the LINHA tiles—an initially theoretical project—into a physical product. After spending several days in the factory in Sintra, getting to know the process and the people behind it, painting tiles, and experimenting with colors, a tile collection was eventually born.

linha tile pattern

LINHA - LINE AS A MEAN OF CONNECTION

The idea of the tile collection LINHA — named after the Portuguese word for “line” — emerged from the observation that a single line could visually connect individual tiles, bringing them together into a coherent and versatile pattern. Each of the three tile designs features a line that connects the midpoints of two opposing sides, allowing for multiple arrangements and the creation of endlessly varied compositions.

image of lump of clay at tile factory

THE MATERIAL

The ceramic tiles are made from locally sourced clay from Viúva Lamego’s own clay quarry, which is situated near the factory.

Clay is a purely natural product that is created through decomposition of silicate-bearing rocks. Clay consists primarily of clay minerals, is generally plastically deformable given sufficient water content, and becomes solid when dried or fired. 

The tiles are fired at 960 degree Celsius and become extremely resistant through this process, withstanding heat, precipitation and uv-radiation while keeping their vibrant shine.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Illustration of three different basketball court floor panels stacked vertically, showing various panel designs for a gymnasium surface.

size: 14 x 14 cm

thickness: 9 mm

tiles per m2: 49 tiles

finish: glossy

use: internal and external covering (frost-resistant only on demand)

Please note:

All colours are batch produced and hand-applied. Therefore, the tiles can contain subtle variations in colour within each production and from batch to batch.

A black and white diagram of a human hand with labeled parts, focusing on the palm side, showing bones, muscles, and tendons.

one curved line

Black and white photo of a Mercedes-Benz 190E parked on the road, with trees and a fence in the background.
Diagram of a 45-degree angle inscribed in a circle with a square and a semicircle inside it, showing geometric constructions.

two curved lines

one straight line

HOW TO BUY

MADE TO ORDER

The tiles are made-to-order, meaning production will start after the order has been placed. The order will be transferred to Viùva Lamego, who will take care of the production, handling and shipping.

CUSTOM DESIGN

Each project is unique and needs individual planning. Upon request, I will personally assist you with your project in order to create a unique tiled design statement. 

SHIPPING

We ship Europe wide from Portugal. Lead times are generally 6-8 weeks for fulfillment. Transport times depend on location and method of shipping.

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