Parisian Kitchen
Private Apartment Kitchen in Paris features Yuki Border Speckled Black, a Japanese porcelain tile collection produced in Japan and used to introduce contrast, texture and controlled reflection within a refined residential kitchen interior.
Project Information
Project: Private Apartment Kitchen
Location: Paris, France
Designer: Maison Apolinario
Supplier: Mittsu Japanese Tiles
Tile Collection: Yuki Border
Colour: Speckled Black
Country of Manufacture: Japan
Material: Porcelain
Surface: Textured gloss glaze
Application: Interior wall finish
Technical Data Sheet: Yuki Border
CAD Data: Yuki Border
Mittsu Image Folder: Yuki Border
Yuki Border in a Paris Kitchen
In this Paris apartment, Japanese ceramic tiles are used to introduce texture and contrast within a precise and restrained kitchen interior.
Designed by Maison Apolinario, the space is defined by clarity of material and proportion. Yuki Border in Speckled Black forms the backsplash, creating a continuous ceramic surface that anchors the composition and establishes a subtle vertical rhythm.
Material & Surface Character
The elongated concave profile of Yuki Border allows light to move across the surface, creating fine shadow lines that introduce depth without disrupting the minimal composition.
The deep black glaze provides a strong visual counterpoint to lighter cabinetry and work surfaces, while reflecting surrounding elements such as brass fittings and integrated lighting. This introduces controlled movement across the surface without relying on pattern.
Produced in Japan using high-temperature kiln firing, each tile carries natural variation in tone and gloss. These subtle differences prevent the surface from appearing flat, maintaining a consistent yet visually active finish.
Unlike printed ceramic surfaces, the variation in Yuki Border is created during firing, resulting in natural tonal movement rather than repeated pattern.
About Yuki Border
Yuki Border is a Japanese porcelain tile collection characterised by its elongated concave profile, textured glaze and natural tonal variation created during high-temperature kiln firing in Japan. The concave surface allows light to move across the tile, creating shifting highlights and shadow lines that give the installation depth and rhythm.
Why Japanese Porcelain Tiles Were Selected
Japanese porcelain tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures, creating a dense ceramic body with very low water absorption and exceptional surface durability. Combined with naturally varied glazes formed during kiln firing, this allows tiled surfaces to retain depth, movement and material character under changing light conditions.
“Yuki Border in darker tones shifts the focus from light to reflection,” says Ian Reynolds. “The concave surface and glaze work together to create depth, even within a controlled and minimal space.”
Summary
In this Paris kitchen, Yuki Border is used as a defining surface, introducing contrast, reflection and subtle movement within a restrained architectural composition.
View and order samples of
Yuki Border Japanese Porcelain Tiles (UK)
Yuki Border Japanese Porcelain Tiles (Europe)
Yuki Border Japanese Porcelain Tiles (UAE)
Learn about Japanese Tiles
Learn about Japanese Glaze Variation
Press & Media
High-resolution images from Mittsu Japanese Tiles projects are available for editorial use, including full project photography and detail imagery across multiple installations.
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Images may be used for editorial coverage with credit to Mittsu Japanese Tiles.
For press enquiries, please contact Mittsu Japanese Tiles.
FAQ
What tiles were used in the Paris kitchen project?
Yuki Border Speckled Black Japanese porcelain tiles by Mittsu Japanese Tiles.
Are Yuki Border tiles made in Japan?
Yes. Yuki Border is produced in Japan using high-temperature kiln firing.
What makes Yuki Border suitable for kitchen backsplashes?
Yuki Border combines a durable porcelain body with a concave surface and reflective glaze, creating depth while maintaining a clean and controlled surface.
Why does Yuki Border create shadow lines?
The concave profile allows light to move across the surface, creating alternating highlights and shadows.
Why does Yuki Border have variation in colour and tone?
The variation is created naturally during kiln firing, where differences in glaze thickness and temperature produce subtle tonal shifts across each tile.
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Article by Mittsu Japanese Tiles
Curated by Ian Reynolds







