In February we took a look at the five biggest trends anticipated to take the tile world by storm. Each has taken the stage over the past few months, but for Ceramics of Italy, the breakdown of Italian tile producers from Coverings in Orlando and ICFF in New York means we’ve now been treated to a slightly different set of trends. This selection of six demonstrates the Italian eye for style, and their ability to showcase the great variety available with tile.

Skinny Format

As mentioned earlier in the year, the skinny format tile is proving popular. Although the large formats definitely have their place, for those with limited space it’s a no-brainer that the smaller and more versatile skinny format have precedent. Their ability to create varied visual effects and give the illusion of space and height make them a fun tile to employ in interior projects. Lagom from Marca Corona feeds into multiple trends here, skinny format, wood look, and soft colours. Their chevron pieces work the skinny format with their 75 by 450mm measurements, and the shape allows for varied visuals. Made+39‘s Shift offers similar skinny format wood-look tiles in rich blues and blacks (100 by 700mm).

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Inlaid Wood

In wonderful classical fashion, wood is gracing the tile trends. Or rather, wood-effects are gracing them. Incredible technologies that allow for uncanny digitally printed wooden surfaces are allowing centuries-old style to be back and bigger than ever. Using ceramic and porcelain in place of natural wood has so many benefits, and doesn’t compromise on soft, organic appeal. Ariana combines two ranges – Storm and Legend – to showcase the beauty of inlaid wood next to stone-look porcelain tiles. Their wood-effect tiles range from dark muddy tones, to pale grey, to light sand and are available in five different sizes. From Lea Ceramiche their Bio Select offers of eight wood-look colours in three sizes and eight delightful decors.

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Imperfect Materials

In keeping with the Traditional and Artisanal trend which focused on the production methods and design, the Italian trend takes a more marked interest in the materials themselves. Both find charm in imperfections and this trend especially appreciates elements from the earth, recognising and demonstrating the beauty in nature. Creos from Ceramiche Refin demonstrates this well, giving the appearance of a hand-crafted surface, with organic and varied texture. The rich earthy colours included amongst the neutrals emphasise this further.

Glamour

Although raw earthiness has its place, so do the tile ranges that exude elegance. Here it’s marble and all things that glisten- materials that make a space rich with opulence, but of course, do not have a limit on function and necessity. Fondovalle‘s MyTop range of marble-look surfaces have the classic air of grandeur that gives any space a touch of glamour.

Soft Colour

The beginning of the year was all about bold, bright use of colour, any shade was permitted as long as it made a statement. But according to Ceramics of Italy, it’s the subtler shades that are now proving victorious. Be it a soft palette used in pattern, a plain pastel tile, or a lightly hued wood-effect, the more muted the better, it seems. A few examples include Materia from Ceramica Vogue, five out of the eight colours on these 100 by 200mm tiles are subdued tones, and the Opus range from Casalgrande Padana which focuses on grey and beige offering plain textured 200 by 200mm square tiles and a variety of patterned decor pieces

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Lines of all kinds

A similar take on the use of skinny format tiles is the addition of lines. Enabling fun visual effects, movement, and decor, lines are a simple but versatile component that can be employed to create a range of exciting designs. The fun use of lines in Decoratori Bassanesi‘s Tartan is but one example of how lines can be used to great effect, with varied thicknesses and relief, a playful and interactive surface is created. And to demonstrate just how different use of line can be, Pura from Dom Ceramiche takes more of an artistic route, with lines reminiscent of brush strokes.

Marca Corona
Made+39
Ariana
Lea Ceramiche
Ceramiche Refin
Ceramica Fondovalle
Ceramica Vogue
Casalgrande Padana
Decoratori Bassanesi
Dom Ceramiche

A new post by Hanna Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, July 2019.