Earth and Clay: Tierras Tiles by Patricia Urquiola for Mutina

Graphic tiles are having a moment. New from Italian tile company Mutina is Tierras, a collection by Spanish-born architect and designer Patricia Urquiola. The sand-, clay- and turquoise-colored tiles evoke earth, “sedimentation and Mediterranean craft traditions”—and are made using an eco-friendly layering process.

Photography courtesy of Mutina, except where noted.

Above: To make the tiles, colored powders are layered atop a black base of recycled ceramics, creating a muted, layered look. The Frame tile, shown in rust, adds another layer: screenprinted, overlapping lines that create pattern.

Above: Three-dimensional Little L tiles from the Tierras Artisanal collection—shown in a herringbone pattern—offer endless possibilities for adding texture to walls. Photograph courtesy of Patricia Urquiola.

Above: Base and Little L tiles in two shades of turquoise evoke the sea. Colored grouts, including the subtle blue-green used here on the wall and floor, are also available.

Above: Base tiles—inspired by bricks, laid sideways—are available in sand, white, orange, red, blue-green, and dark blue. Photograph courtesy of Patricia Urquiola.

Above: The Tierras Industrial collection features six colors: four inspired by terracotta hues, and two inspired by lava and land. The palette is “intense, deep, earthy and natural,” according to Mutina. Photograph courtesy of Patricia Urquiola.

Above: One of many possible patterns using sand and blush-colored tiles. The terracotta wall partition on the left is from Urquiola’s Tierras 3D collection for Mutina.

For more innovative tiles, see our posts:

• Mod, Customizable Tiles by Barber & Osgerby for Mutina
• The New Geometry: Tiles from an LA Artisan Company
• Subtle Printed Tiles from a UK Kitchen Upstart