In 2010 Tonalite – an Italian floor and wall tile manufacturer founded in 1974 at S. Agata Bolognese – came under the control of the Pagani family.  With strong hand-made roots, allied to great attention to modern methods of production, the Pagani brothers have not changed the main characteristics of this family-run company, but have improved aspects such as planning, technology, and marketing.  Tonalite’s ethos is that quality is essential and that passion creates ideas.  Production is 100% focused on product quality, regardless the cost, the technical challenge and the required artisanal input. 

The most overt manifestation of this approach lies in Tonalite’s use of expensive colours to achieve the desired end product; such as Rosso Tonalite or Rosso Selenio – a symbol of the company.

From the outset, when it concentrated on producing single-fired floor tiles, Tonalite has always used cutting-edge technology, while creating patterns and colours to satisfy the needs of its discerning customers.  The result is a portfolio that spans gloss and matt glazes, and rectangular, square, star and rhombus formats. Tonalite specialises in small sizes for use either as decorative elements or in the creation of dramatic feature walls.  It has been at the vanguard in the rebirth of geometric pattern in the tile sector, with designs that can give floors or walls a dynamic and individual look.

This philosophy of using different elements, finishing and formats underpins Sistema T; Tonalite’s tile planning solution.  It is composed of seven different collections that can all be used together harmoniously.  Silk, Sation, Arabesque Silk, and Arabesque Satin are produced in 11 colours and two surfaces; while Cushion is produced in seven matt and eight gloss colours.   These Sistema T ranges have recently been augmented by Arrow Silk and Arrow Satin.

Among Tonalite’s current portfolio, three ranges stand out.  Esamarine is a white body ceramic range available in Verde, Petrolio, Blu, and Bianco.  These hexagonal tiles, characterised by rich glazes and the complexity of the surface aesthetic, come in a 162 by 185mm format.

The three darker hues will bring a moody magnificence to any interior, providing a bold contrast to the more understated but still characterful white option.

Exanuance is another hexagonal range, this time in 11 on-trend colours: Acqua, Blu, Celeste, Cotto, Ferro, Glicine, Latte, Nero, Rosa, Salvia, and Tabacco.

This 140 by 160mm design, 8mm thick, is produced in glazed porcelain and is suitable for both floor and wall applications.

Slim rectangular formats are currently a really hot ticket, and Tonalite is right on the money with Nuance.  This 70 by 280mm glazed porcelain range is also offered in Acqua, Blu, Celeste, Cotto, Ferro, Glicine, Latte, Nero, Rosa, Salvia, and Tabacco colour options.

This versatile colour palette is amplified by the fact that this range works equally well in horizontal, vertical, or angled laying patterns.  The colours work well individually or in combination, further increasing the range’s decorative possibilities.

Tonalite

A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, April 2020.