During the Victorian era (1837–1901), patterned and geometric floors became a defining feature of architecture and interior design. Encaustic tiles — where the design is inlaid with coloured clays rather than just a surface glaze — were especially popular for porches, steps, and entrance halls in London townhouses. These tiles were durable, weather-resistant, and decorative, often laid in bold geometric patterns that conveyed refinement and status.

Typical designs featured checkerboards, borders, and tessellated patterns in shades of red, black, white, and buff. Many porches combined encaustic tiles with natural stone, creating elegant thresholds that framed the home. In grander houses, hallways and reception rooms also displayed elaborate encaustic floors, sometimes complemented by marble inlays or mosaic panels.

Today, these historic designs can be reproduced in traditional encaustic tile, preserving their authenticity, or reinterpreted in natural materials such as black and white marble for a more luxurious take. Both approaches honour the Victorian tradition of craftsmanship, geometry, and enduring elegance.