2014 Tile of Spain Press Pages by Lori Dolnick

Unique Homes Magazine (print), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

CFileOnline.org, January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Contract Magazine (print), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Magazine (print), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Detroit News (Newspaper), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

InteriorsAndSources.com, January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Interiors&Sources DesignFlash (E-newsletter), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Stagetecture.com, January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Architectural Record Magazine (print), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

KBBonline.com (E-Newsletter), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

As you will read in the Industry News section of this edition of the Stone & Tile Design Insider, Tile of Spain once again held its Passport to Creativity contest to select four lucky architects and designers to be a part of a trip to Valencia, Spain, where they will view Spanish architecture, sample local cuisine, and most importantly, learn about Spanish tile. The trip, which also includes several members of the press, is held in conjunction with Cevisama, the international tile exhibition held annually in Valencia, Spain. I am excited to say that I will be one of the members of the press who will be accompanying the Passport to Creativity winners. With a long history of reporting on the tile industry, I have been fortunate enough to attend Cevisama for many years. But I consider it extra special when I can be a part of Tile of Spain’s guided tour. The introductory e-mails among the group have already begun, and the excitement about the upcoming trip is obvious. For some -- the architects and designers as well as the journalists -- this is their first trip to Spain or an international tile event such as this. I will enjoy watching their reactions to all the new sights and tile products they see. A fresh perspective is always welcomed, but attending trade shows such as this never becomes tiresome to me. It is a great way to learn about the newest tile collections on the market. I am always amazed how each year tile manufacturers seem to outdo themselves with their newest introductions. A fun part of a tile exhibition such as Cevisama is determining the current tile trends. I am starting to wonder what will be the “hot” look for 2014? Will it be an even more refined wood look or the large thin porcelain panels that were beginning to surface in 2013? It doesn’t take too much time walking the exhibition halls before the trends become apparent. I look forward to soaking it all in, and I will be presenting a full report upon my return.

Tile-Magazine.com, January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Letter Magazine (print), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Floor Covering Weekly (print), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

CTC&G Magazine (print), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Arkansas Democrat Gazette (newspaper), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Winners of 2014 Passport to Creativity Contest Announced December 27, 2013

Tile of Spain, the international brand representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association, has announced the winners of the 2014 Passport to Creativity contest. The contest offered four architects and interior designers a chance to win a free trip to Spain to participate in an architectural excursion, where they will earn CEU credits and visit Cevisama 2014, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishing Show in Valencia, Spain. To enter, participants had to submit a creative photo of themselves with Spanish tile. The four design professionals selected to participate in an eight-day, architectural tour and trip to Spain are: • Kristyna Borden, Interior Design Professional, HOK Architects • David DeQuattro, Principal, RGB Architects • Denise M Fitzgerald, Interior Designer, Bolick Distributors • Monica Hanley, Interior Designer/ Business Development Director, NEMD Architects Inc. As part of the Architects and Designers Tour running February 8 to 15, 2014, Passport to Creativity winners will explore Madrid and Valencia, Spain. They will be able to immerse themselves in Spanish culture and culinary arts, observe sites and attractions with architectural and design signiﬁcance and gain a general understanding and appreciation for Spain.

Monica Hanley, Interior Designer, Business Development

Denise M Fitzgerald, Interior Designer, Bolick Distributors

KBBonline.com, January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Kristyna Borden, Interior Design Professional, HOK Architects

David DeQuattro, Principal, RGB Architects

TILE OF SPAIN - Pamesa

Interior Design-Designwire (E-newsletter), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Stone & Tile Design-Insider (E-newsletter), January 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ResBuildMag.com (E-newsletter), February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Kitchen & Bath Design News Magazine (print), February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Stone & Tile Design Magazine (print), February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Twitter.com, February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Kitchen & Bath Design News Magazine (print), February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ResBuildMag.com, February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ResBuildMag.com (E-newsletter), February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Snap Magazine (print), February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

TheKitchenDesigner.org, February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ResBuildMag.com, February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Meet the Editors Traveling with Tile of Spain Feb 8-15 Using tile as a default surface is a tradition that keeps the Spanish tile industry at the frontline of ceramic innovation. Tile of Spain is a strong global leader and international brand that represents the 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Tile Manufacturers Association (ASCER). Like each year, Tile of Spain has announced the winners of its 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Passport to Creativityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contest. Four design professionals have won the chance of participating in an 8 day architectural tour and trip to Spain (from February 8 to February 15, 2014).

Stagetecture.com, February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Trends 2014 Having just returned as a guest of Tile of Spain, after attending Cevisama, held in Valencia, Spain, one of the largest tile industry shows, I have compiled a list of tile trends you will want to know about NOW. Just a note have you seen Tile of Spain’s website? It’s GOOD - ﬁlled with information, quick ship products and easy and fast to navigate. Worth a mention and a visit.

Based on studying my images (over 3,000), here are the tile trends that I spotted on the show floor. Many are continuing strong trends from previous years. Other peripheral trends, at an early stage, are venturing into new visual and functional territory. The trends I spotted are in no particular order. I will do three posts with five trends each. See below for examples of the first five trends! Fresh Traditionals - A fresh take on traditional motifs and design which we have seen taking hold around the world in all products for residential design and new traditional tile interpretation is cool, beautiful, fun! AND, it’s perfect for today’s easy living. New Elegance - It’s bigger, bolder and dares to emulate traditional elements such as raised panels, strong new flooring patterns and smart sophisticated designs. Mid Century Modern interpretation is seen in new tile shapes, sizes, colors and quiet finishes. Retro Rules - Exciting to me, are we seeing a return to terracotta colors but with new textures - it’s coming! The deep, rich colors and organic textures of the 70s to 90s are coming back along with companion motifs that feel familiar yet new. This trend category was among my favorites that I spotted at the show. Urban Craft - Anything goes, from comic book motifs to artistic expression that is unique and replicates materials such as rough metals, mirror and has the use of text on occasion. Absolutely exciting! Home Craft - The look of hand painted motifs that are simple and always charming. Home Craft tile trends also are made with textures that have a warm, handmade look to them - sometimes in pastels or conversely in bold, classic yet primitive patterns.

TheKitchenDesigner.org, February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Andy Series from Dune

Specifics-Interiors & Sources (E-newsletter), February 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ArchitectsAndArtisans.com, March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

FloorTrendsMag.com (E-newsletter), March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

PRnewswire.com, March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

KBBonline.com (E-newsletter), March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

JGKitchens.com, March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

3. Cevicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Antic Special series (interior wall tiles) come in four reactive glazes: Aqua Marina (light green), Lave Verde (dark green), Via Lactea (blue, Pergamon (cream) and Milk, a transparent white. Through Quality Tile, NYC, 718-653-0830 qualitytilecorp.com. 11. Porcelanosaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s XLight through-body oversized porcelain tiles are extra-thin with varying finishes and patterns found on natural stone. Porcelanosa Greenwich, 203-698-7618, porcenanosa-usa.com

CTC&G Magazine (print), March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Magazine (print), March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newspaper (print), March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Unforgettable Highlights: My @TileofSpain Architectural Trip to Spain Entry #3370, March 27, 2014

February 2014 was a whirlwind for me and many of my colleagues in the interior design blogging niche. February 2-6th I was at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and February 8-15th, I was fortunate to travel to Valencia and Madrid, Spain with the Tile of Spain. For many reasons other than the obvious this was a monumental trip for me. To be able to experience architectural Europe is any architects dream and on top of this to visit the Cevisama Tile Trade Show and visit some of the artisan tile factories was amazing!

Who is the Tile of Spain?

Tile of Spain is the international brand representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER). Along with myself I was accompanied by Susan Serra – from Susan Serra Associates, the other design journalists, the winners of the Tile of Spain – Passport to Creativity contest, and staff from Tile of Spain and Frank Advertising. Here’s the highlights of my awesome trip!

Relief tiles, large format, and colorful new and organic inspired tiles were big at Cevisama

Stagetecture.com, March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Letter Magazine (print), March 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Letter Magazine (print)Page 1, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Letter Magazine (print)Page 2, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ResbuildMag.com, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile of Spain Introduces Quick Ship Web Catalog Tile of Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Quick Ship Collection is an interactive web-based tool allowing users to search for and purchase tile from Spanish manufacturers.

TalkFloor (E-newsletter), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

FloorTrendsMag.com, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

StoneWorld.com, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

StoneWorld.com (E-newsletter), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Real Life Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

K+BB Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Togama, Keraben and Grespania were featured on todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s television appearance on The Morning Blend on local Las Vegas TV.

VegasMorningBlend.com, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Floor Covering Weekly (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Twenty-five years ago, the tile and stone industry in the United States was gaining momentum and needed a single, cohesive venue for distributors, retailers, contractors, installers and specifiers to see the finest examples of new tile production available in North America. The solution: Coverings, the first U.S. tile and stone exposition and conference, was founded not only to showcase new products, tools and machinery, but also to provide networking opportunities, training and education on an array of topics from design trends to installation techniques and certification programs. The first iteration of Coverings took place in 1990 in Anaheim, California, when Tile Expo and The World Exposition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings merged, creating The International Tile Exposition, which later became the International Tile and Stone Exhibition and eventually Coverings. By all accounts the show was a huge achievement, met with enthusiasm and excitement from the first several hundred exhibitors. The inaugural show also accomplished something no one in the industry had been able to do — unite five industry associations under one umbrella: The Ceramic Tile Distributor Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and The Tile Council of North America (TCNA). “It seems nearly impossible that it has been 25 years since my first show,” said Inma Roca, Coverings Board Member and representative from Tile of Spain. “The show unquestionably hit the mark — finally there was a trade show, and not just an industry

conference format event, in North America.” Since that first show, Coverings has become overwhelmingly the largest and most important international platform for the tile and stone industry in the U.S., with more than 900 exhibitors, more than 70 conference sessions and a myriad of networking events annually — all for free. “When I look back and see how Coverings has progressed over the years, these words by Peter Drucker come to mind: ‘Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision,’” said Luciano Galassini, Coverings Board Member and Deputy Director General of Confindustria Ceramica. “By joining forces with other tile associations and creating a tradeshow run by the industry, we’ve been able to transform the tile market in the U.S. Many things have changed over 25 years, but the show continues to be the best tool for promoting tile in America among distributors, contractors, specifiers and consumers.” Coverings Catapults Industry Growth The growth of Coverings, however, has come with limitations. While Anaheim proved to be a popular venue in the show’s early years, the sheer size of Coverings restricts the locations where it can take place, which currently includes convention centers in Las Vegas, Orlando, Atlanta and Chicago. “Each year, we seek to produce a show that is more outstanding, impactful and memorable than the last,” said Karin Fendrich, Coverings show director. “Coverings exhibitors continually showcase outstanding products and inventive booths with international flair, like no other trade show in the United States. Paired with the most comprehensive educational track and numerous networking opportunities, Coverings continues to provide the platform that the industry relies on to thrive and continue its success all year long.” The show’s owners attribute the growth of the industry to the success of Coverings. In fact, tile consumption has catapulted in the U.S. market from 977 million square feet in 1988 to 3.3 billion square feet at the industry’s peak in 2006, according to U.S. tile consumption data from the Tile Council of North America. During that same time, the industry has witnessed a revolution in technology and design, all taking place at Coverings. From the institution of rectified tiles in 1993 to the introduction of large format tiles in 1998 and inkjet technology gaining popularity around 2003, nearly every aspect of the industry has evolved. “Since inception, Coverings has been about people and education—and over the years, the show has only improved,” said Svend Hovmand, Coverings Board Member and representative of the Tile Council of North America. “Coverings has evolved to showcase truly impressive booths, brilliant products, live installation demonstrations, and equally important—our educational track. As tile and stone have become essential to the overall architecture and design of many spaces, Coverings remains critical to fulfilling industry demand.”

Floor Covering News (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Celebrating 25 years: Coverings will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with an ofﬁcial Anniversary “After-Hours” Party on Wednesday, April 30 from 9-11 p.m. at Hyde Bellagio nightclub. The special event will feature an open bar, music, networking and reminiscing. Exhibitors and distributors can purchase up to 10 tickets to share with customers. Tickets are $60 each, and can be purchased upon show registration at coverings. com. Additionally, Coverings attendees will receive a 25th Anniversary commemorative collectible at the show. Sponsors of the show are The Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Conﬁndustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA). The show is managed by National Trade Productions.

TADA Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Remodeling Trends Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Grespania Amazonia Roble

This porcelain wood-effect ﬂoor tile copies the cuts produced by a dented saw. The 6-by-31.5-inch multipurpose tile comes with a normal or anti-slip ﬁnish and can be used both indoors and out. grespania.com

Mosavit Fosvit Tile

This patented luminescent glass mosaic is visible in the dark after being exposed to natural or artiﬁcial light, emitting a soft blue glow that lasts approximately eight hours. mosavit.com

Metropolis Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Ceramic Tile Report - April 2014 By Jessica Chevalier

Last year marked another strong period of growth in the ceramic market. Though the tile industry has seen steady increases since 2010, several of the manufacturers with whom we spoke reported that 2013 seemed to mark a change. Thomas Smith, president of Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola North America, contends that “2013 was the year when the market started loosening up, the year where things started feeling busy again, so we expect 2014 to be a very good year, a year when things are back to better. This is an opportunity to invest.” MARKET PLAYERS Porcelanosa is a family owned company with 5,000 employees worldwide; the company manufactures all of its products in Spain. Porcelanosa recently purchased a six-story building on Madison Square Park in Manhattan and is currently renovating the space to serve as a showroom; one floor will function as office space. The location is expected to open by the end of the year. The company also opened two new retail locations last year, one in Colorado and one in Pennsylvania. Porcelanosa terms itself a vertically integrated manufacturer because it creates, distributes and retails its products; its goal is to be as close to the end user as possible. The company serves every channel of the market and has dedicated sales teams to service the A&D and hospitality sectors. In total, about 40% of its business is commercial; 40% to 45% is sold through its privately owned retail locations; and the rest of the business goes through distribution. Porcelanosa has not pursued Green Squared certification, though it believes that it meets all the requirements for the certification. Ultimately, the company is waiting for an increase in demand from the A&D community before it goes after the accreditation. Porcelanosa manufactures a product that contains 95% post-industrial recycled content and reports that its manufacturing processes are so efficient that it is running out of waste material. Porcelanosa has also stayed at the forefront of the large and thin tile trends with its X-Light collection that is 118”x39” and 1/8” thick.

Floor Focus Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Revestir 2014: A review of Brazil’s tile show - April 2014 By Ruth Simon McRae

Expo Revestir 2014 was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from March 11 to 14, 2014. It was an opportunity for the world to see all of Brazil’s ceramic manufacturing—tile and sanitary ware—as well as other types of floorcovering all in one place. Of the 250 worldwide manufacturers, 80% were Brazilian. There were other companies from the global community; Italy had a small yet impressive presence. There were also a few other companies from areas as far flung as Croatia, for example. The Spanish company Dune also showed some unique, fun materials for both walls and floors. The small boutiquelike space showed eclectic design, including some traditional geometric and medallion type styles that could be combined to create a very modern look on the floor.

Thinner Tiles Create More Options Without Sacrificing Performance By Matthew Spieler April 1, 2014

Thinner tiles make installing today’s extra large panels easier despite their huge size, as can be seen here of Neolith’s Belgian Blue floor.

o matter the category, technology has been playing a major role in the types of products manufacturers are able to produce, and the tile industry is no different. In fact, many would argue there’s a technological revolution taking place in the category—some would call it an evolution—as companies are creating products with looks and textures never before seen. Ryan Fasan, technical consultant to the Tile of Spain, said, “There are so many reasons slim porcelains make sense—reduction in resources required,

Floor Trends Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

reduction in product and shipping emissions and easier maneuverability and cutting on jobsites to name a few.” However, he added, as with anything new there is always trepidation about performance. “The fact is that today’s slim porcelains are, by and large, more impact and bending resistant than traditional thickness materials. Each factory has its own method to increase technical aspects of their slim tile but the truth is, for light commercial and residential applications slim porcelains are a fantastic option.”

Being able to utilize larger tiles also helps speed up installation. Neolith’s Belgian Blue Floor is a perfect example of how these products produce fewer joints for installers to grout.

Ryan Fasan, technical consultant to the Tile of Spain, noted, while the adoption rate for the larger formats has been slower in the U.S. compared to places like Europe, it “had more to do with the framed construction method— contrary to Europe’s block and slab method—as well as a lack of quality experienced trades to work with these larger sizes than a desire for more grout that comes with smaller formats. Thanks to better surface preparation materials and certified installer programs, the barriers to getting larger formats installed are disappearing.” In fact, he said, “Americans are really starting to embrace the larger formats that have been coming out of Europe for over a decade now. Progressive markets like Miami, Los Angles and New York City are beginning to gobble up 36-inch squares and rectangles now and not just for large commercial spaces, the trend is even making it’s way to residential kitchens and baths.” Spain manufacturer Natucer, noted, while the market trend is moving toward large format tile, “not all markets are ready for this now. On the East and West coasts, for example, architects and designers want to work with large sizes and are shifting their mindset toward this reality. Meanwhile consumers visiting local tile shops may still want more traditional sizes specifically for renovations.” Daniel Sanchez, sales director for TheSize, parent company of Neolith, said the extra large tiles, such as the mill’s 48 x 144-inch slab format with diamond straight rectified edges serves numerous purposes when it comes to design, such as allowing for fewer joints when covering a floor. This has two main benefits in terms of style: “It’s seamless, giving the space a minimalist and modern look, and it’s hygienic. Joints are usually where dust and dirt get trapped and are pretty difficult to clean. Minimizing the joints in a floor guarantees a cleaner and sleeker surface. Additionally, the large slabs are lightweight making transportation easier and expanding design capabilities.” Porcelanosa’s Manent agreed, saying there are many advantages when working with bigger tiles. “They increase the room size, cut down on maintenance—less grout joints—and improve the overall look and feel of the project—whether using a marble looking tile, a stone looking tile, etc.”

Floor Trends Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ON THE COVER: Tile has undergone a technological revolution in recent years as this month’s cover photo of Porcelanite’s 1312 series—which bears a striking resemblance to a real wood floor—shows. It’s not just the visuals that have allowed this to happen, as mill’s now have the ability to create larger and different sized tiles beyond the old 12-inch standard, including products with a much thinner profile than ever before.

Floor Trends Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Floor Covering News (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Coverings 2014 – Tile & Stone Show Preview 23 APRIL 2014 4:00 AM

Next week, I’ll be attending Coverings, North America’s top tile and stone trade show, for the ﬁrst time in almost a decade. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Cevisama in 2012 and Cersaie last fall, Spain’s and Italy’s respective tile shows. I’m looking forward to seeing more new products and trends at this show, including many American brands that didn’t exhibit at the European expos. This is a preview post of some of the products I’m looking forward to seeing. There will be a trip report post when I return, of course!

Monochromatics get dimensional by Pamesa (Photo Courtesy: Coverings)

JGKitchens.com, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

TileLetter.com, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile-Magazine.com, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Frequency.com, April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Floor Focus Magazine (print), April 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Hospitality Design Magazine(print), May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

CBP Magazine (print), May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Magazine (print), May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

12 FAVORITE TILE DESIGNS FROM COVERINGS 2014 Posted by Jaime Derringer on 05.07.14 in Interior Design, Main

These tiles from Apavisa look like paper ﬂapping in the wind…

Design-Milk.com, May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Patterned Tiles are Power Play at Coverings 2014 By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile. TUESDAY,

MAY 6, 2014

While Coverings was celebrating its 25th anniversary in Las Vegas, I was celebrating something I hadn’t seen much of at this annual tile and stone trade show since I’ve been attending: patterned tiles. Lot’s of patterned tiles! I was thrilled to see patterned tile proudly promoting artisanal looks almost everywhere. While last week’s post, New & Old Cement Tile Patterns Heat up the Strip, was supposed to be the last in a series to focus entirely on pattern and tile design, you’ll see why this week’s post is devoted to pattern once again: it shows how pattern is playing a big part in both design and tile trends. Tile Returns to Its Artisanal Roots Those of you who follow our blog know that I’m a big proponent both of color and pattern in design. So, I was thrilled to see many manufacturers embrace pattern in their 2014 tile designs! While pattern deﬁnitely took center stage, the underlying theme was a trend to create tiles with an artisanal look. I was thrilled to see porcelain tiles paying homage to traditional and contemporary cement tile patterns. A wellexecuted example of where pattern took precedence is with Apavisa’s Hydraulic series. Cement Tiles are often called hydraulic tiles in Spanish-speaking countries. To create cement tiles, each tile is hydraulically pressed as part of the manufacturing process. This is often called a “hydraulic look.” Apavisa isn’t shy about letting us know that the inspiration for these tiles comes from the cement tile manufacturing method that was ﬁrst developed in Southern France during the mid 19th century. The tiles break from tradition using a larger 12-inch format, and are available in four pleasing but limited colors of patchwork natural, grey natural, black natural and blue natural. The patchwork natural colorway comes with 27 random patterns in each box! And remember, while the look is that of hand-crafted cement, these tiles are made entirely of porcelain. I want to thank Lori Dolnick and Katie Sikorski for inviting me to participate in the Tile of Spain Press Conference and tour hosted by the always-insightful Ryan Fasan. As an advocate of hand-crafted ceramic and cement tile, I felt more connection than ever to these new porcelain tiles. Finally, a tip of the hat to Tile of Spain for exhibiting distinctively unique ceramic innovations at Coverings 2014!

Apavisa’s Hydraulic Blue pays homage to Classic Cement Tile Designs

Aparici’s Vanguard embraces bold pattern and placement

AventeTileTalk.com, May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Apavisa uses classic patterns and a straight-forward palette

Apavisa’s Hydraulic Natural Patchwork has 27 random patterns

Coverings 2014 Exhibitors Brought Spectacular Tile and Stone Products to Las Vegas By Lori Dolnick May 07 2014

When the tile and stone industry gathered together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Coverings, I was blown away by the latest introductions from more than 900 exhibitors representing more than 35 countries. Coverings offers an in‐depth view of tile and stone that is truly impressive, and just when I thought I saw all the trends and new products for kitchens and baths – there was more to see… Fusion Tile manufacturers are fusing natural inspirations to create distinctively unique expressions for designers and homeowners. According to Colorker, “The phenomenon of fusion has become the identifying signal of our time. We see it in music, fashion, architecture, technology, art and in ceramic design.” Colorker, which won a Coverings Best Booth award (shown above), presented the Fusion series in which cement, wood and stone are strewn together to offer a graphic richness united by a single color range. Vintage, Lived In One of the hottest trends right now is the idea of vintage or lived‐in looks. Companies like Tile of Spain’s Grespania have the skill to make these looks authentic and warm in its new Amazonia collection of wood‐ look ceramic tiles that boast a stylish relief and a gently timeworn appearance.

Grespania’s Amazonia collection

KBBonline.com, May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Coverings 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Top Tile Trends 14 MAY 2014 9:13 PM

I recently attended Coverings, another major tile and stone show, in Las Vegas. It was a very good expo, with some of my favorite American, Spanish and Italian manufacturers in attendance. I was also delighted to see some goodlooking tiles from Latin America. Here were the top trends I spotted on the show ďŹ&#x201A;oor. None of them surprised me, having seen most of them already on my four European expo trips in the last few years, but it was nice to see them all in one place on our side of the pond, along with some new developments.

Updated encaustics from Spain (Image Courtesy: Apavisa)

JGKitchens.com, May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Commercial Building Products (Print), May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Top Brands and Materials Used by Home Renovation Experts by Katie Weismiller On May 15, 2014

With sites like Pinterest and Houzz, it is easy to digitally design a home that ﬁts your style. These sites are great for inspiration, but nothing beats expert advice when choosing materials that will withstand time. Building and remodeling experts share their tried and true product recommendations. Incorporate these materials into your design plan to maximize your remodeling spend. Materials for a Kitchen Remodel: A kitchen remodel offers a high return on investment during resale, so be discerning with the materials you choose for your remodel, focusing on quality and usability. Jamie Gold, San Diegobased kitchen designer and author of New Kitchen Ideas That Work, suggests looking abroad for your countertop materials. “For years, quartz was my go-to countertop for kitchen remodels. But the new porcelain slab countertops that originated in Europe offer the same advantages as quartz and are able to go outdoors – creating a seamless transition between kitchen and patio.”

Recommended brands: Porcelanosa (countertops)

Blog.HomeFinder.com, May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Fabulous Floors Magazine(print), May 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Floor Focus Magazine (print), June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

K+BB (E-newsletter), June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Floor Focus Magazine (print), June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

AventeTileTalk.com, June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Top 5 Subway Tile Trends in 2014 Kitchens by Karen LeBlanc on June 29, 2014

Subway tile is making a comeback in home interiors and in unexpected places and spaces. Fresh interpretations of subway tile add texture, dimension, patterns and color to surfaces from kitchen backsplashes to bedroom walls. During the 2014 Coverings Show, I discovered some creative uses of subway tile to add style to any living space. Here are a few of my favorite subway tile design trends and installation ideas. For more on the latest tile trends, watch my latest episodes of “Inside Design Minds” where I take you on a global tour of tile style at the 2014 Coverings Show.

Subway Tile With Shimmy and Sheen:

Shimmy & Sheen Subway Tile Trend. These iridescent colored Subway Tiles reﬂect and disperse light much like glass mosaics tiles. Notice how the tile appears to undulate as light hits the surface. Today’s Subway Tile style showcases textured surfaces. Photo courtesy of Magna Tile

Subway Tile Luminous:

Luminous tile that diffuses light on this kitchen backsplash reﬂects one of the latest tile trends. Photo courtesy of Cevica Tile.

Subway Tile in a Single Splash of Color:

This bathroom feature wall mimics red brick as a single sweep of color. One of the latest Subway Tile Trends is a seamless sweep of color. Photo courtesy of Ceramica Elias.

Subway Tile as Minimalist Style: Classic white Subway Tile provides a clean, neutral backdrop synonymous with minimalist design in this industrial-urban living space. Photo courtesy of Mainzu International Tile

InsideDesign.tv, June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

RUSTIC AND TERRACOTTA TILES FROM TILE OF SPAIN Posted on June 26, 2014

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a quick look at some Rustic and Terracotta tiles from Tile of Spain and how you might consider using them in your next outdoor project. The natural hues of terracotta and rustic ceramic add warmth and personality to each space, keeping us in contact with Mother Nature: A place to nap in the sun, a small indoor patio, a place to plant a garden, etc. Besides their natural beauty, rustic tiles have technical advantages that allow their use in cold weather zones. There are several formats (square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) and in each line there is a wide variety of complementary pieces such as decorative edges, moldings, inserts, baseboards and steps. Besides the natural ďŹ nish, there are rustic tiles available that are decorated with beautiful glass and enamel inlays as well as artisan crackles and subtle veined pieces, another way to personalize any space.

TheBuildingBlox.com, June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Residential Building Products & Technology Magazine, June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Letter Magazine (print), June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Architectural Products Magazine (print), June 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

FloorTrendsMag.com, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

FloorTrendsMag.com (E-newsletter), July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ForResidentialPros.com, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

KBCulture.com, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Architectural Products Magazine (print), July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

usgbc-ncc.org, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

TalkFloor (E-newsletter), July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

FloorTrendsMag.com, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Stone & Tile Design Insider (E-newsletter), July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Residential Building Products & Technology (E-newsletter), July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Orlando-Life.com, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Aparici

Natucer

Kitchen & Bath Design News Magazine, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Apavisa

Keraben

La Platera

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine Page 1, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Pamesa

Metropol

Togama

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine Page 2, July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Covering.com (blog), July 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

FloorTrendsMag.com XXXXXXXX, August 2014 (E-newsletter), August 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

BREAKING NEWS

Tile Of Spain Quick Ship Collection now updated with over 120 products August 4, 2014

MIAMI, FL -- Tile of Spain, the international brand representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER), has updated the Tile of Spain Quick Ship Collection to include 36 companies and over 120 products. An interactive web based tool, the Quick Ship Collection is a select group of tile products from Spanish manufacturers that are available for immediate purchase in the U.S. and are in stock and available for delivery within four to eight weeks. Available online at www.tileofspainusa.com/quickship, the Quick Ship Collection interactive catalog makes it easy to search for tile. Users can search by product category -- floor, wall, mosaics, innovations, exterior, and nature inspired -- or by company name. Each entry includes the tile series name, color image, detailed description of each pattern, available sizes and uses, and contact information to purchase the product in the U.S. • Alcalagres • Altoglass • Aparici • Apavisa • Azulev • Azuliber • Ceramica Elias • Ceramicas Azahar • Cicogres • Dune Ceramica • El Barco • Emac Complementos, S.L.

Tile-Magazine.com, August 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

• Equipe Ceramicas • Gayafores • Grespania • Halcon Ceramicas • Ibero Ceramica • Inalco • Keraben • Keramia • Keros • Land Porcelanico • Levantina • Metropol

• Niro Ceramica • Onix • Pamesa • Porcelanicos HDC • Porcelanosa • Realonda • Roca • Rosagres • Saloni • Stn Ceramica • Tau • Vives

Stone & Tile Designer (E-newsletter), August 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

WorldArchitectureNews.com, August 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Media.DesignerPages.com/3rings, August 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Interiors & Sources (E-newsletter), August 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

National Association of Plumbing Showroom Professionals, August 2014 (E-newsletter), Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Residential Building Products & Tecnology Magazine, August 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Kitchen & Bath Ideas Magazine (print), August 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Floor Focus (print), August/September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

FLOORING INSIDER Tile of Spain Calls for Passport to Creativity Contest Entries Tile of Spain, the international brand representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association (ASCER), is now accepting entries for the 2015 Passport to Creativity contest.

TalkFloor (E-newsletter), September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

FloorTrendsMag.com, September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

ProInstallerMagazine.com, September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Facebook.com, September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

InteriorsAndSources.com, September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

AECCafe.com, September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile of Spain, the international brand representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association (ASCER), is now accepting entries for the 2015 Passport to Creativity contest. The contest gives architects and interior designers an opportunity to enter to win a free trip to Spain.

Interior Design (E-newsletter), September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

CompetitiOnline.com, September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Magazine (print), September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

By Ryan Fasan Artisan businesses, both inside and outside the tile industry, draw upon their roots to tell the story behind their product. Industries and consumers are now celebrating the handmade; this has given rise to specialty coffee roasters, craft beer and websites like Etsy and Modcloth that sell artisanal goods. And this trend isn’t only among hipsters in Portland and Brooklyn. Today, it doesn’t matter how much you spend on a sweater; what matters is the story behind it. Businesses like Brooklyn Tailors in New York are forcing big name fashion to look to artisans for small batches of classic workmanship. Across North America, there is a reemerging appreciation for the handmade. Knit-ins, home brew clubs, farm shares and home gardens are becoming increasingly popular. As a Spanish tile consultant, I see this return to the classic impacting ceramic tile as well. Tile is an easy to maintain, highly durable, quintessentially modern material, yet steeped in history and craftsmanship. Ceramic tile tells a story. With one foot firmly rooted in the past, modern ceramics are reborn by redefining an iconic and enduring design language. Artisan influences in ceramic tile spring from a variety of sources: from family-run tile companies making handmade terra cotta to the artisan glazes used on modern mass-produced ceramics.

FloorDaily.net, September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

K+BB Magazine (print), September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Designer Pages (E-newsletter), September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Media.DesignerPages.com, September 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Designer Pages Media (E-newsletter), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

K+BB Collective (E-newsletter), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine (print), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

HotelBusinessDesign.com, October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Designer Pages Media (E-newsletter), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine (print), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Interiors & Sources Magazine (print), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Professional Builder Magazine (print), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Interior Design Market Tabloid (print), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile of Spain-Apavisa Hydraulic

Qualified Remodeler (print), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile of Spain-Apavisa Hydraulic

Qualified Remodeler (print), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Interiors & Sources Magazine (print), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Covering.com (blog), October 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Kitchen & Bath Design News (print), November 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Of Spain 2015 “Passport to Creativity” Contest Monday, December 01, 2014 midnight

Description Tile of Spain, the international brand representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER), is now accepting entries for the 2015 Passport to Creativity contest. The contest gives architects and interior designers an opportunity to enter to win a free trip to Spain. Winners will participate in a February 2015 architectural excursion where they will earn four CEU credits and get a chance to visit Cevisama 2015, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishing Show in Valencia, Spain. To enter, Tile of Spain asks architects and interior designers to be creative and submit a picture of themselves with Spanish Tile. The tile can be a photo, a catalog or even a sample of Spanish Tile. Photos can be downloaded from the Inspiration Gallery at tileofspainusa.com. Be imaginative, and have fun! “Passport to Creativity is a popular contest among architects and designers,” states Rocamador Rubio Gomez, representative for Tile of Spain. “The submission process fuels the creativity of these talented individuals and often sparks visionary design ideas for future projects. We are very excited to witness fresh and creative ideas in this year’s entries.” The Tile of Spain 2015 Passport to Creativity Tour, running February 7th to 14th, 2015, includes time to explore beautiful Spain while experiencing its world-famous culture including the culinary arts, historical sites and attractions with architectural and design significance. The trip also includes a guided visit to Cevisama 2015, factory and booth tours and an exclusive press conference. All participants will earn CEU credits. For complete rules, and details on how to enter “Passport to Creativity”, please visit www.tileofspainusa.com/contest. Entries will be accepted through December 1, 2014 and winners will be notified in the week of December 15, 2014.

InteriorDesign.net, November 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

TileLetter.com, November 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Ceramic: State of the industry

TILE CONSUMPTION DOWN SLIGHTLY, EXECS STAY UPBEAT By Louis Iannaco

y most accounts, domestic tile consumption thus far in 2014 has fallen off slightly, but most tile executives remain optimistic about the rest of the year heading into 2015. The consensus seems to be that despite a slower than expected improvement in U.S. housing and remodeling, the tile segment remains strong following last year’s rebound and subsequent growth. At Tile of Spain, representative Rocamador Rubio Gomez was also bullish on the future, believing the market is completely recovered as shown by construction data in recent months. “According to a new Kitchen and Bath study by GMP Research, U.S. construction grew 12% in 2013, fueled by private expenditures (+20.6%).” Trends According to many manufacturers, thin tile is also the future of ceramic. For example, Ryan Fasan, technical consultant at Tile of Spain, said, “With the same strength and properties of regular ceramic, thin tile can be offered in large, groutless formats for counters, showers, walls, facades and more. It’s less costly to ship and it’s easier and more efficient to install. As the tile becomes more popular and is used in more projects, standards and training will help make it even more mainstream.” Future Outlook Tile of Spain’s Gomez noted, “We feel that the U.S. market is a priority for Spanish exports. Ceramic tile use is on the rise, and the number of distributors and retailers are also growing. Spain is perfectly positioned with technology, design and sustainable product especially made for the U.S. market. Many companies have worked hard to improve their distribution to the U.S. so that tile is stocked and ready to be provided quickly for projects.”

Floor Covering News Magazine, November 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Magazine (print), November 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Covering.com (blog), November 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Floor Covering News Magazine, December 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Tile Letter Magazine (print), December 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

TADA, December 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida

Interiors & Sources Magazine, December 2014 Tile of Spain Coral Gables, Florida