Plain whites, greys & blacks

The plain tile, the architect’s raw material

There is a kind of elegant radicalism in choosing a plain cement tile. Where a pattern tells a story, a plain tile asserts a material: its slightly matt texture, its mineral density, the way light glides across its surface throughout the day. White, grey and black are never just neutral colours; they are a field for composition. This is the quality architects and decorators look for when they want to let a volume breathe, showcase a generous ceiling height or pair a mineral floor with raw wood, brass or natural stone.

At Cimenterie de la Tour, every plain black, white or grey cement tile is handmade using a centuries-old cold-pressing process that gives the material a depth and a slight surface irregularity entirely absent from industrial tiles. It is precisely this authenticity that allows the plain tile to fit into a minimalist Scandinavian interior as well as a characterful renovation with a Parisian loft feel.

A palette from white to black, designed for every atmosphere

White, in our range, is never a cold, clinical white: it keeps the warmth of cement, a slightly chalky tone that beautifully catches natural light. Laid as 20×20 squares in a sun-drenched kitchen, it enlarges the space and creates a bright, almost Mediterranean atmosphere. Combined with light wood kitchen fronts or a glass workshop partition, it becomes the discreet foundation of a contemporary interior.

Grey, from the palest to the deepest, is probably the most versatile shade in our collection of plain grey cement tiles. A pearl grey dresses a bathroom with softness, while an anthracite grey structures an entrance hall or an office with resolutely urban elegance. Grey has the rare quality of matching every other colour in the house, making it a favourite for projects where the tiles must work with existing furniture.

Black, finally, is the shade of affirmation. A plain black cement tile laid as diamonds or hexagons in an entrance creates a striking, almost sculptural graphic effect, especially with light walls and careful lighting. It is a colour worth daring in small spaces, where it brings unexpected depth, or as a contrasting band to highlight a specific area, such as a kitchen island or a doorway.

Five shapes, endless compositions

The richness of our plain range lies not only in colour but also in the variety of shapes available. The square, the historic cement tile format, remains a safe bet for a classic checkerboard or a continuous layout. The hexagon, highly sought-after in contemporary interiors, introduces an organic rhythm and a sense of movement, particularly successful in bathrooms and kitchens with soft lines.

The octagon, often combined with a small square tile in a contrasting colour at its intersection, immediately evokes the old floors of mansions and Haussmann buildings, while fitting perfectly into a contemporary renovation. The longer rectangle plays on perspective and structures a hallway or entrance by accentuating its length. Finally, the diamond brings strong graphic dynamism, particularly appreciated for creating friezes, borders or striking chevron compositions.

This variety of shapes, available across our entire plain white, grey and black palette, lets you design fully bespoke floors: a light grey square background with a black diamond border, or a white hexagon paired with an anthracite octagon for a subtle, controlled patchwork effect. This freedom of composition makes the plain tile a design tool in its own right, far beyond a simple surface covering.

Creating a mineral, timeless atmosphere

Working with plain cement tiles in white, grey or black means choosing an atmosphere that will never go out of style. These neutral, mineral shades move through trends without ever looking dated, making them a particularly sound investment for long-term projects. They also leave plenty of room to evolve: an interior with plain tiles can change its furniture, wall colours or accessories over the years without ever undermining the coherence of the floor.

In a kitchen, a mouse-grey plain tile provides a sober base that showcases a colourful splashback or a natural stone worktop. In a bathroom, a gradient of greys from lightest to darkest creates depth and a subtle play of shadows, close to the aesthetic of a contemporary spa.

Cimenterie de la Tour support, from idea to installation

Designing a floor in plain white, grey and black cement tiles requires a careful eye for shades, shapes and possible combinations. Our team supports you at every stage: advice on colour and shape combinations, physical samples so you can judge the material in real conditions, and technical recommendations on the right installation for your project. Our showroom in Lavérune also lets you touch the material and see our compositions in situ.

Whether you are considering an entirely plain floor, a two-tone composition or the addition of a decorative border, our range of plain black, white and grey cement tiles gives you the raw material for a project that is pared-back, durable and deeply personal. Feel free to contact us or request a quote to bring your project to life.