Jeff Doubet shares you how Spanish clay floors are installed in authentic Spanish Colonial Revival patterns. Go behind-the-scenes and see a team of professional tile installers lay out classic designs in fresh ways. These clay floor patterns can make a new remodel have a timeless look and feel. Visit a high-end remodel project underway in beautiful Montecito, CA!
Spanish Colonial Revival Clay Floor Pattern: Squares and Pickets
There are many different design patterns common to the Spanish Colonial Revival genre of home building. Here, a Squares and Pickets pattern is being installed in a great room and entry foyer.
There are several ways to lay a Spanish Colonial Revival clay floor with Squares and Pickets. Here, large squares are for the center section, then “pickets” surround each large square. The smallest squares provide an infill piece that complete the pattern. In the foreground you can see how we ordered pre-made shapes for the Squares and Pickets pattern. In the background, a new Spanish Colonial Revival fireplace will one day become the focal point of the room.
ABOVE: A young Artisan uses a tile saw to cut the Tecate clay floor tiles to size for borders and infill sections. The clay floor project progresses throughout the day as a large Spanish Colonial Revival style home is being renovated in Montecito.
Here the tile setter applies mortar mix to the back of the clay floor tile. Knee pads are a must while working on a cement slab foundation. Note how he has his tile “stock” on a rolling bed so he doesn’t have to keep standing up to get his next tile. Tricks of the trade!
Meanwhile, back at the wet saw- the Artisan cuts more terra cotta clay floor tiles. Hexagon floor tiles are also being pulled from the shipping crates. Soon to be installed in other rooms.
Installing Spanish Clay Floor Tile in a herringbone pattern
Here, the tile setter is installing an oversized Herringbone pattern for the dining room floor. These types of projects are labor intensive and can take days and sometimes weeks to complete.
These oversized rectangle pieces actually started out as large square tiles. They were cut to these narrower pieces. Here the tile setter applies mortar mix to the back side of a long rectangular piece of clay floor tile using a notched trowel.
Here are some additional photos capturing how the pro tile setter is setting the oversized rectangular pieces and creating his herringbone layout.
The tile setter positions and adjusts each floor tile while the mortar mix is still wet. As he places the tile he smushes it down, and uses his level as a straight edge to get everything right.
In other words, the tile-setter levels each individual tiles as he goes, and regularly checks his progress with the long level.
Our hardworking friend back at the wet saw continues to cut large square terra cotta floor tiles into narrower rectangular strips for the herringbone floor installer.
Installing Spanish Clay Flooring in Classic Patterns
Patterns like San Felipe, Hexagon, Octagon, Squares and Pickets, Herringbone, Running Bond, Basket Weave (and combinations of each) are Spanish Colonial Revival floor patterns I specify into my design projects the most. You can mix and match these these types of patterns room to room. Because the material, color and texture are all the same… I have found that it just works!
Many do not realize the skill it takes to make 45 degree end pieces “line up” along a room border. This tile setter is achieving perfect lines along the border of his Herringbone floor. A true gift.
As you may have figured out, the layout of a herringbone floor like this involves intense planning.
See more Spanish-style flooring resources on the Spanish Home Design Photo Blog.
Photo Series: Installing Spanish Clay Floors in Classic Designs
This is the last photo in this series showcasing the skill of this local tile Artisan installing the Herringbone pattern clay floor in Montecito, California.
Well friend, this wraps another site visit episode in beautiful Montecito, CA. I hope you enjoyed learning how to infuse more Santa Barbara Style into your own Spanish home design project. Scroll to explore more helpful links and resources for designing and building your own Spanish-style home and landscape.
