Arpi on Tile
Coverings 2023: Eye-Popping Designs, Formats
Annual U.S. exhibition showcases diverse, ever-changing possibilities of tile within the design and architectural sectors.
(Photo courtesy Coverings)
By Arpi Nalbandian Tileometry
With the conclusion of last month’s Coverings 2023 in Orlando, Fla., it was evident that biophilic patterns and graphics, bold colors, enduring geometric shapes, and tactile textures reigned supreme!
Thanks to several advancements in increasingly realistic printing technology, richer glazes and inks – coupled with advanced manufacturing processes – one thing is clear: tile, and how it is used, will continue to evolve, transform, and adapt to any surrounding.
On that note, here’s my take on several trending tile designs observed during Coverings:
Portobello America’s Vivant Wall Tile Collection, one of eight new product introductions unveiled by the U.S.-based manufacturer at Coverings 2023, reveal the allure of high-gloss, textured porcelain tiles. (Photo courtesy Portobello America)
The Lens series from Realonda Ceramica is available in various finishes: glossy colors with an aged effect (White, Aqua and Azure), metallic effects (Zinc, Azure, and Copper) and marble (Dolomite). (Photo courtesy Realonda)
Geometrical Variants
Shape-shifting geometric ceramic and porcelain tile designs are not only intrinsically beautiful to gaze at, but they provide viable installation options to suit the functional and aesthetic need of any room, wall, floor, or area. Similar to mosaics (more on that later), the ability to play with the design without sacrificing precious space or time pays off in dividends in terms of individuality.
Ceracasa Ceramica’s Couture Ethnic series features a burst of colors, geometric shapes and a touch of sparkle to make any space shine. Available in four distinct patterns. (Photo courtesy Ceracasa)
The creative and decorative style of Naxos is showcased with the 7mm-thick Bold series. The textural effects of this contemporary porcelain tile collection features rich aesthetics of concrete and metals. Available in 11 color variants. Photo courtesy (Naxos)
Singing the Blues, Greens, and Golds
Blues and greens, coupled with the luxury of gold, make a compelling statement on what our hearts desire – a calm, relaxed, and often hypnotic – environment that embraces the need to nurture our mental health and well-being.
Cir Manifatture Ceramiche’s distinctive style reveals itself with its Tadelakt collection. Inspired by handcrafted Moroccan plasters, it conveys an exotic atmosphere surrounded by intense colors. Image courtesy Cir)
Vesuvio from Lunada Bay Tile is a mixed media mosaic collection that combines glimmering glass mosaic tile with natural white marble. (Photo courtesy Lunada Bay Tile.)
Piecing it Together with Mosaics, Mix-and-Match
Mix-and-Match (solid + patterned tile), mosaics, and terrazzo offer so many variants that can transform uninspiring spaces into something spectacular. Not only do these formats offer versatility, but they also capture a sense of trend-defying timelessness.
The Kintsugi Collection from Ceramicas Aparici reflects a reinterpretation of the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with a mixture of varnish and gold. (Photo courtesy Ceramicas Aparici.)
The Millennium Porcelain™ from Wonder Porcelain combines the appearance of Byzantine mosaics with the always-on-trend look of Terrazzo. (Photo courtesy Wonder Porcelain.)
Decocer’s Pantone offers a vivid spectrum of reds. Oranges and yellows. (Photo courtesy Decocer)
Sun-Loving Shades of Red
Following the announcement by Pantone® of its color of the year for 2023 (Viva Magenta), there’s been a substantial increase in the availability and usage of tile in various shades of red. Of course, through millennia, red has always played an important role (think terracotta and Saltillo), but now more than ever, it has made a nuanced comeback. Spanish tile manufacturer Decocer successfully reveled in playing its part by presenting several red-hued collections, Pantone and Dreams.
The Dreams collection by Decocer. (Photo courtesy Decocer)
Lush, Large-Scale Florals
In my opinion, only large-scale Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels (GPTP) are fully capable of reflecting and capturing the nuances of nature. Sure, smaller formats are wonderful for less attention-striving areas such as niches, but when a statement needs to be made, it’s the larger graphic panels that command and retain your focus. Thankfully, bio-themed GPTP are continuing to gain show-stopping traction.
From Italigraniti Group is Decora porcelain tile panels. With a choice of seven solid colors, or 10 floral decorative themes, this collection offers the perfect synthesis of colorful minimalism and exuberant decorative options. (Photo courtesy Italigraniti Group.Decocer)
Boost Mineral from Atlas Concorde reinterprets a Belgian stone extracted from the Ardennes region. The stone, which is formed by the sedimentation of minerals over time, becomes sculpted with superficial designs. As such, the Mineral collection mimics this effect with a porcelain tile that features an extremely fine and elegant grain. (Photo courtesy Atlas Concorde)
Time-Proven Materials: Wood & Stone
Continuing with biophilia and biomimicry, time-worn natural materials (such as wood and stone) are a favorite among architects and designers. Think about it: Both have been used in construction longer than any other earthly substances.
We will always have a fascination and admiration for these natural matters, so what better way than to pay homage with ceramic and porcelain tiles that realistically reflect these basic materials?
Artwood from Verde 1999 is a refined, glazed porcelain wood, is complete with a fun, large format, wallpaper-like decor. The appeal of this line stems from its natural wood veining perceivable to the touch and its real-to-life colors. (Photo courtesy Verde 1999
Gardenia Orchidea has implemented new slip-resistant technologies with highly realistic graphic designs to produce Pietra Viva, a new ceramic tile collection inspired by Ceppo dell’Adda, a decorative stone formation of fluvial origin whose aesthetic qualities recreate the look of stone polished by many years of foot traffic. (Photo courtesy Gardenia Orchidea)
Focused on Sustainability, Carbon Neutrality
Efforts for increased sustainability and carbon neutrality have gained traction in recent years, thanks to altering manufacturing techniques and processes that produce less waste, utilize local material and shipping options, and reusing by-products. One of these companies is Tennessee-based Crossville, Inc. The company recently announced, and exhibited, two new manufactured collections that will be carbon neutral through measuring embodied carbon (EPD) and purchasing carbon offsets to account for what cannot be immediately reduced for the full lifecycle of these product lines. The Civilization Collection and the Native Metal Collection are the company’s first carbon-neutral products. This is exciting news not only for the environment, but for the building and designing sectors who will have expanded product options. The Native Metal porcelain tile collection offers unique metallic visuals and textures in durable porcelain tile, while the Civilization porcelain tile collection offers stunning visuals in light to dark colorways. Additionally, sister brands Daltile, Marazzi, and American Olean highlighted some of the many sustainable features of their products, processes, and company ethos. The companies’ environmental sustainability efforts include:
- More than 99% of their tite collections contain recycled or reclaimed materials
- On average, their North American facilities recover and reuse over 300 million pounds of recycled and/or reclaimed material per year.
- From 2018 to present, they have reduced their carbon footprint by 17%.
- They have recovered and reused 84% of all process wastewater generated in their manufacturing plants to make tile products.
- Their tiles are made from only natural materials: water, clay, sand, feldspar, and other minerals. Their tiles contain zero VOCs, zero PVCs, zero allergens, and zero formaldehyde.
Crossville’s Civilization collection is offered in six shades: Census, Populace, Communique, Currency, Power, and Legality. Offered in field tiles for residential and commercial applications, the collection includes semi-polished and unpolished options in a variety of sizes: 12” x 24”, 24” x 24”, and 24” x 48”. (Photo courtesy Crossville Inc.)
Crossville’s Native Metal collection is offered in six tones: Noble Platinum, Nickel Plate, Crucible Steel, Copper Deposit, Cobalt Ore, and Graphite Black. Scalable field tiles for residential and commercial applications, the collection includes a variety of sizes: 12” x 24”, 24” x 24”, and 24” x 48”. (Photo courtesy Crossville Inc.)
Finally, with so much to see and experience, make sure to plan ahead for Coverings 2024, scheduled to take place next April 22-25 in Atlanta!