tequilasource.com
Tequila is North America’s first distilled spirit, and has been produced in México since shortly after the Spanish conquered the country in the early 1500s.
To be classified as tequila, it must be made from no less than 51% Weber blue agave. Better and high-end tequilas are made from 100% Weber blue agave. Today’s fine tequilas are highly coveted by collectors worldwide—for both the smooth aromatic liquor and the handcrafted decorative bottle.
México’s tequila producers, almost all located in a one hundred-mile radius of the town of Tequila in Jalisco State, distill hundreds of brands, some the old way – in small lots in tiny family-run fabricas – most in ultra-modern distilleries. As of January 31, 2011, there are 142 registered tequila distilleries producing 1,155 certified brands. These producers are often using artisans to create unique hand-blown glass, crystal, ceramic, and Talavera pottery bottles that savvy collectors are snapping up like fine vintages of wine.
Click here to get more information on talavera pottery.
Click here to get more information on talavera pottery mexico.
Click here to get more information on talavera tile.
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ibtimes.com
Gracia studio have completed an interesting architecture project located in Todos Santos, Mexico made up of two houses, one available for rent and the other one as a vacation home for the owners. Two basic materials were used for the finishing touch of the project’s facade: “talavera” tiles, a typical materials in México since the Spanish conquest and exposed concrete walls. These make the residence embed perfectly in its natural environment.
All the rooms in the house are open towards the pool and terrace which provides easy access to the outdoors. The focal point of this home however remains its beautiful semi-covered pool, a perfect space for socializing and relaxation. We found out that the residence was built with a relatively small budget, despite its highly intriguing appearance.
interiordesignpartners.com
Since ancient times, tile has been used for both construction and decorative purposes. It’s been an essential component throughout the history of building and design.
As early as 4000 BC, glazed tiles were used for decoration in Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia. From China and the Far East, to the Near East and throughout Europe, tile became a prominent art form as well as a beautiful and durable building material.
Tile fabrication methods and patterns have long had meaning to different regions of the world, and varied designs from different countries are now easily recognizable. Consider for example Delft from the Netherlands, Majolica from Italy, or Mexico’s intricate, decorative Talavera tiles. In each region, fabrication and decorative techniques have been carefully guarded and passed down through generations.
While handmade tile is still available, machine-made tile dominates the industry today. With the wide range of tile types available, guides and ratings for porcelain versus non-porcelain ceramic and natural stone tiles can be very helpful and informative, for both designers and consumers alike. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) website offers an an excellent summary for the beginner.
Knowledge about different grout types and applications is critical, and can help one avoid last minute confusion that arises all too often during installations. Grout can be a blended background color that allows the tile to shine, or it can become part of the overall design, creating a pronounced grid and strong graphic effect. The Tile Doctor website is an excellent resource for learning about installation techniques such as surface preparation, joint types, and grout types and uses for flooring, shower and bath, countertops, and more.
From natural materials to high-tech innovations in tile, the range of options has expanded greatly in recent years. Glass tile, metal tile, tumbled natural stone tile, and even light-emitting tiles have all hit the market and are widely popular today. Mixing and matching different tile types has become popular recently. One such example involves the incorporation of metal tiles in stone or other natural tile designs.
The huge assortment of tile types and materials available today enables designers and their clients to create unique and personalized bathrooms, kitchens, sunrooms, floor designs, and more while carrying on the tradition begun many thousands of years ago.
Click here to get more information on talavera tile mexico
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – May 12, 2011 – COLORADO SPRINGS, CO –La Fuente Imports is now able to offer their clientele the beautiful, hand-crafted and painted Talavera tiles with Day of the Dead motifs. These eye-catching accent pieces are great for placing in kitchens, baths, hanging on the wall around your indoors’ bar area or outside party area. Also, the decorative ceramic tiles are perfect for covering the risers on a staircase. In order to ‘waste not’, use your left-over tiles as excellent coasters and trivets. One the practical side, these tiles may serve for both decorative and functional purposes, simultaneously. Andy Fuentes, owner of La Fuente, is even offering a special on these spectacular tiles – “Buy by the box and save 20 percent!”
Little has changed in the manufacturing process of Talavera tiles, since their inception in Mexico in 1653, when a potters’ guild was formed to regulate their manufacturing. Today, the basic process remains virtually the same.
The Day of the Dead is a festivity which originated in Mexico over 500 years ago, to honor their dead in the after-life. It is also a celebration of life after death, and takes place each year on the 2nd of November. Though now considered a Catholic festivity, other countries are also now celebrating this date with parades.
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About La Fuente Imports Since 1997, La Fuente Imports is the Internet’s top source for the finest in home furnishings, accessories, and artwork from south of the border. They are proud to provide a pleasant shopping experience by offering the most original items available from Mexico, Central and South America, all at very affordable prices. At La Fuente Imports they work directly with every artist and hand-select each piece to ensure the highest possible quality and variety for their customers.
La Fuente Imports has transitioned to an internet-based business and therefore no longer offers a brick and mortar storefront. The Colorado Springs warehouse is available to pick up merchandise by appointment only. Visit them at www.lafuente.com.
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oldvallarta.com
One of the things I like about Mexico is its copious use of beautiful tile, often handmade.
The Talavera tiles from the city of Puebla, which are distinguished by their milky-white glaze, are justifiably famous around the world — and like champagne from France, tile can only be called Talavera if it’s from Puebla.
But several years ago a Puerto Vallarta tile merchant had a problem with his Puebla suppliers being unable to get enough tile to fill his orders — so he spent much time and work recreating “Talavera” pottery closer to home.
Now, in his Vallarta store, you can find a great selection of the most gorgeous, high-quality tiles and other ceramics — including Talavera-style — in the quantities you need.
Click here to get more information on talavera tile mexico. Mundo del Azulejos (Tile World) has been, for 20 years, the family enterprise of Señor Benigno Ibarra Castañeda. He has trained a new generation in the ancient Talavera processes, from the makers of the blank tiles (in the Valle Nayarit) to the glazers and artisans who decorate them (in Puerto Vallarta).
In addition to tiles, you’ll find Talavera-style sinks, serving platters, dishes, wall murals, house numbers, and more. You can shop online but prices are confusing, variously in pesos and dollars.
Why not visit Sr. Castañeda’s store in person at Venustiano Carranza 374, Col. Emiliano Zapata? If you’re like me, you’ll want to take with you only as much money as you can afford to spend, because everything’s way too attractive….
virtualvallarta.com
As you discover Puerto Vallarta, it is difficult to miss the ubiquitous oval-shaped ceramic door signs outside many of its buildings, or the square hand-painted tiles that adorn their different rooms, or the ornate plant holders, picture frames, plates, mugs and even bathroom sinks available for sale in many of our gift shops. In fact, this type of ceramic, known as Talavera, is the oldest of its type in America and is still manufactured today using essentially the same techniques as when it originally arrived from Spain.
A Long Time Ago… Many Spaniards settled in Mexico after conquering the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521, marking the beginning of the colonial period, which lasted until 1810. Among them, a group of Dominican preachers from Talavera de la Reina, a city in the western part of the province of Toledo, Spain, took it upon themselves to share religious teachings with Mexican natives in the city of Puebla.
Even at that time and to this date, Talavera de la Reina was well known throughout Europe for its fine ceramic work. Accidents do happen, however, and soon the dishes the Dominicans carefully packed and traveled to the new world with began to chip and even break. Confronted with a dilemma, they had to choose between importing more dishes from Spain, a costly and time-consuming affair, and training their local followers to create their own. They chose the latter. Soon enough, people became interested in purchasing the at-the-time nameless brand of ceramics, which became known as Talavera, and one of Puebla’s two most enduring traditions, mole poblano the other. Furthermore, this became a most profitable way for the Dominicans to fund the construction of new churches and monasteries.
Today, Talavera earthenware is better known as such in Mexico than in its city of origin. And while it continues to be at the zenith of its manufacture, Puerto Vallarta has positioned itself as an important source of this treasured staple of Mexican craft.
Talavera is produced locally at Mundo de Azulejos, a small, unassuming factory / showroom located in South Side. In the beginning, founder Benigno “Benny” Ibarra imported Talavera from Puebla, but due to inconsistent manufacturers and increasingly unpredictable delivery schedules he had to make similar decisions to those of the Dominican preachers, eventually opting to produce locally using regional materials. It took Ibarra over three years of trial and error to harness the local clay to produce his own ceramic pieces and the minerals required to paint them in a much more humid climate than Puebla’s. And while many manufacturers today rely on machinery to produce carbon copies of each piece, Ibarra chose to stick to the tradition of producing and painting his by hand, infusing them with uniqueness and originality.
the process A visit to Mundo de Azulejos is a study in contrast. The street level and second-story showrooms are replete with a colorful variety of tiles, planters, bathroom fixtures, kitchen murals and tableware. Meanwhile, the factory occupies the third and fourth stories, with a nonstop whirlwind of artisans meticulously hand-painting the myriad pieces. These are made with clay that is collected from the Valley of Nayarit, shaped in molds and allowed to dry naturally, a process that takes approximately eight to 10 days. Once dry, pieces are quite fragile and must be sanded and fired to prepare them for the decorative process. Thousands of such pieces are stored in the warehouse, waiting to be decorated.
Production manager Eduardo Castro supervises a crew of artisans, many of whom were hired with pre-existing talent but further trained specifically to work with clay. Each of these artisans sits at a production station, surrounded by various mineral-based paints and brushes. Pieces are first coated with white enamel and then painted individually, always by hand, sometimes aided by plastic stencils. On average, it takes each artisan between 10 and 30 minutes to paint an individual tile. The colors used are deceptively soft, pastel-like. The pieces come to life with strikingly rich colors as if by magic, however, when they are fired for five hours at a temperature of 1100° Celsius (2012° Fahrenheit) in any of Mundo de Azulejos’ six enormous gas kilns.
“This is no small potatoes,” comments Castro, who’s been with the company for 12 years. “We only fire the kilns once a day. It takes approximately 30 minutes for them to come to the proper temperature. Once we close them, there is no turning back.” With an average monthly gas bill of $2,000 USD, there is little margin for error; nevertheless, this enthusiastic crew is able to produce a custom-inscribed wall plaque, a popular souvenir, in 24 – 48 hours.
Quality does not come cheap. Since traditional Talavera must be painted by hand, manufacture and labor costs can make it slightly more expensive than other types of pottery. Regardless, people from all over the world, from Hollywood personalities to Arabian royalty, have chosen to decorate their homes with Talavera produced here in Puerto Vallarta.
By Paco Ojeda
lafuente.com
The world of interior design knows Talavera pottery as an ornate style of ceramics produced solely in Mexico by proud local artisans. These vibrantly colored, handcrafted works of art have been fashioned in the same way for centuries and appreciated for their quality and aesthetics for just as long. So what is it about Mexican Talavera that makes it so special?
As you can imagine, Mexican Talavera has a long and rich history. Named after the Spanish village of Talavera de la Reina, this renowned ceramic art boasts a melting pot of multiculturalism. The Spanish contribution dates back to the invasion of the Moors, who brought their knowledge of ceramics from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and which was later refined by a combination of the Italian Renaissance and artisans from the Orient. Later, Spanish colonists brought their highly refined ceramic skills to Mexico, where they were once again blended with the unique pottery styles of Aztec, Mayan and other indigenous cultures.
It’s not just the history of Mexican Talavera that makes it so desirable. Excellent craftsmanship is a common trademark of Talavera pottery. The process begins by blending together two different clays, then soaking them thoroughly in water to improve pliability. When it’s determined that the clay is ready, having been removed of impurities, it’s then formed into the desired shape by hand, molds or a potter’s wheel. Next, the newly constructed form is left to dry for up to three months. Once the artist has inspected and approved the dried clay, the piece then undergoes the first of two firings. The initial firing turns the clay into a reddish-orange color that is then brightly painted with intricate patterns – a trademark of Talavera ceramics. Afterwards, the pottery is submerged in a special tin-glaze, then fired once more. The final product – what was once an ordinary mound of clay – is now a beautiful work of Talavera art.
Talavera pottery is known for brilliant colors set against a pristine white background. Typically, the vivid patterns are slightly raised, and the entire piece is smoothed over by a glossy sheen. Yellow, green and mauve were traditionally the most prolific colors used to decorate Talavera, although cobalt blue was the most desired. Due to the expensive mineral pigments required for its use, this regal color became a way to identify the finest quality of Talavera ceramics.
Today, Talavera patterns can be simple and bold or elaborate and highly detailed. Floral patterns are perhaps the most common, but when it comes to Mexican Talavera, creativity is limitless. Although some patterns might appear similar, hand-painted Talavera is never identical. This should be no cause for concern, however, as color and pattern themes almost always exist, and the individual character of each piece will only enhance your Talavera collection or home décor. This is especially true if you consider decorating your home with Talavera tile.
One of the most predominant characteristics of colonial Mexican cities, in particular the city of Puebla located in central Mexico, is the beautiful Talavera tiles. In the 17th and 18th centuries, as the production of Talavera pottery continued to grow, striking tile and tile murals began to adorn Mexican churches, buildings, stairways, gardens and homes. These architectural examples splashed color in an otherwise dull stretch of concrete and brought kitchens and bathrooms to life in a way that only Talavera tile could deliver. Now, more than ever, this style continues to be embraced as authentically Mexican.
When it comes to Mexican and southwestern home décor, Talavera pottery and Talavera tile can be an essential part of capturing an authentic design motif. At La Fuente Imports we strive to offer the most outstanding and diverse selection of handcrafted Talavera tiles found anywhere on the web. Also, be sure to browse our exceptional Talavera plates and platters, plus everything else for decorating your home including Talavera vases, canisters, planters and more!
by Barrett Browning, Demand Media, homeguide.sfgate.com
Overview Mexican-style houses celebrate light and sun-drenched color—whether in the Yucatan or near Point Lobo. Traditional Mexican decorations depend on local craftsmen for hand-carved furniture or ornate wooden corbels. Mexican colonial architecture is very versatile—modern furniture and accessories complement whitewashed walls and bold swaths of bright color just as well as hacienda-inspired reproductions. Contemporary Mexican architects and designers add surprising twists to tradition, blending metals together with wood and plaster.
History Colonists brought Mediterranean- and Moorish-influenced architecture with them from Spain. Churches dominated the colony’s town squares, or zocalos. Colonial style melded with building styles of the indigenous population, producing architecture tailored to the climate and using local building materials. Decoration was spare—even in wealthier homes. Mexican tastes were bold, elegant and dramatic.
Types Hacienda-style homes evoke a south-of-the-border plantation feel. Large, open and airy plaster-walled buildings often enclose large interior patios. Waxed saltillo tile floors and decorative Talavera tile walls are both decorative and functional. The tiles keep cool and clean easily with soap and water. Tropical-style Mexican decor features large open spaces and continuous air flow. Roofs made of thatched palm or bamboo looks informal and keeps a dwelling cool. Decorations made from local natural materials such as stone and shells work well in a tropical-style Mexican home. Wooden shutters keep heat out and keep windows uncluttered by fabric. Modern Mexican-style homes can be sophisticated interpretations of Mexican classic architecture and design. Luis Barragán (1902–1988) was one of Mexico’s best-known architects. He created clean sleek designs that managed to avoid the clinical cold feel that sometimes plagues other modern architecture. He used plaster walls with wooden beams and natural tile or stone flooring. Bright pink, red or yellow hues on entire walls made bold statements and energized spaces.
Benefits Mexican-style houses provide shade with their deep inset windows and breezeways. Hanging plants on patios and porches further cool and clean the air while providing color and privacy. Natural cowhide rugs look good in a Mexican-style home, and iron and leather furniture adds rustic unstudied elegance. Thick walls keep dwellings cool in hot weather. Clean, unbroken expanses of white plaster walls seem to make a home feel cooler too. A Mexican-style home is not dark. It welcomes light while cleverly accommodating heat and sun.
Size Mexican-style homes range from tiny one-bedroom casitas to large estates. The aesthetic translates perfectly across socioeconomic borders—local artisans create simple and colorful pieces that fit in a humble dwelling as well as they do in a grand space.
Considerations For all their apparent simplicity, Mexican-style architecture and decoration are not cheap. The style’s success relies on excellent finish and materials as well as skilled labor.
by Eugenia Orr, Demand Media, homeguide.sfgate.com
Overview Southwest interior design is a style that is warm and welcoming. It is an infusion of Native American and Spanish styles, denoted with warm colors, distressed woods and ornate metal scroll work. Pastels need not apply in a Southwest room; instead, think of sunshine when deciding on wall color, furniture and decorative accessories. Not truly contemporary, but yet not fully traditional, Southwest interior design is a mix of the old, highlighted by color, and a backdrop for handcrafted pottery and decorative tin.
The Use of Color Southwestern interior design is distinguished by its bold use of color throughout the design. Color is not just an accent, but fundamental in creating a warm and vibrant room. Orange, red, gold and blue are prominent on walls, in accessories and in hand-crafted tile work, tapestries and upholstery. In Southwestern design, furniture is often painted and then distressed to give character. Distressing is a way of making furniture look old by lightly sanding a painted surface to make the old finish show through, using chains and small hammers to create dents on the surface and applying a paint finishing product that crackles the paint to reveal the wood beneath.
Wood is Prominent Wood is seen throughout Southwestern design-inspired rooms. The wood used is honey-colored or other brown finish as a nod to nature. The furniture is usually constructed with thick legs, making the furniture appear chunky and substantial in the room. For extra added interest, it is common to find painted furniture in Southwest-inspired rooms, and not only white or cream. Red, lime green and cobalt blue tables and armoires are conversation starters and create visual interest.
Metal Details Wrought iron and other metals are used in Southwest design as decorative elements and accessories. Find metalwork in shelf brackets, in crown details on cabinets and furniture, and in wall art. Make hand-crafted, hand-painted pottery more noticeable by placing it on a wrought iron stand in a corner.
Pottery Hand-crafted pottery is a key detail in Southwest interior design. The most commonly used pottery is terracotta, a porcelain material that easy manipulated by hand. Terracotta is mostly found in a rust-orange color mimicking the sunset. Whether left in its natural state or hand painted to introduce a design and additional colors, pottery is an integral element in Southwest design.
Tile The most well-known element of Southwestern design is the intricate, hand-crafted Mexican tiles used for backsplashes, on floors and on tabletops. Mexican tile is infused with bright colors and intricate designs. If you are planning on incorporating Mexican tiles in your room, look for hand-crafted tiles instead of machine crafted ones. With hand-crafted tiles, no two are alike, adding additional visual interest.
http://as.americas-society.org
September 1999
This catalogue is based on a historic study of the ceramic tradition in Puebla, Mexico with a summary of contemporary ceramic practices. It includes essays by Margaret Connors McOuade and Jaime Contreras Castro as well as an exhibition checklist.
1999 112 pp. bilingual, color illustration, and bibliography
