Mexican Tile = Global Tile

When you think “Mexican Tile”– it’s time to think globally!  Over the last one hundred years Mexican tile has grown beyond the early Aztec, Mayan and Majolican designs of the late 1800s and early 1900s to incorporate truly global designs.

Mexican Tile Designs now carries tiles with Tuscany, Arts and Crafts, Southwest, Art Deco, Modern, Celtic, Moorish and African influenced designs.  Look at these examples:

        

Mission                           Celtic                              Southwest

        

Spanish                         Moroccan                      Moorish

          

Modern                            Italian                          French

Arts & Crafts

Ancient designs have been interpreted with modern and even oriental flair as evidenced by the work of renowned Ceramic artists Ken Edwards and Gorky Gonzales.

             

Gorky Gonzalez                         Ken Edwards

We have a decorative tile in just the right color and design for your project.

In contrast to the monochromatic , bland look popular in the last few years as evidenced by fads of travertine and granite, these global tiles will bring color, creativity and vibrancy into your home.

Please give us a call for complimentary design help! 866-320-1628 or email: info@mexicandesigns.com and let us help you make your dream come true.

Advertisement

Ideas for Using Mexican Tile in a Kitchen Backsplash

Whether you are building a new kitchen or remodeling your old kitchen, there’s nothing like the color, brilliance and beauty of authentic hand-painted Mexican tile to enhance a kitchen backsplash. A backsplash is the area right behind the sink. The area behind a counter is also referred to as the backsplash. It is an area that you see every time you use the sink or counter and often what you first see when you walk into the room. The right tile choice on the backsplash can easily brighten and add interest to the entire room. I want mine to be spectacular!

Mexican tile comes in so many gorgeous patterns and colors that it’s easy to create the kitchen backsplash that is uniquely your own. Here are some great examples I’ve found:

In the first example, a 6×6 raised relief Prima tiles were used join together into a pattern, while the second example uses a solid color tile with raised-relief decorative floral tiles interspersed to create a simple yet elegant linear design.

These next examples all use solid color tile with a decorative BORDER pattern to bring in color and excitement to the kitchen backsplash area:

      

       

As you can see, the border tile is often off-set with solid color complementary trim tile pieces. In all of these examples some of the shades of solid color tile are also set on “diamond” orientation, while others are set in “square” orientation.

In these last examples, a colorful, beautiful array of decorative Mexican tile is used to fill the entire backsplash area:

       

As you can, it all looks beautiful!  It’s hard to go wrong using Mexican tile.  To find your own unique and amazing kitchen design, first decide on the colors you LOVE.  Then choose solid color tile and decorative or border tiles that are in those colors.

If you want some help, Mexican Tile Designs offers free design help for their customers.  Start your project today by calling toll free 1-866-320-1628.

Mexican Tile Gift Ideas!

Are you searching for a totally unique gift that will be sure to please anyone on your list?  How about on of these gifts of authentic hand-painted Mexican tile?

HISTORIC MEXICAN MISSION TILES:  You can choose from a full collection of these incredible historic tiles.  Most of the missions are National Historic Landmarks and not only a unique architectural treasure, but full of the stories history of their locations.  Each of these high quality, raised-relief, ceramic tiles are 6″x6″ and are high-temperature fired for strength and durability.  One of my favorites is the Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas.

Collect all 18 of these tiles and watch for more to come!  The tiles can be used in any tile installation, perhaps surrounding a fireplace or as a border around a counter or bar. Many people also hang them or display them a individual pieces of art.  Still others use them as trivets.  Everyone enjoys them as a very special gift.

MEXICAN DAY OF THE DEAD TILES:  Mexican Tile Designs offers an incredible collection of 36 raised-relief, ceramic Day of the Dead tile designs for your collection. There is something for everyone  Who on your gift list loves cats, or dogs, surfing, baseball or hiking?  There is a wonderful whimsical skeleton tile for each of them.  Or perhaps the person on your gift list is a newlywed, or a new mother, or a couch potato–again, we have the perfect Day of the Dead tile for each of them.  Each of these fun, collectible Mexican tiles are 6″x6″, raised-relief hand-painted in bright colors in Mexico.

         

MEXICAN TILE COASTERS AND TRIVET SETS:  Everyone needs coasters and trivets to protect their wood tables from wet glasses or hot dishes.  There is a fun, colorful, hand-painted Mexican tile coaster and trivet set that is the perfect gift for every taste.

             

MEXICAN TILE HOUSE NUMBERS: Give a gift that will bring lasting joy with a set of Mexican tile house numbers. These stunning 100% ceramic, high-temperature fired tile house numbers come in 5 beautiful raised-relief designs and are weather resistant for use in all climates.  Each of these quality tiles is hand-made and hand-painted in Mexico You can even have the numbers set into a beautiful plain or ornate wrought-iron frame.

         

Remember that Mexican Tile Designs always offers free, helpful, and friendly design help.

How to use trim tile to finish a Mexican tile kitchen or bathroom countertop

There is nothing quite so striking as a Mexican tile countertop, whether in your kitchen, bathroom or outdoor bar. The possibilities are endless: you can use only solid color Mexican tiles such as a deep cobalt blue, sprinkle in Decorative Mexican tiles, add a row of Border Mexican tile, or even incorporate a Tile Mural.

Many people know the color and design they want on their kitchen or bathroom countertop, but don’t know how to trim the edges to give a beautiful finished look.

I’ll explain several options here:

1.  Trim it with cut tile:   this is the least expensive option, but requires an experienced tile setter and may not result in the finished look you are hoping for. In this option, such as in the bathroom countertop pictured above, cobalt blue tile is cut into a 1”x 4” strips to finish the top of the backsplash. In this example, 2” x4” Quarter Round Trim Tile is used to finish the front top edge of the countertop. A 2” x 4” Flor de Liz Decorative Border Tile is then applied to the vertical edge.

2.  Trim it with Surface Bullnose Trim Tile or Bullnose Return Trim Tile:  Surface bullnose is a Mexican Trim tile that has one edge that slightly curved in order to flow over the edge of the countertop, or to create a finished edge flush to a painted wall. Bullnose Return Trim tile is very similar but with a more pronounced curve on the leading finished edge.  Both most commonly come in 2” x 4” or 4” x 4” sizes. In the Mexican bathroom countertop pictured here, the edge of the  countertop is finished with cobalt blue surface bullnose.  A piece of Double Bullnose Trim tile (a finished edge on two adjacent sides) finishes the corner of the countertop.  Below, along the vertical edge, a row of 2″x4″ cobalt blue tile is used.

                             

3.  Trim it with Rail Angle Trim Tile:  Rail Angle is a Mexican trim tile designed to fit over a 90 degree edge. It has a sculpted profile that provides an elegant, rounded edge to your countertop and is my personal favorite. It generally comes in 2”x 4” and 2” x 6” sizes. In this example this lovely Mexican tile countertop is trimmed with Rail Angle that matches the Terra Cotta field tile.  The corner is finished with a Rail Cap Outside Corner trim tile.

4.  Trim it with V-Cap Edge Trim Tile:  V-Cap is a type of Mexican trim tile with a straight 90-degree shape with no rounded edge. It also works great for edging countertops and provides a clean, simple line. Check out this example of a beautiful Mexican Tile Countertop and see if you can see the difference between V-Cap and Rail Angle for your Mexican Tile Countertop.

No matter how you trim your Mexican Tile countertop, it will be sure to bring beauty into your home, not to mention plenty of compliments!  And remember that there is nothing like a hand-painted Mexican Sink to add pizzaz to your bathroom!

Mexican Tile Designs provides FREE design help to insure that your tile project turns out exactly how you dreamed it would be!  Just give us a call at 1-866-320-1628 or email us at info@mexicantiledesigns.com

Choosing Mexican ceramic sinks and matching tile

Do you hate your bathroom?  Maybe it still has a goose poop green sink from the 70’s or maybe one of those bubblegum pink things from the 80’s, imagine remodeling your bathroom instead with an affordable awesome Mexican ceramic sink.  I am constantly amazed at the variety of designs available.  I used to think they were all traditional Talavera designs, but I was SO wrong.  There is really something for every taste from Country decor to Arts and Craft to modern. Check out all these fantastic new Mexican-style sink designs at MexicanTileDesigns.com, including some amazing art sinks created by the famous Mexican ceramic artist Gorky Gonzales.  I said to Andy, the go-to guy at MTD, that I wish he could offer free shipping on all these, so more people could get them. And what do you know, he agreed and now all sinks are SHIPPED FREE within the continental U.S.  How great is that?

Ceramic Vessel art sink by Gorky Gonzales

Limon green tile by Gorky Gonzales

Here are just a few of the totally different styles of sinks I found:

      

 You can find matching or complementary tile to go with any sink both in solid color and decorative designs.  Here are a couple of ideas of how other people matched sinks and tiles when remodeling their bathrooms:

         

I love this one because of the traditional Mexican pattern and because the colors go really well with my cobalt blue towels.

Traditional Seville pattern Mexican Ceramic sink

Seville decorative Mexican tile

You will really want to look at the entire selection Mexican Tiles because there truly is a sink for every taste.  Don’t forget the FREE SHIPPING on sinks!

Talk to Andy or Jenny at Mexican Tile Designs at 1-866-320-1628 or email them at info@mexicantiledesigns.com.  They are really nice about helping with design ideas and planning.

Winner of Mexican Talavera Giveaway Sink from Mexican Tile Designs

Happy New Year from Mexican Tile Designs!

Alice from Green Valley, Arizona is the HAPPY WINNER of a free Mexican Talavera sink for connecting with Mexican Tile Designs on Facebook!  Alice wrote us that she loves the hand-painted sink that she chose, sink pattern #10328.  (link: http://store.mexicantiledesigns.com/index.php?product=10328&c=10)

Thanks to everyone who entered for the tremendous response!  It’s wonderful to see how many people love Mexican Tile Designs and our unique sinks!  Please check out our Facebook page if you haven’t already:  http://www.facebook.com/MexicanTileDesigns

Our next Facebook giveaway will be for a gorgeous 24” x 16 hand-painted Mexican mural (link: http://store.mexicantiledesigns.com/index.php?c=9) so watch for the notice!

If you’d like to receive our quarterly email newsletter with special promotions and sales, please go to www.mexicantiledesigns.com and sign up at the bottom of the home page.

How to Remodel your Bathroom using Mexican Tile and Sinks

Do you have an old worn-out bathroom with a stained fake marble countertop and an “avocado green” sink left over from the 70s? Well, you’re not alone and don’t despair!
It’s easy to completely remodel that ugly bathroom without changing any walls using gorgeous Mexican tile and sinks.

Mexican Talavera tile can brighten any room, but especially bathrooms, with a stunning Talavera design Mexican sink as the centerpiece. Mexican Tile Designs carries over 3,000 different beautiful hand-painted tile designs and over 80 Mexican sink designs. There is the perfect design for everyone whether you like a floral country look:

Or maybe a bold Mexican motif:

Or a completely unique look all your own!

Here is one method you might use to choose your own unique and striking look.

1. First choose the background or uniting color.  This may be the solid color Mexican Especial tile that you use for the countertop or for Especial Mexican trim tile, but it will be the color that ties the whole design together.   Do you like a deep cobalt blue, a washed sea green, maybe a more subdued Blanco Mexicano antique white, or a joyful yellow as in this example?

2.  Next choose a beautiful Mexican ceramic sink that carries that color.  The vast variety of Mexican and Talavera Tile and sinks allows you to completely customize according to your tastes and interests.  Do you love birds, or flowers, or fish?  There is something for everyone!  For example with a bright yellow tile, you might choose a sink like this that has yellow in it:

3.  Now choose a coordinating trim tile to use in the backsplash or maybe around the edge of the counter.  Perhaps a Mexican sink with a fish motif , inspires you to experiment with a wave trim or more fish or simply a coordinating trim.  Let your creativity loose!

Here are a few completed projects to spur your imagination:

So get rid of that ugly bathroom and create your very own masterpiece!

For a limited time, Mexican Tile Designs is offering FREE design services to help you bring your ideas to reality!  Call toll free at 1-866-320-1628 and ask for Andy.

The next blog will reverse this process, and help you start by choosing a sink and then finding complementary tile to match.

Ideas for Using Mexican Tile in your Kitchen or Bath Countertop

This gallery contains 21 photos.

One of the most common questions people ask us at Mexican Tile Designs is for ideas on using decorative tile in their kitchen, bath or laundry room decorating project.  It IS daunting sometimes.  When I’m standing in our tile warehouse … Continue reading →

Using Earth Tone Mexican Tiles in Kitchen and Bath Design

Perhaps you are someone who just isn’t crazy about a whole lot of bright color in your kitchen or bath, or maybe you’re trying to match an existing earth tone color.  I have several friends who are constantly looking for new ways to decorate around these colors. Well, don’t despair!  Mexican Tile Designs has (maybe surprisingly!)  lots of subdued earth toned tiles and sinks to choose from.

Each of our three lines: Traditional, Especial, and Prima, all some solids and patterns in warm browns and yellows.

Like our Prima line of raised relief tile , it has several tiles that would go beautifully with tan, off-white or pale yellow walls:

   

Mision                   San Miguel             Otono

 Or mix them with our lovely terra cotta or matte solid color tiles:

Café Matte            Terra Cotta

Our Especial line of premium Mexican tile has other slightly different shades:

Esmalta Compuesto    Café Claro

Amazing MTD graphic guru, Jen, played around with these and came up with a cool idea for combining them all!  I like designs like this  used as a mural in a shower or above a countertop.

These are just a few samples of earthtones from our Traditional rustic Talavera tile line:

Caramelo                Vino                           Aztreado Terra Cotta

Bouquet Natural  Lagartia Terra Cotta   Anito con Marco

Rosa del Desierto    Seville  Lagartia Terra Cotta/Azul

Again, Jen came up with this combination design!

Check out other solid color tiles in many shades of white, off white, yellow and green for each line.  I’m always amazed at all the different shades of white!

You can find hand painted brilliant and durable Mexican ceramic sinks that  go well with any colors.  Here’s just a sampling:

Truly, the only limit is your own imagination and creativity!  

Watch this blog for more design ideas and always feel free to contact us at Mexican Tile Designs.  We are happy to help!

You can also sign up for our FREE e-NEWSLETTER at the bottom of our home page, for more ideas, tips, new products, and special offers.

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~!