Handmade terracotta: ideas and solutions for “furnishing” the home

Handmade terracotta is the result of an alchemy of natural elements such as clay, water and fire: a fascinating material whose history is rooted in antiquity. This precious material, sustainable and durable, is obtained by following a magical process that has been handed down over the centuries; strong in its ancient heritage, it is now enhanced in contemporary architectural projects, resulting in design solutions that ‘decorate’ the home by providing the warmth of a cosy environment. Also highly appreciated in interior design projects are the furnishing accessories made with cotto, thanks to skillful craftsmanship that makes it possible to create mtailor-made pieces, unique objects intended for the interiors and exteriors of homes, hotels, offices, professional studios and art galleries.

Handmade terracotta: a tradition boasting half a century of history

Terracotta bricks have been used in construction since ancient times, boasting over 5,000 years of history. On the strength of a heritage that has been handed down from generation to generation, today the production of handmade cotto uses the same techniques and materials as in the past: wooden moulds, clay from the purest quarries, rainwater and firing in a wood-fired kiln for bricks with warm nuances. An artisanal working process that, through special treatment and firing of the clay, leads to the production of high quality handmade terracotta.

The handmade cotto process from clay to kiln

A natural and sustainable material, handmade cotto has clay and rainwater as its raw materials. Simple elements that give life to an ancient material of the highest technical level.

What is the manufacturing process?

• Clay is extracted from the purest fields..
• The extracted clay is rolled and purified until it becomes uniform and soft, and then, with the addition of water, becomes a mixture for the brick to be worked by hand, which is then placed to season protected from the weather.
• Cold moulding of the brick in wooden moulds of different sizes, totally by hand, giving the beauty of diversity to each brick.
• Cold moulding of the brick in wooden moulds of different sizes, totally by hand, giving the beauty of diversity to each brick.

Firing in a traditional wood-fired oven with the bricks gradually brought to approx. 1000° C. for 24 hours so that the mineral components of the clay undergo the transformations that give handmade terracotta its durability.

The advantages of handmade terracotta flooring

Handmade terracotta can be enhanced within a new architectural project as well as in the renovation of an existing building, using it for both flooring and wall coverings, from roofs to attics to furnishing accessories.

The advantages:

• Aesthetically pleasing: terracotta goes well with different furnishing styles, not only with rustic environments as one might think. On the contrary, it gives a striking effect even when combined in a modern context.
• Resistance: to atmospheric agents, to footsteps and temperature variations, cotto is also ideal for outdoors.

Furnishing with handmade cotto: interior design ideas

Cotto goes well with the creation of exposed brick walls capable of transferring a warm and convivial atmosphere.

© Ethimo

The characteristic yellow/pink coloring gives cotto a lived-in look, making the brick versatile in terms of combinations in interior design: it blends indiscriminately into modern or classic environments, making them bright. In the final installation, the width and color of the joint gives the tile a touch of style from traditional to modern and designer. On the other hand, the rosy coloring adds an original touch to the original charm of handmade cotto, offering an infinite variety of nuances in warm and precious shades.

Hand-glazed terracotta in its shiny and opaque tones finds an excellent use for bathroom wall tiling with tiles that are also hand-decorated, lending a unique allure to the room.

© Fornace Bernasconi

Black terracotta and bucchero: a contemporary vision

Craftsmanship and the use of different clays or minerals result in a Black handmade cotto. To lend the home a touch of elegance and modernity. Black terracotta comes from an interweaving of variables: from the firing temperature, to the use of detaching sand, to the clay.

Bucchero is then a particular type of uniformly black pottery used by the Etruscan civilization from the 7th century B.C. to the first half of the 5th century B.C., as ancient material, it’s nowadays capable of interpreting a contemporary vision. The particular clay fired in the oven without oxygenation allows the moulding by ancient manual skills, becoming an expression of strong decorative capacity. In a blend of experience, tradition but also research, technology and experimentation, bucchero is proposed as an innovative product in floor and wall tile solution. The spirit of contemporary research leads to experimentation with new production methods, modeling furnishing complements with bucchero, unique objects in characteristic total black.

With its sculptural forms, the Oblivion vase, shows a sinuous silhouette, as an object to be exhibited as well as functional; they are lamps of strong character, those designed by Progetto Nudo and destined to create an immediate visual impact, furnishing the kitchen environment with elegance. Objects to show off and display, as well as functional. Their charm is enhanced in combination with scenic marbles, such as Ilago – a precious marble extracted from quarries in ancient Persia, with infinite shades of blue.

Recovery and cleaning of terracotta floors

With a view to design and executive consultancy, Krei supports the designer in the research, supply and laying of handmade cotto.

Coordinating the renovation project of a Capitoline house in one of the oldest buildings in Rome, in agreement with the client and the architectural firm, it was decided, for example, to maintain the handmade but not historical terracotta floor in its natural state by proceeding to recover it with careful brushing and cleaning followed by washing with an acid solution and special machinery. Then treating the surface after drying to make it water- and oil-repellent, with a subsequent satin finish in agreement with client and designers.

We also take care of the recovery of handmade terracotta, a delicate operation that requires work in line with the original in terms of coloring and material finish. Moreover, especially in the hotel and residential sectors for all problems caused by wear and tear or contact with acids, Krei takes care of cleaning and safeguarding handmade terracotta using specialized technicians, machinery and highly professional products.

foto di copertina: © Andre Klotz