News

Relief tiles add dimension, texture, and a touch of artistry to any space—making them a standout choice for kitchen backsplashes, shower walls, and stair risers. Their raised designs can range from subtle to bold, offering endless possibilities for homeowners and designers alike. Below, we’ll explore how to incorporate relief tiles into these areas and why they’re worth the investment.

1. What Are Relief Tiles?

Relief tiles, sometimes referred to as high-relief or raised tiles, feature three-dimensional patterns on the surface. These designs can be floral, geometric, or decorative motifs that bring an artisanal flair to your home. Sourced from expert craftspeople, such as those found at My Custom Made, these tiles often reflect traditional Mexican craftsmanship—blending cultural heritage with modern utility.

2. Kitchen Backsplashes: Functional Art

Practical Benefits

A kitchen backsplash does more than protect your walls from splashes and heat. When using Mexican high relief tiles, you can:

• Introduce vibrant color and unique textures
  
• Tie the backsplash design seamlessly with rustic or contemporary kitchen themes
  
• Add a focal point that draws attention to your cooking space
  

Design Tips

• Mix and Match: Combine relief tiles with solid-colored tiles to create visual contrast.
  
• Focal Strips: Use relief tiles in a vertical or horizontal strip above the stove or sink for added emphasis.
  
• Cohesive Palette: Coordinate tile colors with your countertops, cabinetry, and appliances for a unified look.
  

3. Elevating Showers with Texture

Spa-Like Ambiance

Transform a plain shower into a luxurious retreat by incorporating raised tile sections. The tactile quality of relief tiles offers a unique sensory experience while creating eye-catching detail that breaks up bland, flat surfaces.

Key Considerations

• Moisture Resistance: Ensure you select tiles with proper sealing and waterproofing treatments for shower walls.
  
• Placement: Use relief tiles as an accent wall or as decorative bands to avoid overwhelming smaller shower spaces.
  
• Easy Maintenance: Regularly wipe or rinse tiles and grout lines to prevent build-up—helped by using high-quality materials from reputable sources like My Custom Made.
  

4. Stair Risers: A Surprising Statement

Why Tile Your Stair Risers?

Staircases are often overlooked in home design, but Mexican high relief tiles instantly elevate your interior or exterior stairs. Each riser can feature a repeating pattern or an eclectic mix, turning a functional structure into a vibrant style element.

Installation Tips

• Measure Each Riser: Stair risers may vary in size; customizing the tile layout ensures an even look.
  
• Consider Durability: Use slip-resistant or textured tiles for safety when installing on staircases.
  
• Color Coordination: Pick a consistent color scheme if you prefer a harmonious appearance, or mix patterns to create a bohemian look.
  

5. Coordinating Relief Tiles with Other Elements

Relief tiles pair exceptionally well with other handmade or artisan features. Explore how to embellish hallways with decorative Talavera tiles or incorporate custom copper accents for a cohesive aesthetic throughout your home. Maintaining a common theme or color palette helps tie different areas—like the kitchen, bathroom, and staircases—together in a visually pleasing way.

6. Shopping for Quality Relief Tiles

Ready to enhance your space with relief tiles? Choosing a reputable provider ensures you get:

• High-quality craftsmanship for durable, long-lasting tiles
• Authentic designs that showcase cultural heritage and artisan skill
  
• A wide variety of patterns and finishes to match your personal style
  

For an extensive range of relief tiles and expert guidance, My Custom Made offers handcrafted products and knowledgeable customer support.

Final Thoughts

Relief tiles can breathe life and personality into any corner of your home—from the sleek modern kitchen backsplash to a spa-like shower oasis or statement-making stair risers. Focus on quality, choose designs that complement your overall décor, and don’t be afraid to experiment with colors and patterns. With the right selection and strategic placement, relief tiles can turn ordinary surfaces into stunning works of art.

Discover the captivating allure of Mexican decorative relief tiles and how they can breathe new life into your kitchen. When it comes to adding character and charm to your kitchen, few design elements can rival the beauty and allure of Mexican Talavera tiles in general, especially of the most intricate of them all- the high relief models. These exquisitely handcrafted tiles, known for their intricate designs and vibrant colors, have been adorning kitchens around the world for centuries. From traditional hacienda-style kitchens to contemporary spaces seeking a touch of cultural flair, Mexican high relief tiles offer a unique and visually captivating option. In this blog post, we'll explore the enchanting world of Mexican relief tiles in the kitchen and discover how they can transform your culinary haven into a breathtaking work of art.

High relief tiles bring a burst of color and culture to your kitchen. Their vibrant palette ranges from rich earth tones to striking blues, yellows, and greens. Whether you prefer a single-color pattern or a vibrant mosaic, these tiles can be customized to match your style and complement your kitchen decor. Not only do they create a visually stimulating environment, but they also infuse your kitchen with the warmth and energy characteristic of Mexican culture. Apart from alluring tones, these tiles are so popular because of their unique texture. Any kitchen with handmade high relief tiles will nourish with those outstanding patterns and you will easily upgrade and brighten any dull room with our handmade tiles.


The craftsmanship behind Mexican high relief tiles is unparalleled. Skilled artisans meticulously handcraft each tile using the traditional "cuerda seca" technique. This method involves outlining the design on the tile with a mixture of beeswax and manganese oxide, followed by individual hand painting. The result is a unique work of art, with every tile carrying its distinct character and imperfections. This level of craftsmanship ensures that your kitchen has a truly authentic and unique aesthetic. Mexican tiles are also versatile, complementing a variety of interior styles, and their timeless appeal ensures they will remain a captivating addition to your kitchen for years to come. Incorporating Mexican relief tiles into your kitchen design is a fantastic way to infuse your space with color, culture, and artistry. These tiles can transform an ordinary kitchen into a visually stunning masterpiece with their vibrant colors, artisanal craftsmanship, and timeless appeal. So, whether you're looking to revamp your existing kitchen or start from scratch, consider the allure of Mexican relief tiles and let them transport you to the enchanting world of Mexican design and heritage.

I am sure you have sometimes a feeling that your kitchen needs some change, but you do not know where to start. I propose to start with ceramic tiles. Enrich kitchen design with high relief tiles. Believe me. By only transforming the kitchen backsplash, the overall look of the room will make you love your kitchen even more. High relief tiles are one of the most extraordinary types of Mexican Talavera tiles. The most crafted of them all, these colorful tiles with relief will add a little bit of extravaganza to any style kitchen.

Mexican Talavera tiles are a traditional type of hand-painted pottery that is commonly used for kitchen counters and backsplashes as well as bathroom walls, patio, and garden dining areas. The Talavera design is often very intricate, with images or patterns that pop out from the white body. In the case of decorative high relief tiles, the pattern is even more enhanced by engraving the design on top of the ceramic tile. These designs can be animal figures or symbols from Mexican culture and history. Hand-painted Talavera tiles can be used as a part of an overall design scheme in your kitchen for backsplashes, countertops, and flooring. Some people use broken tiles to decorate smaller objects like a flower vase or cutting board. Sometimes a kitchen table con de embellished with Talavera tiles as a tabletop, however, relief tiles are not recommended for that purpose as their surface is not even. All in all, Mexican relief tiles add a bright and fun atmosphere and make kitchens feel more social and inviting by helping to break up the space with beautiful artwork. It is not a coincidence that Talavera tiles are so popular in Mexico that also is a great expert in having parties, barbecues, and spending lots of time cooking delicious salsas and more.

Mexican style tiles are more than just beautiful, they can be functional too. They come in two sizes and vibrant designs that offer thousands of color combinations. They make a great addition to enrich kitchen design with high relief tiles as they have been used for centuries to decorate walls, floors, and ceilings. The designs are inspired by various cultures that have a common history such as Spain, Morocco, and the latest-Mexico. The art of hand-painted relief tiles has traveled through continents getting more and more exquisite and rich. Today, our clients can choose from such a great variety of designs that any kitchen renovation project will find suitable floor and wall Talavera tiles, whether traditional or modern.

Warm, inviting and vibrant, using Mexican Talavera kitchen wall tiles will create a surprising and breathtaking effect that will be an envy of all your guests. By revamping your kitchen’s décor with bright tones, decorative tiling and fine Mexican detailing your entire home can take on a new character. Talavera tiles from Mexico can introduce a powerful change in your interiors and the kitchen walls are the best display for that. There are countless ways of using Mexican ceramic for embellishing kitchen walls. Having thousands of patterns and different types of tiles at your service, infinitive creative techniques open up to add character and lightness to your kitchen.

We are convinced that decorating a kitchen wall with ceramic Mexican Talavera kitchen wall tiles will be fun for any homeowner. You do not have to own a hacienda style home to build up a Southern vibe in your interiors. What you really need is the boldness to explore the multicolored world of our handmade ceramic tiles and good decorative ideas. From going full Mexican with ceramics on the walls, counters, kitchen table to introducing some small drops of Southern feel with a subtle, Mexican accent tiles or native style potteries and textile, Mexican pottery offers you a broad spectrum of styles that you can introduce into your interiors. Start by choosing your main colors that will fit your existing décor or your brand new kitchen furniture and appliances. Take into account the material you will be used for floors and counters or shelves and then have a look at our extensive collection of Mexican Talavera wall tiles. You might want to use just a dash of Southern décor, enough amount of authentic, local craft to add interest to your main wall. Consider adding an accent line of a bold pattern that will suit plain color tiles. By that, you do not overwhelm the space with too many designs but still, add fun and energy into your kitchen. Another idea to decorate your walls, and especially a kitchen backsplash, is to install one of our kitchen tile murals. Our murals present Mexican landscapes including nature, countryside and Colonial cities. Many of them are perfect for a kitchen environment because they depict a still nature including delicious food, fruits and beverages. You can find them in many sizes and both, horizontal and vertical. Finding your ideal ceramic tile mural will add an effortless combination of Mexican craft with fine art bringing Spanish and Mexican heritage to your backsplash.

After choosing the main, background color, think about the hues you want for edging. You might choose normal wall tiles. However, high relief tiles with a beautifully crafted two-dimensional pattern could also work in that case. Be bold with your choices. Take inspiration from the work of Mexican artists, artisans and architects. If you have ever been to Mexico, probably you could have observed that they do not fear to combine the hues you would never imagine together and the result looks fabulous. The main colors used for Talavera tiles production are white, cobalt blue, green, terracotta, yellow and sometimes black. Most of our designs are created by mixing those primary colors.

The transformation of the kitchen backsplashes is just amazing. From less appealing surfaces whose only purpose was to protect walls from water, grease and food splatter, the decorative kitchen backsplash today is one-time opportunity to add a unique accent, a pop of color, light and surprising texture. If you get bored with the current look of your cooking area, here are some fresh kitchen backsplash ideas to bring more personality and style into your home.

You might say that a marble backsplash is a timeless choice and a classic option that will fit in any kitchen style, and that is probably true. However, think about all the fun and enjoyment you can experience while doing your daily choir over a view of some remarkable piece of the unique backsplash. It makes you like cleaning the dishes a little bit more (if possible). Also, the traditional approach to a splash back was a four-inch structure. However, modern designers have broken that rule some time ago, and now we can enjoy stunning kitchen decor with hhandmade tile backsplash from the top (where the upper cabinets finish) until the counter. You can also order a square-shaped backsplash made from some shiny and jazzy metal that almost look like a mirror and catch the eye of any quest. By that, you can either create a contrast against the furnishings that would come in some completely different material, or it can be a harmonious complement to your range hood or stove made from steel or copper. Our company love creating customized designs for our clients' unique renovation projects. The kitchen copper backsplashes we create can be as long as the whole wall of your kitchenette, or perhaps you want to install it in the area of your sink or oven. That is up to you. We just need you to send us the exact measurements and the copper patina of your choice. Being a high traffic area, we do not recommend to leave your copper untreated. It will oxidize with time, and maintenance can be time-consuming. However, our clients can order any custom copper product with a specific patina finish achieving a broad range of looks from modern, sleek to rustic and weathered.

On the other hand, if the metallic look is not your cup of tea, change your boring cement or concrete tile backsplash for truly authentic pieces of ceramic art that our Mexican tiles represent. Again, you have plenty of options to consider, from thousands of patterns and tone combination to different textures between classic Talavera tile and high relief tiles. Do not forget about kitchen tile murals! Explore all the fresh kitchen backsplash ideas we already posted on our web page. We believe that with our handcrafted products you will be able to achieve a stylish and, of course, functional backsplash.

Recently we can observe a revival of interior designs emanating from countries where tiles are integral to the architecture and vibrant culture. Mexico, without a doubt, is one of them. The richly colored motifs of handcrafted Talavera tiles are brought to the level of fine arts with decorative high relief tiles. Those vivid and sophisticated tiles are small but evocative and can be combined together in many ways to create alluring patchwork designing setups in any area of your house or apartment.

If you are fond of the richness and flamboyant feel of the Mexican architecture, definitely, you will want to introduce decorative high relief tiles into your remodelling projects. Some of the most striking examples of public art in Colonial cities around Mexico explore the medium of Talavera tiles in all its forms from simple wall tiles, large and spectacular wall tile murals and most lavish high relief tiles. The raised relief pattern boosts the captivating appearance of a ceramic tile. Bring life and color with a bold statement of handcrafted ceramic relief tiles that will transform an ordinary room into a vibrant and colorful state-of-art space. What makes those relief tiles so special- you might ask. All Talavera tiles have a unique texture of a handmade product that enclose a rustic feel and small variations in color or shape of the pattern. However, this adds additional value to our handcrafted Mexican tiles as many of us prefer an artisan work rather than a perfect copy from an assembly line. In the case of Mexican tiles with relief, there are seen as even bigger assets due to their amazing three-dimensional motifs.

How do we elaborate our decorative high relief tiles? The process involves a unique painting technique and it is more complex than producing normal Talavera tiles. Our experienced local artisans use an ancient relief technique that involves creating raised, three-dimensional elements that remain attached to a two-dimensional background of the same material, resulting in sculpted motifs that are raised from the surface. The craftsman, instead of using a traditional brash, is squeezing a small bottle with paint pouring it on the tile surface which was earlier designed with a hand drawing. Applying various colors the painter is leaving a substantial amount of paint, elevating particular elements from the background of the design. Once ceramic tiles are fired, the surface becomes very hard and the tile pattern can be easily distinguished not only by colors but especially by the raised relief pattern. The effect is mesmerizing and you can discover the whole collection of decorative high relief tiles at our online store.The application ideas are endless from adding kitchen ceramic tiles to your kitchen backsplash to decorating your doorway with Mexican, colorful tiles.