Mediterranean wall art

Bold, beautiful and versatile — add drama to your living space with Spanish tiles

Ananya Suresh

Beautiful intricate patterns, bold exciting colours —- Spanish tiles brighten up any space. As the name suggests, the story of these tiles from Spain dates back thousands of years, with patterns and colours that have lined the halls of Spanish churches, palaces and more recently, homes.

The Spanish term for these decorative tile is Majolica, which is distinctive by its milky-white glaze. Around the 17th century, the name Talavera (after the Spanish ceramic center of Talavera de la Reina) also became synonymous with tinglazed pottery.

The most popular is the Mexican Saltillo tile. This clay tile is known to be one of the most durable terracotta floor tiles. And, it’s also affordable as a flooring choice for Spanish-style homes. Plus, there are so many options with this rustic style of flooring. Not only are Spanish tiles beautiful but strong too. Spanish tiles can withstand daily wear and tear or moisture, and most importantly, survive the constantly changing design trends of our times!

You can introduce these tiles into your home in multiple ways. Varieties of these tiles come in appealing colours, bold patterns in lines and stripes. Intricate patterns using different designs on each tile can be made. These can be put together as multiple tiles and the look will transform any space altogether.

The kitchen backsplash, especially when it is an open kitchen, has a great influence on the overall feel of the house. Use these unique coloured tiles as a backsplash, to bring joy and excitement through the house. And to make cooking more fun.

The patterned tiles come as a great combination to the plain tiles. Clever pairing of designs Can be used to bring focus to a specific space in a house, whether it be an entry foyer, the kitchen flooring, or a small study space.

They also make great wall features. A singular tile or a few of them placed in a pattern can replace an artwork in your home. Try them as wainscoting, or as an alternative to traditional crown moulding. You can also use them as staircase risers, multiple patterns and different tiles to make your stairwell an interesting space. Make sure you pick up material for the thread that matches the tile. Spanish tiles have endless options for decoration. Dining tables, bathroom storage niches, bathroom dado or floor tiles - the list goes on and on. All you need is an imagination and a the canvas of a wall or the floor. Pick a space and try out your creativity with these tiles!