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 color and interesting surface effects made possible by new technologies and collaborations with famous design studios and fashion houses such as 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, like boiserie.
Clockwise from Top Left: Fioranese FIO.Block, Valelunga Soffio, Made+39 Drapes, Atlas Concorde Aix
Other collections include: Edimax-Astor Stream, Fap Lumina, Imola Bubble, Marca Corona Victoria, Piemme Materia, and Vogue Dekorami.
SPECKLED
Given postmodernism’s recent comeback, it’s not surprising to see speckled surfaces as one of this year’s biggest trends. Micro and macro fragments, technicolor dots and playful interpretations of terrazzo all played a starring role in dozens of new introductions.
Clockwise from Top Left: Casalgrande Padana Macro, Refin Risseu, Leonardo Overcome, Marca Corona Foyer
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!
Clockwise from Top: Valentino by Ceramiche Piemme Opulence, NAXOS Rhapsody, LaFaenza Oro
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 & concrete or marble & terrazzo, to create entirely original typologies and new opportunities in interior design.
Clockwise from Top Left: Provenza Alter, Piemme Materia, Fire Arcadia, Del Conca Timeline
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.
Clockwise from Left: Colli di Sassuolo Extra, Florim I Filati di Rex, Francesco de Maio Verde Verticale
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 & SAGE
Italians do not shy away from color, which was obvious at this year’s show. Similar to Salone last spring, a warm color palette saturated the show floor – but sage and terracotta were the most popular hues, both separately and occasionally paired together.
Clockwise from Left: ABK Wide & Style, Sant’Agostino SPRING, Decoratori Bassanesi Rocket
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 1960’s and 70’s were plentiful, with psychedelic colors, playful geometries and trippy patterns galore.
Clockwise from Top Left: Tonino Lamborghini Tiles & Style Interlagos, Imola Ceramica Let It Bee, Ce.Vi., Ceramica Vietrese Oro di Napoli
Additional examples include: Bardelli Fleurs, Caesar Join, Emilceramica Dimore, Fioranese Cementine_OpenAir, Marca Corona Paprica, Ornamenta DECOR, and Target Group Icon.