You endured design planning for your home. You suffered through a messy demolition. You spent the money. You subjected yourself to construction delays, mistakes, and disheveled chaos. You achieved greatness. You made your happy place. But are you getting the most out of your handmade Mexican tile? Does it prominently illustrate your sense of style, personality, and artistry? If not, keep reading.
If you’ve read anything I’ve written in the past, you know that I’m a big proponent for your home to fully express your most authentic self. It’s your space. Your home is where you create memories to last a lifetime. If what you create is aesthetically appealing to others, too, then BOOMTOWN!
I’ve seen a lot of homes and commercial spaces over the years that perfectly display handmade Mexican tile. You can too on our feature in World’s Greatest TV Show. The intriguing part of the Mexican tiles that we sell is that every piece comes with a story. It delights me when our customers ask, “How is it made?” or “Where does it come from?” This stirs nostalgic emotions deep in my soul. I’ve been with the people who make our tiles. I speak to them every day. They’re making their own pieces of artwork which you, in return, interpret and bring to life in your home. And I talk to a lot you. (It’s a win-win for little ‘ole me!)
With advances in technology and a globalized world, people are finally paying attention to the origin and culture of products. Handmade Mexican tile should tell a story in your space, so let’s ensure that happens!
Tip 1: Colors. Saltillo tile is our most popular handmade Mexican tile. Since it comes in 3 color finishes, there is a lot of room to play with color. Each color finish has its unique range of variations. Traditional Saltillo, for example, has the familiar look of terracotta seen around the world. Manganese Saltillo is a great solution for someone who wants neutral tones that can extend into many design styles. And Antique Saltillo has a warm blend of rustic colors and textures.
Learn more about Saltillo tile in this Ultimate Guide to Saltillo Tile Flooring.
Handmade Mexican tile floors set the foundation for all other elements of your decor style. Consider your paint palette to pull out colors from the floor that you want to accentuate. Or vice versa, your paint colors can tone down the overall look of your flooring while bringing attention to other architectural elements. Play around with paint and wall finishes. You’ll be amazed at what wall colors and textures can do to cozy up your space.
Another strategic play on colors materializes in your chosen accents. Consider this floor with colorful Talavera, painted tile inserts. These command attention as the floor has become an expression of art.
Cement tiles on stair risers are a bold option. In this wedding venue, the bride cascades down Manganese saltillo stair coping tiles with her dress framed by a classic look of the soft tones of an old-world style design.
Tip 2: Texturize. If you’re like me, you don’t like carpet. It’s dirty, absorbs smells, and wears quickly over time. But spaces like bedrooms demand the warmth of some texture to soften the hardscape. Solution? Area rugs, plush window treatments, fluffy pillows! What’s better than a fluffy pillow that smells like lavender in a bedroom? Make it a relaxing room loaded with texture contrasts to get the most out of your handmade Mexican tile.
See what I mean? This one-room apartment is a daring piece. Patchwork Cement Tile covers the entire floor throughout the bedroom and bathroom, up the wall as a backdrop for its bed, and gives a flat, decorative surface for the countertop. Now look beyond the tile at a mixture of textures. A shag, plush carpet softens the mood. An understated, simple bedding choice pairs down the amalgam of tile designs. The antique door with metal bars is yet another hard surface but throws a vintage characteristic into an otherwise modern space. Oh, Oh, Oh! And FLUFFY pillows! They smell like lavender, I’m sure!
In the bathroom, metallic black tiles fill the shower alongside these handmade Mexican tiles. (Yes, cement tile can be used in a shower as long as they are sealed well. Keep reading to see more details about sealer benefits.) Do you see the chrome trim liner around the outer edge of the shower? It’s another play on the texture of metals to pull all of these design elements together. Details matter.
Tip 3: Function. If nothing else, handmade Mexican tile should give you a bundle of functionality. The best way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your handmade Mexican tile is to verify it’s installed and maintained properly. This doesn’t mean that your floor sucks the life out of you and your pocketbook, though. Planning is essential in this respect.
Speak with your installer and rely on solid advice from our Mexican tile experts to safeguard your flooring investment. Proper tile setting and installation materials must be used for any handmade tile. Here is an article about choosing the best grout colors for Mexican tile.
Then, extend the life of your floor and reduce overall maintenance by investing in a quality topcoat sealer. Learn more about the Mexican tile sealers that we offer. Whether it’s our sealer or a sealer from another company, save yourself the heartache and unnecessary cost by applying a top-quality sealer that is proven to last several years.
All of your other decor elements won’t matter if you have to rip up, resurface, or repair flooring. Remember the messy demolition you’ve already experienced? Don’t suffer through it again. Your handmade Mexican tile floor should be extremely functional so you can focus on other aspects of your happy space.
Not sure what handmade Mexican tile is best for you? That’s why we’re here! We won’t try to talk you into something that’s not best for your space. At Rustico, we consider ourselves to be educators of handmade Mexican tile. If, after speaking with you, we think that our tile isn’t ideal for your style, you’ll get an honest answer from us. But if it IS your style, we will do everything we can to earn your business. Contact us to learn more. It’s important to us that you Make Every Space Count!
