Arpi on Tile
Trends and Timeless Mix at 2024 Events
In a span of four months, tile manufacturers showcase their latest at shows spanning the globe.
. (Image courtesy Cicogres)
By Arpi Nalbandian Tileometry
Fresh off National Tile Day on Feb. 23, tile remains steadfast as a preferred building element within the architecture and design fields. Thanks to its many positive traits, tile remains a premium choice not only for its aesthetics and versatility, but also for its timelessness, durability, inherit sustainability, health and wellbeing aspects, and numerous other positive qualities.
As such, the new year has definitely started off at a runner’s pace! With The International Surface Event (TISE) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) successfully concluded, several tile-centric events approached for our industry, including Cevisama, Expo Revestir, and Coverings.
From Vives Ceramics is Zepto, one of the company’s latest additions to its wall tile collection. Offered in seven colors, and two formats (4.2x13cm, and 13x13cm). (Image courtesy Vives Ceramicas)
With a renewed interest in zellige tile, Decocer has added a 5x20 cm rectangular piece to its existing 10x10 cm square format. Both formats are complementary to each other, thereby allowing for a multi-format installation.(Image courtesf Decocer)
All eyes were on Spanish tile manufacturers during the Cevisama International Fair for Ceramic Tiles and Bathroom Furnishings during February in Valencia, Spain. Not only did this edition commemorate the event’s 40th anniversary, but it also marked a historic phase with more than 86,000 ft² of exhibition space where over 500 exhibitors and 74,000 visitors from around the world "converged to celebrate design, innovation, sustainability and new ceramic materials,” according to the show’s organizers. Here are several new products, technologies, and trends Spanish tile companies shared during Cevisama 2024.
Tender, from Cevica Decorative Tiles, presents unique designs featuring four different patterns designed to evoke cheerful, dynamic emotions. (Image courtesy Cevica)
Eco-friendly Lugano from Mainzu Ceramica features textured ceramic wall tiles that boast dimensional interest. Available in six nature-inspired shades in a 6”x12” format. (Image courtesy Mainzu Ceramica)
Colors, textures, styles, combinations of materials and techniques, as well as Nina Martinelli’s more than two decades of history, will come together to showcase the many handcrafted pieces that tell individual stories. (Image courtesy Nina Martinelli)
Attending Expo Revestir was a first for me! Attendees had the opportunity to see and touch the countless varieties of Brazilian tile under one roof for retail, construction, architecture, and interior design sector professionals.
During mid-March in São Paulo, Expo Revestir is noted as Latin America’s largest coatings and finishings trade fair. With more than 65,000 m² of space, this exhibition showcased tile trends and innovations focused on design, technology, and sustainability. Here are several new tile designs, previewed before the show, from exhibiting Brazilian manufacturers.
Tender, from Cevica Decorative Tiles, presents unique designs featuring four different patterns designed to evoke cheerful, dynamic emotions. (Image courtesy Cevica)
During Expo Revestir 2024, in addition to its diversified range, Lepri — a company specializing sustainable ceramics (more than 90% are ecological) and innovative ceramics for more than 100 years — presented new formats with smaller dimensions. (Image courtesy Lepri)
Ceramiche Refin’s Halo wall tile collection, available in a 6x24 cm (23/8″×97/16″) size, features a glossy finish, intense colors, and purposeful irregularities. (Image courtesy Ceramiche Refin)
The Woodart Collection from VitrA USA combines the textures of walnut and oak with ceramic. Drawing inspiration from nature’s wooden wonders, it engages the senses with tactile reliefs on its surfaces and the details in its design. (Image courtesy VitrA USA)
Aside from the always magnificently curated show floor, attendees of Coverings (set for April 22-25 in Atlanta) will be treated to various halls with each featuring distinct, awe-inspiring areas, stages, and pavilions. With nine miles of exhibition space showcasing more than 1,000 global companies, this prominent annual show not only serves as a trend-revealing venue, but it also provides timely and relevant presentations/discussion panels addressing Health and Wellness, Sustainability, Timeless Luxury, and Outdoor Spaces.
Sensi Nuance from the ABK Group is a full-body porcelain tile that highlights a luxurious contemporary palette, ranging from the light blues of Deep River through to the oceanic emerald tones of Sea Green. The collection also includes Quarzite Fusion (pictured here), marked by its multicolored veins. (Image courtesy ABK Group
Wonder Porcelain introduces Bravado Porcelain™, a new series of large-format porcelain tile available in three shades (Steel Gray, Aged Bronze, and Gunmetal Brown) combining elements of industrial style (metal and cement) for a unique visual. This collection, offered in a lappato finish, offers large-format field tile, mosaics, 4″x12″ bullnose, 6″x12″ cove base, and 1″x6″ cove base corner trim. (Image courtesy Wonder Porcelain)
Visitors to Coverings 2024 will have the opportunity to experience the exhibition’s new Outdoor Oasis feature.
Speaking of Outdoor Spaces, the popular Coverings Lounge has been revamped into a breathtaking Outdoor Oasis (Hall C, Booth 7006). “Partnering with the thought-leaders from Tributary Revelation, the Outdoor Oasis will be an immersive experience where attendees will step into an outdoor environment inside on the Coverings show floor,” show organizers said. They added, “Featuring tile for exterior applications, the Oasis will also host happy hours and giveaways, networking and educational opportunities, and will serve as the meeting and end point of the Coverings Contractor Tours.” If you’d like to attend Coverings to witness the latest in tile designs and trends, then please visit Coverings.com for more information and to register.
Finally, during Coverings and Expo Revestir, I’ll be posting content from the show floor to Tileometry’s various social media channels, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. Make sure to follow to get an early glance of the latest in tile designs and upcoming design trends!