November 18, 2023

One of the hottest design trends today, Terracotta, has permeated all aspects of interior design. It’s a color, it’s a material, and it’s a finish. From terracotta tiles and clay pots to paint colors, fabrics, and other decorative items, terracotta speaks of craftsmanship, heritage, and tactility. Colors in the terracotta realm include hues such as burnt orange, rust, salmon, coral, peach, tangerine, and persimmon. Terracotta floors, walls, and terracotta-colored wall paints and textiles are associated with warmth and a comfortable lifestyle. The shade is uplifting, refreshing, and grounding.

A Brief History of Terracotta

Terracotta in Ancient Times

Translated from Italian, terracotta literally means “baked earth.” This ancient material dates back thousands of years: in Chinese Pottery (from 10,000 BCE), Greek Pottery (from 7,000 BCE), and Mesopotamian and Egyptian arts and sculptures. The oldest known work of terracotta sculpture (26,000 - 24,000 BCE) was found at a Stone Age settlement in the Moravian basin in the Czech Republic. This prehistoric art piece is known as the Venus of Dolní Věstonice.



By "Petr Novák, guidance: Danny B., CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia CommonsCitation: Venus of Dolní Věstonice. (2023, September 13). In Wikipedia.

The Chinese Terracotta Army, considered one of the greatest works in the sphere of terracotta sculpture, was made during the time of Qin Dynasty art (221-206 BCE). The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor to protect him in his afterlife.

Terracotta Army, J mhullot, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Terracotta in the 19th Century

In the 19th Century, the Arts and Crafts movement approved terracotta as a building material, as it was considered a handmade material designed by artisans. From 1860 to 1970, architects in England and America used unglazed terracotta to ornament the outer walls of buildings.

Aside from its literal translation, “terracotta” refers to ceramics made from terracotta clay or the clay itself. Terracotta clay has a high iron oxide content, and the amount of iron in the clay determines the color.  Terracotta may appear cream, tan, dark brown, yellow, red, orange, pink, or grey. Terracotta tiles were handcrafted into many different shapes, making each tile unique. Common shapes were square, rectangular, hexagon, and parquet.

One superb example of a terracotta facade is the Natural History Museum in London. The museum has an ornate terracotta facade typical of high Victorian architecture. The terracotta moldings represent the past and present diversity of nature.


Natural History Museum in London, by Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Bell Edison Telephone Building in Birmingham, England, is a fantastic example of Victorian terracotta architecture.

By Oosoom at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
 

Terracotta in the 20th Century

What do the three of the most iconic buildings of the early 20th Century have in common? The Flat Iron Building in New York, the Artic Club Building in Seattle, and the Wrigley Building in Chicago all feature intricate terracotta cladding. In the early 20th Century, glazed terracotta tiles mimicked elaborately carved stone, making the material a popular choice for building exteriors.

 

Flat Iron Building in NYC by Fred PO, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Arctic Club in Seattle, by Hbobrien, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons



Wrigley Building in Chicago, by Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Glazed terracotta tiles also became extremely popular for the school's interiors and exteriors,  hospitals, and other spaces requiring special hygienic conditions.

Although architectural terracotta largely disappeared by the mid-20th Century, there is an active market today for terracotta restoration products to maintain the legacy of landmark terracotta buildings. 
 

21st Century Terracotta 

Not only has terracotta been an available building and sculptural for thousands of years, but it also has a long history of being popular. Think of terracotta sculptural art and exterior cladding, Spain’s terracotta roofs, the terracotta brick courtyards found in the South’s oldest cities, and the terracotta floors of provincial French cottages of 150 years ago.

Today’s surge in popularity shows that terracotta tiles are still on trend. But for superior durability and easy maintenance, terracotta-inspired ceramic and porcelain tiles are often better alternatives, especially for areas prone to high traffic or moisture. 

Let's look at our ceramic and porcelain terracotta-inspired tiles selections, plus a new line made from...well, actual terracotta! 

Mestizaje Ceramic Tile 

Mestizaje's Chateau floor tiles are inspired by graceful French antique terracotta, with the beauty of clay in chalky colors embellished by the passage of time.

Cotto Moderno Porcelain Tile

Cotto Modernao floor and wall tile collection is a stunning line of whitewashed colored terracottas, naturally aged and shaded in the sand, cotton, graphite, grey, and off-white. This durable porcelain tile is strong enough to withstand the demands of commercial environments, indoors or outdoors. 

For interior floors, all walls, and water lines, two 8" hexagon formats and a unique 2"x16" porcelain tile bring visual texture to contemporary interiors.

For walls only, the line offers an undulating 3"x10" ceramic brick that feels as if made by hand.

Bejamt Porcelain Tile

Our Bejmat floor and wall tile collection is inspired by the iconic Moroccan Zellige trend. The tiles have a handmade look, with many colorways lending a terracotta vibe.  

Roots Porcelain Tile

Our Roots floor and wall tile collection offers an authentic, aged terracotta look and can be used anywhere, particularly outdoors. 

Mud Porcelain Tile

Showcasing an organic-based color palette linked by earth and two traditional decors, “paths” and “pottery,” Mud floor and wall tile breathes authenticity and character into designs. 


 Mud in Terra square and in Pottery diamond shape. 

Stardust Porcelain Tile 

A terracotta look with a twist!! The Stardust floor and wall tile collection is inspired by outer space; the matte, artisanal-look tiles look as though stellar and lunar particles have landed on the surface. 

Icon Terracotta Tile

Simple, light, and devoid of decoration, Icon terracotta tile offers minimalist character in geometric perfection. These authentic terracotta pieces can be custom colored for endless design possibilities.  



Looking to incorporate the hottest design trends into your interior design? These terracotta-inspired collections are just some of the on-trend tile styles Crossville Studios offers. Our tile pros at 27 dedicated locations are ready to assist you in exploring the latest tile trends and help you specify your tile projects with confidence. Connect with us today!