After roaming miles of aisles and a dozen pavilions at the Bologna Fairgrounds for Cersaie, Ceramics of Italy is pleased to reveal the top seven tile trends for the fall-winter season. From a design standpoint, the new collections from Italian tile producers were full of striking patterns, saturated colour and interesting surface effects made possible by new technologies and collaborations with famous design studios and fashion houses, including Mendini, Lissoni, Versace, Valentino and Rubelli. Italian brands also demonstrated their expanding library of product offerings with sinks, shower floors and kitchen countertops made of porcelain-tile slabs.
BAS RELIEF
Relief is a centuries-old sculptural technique, used by artisans to add depth and drama to the built environment – from the frieze of the Parthenon to Trajan’s column in Rome. This year’s tile collections were full of relief, from ridges and creases to more sculptural surfaces, such as boiserie.
Other collections include Edimax-Astor Stream, Fap Lumina, Imola Bubble, Marca Corona Victoria, Piemme Materia, and Vogue Dekorami.
SPECKLED
Given Modernism’s recent comeback, it’s not surprising to see speckled surfaces as one of this year’s biggest trends. Micro and macro fragments, technicolour dots and playful interpretations of terrazzo all played a starring role in dozens of new introductions.
Other collections include: ABK Blend, Coem Porfirica, Del Conca Frammenti, Ergon Medley, Fioranese Terrazzo MaxiMini, Florim Le Palladiane di Rex, Fondovalle Shards, Francesco De Maio Puntini, and Mosaico+ Quilt.
PRECIOUS
From designs emulating rare marbles and semi-precious stones to tiles with an iridescent finish reminiscent of Akoya pearls, preciousness was the name of the game for dozens of manufacturers this year. It also gives designers a chance to source rare and precious materials without depleting the Earth’s natural resources.
Other collections include: ABK Sensi Gems, Blustyle Elite, Casa Dolce Casa Onyx & More, Coem Moon_Stone, Decoratori Bassanesi Luci di Venezia, Del Conca Boutique, Fondovalle Infinito, Mirage Cosmopolitan, Refin Vietri-Lux, Sant’Agostino Akoya, Sicis Vetrite, Vallelunga Nolita, and Viva Narciso.
BLENDED MATERIALS
One of the advantages of digital printing is the ability to reproduce the look of just about any material. With unlimited possibilities at their fingertips, Italian tile companies are blending material effects, such as wood and concrete or marble and terrazzo, to create entirely original typologies and new opportunities in interior design.
Additional examples include: Fioranese Sfrido, Emilceramica Millelegni Remake, Floor Gres B&W Marble, Sant’Agostino Timewood, and Vallelunga Nolita.
FLORA
Designers know that a touch of greenery can add comfort or whimsy to any space, not to mention the psychological benefits of biophilia. This year’s tile collections offer a range of floral options, from hyper-realistic green walls to playful palm prints.
Other collections include: Casalgrande Padana Limpha, Emilceramica Tele di Marmo Revolution, Fap Nux, Ragno Maiora, Target Group Icon, Tonino Lamborghini Tiles & Style Premium and Vallelunga I-Sense.
TERRACOTTA AND SAGE
Italians do not shy away from colour, which was obvious at this year’s show. Similar to Salone last spring, a warm colour palette saturated the show floor – but sage and terracotta were the most popular hues, both separately and occasionally paired together.
Other examples include: Appiani Bamboo, Ariana Luce, Cir Materia Prima, Emilceramica Externa Cotto, LaFaenza Terra, Ragno Resina, Refin Foil, Target Group Opera, and Vogue System.
PSYCHEDELIC
They say “everything old is new again,” and the same is true for tile. Radical references to the 1960s and 70s were plentiful, with psychedelic colours, playful geometries and trippy patterns galore.
Additional examples include: Bardelli Fleurs, Caesar Join, Emilceramica Dimore, Fioranese Cementine_OpenAir, Marca Corona Paprica, Ornamenta DECOR, and Target Group Icon.
