Ambar Matte
- Description
- Specs
- Reviews
You may order samples online. Sample must be purchased and shipping charges apply. Please keep in mind sample tiles may vary in color from future orders due to the handmade process.
Subway tiles are NOT frost resistant, they should not be used on outdoor installations with potential freezing temperatures.
For many decades tile has been an essential, vibrant, and expressive element of California’s Spanish-Revival and Mediterranean architectural styles. Ceramic tile, particularly hand made and hand decorated tiles, can be found in historic buildings in places such as San Diego or San Clemente; in seaside estates like Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, or Malibu; in canyon villas, such as Rancho Santa Fe, Beverly Hills, and Hancock Park; and bungalows, particularly in Pasadena, North Park (San Diego), and Palm Springs.
Tierra y Fuego’s Santa Barbara tile collection evokes the California landscape, with a combination of vivid and subtle colors offset by neutrals and matte finishes. It is this combination of mattes and gloss finishes in a vast array of colors that our Santa Barbara ceramic tile becomes rich, vibrantly alive, and harmonious.
Tierra y Fuego’s Santa Barbara tile collection exhibits many different colors and designs to choose, to inspire, and allow you to create your own pattern. Our ceramic tile is handcrafted and decorated by hand using an ancient method called Cuerda Seca that literally translates to dry cord. The technique of making Cuerda Seca tile has been used for centuries in Spain and other Mediterranean countries. The depth and richness of the colors are obtained by painstakingly applying every drop of glaze by hand onto a delineated design.
If your next project includes the installation of tile in a kitchen, bathroom, stairs, fireplace, fountain, patio, entryway, or even a coffee table, consider Tierra y Fuego’s Santa Barbara ceramic tiles to create a lavish and elegant ambience. The sensuality and sophistication of our tiles is the result of the human touch that has created them.
Order your sample tiles today to experience the true nature of Tierra y Fuego’s tiles. We recommend you to touch and contemplate them in order to effectively appreciate their uniqueness and high quality.
PLEASE NOTE: the Santa Barbara ceramic tiles are not frostproof. If they are intended to be used in high humidity areas, we recommend the use of a penetrating sealer, specially on matte finish tiles.
Recommended Use
- Interior wall applications.
- Kitchen backsplashes, bathroom walls, fireplace surrounds, accent walls, and decorative installations.
- Designed for linear layouts, stacked patterns, running bond, herringbone accents, borders, and handmade subway tile installations.
- Can be used in wet areas when properly installed and sealed; however, matte glazes may be more sensitive to harsh substances found in water and cleaning products.
- Can be used on light-duty residential floors as decorative accents, borders, or inset applications.
- Not recommended for heavy-traffic floors or exterior freeze-thaw installations.
- Handmade ceramic subway tile may show natural variation in tone, glaze, size, edge shape, and surface texture.
Recommended Rooms
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Fireplace surrounds
- Interior accent walls
- Backsplashes
- Light-use residential floor accents
Specifications
| Product Type | Santa Barbara Subway Tile |
| Collection | Santa Barbara |
| Available Format | 3" x 6" subway tile |
| Material | Handmade ceramic |
| Finish | Matte glazed ceramic |
| Body | Red bisque |
| Texture | Smooth, hand-finished surface |
| Thickness | Approx. 1/4 in.; slight variation is expected |
| Variation | V3 · Moderate handmade variation in shade, texture, glaze, and size |
| Crazing | C1 · Light; fine surface crazing may be present or develop over time |
| Sold By | Individual piece unless a box or pack option is specifically selected |
| Recommended Grout | Sanded grout if joint is greater than 1/4 in. Non-sanded grout if joint is less than 1/4 in. |
| Sealer | Use penetrating sealer as needed for grout and installation conditions. |
For a comparison of handmade variation and crazing levels, refer to our handmade ceramic tile variation and crazing guide.
Tiles per Square Foot
| Size | Approximate Tiles per Square Foot |
| 3" x 6" | 8 tiles |
Please Note: Customer is responsible for final quantity ordered.
- Final quantities should be verified before ordering.
- Industry standard recommends adding 5–10% additional tile to account for cuts, waste, layout adjustments, pattern direction, and future repairs.
- Review measurements, layout, and tile quantities with an expert installer before placing a final order.
- Tile quantities may vary depending on grout joint width, installation pattern, cuts, and layout direction.
Care and Considerations
- Clean with a mild, non-acidic cleanser and damp cloth.
- Do not use abrasive pads, harsh chemicals, or acid-based cleaners.
- Matte glazes may be acid-sensitive and may discolor if exposed to acid-based cleaners or harsh substances.
- Colors may appear differently on computer screens. Ordering a sample is strongly recommended before final selection.
- Handmade subway tiles may vary slightly from piece to piece and from shipment to shipment.
- Additional tiles ordered later may not match the original order exactly.
Installation
- Dry lay and blend tiles before installation to balance color, shade, and handmade variation.
- Confirm layout direction before installation, especially for running bond, stacked, herringbone, border, or accent layouts.
- Use proper setting materials for ceramic tile and installation conditions.
- Seal grout and tile as needed based on location, finish, and exposure to moisture.
- For wet areas, review the use of matte glazes with an expert installer before installation.
- For installation recommendations, refer to our ceramic tile installation guide.
Qualities
- Handmade
- Matte glazed ceramic
- Solid color Santa Barbara subway tile
- Classic rectangular subway format
- Natural variation in color, size, edge shape, and finish
- Designed for backsplashes, fireplaces, bathroom walls, borders, and accent installations
- Coordinates with Santa Barbara solid color tile, decorative tile, trims, and specialty pieces