From choosing materials to perfecting the tile layout, here’s how we planned our latest bathroom renovation at the Clay Imports San Miguel de Allende Studio.
By Clay Imports
Planning a bathroom remodel can be exciting, but with so many materials, colors, patterns, and installation details to consider, where do you even begin?
At Clay Imports, we've worked on our fair share of tile projects, and over the years, we've developed a simple three-step approach that helps us bring our design ideas to life.
We recently put this process to the test while renovating a bathroom at our San Miguel de Allende (SMA) Studio. Our goal? To create a cozy, moody bathroom filled with warm terracotta tones, rich textures, and thoughtful details.
From coordinating wallpaper and tile to experimenting with layouts and grout colors, here's a look at how the project came together, along with three steps we recommend following when planning your own bathroom renovation.
- Step 1: Start With Your Materials
- Step 2: Plan Your Tile Layout Before Installation
- Step 3: Finalize the Technical Installation Details
- The Final Reveal: A Cozy Terracotta Bathroom
- Ready to Plan Your Own Bathroom Remodel?
Step 1: Start With Your Materials
Before thinking about tile layouts or installation, start by choosing the materials that will define your space.
We recommend picking one key design element to build the rest of your bathroom around. It could be a beautiful handmade tile, a bold wallpaper pattern, or even a wall color you've fallen in love with.
Think of it as the starting point that helps guide all your other design decisions.
Finding Our Inspiration: Silvestre Terracotta Wallpaper
For our SMA Studio bathroom, we knew we wanted a terracotta-heavy design with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Choosing the wallpaper first gave us a clear color palette to work with and made selecting the rest of our materials much easier.
We started with our Silvestre Terracotta Wallpaper, a botanical pattern featuring delicate floral illustrations in earthy pink and reddish-brown tones.
Rather than introducing competing colors, we looked for tiles that would complement the tones already present in the wallpaper.
We landed on two:
- Lava Rock Matte Tile: A warm, earthy tile with a soft matte finish, selected for the bathroom floor.
- Tamarindo Gloss Tile: A rich, reddish-brown glazed tile that brings depth and a beautiful reflective finish to the shower walls and other tiled surfaces.
Although both tiles have different textures and finishes, they work beautifully together because they share the same warm color family.
We also incorporated exposed copper plumbing for the sink faucets. The metal's natural warmth complements the terracotta palette and adds a subtle industrial touch.
Clay Imports expert tip: When choosing bathroom materials, don't feel like everything needs to match perfectly. Combining different finishes, textures, and shades within the same color palette can make a space feel much more interesting and intentional.
Step 2: Plan Your Tile Layout Before Installation
Once you've selected your materials, it's time to decide how they'll be installed.
This step might seem straightforward, but the way you lay your tiles can completely transform the look of your bathroom.
The same rectangular tile can create very different results depending on whether it's installed in a horizontal stack, vertical stack, running bond, or herringbone pattern.
That's why we always recommend confirming your tile layout before ordering materials and definitely before installation begins.
Playing With Different Tile Patterns
For our SMA Studio bathroom, we wanted to introduce visual interest without overwhelming the space.
For the shower walls, we chose a vertical stacked tile layout using Tamarindo Gloss tiles.
The vertical arrangement creates clean, continuous lines that help balance the wallpaper's organic floral design.
For the bathroom floor, we went in a different direction.
We installed the Lava Rock Matte 2x5 tiles in a diagonal herringbone pattern, adding movement and a little unexpected character to the space.
Herringbone is a classic tile pattern, but it's not something we see as often in smaller-format bathroom floor tiles. We love how it adds visual texture while keeping the overall design cohesive.
By combining the vertical wall tiles with the diagonal herringbone floor, we created a nice contrast between the different surfaces.
Clay Imports expert tip: Don't underestimate the impact of your tile layout! Experiment with a few arrangements before committing. Confirming your pattern early also helps your installer plan cuts, calculate material quantities, and avoid unnecessary delays.
Step 3: Finalize the Technical Installation Details
Now for the details that can make all the difference!
Once your materials and tile layouts are confirmed, it's time to think about grout joints, grout colors, tile edges, transitions, and other installation decisions.
These might not be the most exciting parts of planning a bathroom remodel, but they're essential to achieving a clean, professional-looking result.
Here's how we approached them in our SMA Studio bathroom.
Grout Spacing and Color: Small Details, Big Impact
Grout isn't just there to fill the spaces between tiles. It can also become an important part of your bathroom's design.
For our Tamarindo Gloss shower walls, we chose 5226 Nutmeg Mapei Ultracolor Plus using 3/16-inch grout joints.
We intentionally wanted slightly wider grout lines because the grout color closely matches the background of our Silvestre wallpaper.
This creates a subtle visual connection between the tiled walls and the wallpaper, helping the two materials feel like part of the same design.
For the herringbone bathroom floor, we took a different approach.
Since the diagonal herringbone pattern already creates plenty of visual movement, we opted for narrower grout joints and a grout color that closely coordinates with the Lava Rock Matte tiles.
The result is a softer, more unified surface that allows the tile pattern to shine without creating too much contrast.
The matte finish also introduces a pleasant tactile texture underfoot, especially when walking barefoot.
Clay Imports expert tip: Think about how much you want your grout lines to stand out. Contrasting grout can emphasize a tile pattern, while coordinating grout creates a more subtle, seamless appearance. Always confirm joint widths with your installer based on the tile's dimensions and variation.
Skip the Trim for a Clean, Modern Look
Another important decision was how to finish the exposed tile edges.
For this bathroom, we wanted a clean, sleek appearance without visible trim pieces.
Instead, we chose mitered tile edges.
A miter cut involves cutting the edges of adjoining tiles at an angle so they meet neatly at a corner, creating a refined finish without additional trim.
We used this technique around the shower niche and window, where exposed corners would otherwise require some type of edge treatment.
The Tamarindo Gloss tiles worked particularly well for this approach, allowing us to achieve crisp, clean corners.
Mitered edges aren't suitable for every tile or application, so it's important to discuss the technique with your installer before making a final decision.
Creating a Flush Transition Between Tile and Wallpaper
One of our favorite details in this bathroom is also one of the easiest to overlook.
We wanted the wallpaper and tile to meet at the same surface level, rather than having the tiled wall project noticeably farther out.
To accomplish this, we planned ahead and built out the wallpapered portion of the wall slightly.
This allowed us to create a flush transition between the tile and wallpaper, giving the wall a smooth, continuous appearance.
It's a relatively simple design idea, but one that requires coordination before installation.
Without that planning, achieving the same result later could involve additional work or compromises.
Clay Imports expert tip: Before installing tile, think carefully about how different materials will meet. Whether it's tile against wallpaper, plaster, wood, or another surface, planning those transitions early can make the finished project look much more polished. In wet areas, make sure the appropriate waterproofing and installation systems are addressed as well.
The Final Reveal: A Cozy Terracotta Bathroom
So, how did it all come together?
By starting with one statement wallpaper and building our material palette around it, we created a bathroom that feels warm, layered, and full of character.
The Silvestre Terracotta Wallpaper introduces a playful botanical pattern, while the glossy Tamarindo tiles bring richness and reflect natural light throughout the space.
On the floor, the matte Lava Rock tiles add a softer texture and a dynamic herringbone pattern that ties everything together.
And it's the smaller details, from the copper plumbing and carefully selected grout colors to the mitered corners and flush wall transitions, that make the entire design feel intentional.
The result is exactly what we envisioned: a moody, cozy bathroom that celebrates terracotta in all its forms.
Ready to Plan Your Own Bathroom Remodel?
If there's one thing we've learned from working on tile projectsfor over almost 2 decades, it's that good planning makes a big difference.
You don't have to figure everything out at once. Start with a material you love, explore how the different elements will work together, and make sure the installation details are decided before the work begins.
Whether you're designing a small powder room or planning a complete bathroom renovation, these steps can help you approach your project with more confidence.
And remember, if you're looking for handmade clay tiles, wallpaper, or a little design inspiration, we're always happy to help. Explore our collections at Clay Imports or reach out to us with your questions!
