NEW raised-relief Malibu-style tile!

Mexican Tile Designs has doubled our Prima tile line of hand-painted, raised relief decorative tiles! 

Each tile in our Prima line of premium Santa Barbara style tile is painstakingly painted by hand over stenciled lines that separate the different colors and prevent them from running during the firing process.  The technique was developed to give this vibrant tile the look of an elegant mosaic. 

The Prima tile line is also sometimes referred to as Malibu tile or Santa Barbara tile because the technique was rediscovered in this county in California.  Some people also refer to it as Moorish tile.  It is especially popular in ocean front properties, outdoor kitchens, Arts and Craft bungalows, and mountain homes.  The color schemes for this tile cover the range from earth tones to brilliant colors. Our Prima decorative tile line combines the use of both matt and gloss glazes that together with the raised relief aspect create a captivating visual and tactile experience.  Mexican Tile Designs carries over 7 unique Mission and Arts and Craft style tiles alone in this line of incredible raised relief tile.

To make these beautiful tiles even more perfect, they are extremely durable, having been fired at very high temperatures.  Prima hand-painted, raised relief Mexican tile can enhance any indoor or outdoor project, including in the kitchen, bathroom, water features, pools, outdoor kitchens and patios.

Check out our entire Prima line of premium Mexican Tile!

Mexican Tile Designs is happy to fill any order, no matter how small!  So order samples today of this exquisite, sensual tile line and experience their quality and beauty first-hand!

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Mexico Adventure Sourcing Tile and Murals: San Miguel Allende!

Our last stop on our two-week trip seeking out the best Talavera tile, sinks, and murals we could find for Mexicantiledesigns.com was San Miguel Allende in the state of Guanajuato.  It is a fascinating city, home to foreigners from all over the world.  Like the city of Guanajuato we just left, it too is full of beautiful cathedrals and architecture from the 17^th and 18^th centuries.

Its charming narrow brick streets are full of ex-patriots from all over the world.

We were lucky enough to arrive right in the middle of the Carnival festival when the main plaza was full of families, music, food and merriment.  These two large colorful ladies strolled the park while children of all ages dashed around throwing blown eggs filled with confetti at anyone who walked by.

Just outside of San Miguel, we saw a fantastic tiled kitchen wall inset with Mexican platters!  What a great idea!

While we don’t yet carry platters like these at Mexicantiledesigns.com, we do carry a selection of lovely  murals like this one which could have a similar stunning effect as the centerpiece to a tiled wall, or over the stove, or in a shower.  Check them all out and use your own creativity to make your own home into a totally unique  work of art!

All too soon we had to leave Mexico.  We will miss the people, the food, and the artistry we found there, but are happy to be able to bring some of it back with us to Durango, Colorado and to share it with YOU through Mexican Tile Designs!

Mexico Adventure Sourcing Tile and Sinks: Guanajuato!

We spent four amazing days in Guanajuato, walking the steep, narrow cobblestone “roads” barely wide enough for a car. Many don’t even allow cars and the warren of alleys that climb up the hillsides are so narrow in places that it’s possible for one person to reach out and touch both walls at once! The houses appear to built one on top of the other in a multicolored array as seen in this picture taken from the baseball stadium.

One day we made the obligatory tourist climb up to El Pipila hilltop monument. The view of this colorful city from the top was worth every step!  Here’s Teresa, Andy and Rich atop El Pipila hill. 

We loved just wandering the alleys, exploring the amazing cathedrals, plazas and markets in Guanajuato, and spent most of our time searching street stalls for tiles and sinks like those we carry at Mexicantiledesigns.com!

In the evening, we would often eat dinner and desert with cappuccino at two or even three different establishments, just to experience as much ambience and amazing cuisine as possible. We hated to leave this intriguing and beautiful city, but we only had a few days left to explore San Miguel Allende!

Stay tuned~!

How Mexican Tile Designs was born

Utah Canyon Country

The Idea

It’s hard to believe that it has been almost 2 years since my wife and I came up with the idea of creating a website that would be a resource for those who share our love for Mexican Talavera designs. We were heading back from a long weekend in the sandstone canyon country of Southeastern Utah. We were so into the discussion that we missed our turnoff and wound up taking a scenic tour of the Navajo Indian reservation which was great except our fuel gauge was square on empty. Well we made it to a gas station and on towards home excited with the idea of creating Mexican Tile Designs!

The Partners and buddy Raider

The Partnership

After months and months of scheming we needed to involve someone who had experience with importing  product from Mexico. We knew just the folks to approach with the idea. Rich and Jen Brown own a wonderful store, Artesanos Design Collection, here in Durango Colorado that is full of beautiful furniture, accessories and art from all over Mexico. Everytime I wander through the store, I discover new things tucked away here and there. Artesanos had the importing infrastructure in place but not the time and energy to expand into Talavera products. They too, were excited with the idea and a great partnership was formed.

The warehouse is stocked and ready

Making it Real

We have spent almost 7 months designing and developing the website, and loading the product description and inventory into the database. Looking at it now, I am struck with the same feeling I get when reaching the top of our many peaks here in Southern Colorado. It takes the same steady pace to make either goal a reality. The website will never be completely “finished”. We are committed to continuous quality improvement in all that we do and are on the constant prowl to find new and unique items that celebrate the spirit and beauty of the Mexican people. We are excited about the inventory we have put together for you and are planning another buying trip for the near future. We hope you will spend some time on our website www.mexicantiledesigns.com and return often as we continue to bring in new items for you to choose from.  As always, please do not hesitate to give us a call or send us an email with your comments and suggestions!