While there are many, many more trends to discuss — from stone-effect slabs looking even more realistic to products being offered in thicker versions for use as outdoor pavers — we’re concluding our Cersaie show recap with a look at the category of texture and shape. Italian tile manufacturers are undoubtedly having fun in this area, whether it’s applying new forms to stone-mimicking styles, recreating the hand of a woven textile, or casting a sculptural relief that channels classical friezes with a modern twist — there’s a style to suit every type of project. And not to worry: it’s not all about hexagons this year.
Otto by 41zero42 (also at top)
41zero42: Otto, Signs
This Italian concern may be one of the newest kids on the block, but it’s certainly making a name for itself with its edgy and original designs that rely heavily on research and technology. One of its 2015 releases was Otto (also shown at top), which references Nordic stone characterized by varied grains and shades. 41zero42 then applied a range of different cuts and tones to vary the product even further while making it architectural in feel. Otto comes in white, gray, and mud.
41zero42’s Signs
A second intriguing textural product, Signs presents six complex graphic designs as raised reliefs on same-color rectangular tiles. Slight shade and caliber variations are applied to give each a vintage, artisanal appearance. Offered in white, gray, mud, and black, they measure six by nine inches with an eight-millimeter thickness.
Atlas Concorde
Atlas Concorde: 3D Wall Design
This sculptural surface collection consists of white-body ceramic wall tiles in any of nine designs that range from the gently contoured waves of Dune to the geometric Diamond. The rectified mono-caliber tiles come in 50-by-110-centimeter or 40-by-80-centimeter formats and, depending on the specified pattern, in glossy or matte white, matte sand, or matte night.
Ceramica Sant’Agostino
Ceramica Sant’Agostino: Digitalart
Deftly mimicking the look of textiles, Digitalart is a rectified tile that can serve as an alternative for fabric wall covering (think, hotel bed headboard), with all the benefits and easy maintenance of porcelain. Available in six sizes and white, ecru, gray, denim, or night colorways, it also comes in Mix, which combines all the colors as irregular quadrilaterals for a neat collage effect.
From left: Ceramiche Coem’s Kanvas, Reverso, and Silver Stone
Ceramiche Coem: Kanvas, Reverso, Silver Stone
Textures and shapes figured into a trio of Coem’s latest collections. Kanvas recalls plastered concrete walls with subtle traces of paint-roller finishes and brush strokes. It comes in five formats, including a rhomboid-shaped unit measuring five-and-a-half by nine-and-a-half inches. Reverso draws on travertine veining, but in addition to large-format slabs is offered in geometric forms, from a brick to wavy motif and a diamond relief. And finally, Silver Stone recreates the Italian Bedonia stone with either a more natural texture or one defined by fine ribbing.
Del Conca
Del Conca: GA by Giugiaro Architettura
A collaboration between Giugiaro Architettura and Del Conca, this wall and floor tile collection takes inspiration from an unlikely place: the air intake patterns of a new concept car called Parcour, as well as the texture of carbon fiber. The result is a porcelain stoneware tile with three sleek patterns.
Emil Ceramica (right: photo by Sheila Kim)
Emil Ceramica: Milestone
Evoking limestone, Milestone is available in standard rectangular slabs, but also the decorative Esagona Bicolor, which sports a two-color, hexagon-within-hexagon design where the inner shape is slightly rotated. These hex units measure approximately eight by 13 7/16 inches and are fiber-mesh backed.
FAP Ceramiche
FAP Ceramiche: Lumina
A white-body wall tile line, Lumina offers new textures, matte surfaces, and a new size this year for a total of five dimensional designs and five sizes. The tiles are suitable for both residential and commercial bathrooms and kitchens, as well as hospitality and retail walls.
Imola
Imola: Wave
Quite literally, a wave of inspiration hit Imola in this wall tile series where the moving surface of water is captured with subtle ripples. Measuring 12.5 by 33.3 centimeters, the unit is offered in seven sophisticated neutral hues and either a matte or glossy finish. Within the line, decorative tiles such as a floral relief are also offered for mixing and matching.
Impronta Ceramiche
Impronta Ceramiche: Square Wall
Elegant, ornate reliefs of a single hue cover the face of these wall tiles to create allover pattern without overdoing it. Suitable for kitchen and bathroom walls, the porcelain stoneware units measure 25 by 75 centimeters and come in three standard colors. A striated dimensional pattern is also available.
Leonardo’s More
Leonardo: More, Update
Reading like Nazca lines, irregular sinuous and straight lines appear carved into the surface of this through-body color porcelain stoneware tile inspired by quarried and cut stone. The intriguing rectified mono-caliber design is available in four formats and five neutral colors.
Leonardo’s Update (right: photo by Sheila Kim)
Meanwhile, Leonardo’s Update presents a striking composition of variegated diagonal “stripes” that recall sedimented layers in stone. The through-body porcelain stoneware tile comes in four sizes and four colors with a matte or patinated finish. Update is suitable for both residential and commercial walls, flooring, and facades.
Mutina
Mutina: Rombini
This collection designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec consists of three different shapes: Losange is a diamond pattern reminiscent of a quilted or tufted surface; Triangle are bar-like units with a pitched form that, when grouped together, resemble a corrugated surface; and Carré is similar to the traditional square tile, but with contrasting matte and glossy sections.
Ornamenta
Ornamenta: Cocciopesto
These approximately 60-centimeter-diameter hexagonal tiles are offered in single- or two-color versions that can be mingled for a visually interesting floor or wall. The single mimics cement or resin (terrazzo) tiles, while the bi-color sports a juxtaposition of the two. The through-body porcelain product is offered in four base colors.
Tagina
Tagina: Details
Suitable for both walls and floors, Details comes in square and hexagonal formats and a matte or glossy finish. But the eye-catching detail here is the dimensional effect created by either a faceted or isometric-cube design on the hexagons and irregular bezel edges of the square versions. The collection is offered in neutral and pastel tones.