Hacienda Dreaming: Traditional Tile Sources
Author:Abigail Stone 
This time of year makes me wish I lived in an old hacienda, with bougainvillea climbing up the walls, the windows always flung open, and cool tiles beneath my feet. But rather than trawling real estate listings, I’ll daydream instead of recreating the look in my own home with colorful ceramics like these, made using traditional methods that date back hundreds of years.
A floor covered in any of Granada Tiles’ (shown above) chic patterns would be almost to pretty to walk on. The L.A.-based company follows a technique developed in 19th century France in which pigments are poured into intricate metal molds, covered in cement and left to cure in the sun. The approach cuts down on energy use (no kiln required), there are no toxins in their products, and their production process creates no waste. Sustainable and beautiful? I think I’m in love.
San Diego’s Tierra y Fuego relies on crafting traditions that date back to the late 1500s in Mexico, where the company’s production continues today. Tiles are made from clay that’s been fired, glazed, and fired again, creating a polished sheen. The decorative glazing is done by hand without the help of a mold, meaning each individual piece comes out with it’s own unique characteristics.
Each style is grounded in history, but the overall look varies incredibly. In either case though, I’d gladly continue the tradition in my home.
