I've never heard of unglazed porcelain tiles, especially for exterior applications... are you sure you aren't looking for encaustic tile?

Like this maybe?

http://www.villalagoontile.com/

http://www.emeryetcie.com/en/what/tiles/cement/examples/

http://www.emeryetcie.com/en/what/tiles/cement/examples/05.htm

http://www.emeryetcie.com/en/what/tiles/cement/models/patchwork/rule/

Wow. These are stunningly beautiful -- I can see why you'd want them! They remind me of the Moroccan tiles in a recent post.

As suggested above, try the source for the tile in the bathroom reno : www.tierrayfuego.com

Good luck, and please show us what you find, as well as your results!

I've bookmarked these for an upcoming reno:

http://www.tilesbytextiles.com/

http://www.countryfloors.com/

Good luck!

there is a fine place next to cancos tiles on 21rst street. its a small place where they have a great selection of this kind of tile. walk west of cancos.

I am looking for a different kind of outdoor tile - large plain, caste cement tiles like the Mexicans have. Any leads?

"large plain caste cement tiles like the mexicans have"??

I'm not sure about cast<i/> but perhaps you are thinking of Saltillo tiles?

Um, not sure what happened to some of the words and the italics there.

That was supposed say, "I'm not sure about 'cast' 'concrete' but perhaps you are thinking of saltillo tiles?

When we redid out bathroom, we bought encaustics from these guys: http://www.tierrayfuego.com/

we get compliments every time someone new comes over.

here's our finished project. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/question-answered-bathroom-renovation-followup-078661

I, too loooooooooooooove the type of tiles you are looking for.

http://www.mosaichse.com/index.html

http://www.granadatiles.com/index.php

i think most all of the tiles in the images above are of encaustic ceramic (or cement) tiles.
a local showroom with a great selection of similiar tiles is Mosaic House in the Flatiron district. I know they'll do custom colors and the cement tiles are perfect for outside use. http://www.mosaichse.com/
I did some work with them years ago and loved it.
The owner is a real character, very helpful too.

There are other tile showrooms in the area if you don't find what you need there. Good luck!

I love that tile! I think this is where the outdoor tile comes from: http://www.communedesign.com/design-portfolio/catalina-street

this article: http://www.communedesign.com/design-press/food--wine
has a link to http://redondotile.com/
which might help too!

best of luck!

In southern california, Mission Tile West carries cement tiles similar to those shown in the photos. They are gorgeous! They can be used indoors or out, and they also carry solid colors (which aren't shown in the link below).

http://www.missiontilewest.com/styles/cement/1.html

Those look like traditional Moroccan cement tiles, which we installed recently in our bathroom and are really loving. Apparently these tiles are virtually indestructible -- quite viable for outside use. We got ours at Mosaic House on W. 22nd St. in Manhattan (www.mosaichse.com). They have an amazing selection and fantastic service. I highly recommend them.

Everyone, I apologize for this very late reply. I was suddenly out of commission and didn't get to look at any of this before now. Thanks you very much for all the wonderful replies! This opened up a whole new world to me, and I am confident we will find our tile at one of these places. And yes, I think you might be right that it is the encaustic tile that I am looking for, but can they stand the frost?

I will absolutely keep you updated and show images of the end-result!

Buy directy from the source and save at least 50%. www.marocarchitecture.com. They make all kinds of encaustice cement tile in any design.

Have great encaustic tiles for indoor or outdoor use! http://filmoreclark.com

Another source of supply for your choice of cement tiles

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1azmcoi3jah447w/2Om-MrRfyM?m.
http://www.dongtam.com.vn/en/our-products/cement-tiles_2_2_20