When we moved into a very spanish style custom built house in Mesa, AZ, whoever had laid the tile originally had used nice tile, but a cheapo base. Over the years (house was built in 1986) the base board warped and the tile buckled and cracked. Although it initially appeared to be a problem, my mind started spinning and I envisioned 3 bathrooms made incredibly unique with a combo of talavera and faux painting. Rubbing my hands in glee, I hit the eBay auctions and typed in the word "talavera". Okay, well, I didn't use that word at first because I didn't know it. I think I used "mexican tile" or something similar. Regardless, a world of talavera appeared before my eyes and what a site to behold! Holy Guacamole! Not only was it exactly what I wanted in a gajillion different designs, but the price was incredibly RIGHT! Even with shipping, what a deal! The people that sell this stuff on eBay are professional packers and on the rare times that I had a broken tile due to shipping, they usually had enclosed an extra (just in case) or shipped me out another one. Wonderful group of sellers we have here, if I do say so myself!

It took a year or two, but now our bathrooms are complete. With unique talavera sinks, and tile galore! We came up with different patterns, looks and themes for each bath. I painted the walls with the faux look of old adobe. Looks totally cool. I used ceramics decals with a southwest feel (also bought on eBay) and stuck them on the walls instead of other things. I bought some southwestern stencils and did some stenciling as well. One trick we found out during this process is that rather than the normal adhesive base for the tiles to adhere, liquid nails worked so much faster and better. Especially on the walls. We would put about the size of a quarter liquid nails on 2 or 3 spots on the back of the tile. We would then press it to the wall, then remove it for one minute. Some of the nails product would remain on the wall and both sides would get tacky during that minute. Then we would reapply with some pressure, and after about 30 seconds, let go. 99% of the time it stuck, unless you had a tile that was rather warped (which many of these clay tiles can do). We completed the tile project and did not grout until we were happy with the layout and design. We could pry off tiles and move them without breakage if we did it within 24 hours or so. We moved alot of tiles, trust me. We grouted to match the adobe color. We also replaced baseboards with the 3x6 talavera tiles, and that looks fabulous! Our master bathroom stall is completely tiled up the walls four feet or so, like I saw in a restaurant bathroom. We bought talavera light switch plates. My mother in law doesn't understand it, but I LOVE IT! (Maybe I love it even more! haha)

I know I have bathrooms that are unique and beautiful and my spousal unit and I did it all ourselves, thanks to eBay and Home Depot!   Now I'm just saving up for those talavera toilets I saw up for auction!

Do what you like. I liked what I saw at several restaurants and went from there. My husband and I tried a couple different floor patterns before coming up with one we both liked. To cut talavera tiles, for the corners and odd places, we used a hacksaw blade for tile from Home Depot. Talavera is soft enough that this worked well. For the ceramic floor tile, we cut with a circular saw masonery blade. Yeah, we broke a few getting it right sometimes, but we were way more successful than we expected, so it's all good! 

The photos show some before and after shots. The sinks, talavera tile, wall decals and stencils were all bought on eBay. The design was my own. I call it "looks like every Mexican Food place in town" design. Ole!     

Bath Before:    And After:     

And the floor!     Water Closet. Notice that we use tile to create a threshold.  

Another bath before shot:   And After:    

And after shots of the last bath (forgot to take "before").