Who said terracotta is only for the rooftop? Nowadays, people have discovered that the material is worthy of much more: statues, figurines, dolls, tiles, murals. More and more people are putting a great deal of thought into designing their living spaces and terracotta is fast emerging as a popular choice. (Terracotta literally means "baked earth". It is made from burnt clay that is red in colour.)

Sharadha Gopalan, an artist, feels that people are now learning to appreciate terracotta, hand-made tiles and the effect they create on guests. People want "an earthy look" to their houses.

"The look comes as a breath of fresh air in the concrete jungles that we live in," she says.

The sheer variety found in terracotta tiles has increased the demand for them. Now that people are aware of the aesthetic appeal of terracotta, there has been a marked increase in its sale.

And terracotta tiles are finding place even inside homes, not just outside. However, Ms. Gopalan says that may not be the most practical thing to do. "Since it is not completely water-resistant, it is not a good option indoors, especially for places like bathrooms."

How it is done
There are various ways in which people can use terracotta to decorate their homes. From tiles to garden pots, wall plaques to masks, bowls to curios, there is a lot to choose from.

Says Veda Mohan, a teacher, "When we decided to renovate our home, we were very sure of what we wanted: terracotta. We have used terracotta murals and tiles all over the house."

The interiors of Ms. Mohan's home have been aesthetically designed. "Most the tiles that we have used have earthy designs. We have used tiles with guava leaf imprints near the windows on the ground floor. We also have used tiles that have motifs that have been recreated based on the cave paintings," she says. The Mohans spent close to Rs. 40,000 on terracotta tiles and murals. The price also includes the laying work.

Hot option
Terracotta murals are also a hot option, especially for corporates and offices. For example, Suresh Pawar's Zenith Stones has terracotta procured from the kilns of artisans in Mangalore and Kozhikode. "The tiles can be used for the terrace, interior decorations, sloping roofs and much more," says Mr. Pawar.

He attributes the increase in the demand for terracotta these days to its natural look and the cooling effect that it provides.

"Terracotta is not only weather-proof, but also water-proof to a certain extent. The designs available include checks, tiger skin, flowers, leaves, tribal motifs etc," he says. At Zenith Stones, over 35 designs are available.

P.C. Mallappa and Co. deals with basically three types of terracotta tiles: vitrified terracotta, clay vitrified terracotta and ceramic vitrified terracotta. "These are cost-effective," says P.C. Mallappa.

Terracotta is supplied to the retailing house by over 15 companies, each having its own design and style.

Mr. Mallappa says maintenance is easy. However, the tiles need to be cleaned regularly either by dusting or wiping with a damp cloth. The price of terracotta tiles at P.C. Mallappa ranges from Rs. 20 to Rs. 150 per sq. ft.

Maintenance
Though the tiles do not need any special maintenance, they do need to be cleaned or dusted at least once a week. With the increasing pollution in the city, the tiles may loose their original colour. The durability of coloured terracotta is three to four years, whereas plain terracotta is more durable.

But coloured terracotta needs to be cleaned with a primer first and then with steel patti. The steel patti is used to cover the pinholes and the pores.