January 17, 2023

Handmade tile. Is there anything that exudes more charm, warmth, and character? Add a vintage or antique element to the mix, and you have tiles with even more mystique. Naturally weathered aged patinas gained over many years of use, minor chips, scuffs, and crazing are the unique characteristics of old tile that any vintage soul craves.


Colorful handmade tiles discovered in San Ramon, Costa Rica by Crossville Studios’ Dennis DiCesare, Architectural and Account Development Specialist, Houston.

“Perfectly imperfect” is a great description of handmade things, especially when it comes to tile. Irregularity is the hallmark of handcrafted tile. Edges aren’t straight, and surfaces are uneven — characteristics that add interest to even the simplest tile shapes and colors.

Handmade tiles, however, have a few downsides despite their innate beauty and unquestionable charm. Tiles crafted individually by hand are expensive. Their installation can be tricky, and cleaning and maintenance aren’t always a breeze. Vintage or antique handcrafted tiles, while fabulous to behold, are difficult to source in bulk, making large tile installations elusive for most people.
 

Handmade Tile Alternatives

Recent trends that appreciate “imperfections” as a quality of craftsmanship have led to mass-produced ceramic tile designed to resemble artisan, handmade tile. High technology in tile manufacturing means that these handmade lookalikes can stand in for the real thing, with many being none the wiser. These machine-made tiles can fool the eye, as the edges don’t look straight and the surfaces appear uneven, yet these tiles install with easy, manufactured precision. And the best part? Cleaning and maintenance are so simple — usually just warm water will do the trick.

Where to Get Tiles That Look Handmade

Fortunately, Crossville Studios offers a plethora of beautiful tiles with artisan flair. The handcrafted aesthetics will satisfy your inner “imperfectionist” while offering a handmade look at a fraction of the cost, and with all the installation and maintenance advantages you can expect from high quality manufactured tiles.

Mestizaje Ceramic Wall Tile

Our Mestizaje collection is a two-fold tribute to handcrafted tiles. The Zellige wall tiles are inspired by North African zellige craftsmanship, treasured from one generation to another. (Click over to our blog to learn more about zellige tile). Chateau floor tiles echo graceful French terracotta, offering centuries-old beauty of clay in chalky colors, embellished by the passage of time.

Zellige Wall Tile in Aqua


Chateau Floor Tile in Cotto
 

Bejmat Porcelain Floor & Wall Tile

Jump on the Moroccan tile trend that designers can't seem to get enough of with our Bejmat collection. Bejmat, a particular rectangular style of handmade zellige tiles, is considered an art in itself. Authentic bejmat tiles are produced by hand in Fez, Morocco. Our Bejmat porcelain lookalikes feature nine shaded colors and two shapes to dress entrances, patios, fireplaces, countertops, pools, and any living space. 

Bejmat in Azur & Biscuit

Zellige Hexa Ceramic Wall Tile

Homage to the Moroccan tile craze continues with vibrant colored hex shapes in the zellige tradition. One of the hallmarks of zellige is the unique finish and glaze that gives each tile a distinct appearance. Our Zellige Hexa mimics the look with a shaded blend of tones in ten luscious hues.

Zellige Hexa in Emerald

Marrakesh Ceramic and Porcelain Floor & Wall Tiles

The look of handcrafted patterned tiles can be yours with our Moroccan inspired Marakesh floor and wall tile collection. Rich colors and intricate geometric patterns  make a bold statement and provide an old-world aesthetic to any floor, wall, or backsplash.

Marrakesh in Color Mix

Casablanca Porcelain Floor & Wall Tile

Our Casablanca tile collection pays tribute to the wildly popular patterned encaustic tiles. Get the aesthetic of handcrafted cement tiles in a pure porcelain body Casablanca. Unlike their cement tile counterparts, these porcelain tiles will perform in wet or high-traffic areas while retaining their beauty for years to come.

Casablanca in Heritage Blue
 

Crafted Ceramic Wall Tile

What could be more alluring than the warmth and charm of handcrafted clay subway style? Our Crafted wall tile collection is a fusion of handmade tradition with cosmopolitan touches. This artisan-inspired tile collection is available in beautiful soft hues, plus metallics and decos with black and white motifs in a range of linear sizes.

Crafted in White & Blue

Wow Drops Porcelain Floor & Wall Tile

Inspired by European hand-poured terrazzo with embedded glass fragments, our Wow Drops floor and wall tile collection is a beautiful Mid-Century modern terrazzo reproduction in a durable dry-pressed ceramic tile suitable for residential and light commercial floor applications.



See something you love? Reach out to your nearest Crossville Studios location and ask for a free tile sample. Great design starts with a sample!