2017 TILE TREND REPORT
#1: AGAINST THE GRAIN Wood continues to serve as a major muse for the tile industry, with companies adding their own twist and utilizing new production methods to create a whole new typology of floor and wall covering. Some are inspired by exotic woods, offering a beautiful, sustainable alternative to rare hardwoods such as Kauri while others recreate the warmth and imperfections of wood in 2cm outdoor pavers, large thin slabs, kaleidoscopic patterns and threedimensional tiles that are virtually impossible to achieve with real timber. Collections include I Gozzi by Antiche Fornaci D’Agostino, Natura 2cm by Cerdisa, Gran Paradiso by Del Conca, Wood_Mood by Fioranese, Essences by Marca Corona, Koru by Mirage, NewAge by Monocibec, Raw by Ornamenta, Komi by Pastorelli, Provoak by Provenza, Rivamancina by Tagina and Woodlines by Unica.
(L-R): Del Conca Gran Paradiso, Unica Woodlines, Cerdisa Natura, Marca Corona Essences
#2: BITS & PIECES Many companies are introducing collections characterized by a random assortment of fragmented pieces, lending an eclectic and playful visual narrative to the surface. Some of the designs are inspired by natural stone with a conglomerate look such as Ceppo di Gré while others convey a sense of manual processing such as Venetian terrazzo and irregular stone mosaics. A few standout collections include: Bits, a reinterpretation of terrazzo flooring with square and irregular polygonal shapes, designed by Gordon Guillaumier for Ceramiche Piemme; and Sant’Agostino’s Set collection inspired by the
hand-cut mosaic floors of Carlo Scarpa’s Olivetti showroom in Venice. Other collections include Raw by 14oraitaliana, Marvel Gems by Atlas Concorde, Pennellato by Campogalliano, Pietre di Paragone by Casalgrande Padana, Maku by Fap, Marmocrea by Fioranese and Imperial by Novabell.
(L-R): Atlas Concorde Marvel Gems, Sant’Agostino Set, Fioranese Marmocrea, Fap Maku
#3: BLACK & BLUE While black is always in style, intense blacks with matte finishes are making a strong statement this year. Meanwhile, blue – which has been popping up everywhere this year from fall fashion shows to hair color – is taking the tile industry by storm, expanding beyond last year’s marine palette to include dusty, vibrant, and sophisticated hues of blue. For devotees of Le Corbusier, his preferred shades of ivory black and ultramarine blue from "Polychromie architecturale” are now available in ceramic tile thanks to a new project from Gigacer called LCS Ceramics. Other collections to look out for include Hops by 41zero42, Texture by Appiani, Marvel Gems by Atlas Concorde, I Marmi by Ava, Layers by Caesar, Earth and Pietre di Paragone by Casalgrande Padana, Sofia & Eve by Ceramica Bardelli, Living Stones by Blustyle, Stone Box by Cercom, Mat by Cir, Tr3nd by Ergon, ColorNow by Fap, Infinito 2.0 by Fondovalle, Blu Ponti by Francesco de Maio, Tulip by Isla, Sands Experience by Italgraniti, 4D by Marca Corona, Reve by Mirage, 80s by Ornamenta, Flex by Ragno, Metropaper by Sant’Agostino, Vetrite by Sicis, and Stonework by Supergres.
(L-R): Sicis Vetrite, Refin Arte Pura, Bardelli Sofia, 41zero42 Hops
#4: GRITTY CHIC Adding an edge to interiors, tile companies continue to experiment with plaster, concrete, metal and resin. Some designs are elegant interpretations of industrial surfaces, offering a kind of raw sophistication, while others are intentionally corroded and weathered, conjuring a romantic notion of the passage of time. One such collection is Archeologie designed by Franco Guerzoni for Cedit. His infatuation with forgotten walls and the poetic nature of ruins are embodied in the tile design, characterized by the stratification of colors and materials on walls. Additional collections include: Crea by Ariana, Mood by Astor, Network by Cerdisa, Tr3nd by Ergon, Cor-ten by Faetano, Raw Tech by Floor Gres, Origini by Imola, Lascaux by La Fabbrica, Trame by Lea, District by Leonardo, Street by Marca Corona, Claymood by Piemme, Terracruda by Ragno, Craft by Refin, Inside21 by Settecento, Art by Supergres and L’H by Viva.
(L-R): Supergres Art, La Fabbrica Lascaux, Faetano Cor-Ten, Cedit Archeologie
#5: MEGA MARBLE For designers who love the brilliant look of marble but loathe the headaches associated with it, porcelain tile is a no-brainer. Digital printing has become so advanced that it’s hard to tell whether the material is calacatta or ceramic, even after touching the surface. Being stain, scratch and chemical resistant, it gives clients freedom from fear (especially of red wine) and provides a low maintenance and low cost alternative to the precious material. Companies are producing these wunder objekts in sizes up to 5.25’ x 10.5’ and thicknesses ranging from a typical tile thickness of 10mm for heavy traffic floors to super thin ceramics that can be used to cover doors, furnishings and walls. A few collections even offer a book-matched option to create a fun and dramatic mirrored effect. Collections include: Marvel XL by Atlas Concorde, Copacabana by Ava, Marmoker by Casalgrande Padana, W_All by Flaviker, FORMstone by Florim, Mega by Italgraniti, Imperial by Novabell, Trilogy by Panaria, I Classici by Rex and Purity by Supergres.
(L-R): Atlas Concorde Marvel XL, Italgraniti Mega, Ava Copacabana, Novabell Imperial
#6: METALLICS With metallics’ growing popularity, beyond product design and into the built environment, it's unsurprising that tile companies are adding more metallics to the mix than ever before. Bronze, platinum and gold are the key players, often acting as inserts or decorative accents, adding a bit of glamour to collections often inspired by natural materials. Collections include: Loop by 41zero42, Alpes by ABK, Earth by Casalgrande Padana, Neutra 6.0 by Casamood, ColorNow by Fap, W_All by Flaviker, Swing by Petracer’s, Vetrite by Sicis, Brique by Unica.
(L-R): Unica Brique, Casamood Neutra 6.0, ABK Alpes, 41zero42 Loop
#7: RETRO REVIVAL Great designers learn from history, borrowing elements from the past and infusing them with contemporary ideas to create something completely new. Retro is a trend that has been percolating for years, especially with the graphic appeal of cementine and maiolica, but now other historical movements have joined the fold, from the elegance of art deco to the bold shapes and hues of Memphis. One collection that was completely revived from the 1960s is Blu Ponti by Francesco de Maio. Originally designed by Gio Ponti for the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Sorrento (the world’s first design hotel), a series of 30 blue and white decorations with geometric and naturalistic motifs are faithfully reproduced on 8”x8” ceramic tiles. Other tiles that fit this trend include XO by 14oraitaliana, Paper41 by 41zero42, Firenze Heritage by Fap, Cementine_Retro by Fioranese, Play by Imola, Hmade by Mirage, 80s by Ornamenta, Memory Mood by Panaria, Metrochic by Sant’Agostino and Aria by Verde1999.
(L-R): Francesco de Maio Blu Ponti, Verde1999 Aria, Ornamenta 80s, Petracer’s Swing
#8: RUSTIC MODERN Adding a new twist to country style, wood, stone, brick and cotto are invigorated by modern laying schemes, hues and patterns. Antique stone with metallic accents, terracotta in quatrefoil shapes, and geometric patterns overlaid onto distressed wood planks are just a few of the ways tile companies are blending farmhouse charm with modern elegance. Collections include Alpes by ABK, Listoni by Campani, Argille 2.0 by Casa Dolce Casa, Borgogna by Coem, Wornwood by Edilcuoghi, Arezzo by Faetano, Firenze Heritage by Fap, StonePit by Isla, Elements by Keope, Cottofaenza by LaFaenza, Cotto Med by Manifattura del Duca, Geobrick by Monocibec, Materia by Novabell, Epoca by Ragno, Epoque by Refin, Maison by Ricchetti, Faber by Sant’Agostino, Ducato di Borgogna by Serenissima, Proxi by Settecento, Story by Supergres, Rivamancina by Tagina and Trecentogradi by Viva.
(L-R): Settecento Proxi, Tagina Rivamancina, Fap Firenze Heritage, Novabell Materia
#9: SEAMLESS With decorative surfaces undergoing a renaissance, tile offers the perfect solution to create a contemporary fresco, combining the tactile appeal of wallpaper with the durability of ceramic. From large, thin porcelain tile panels and mesh-mounted mosaics to patterns that traverse a single tile's dimensions, Italian manufacturers are giving designers the tools to create a beautifully seamless surface. Cotto d’Este is one company combining artistic wall decoration with ultra-thin ceramic, offering 12 decorative patterns on large (1x3m) thin porcelain slabs with two distinct surface effects reminiscent of canvas and hand applied resin. Other collections include Paper41 by 41zero42, Texture by Appiani, Crea by Ariana, Eve by Bardelli, Mexicana by Cerdomus, Maku by Fap, Marmonomarmo by Imola, Waterfall by Lea, Nordic Stone by Italgraniti, Oplus by Ornamenta, Urbanature by Panaria, I Classici by Rex, Tipos by Sant’Agostino, Overlap by Unica.
(L-R): Ornamenta Oplus, Panaria Urbanature, Cotto d’Este Wonderwall, Appiani Texture
#10: WARP & WEFT Texture is the defining character of this year’s tile collections, which complements the many new textile inspired lines. Designs range from lace, macramé, linen and madras to masculine suiting fabrics, leather, tweed and tartan. Whether woven, knitted, knotted, or layered, the designs add another tactile element to the hard surface. One collection that embodies this trend is Arte Pura by Ceramiche Refin. Three distinct designs capture the feminine sensibility and fantastical world of Daniela Dallavalle, from imprints of lace and fragmented embroidery to layers of torn linen with frenetic doodles. Also of note is Vetrite, which turns Sicis fabrics into luxurious cladding via large format thin glass panels. Additional collections include Crea by Ariana, Room by Atlas Concorde, Tesori by Cedit, I Tessuti by Cerim, Craft by Cisa, Stone City by Del Conca, Lin_Side by Edilgres, Tussor by Edimax, Dream by Fondovalle, Trame by Lea, Reve by Mirage, TailorArt by Sant’Agostino, Aria by Verde1999 and Shade2 by Vogue.
(L-R): Ariana Crea, Sant’Agostino TailorArt, Fondovalle Dream, Del Conca Stone City