Make a Statement with Talavera Tile

November 6, 2014

Looking for way to spice up your home? Incorporate some Talavera Tile into your design mix. Colorful and festive, this vibrant tile is the perfect way to add an accent to any room. With origins rooted in the fair city of Puebla Mexico, making Talavera tile is a craft undertaken by skilled artisans and pottery craftsmen. They use various types of native clay that are indigenous to the area. This is a must in order for the tile to be unique and carry the name Talavera. The pieces are handcrafted using a potter's wheel and sealed with glazes that contain lead and tin. Initially, only cobalt blue was used as a pigment. If you find some older pieces you will definitely notice this. Cobalt blue was the most expensive pigment making it highly desirable and sought after as a status symbol of prestige. !

Eventually, other pigments made their way into the mix such as black, green, yellow, blue, mauve, and orange. No other colors are allowed since Talavera only uses those six colors. Each pigment has to be all natural as well. No artificial pigments whatsoever are allowed to be used if the tile wishes to be called Talavera. Yet, since they are made from all natural products, they can take a bit longer to produce. Some pieces take as long as three or four months to complete. This makes the pieces a bit more expensive than normal tile. However, you are paying for a hand crafted quality piece, and unique artisan design. It takes a true craftsman to understand Talavera. In fact, the rules are so strict that the only tile allowed to have the name Eventually, other pigments made their way into the mix such as black, green, yellow, blue, mauve, and orange. No other colors are allowed since Talavera only uses those six colors. Each pigment has to be all natural as well. No artificial pigments whatsoever are allowed to be used if the tile wishes to be called Talavera. Yet, since they are made from all natural products, they can take a bit longer to produce. Some pieces take as long as three or four months to complete. This makes the pieces a bit more expensive than normal tile. However, you are paying for a hand crafted quality piece, and unique artisan design. It takes a true craftsman to understand Talavera. In fact, the rules are so strict that the only tile allowed to have the name Talavera are those that are purchased from an approved artisan workshop. This way the tiles authenticity and quality are without question. are those that are purchased from an approved artisan workshop. This way the tiles authenticity and quality are without question.

Tips and Ideas for Using Talavera

If your kitchen back splash is looking a bit dull, use a few pieces to breathe some life into the space. Since there are five or six colors in each piece, you can usually find a connecting point no matter the color scheme in your kitchen. To add visual interest, try incorporating only three or four pieces into your back splash. To create a statement piece, cover your entire back splash with Talavera for an eye-popping colorful feast!

Talavera can be used outside as well. They are perfect for facing stairs since they will not get much direct use. It is not recommended that you use Talavera tile for walkways due to their delicate nature. These pieces are meant to be seen more so then used. Just make sure to keep that in mind. Walking on them could cause the tiles to crack or break. Beyond back splashes and floors, how about a few other ideas? Set a few pieces together, frame them, and stick them on your wall for a unique piece of art. If you have pieces that have been discarded after a project, turn them into makeshift coasters or trivets. There are so many possibilities that you will want to keep revisiting our Talavera tile for all your design needs.

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