Leah Sigsworth, who’s been documenting her English cottage renovation journey on TikTok, just hit the jackpot after peeling back some cheap adhesive vinyl to uncover gorgeous, original centuries-old tiles on her fireplace. If you’re a fan of old homes, you know this kind of discovery is the ultimate dream.
Sigsworth, 24, and her partner moved into their quaint Northamptonshire cottage in December 2024. The home dates all the way back to 1826, and while they were cleaning up the space, they noticed something strange covering the fireplace surround. It was a layer of simple, black and white faux tile, clearly applied by a previous owner hoping for an updated look. You can imagine the dread when you see something like that slapped over potential history.
What she found underneath, however, was pure gold. In a TikTok video posted on November 3, 2025, which has since racked up over 200,000 views, Sigsworth carefully peeled back the layer of vinyl adhesive. It revealed perfectly preserved, full-color original tiles decorated with authentic, vintage botanical designs framing the small fireplace.
Why would anyone cover this up?
Honestly, the contrast between the two designs is shocking. The previous owner’s choice was basic and simple, but the original tiles are ornate and vibrant. It’s hard to believe anyone would ever choose to hide such a stunning piece of history, but the good news is that they chose a relatively non-destructive method to cover it up.
The original tiles could be as old as the cottage itself, and home decor enthusiasts watching the reveal were genuinely relieved that the previous owner opted for peel-and-stick instead of demolition. This is the crucial detail that kept a potential restoration nightmare from becoming a reality.
For Sigsworth, the discovery was instantly transformative. She wrote “Look what we uncovered in our little 1826 English cottage today!!!!” in the video’s onscreen text, adding, “I’M OBSESSED” in the caption. If you’d found something that gorgeous, you’d probably be obsessed too.
The young homeowners are clearly planning to leave the original tiles exposed in their kitchen. Sigsworth said that the tiles are already making a huge difference, explaining, “They’ve just complemented and lifted the room so much.”
She also knew immediately that she had to share the find with her followers. She said she couldn’t avoid sharing it on TikTok. She added that she loves watching home videos herself, from organizing pantries to painting bedroom ceilings, so she felt confident others would appreciate the tile reveal as much as she did.
Published: Nov 18, 2025 11:36 am