Creating a new 3D tile collection with a star fashion and interior designer in San Miguel de Allende
By Clay Imports
At Clay Imports, we firmly believe that functional design is the perfect solution for all projects, and working with people who share this philosophy is the ideal recipe for creating timeless products. This time, we had the privilege of collaborating with renowned designer Amy Pigliacampo to create a new 3D tile series we think is going to be the highlight of your next project.
About Amy Pigliacampo
In 1993, when she first saw the Marc Jacobs collection for Perry Ellis, Amy knew her career would revolve around fashion design. Years later, after working as an editorial stylist with top brands and creatives across the U.S., Amy shifted her focus to a more ambitious project: starting a family.
Amy Pigliacampo decided to start a Los Angeles based interior design studio, Amy Pigliacampo Interiors, that specializes in residential renovations, select new builds and intimate commercial projects. Her focus is on beautiful yet functional design, tailored for growing families and everyday life. This problem-solving approach is what led her to Clay Imports.
“I’ve always been fascinated with Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House and over the past year I started searching for what I would call “relief” tiles or tiles that had subtle dimensionality (referencing Mayan Revival architecture) and in the classic design story, I wasn’t finding what I wanted!”
Inspired by the concept of "ancient future"—design elements that emulate the past but complement modern styles—Amy approached Clay Imports with ideas for a 3D collection. These designs favor a balanced aesthetic, like a modern terracotta pot that has aged over time, creating natural color variations and calcification. Thrilled by Amy’s eye for design and fashion, we were excited to collaborate on this 3D tile series.
Amy Pigliacampo’s tile collection
“I try to think about the practical aspects of installation in addition to the visual style and how we can not only design a beautiful space but make sure that it looks as good in real life as in renderings.”
The Amy Pigliacampo curated tile collection includes 10 different designs of handmade 3D relief tiles, perfect to create an ancient modern environment: “I love the duality of these tiles, they are part of a concept that I call Ancient Future, which is all about referencing the past in a modern way. The materiality of these is something that’s been available for years (clay) but the application and look is fresh. Everything that I work on has that juxtaposition in some way, shape or form, I never want to do anything that is purely one style or idea.”
Our collaborative tile designs are inspired by different Mexican motifs found all over San Miguel de Allende, both in shape as well as in their functionality, to maximize their layout possibilities in order to achieve the practical aspects that Amy Pigliacampo’ designs are well known and that she praises while designing.
Although they may appear discreet, the colors of these tiles strike the perfect balance between modernity and ancient beauty: “We were very intentional about our palette; it had to complement the dimensionality of the tiles without overwhelming or overshadowing them. It was important that they felt both simultaneously modern and as if they could have existed thousands of years ago.”
We definitely learned that certain proportions and shapes could be more difficult to execute than others and seeing the finished prototypes was essential. Luckily the production team was able to adjust some of their molds and methods to make just about everything we wanted happen!
Amy has a very clear vision of where these tiles would stand out: “I want to put them everywhere!” While they are perfect for kitchen backsplashes, accent walls in living and sleeping spaces, Amy recognizes they shine the most in bathrooms and shower spaces: “In bathrooms, I always think about what colors will be reflected back onto your skin and how that will make you look and feel. [These tiles] will provide beautiful contrast to modern spaces by juxtaposing smooth sleek surfaces with a bit of pattern, texture and color.”
I see so many opportunities to transform everyday spaces with their unexpected 3 dimensional quality
How to install a 3D tile
Wondering how to install 3D tiles? Amy has this piece of advice: “Do your research when it comes to selecting an installer. Make sure that they plan to dry fit the tiles so that you can really understand what the final look will be as well as how corners, edges and transition points will be handled. With these tiles especially it’s super important to know where and how they will be cut.”
These tiles are definitely outstanding and we are sure they will be a highlight for your next project. We cannot thank Amy enough for this collaboration! If you want to keep with her work, you can always check Amy Pigliacampo Interiors web page, as well as her Instagram feed. If you want to know about the Clay SMA Studio experience, you can learn more about it here. And if you want to shop the tiles, you can find them here. Finally, if you have any questions or require more information, reach out to us at contact@clayimports.com.
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