Metropolis’s 5 Biggest Tile Trends at Cersaie 2018

We highlight standout designs across five trends from the annual ceramics extravaganza in Bologna, Italy.

Katie Okamoto,

October 1, 2018

Operae by Ornamenta exemplifies one of the major trends we saw at this year’s Cersaie: big, bold graphic patterns.
Courtesy Ornamenta

Cersaie—the annual five-day exhibition of Italian ceramic tiles in Bologna, Italy—concluded last week, drawing more than 111,000 visitors from architecture, design, and construction, as well as the press. Aside from showcasing the sheer volume and variety of tile that is now available thanks to continuing advances in technology, Cersaie can also claim to demonstrate ongoing leadership in sustainability. Recycling 99 percent of ceramic material waste and 100 percent of water, Italian ceramics manufacturing practices set the environmental benchmark (“Best Available Techniques”) for the sector in the European Union, according to Andrea Contri, the sustainability officer for Ceramics of Italy.

Impossible though it was to visit all 450+ exhibitors at this veritable industry-wide extravaganza, here are some of the themes that rose to the top.

BIG TILE
The trend toward large-format tile continues, with the biggest this year coming in at approximately 10x5 feet. Continuous roll presses have enabled the new lengths, a representative from Emilgroup’s LEVEL told Metropolis.
Courtesy Emilgroup

BIG TILE
The trend toward large-format tile continues, with the biggest this year coming in at approximately 10x5 feet. Continuous roll presses have enabled the new lengths, a representative from Emilgroup’s LEVEL told Metropolis.
Courtesy Emilgroup

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BIG TILE
Florim has even introduced a sizing program—titled Magnum Oversize—available for multiple collections. The large sizes lend themselves to architectural applications, with ever-more impressive marble and stone looks made possible by digital printing technology, but they can also be cut to size for furniture such as counters and tabletops.
Courtesy Florim

BIG TILE
Florim has even introduced a sizing program—titled Magnum Oversize—available for multiple collections. The large sizes lend themselves to architectural applications, with ever-more impressive marble and stone looks made possible by digital printing technology, but they can also be cut to size for furniture such as counters and tabletops.
Courtesy Florim

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BIG TILE
Some companies are also playing with less straightlaced uses for the large format. For example, ABK Group’s Wide & Style is available in Dark Edition, a series of Victorian-influenced prints that work as wallpaper.
Courtesy ABK Group

BIG TILE
Some companies are also playing with less straightlaced uses for the large format. For example, ABK Group’s Wide & Style is available in Dark Edition, a series of Victorian-influenced prints that work as wallpaper.
Courtesy ABK Group

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MOSAICS
On the opposite side of the spectrum, small format patterns are alive and well. A number of manufacturers are offering retro-style mosaics and larger, more tesselated tiles. These range from high-contrast patterns in high-saturated earth tones (Pittorica by Studio Pepe for Bardelli)...
Courtesy Bardelli

MOSAICS
On the opposite side of the spectrum, small format patterns are alive and well. A number of manufacturers are offering retro-style mosaics and larger, more tesselated tiles. These range from high-contrast patterns in high-saturated earth tones (Pittorica by Studio Pepe for Bardelli)...
Courtesy Bardelli

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MOSAICS
...to classic Italian patterns (Del Conca’s Boutique mosaic)...
Courtesy Del Conca

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MOSAICS
...to neutral arrangements that create more subtle backdrops (FAP’s Brickell and Mosaica’s Jointed).
Courtesy FAP

MOSAICS
...to neutral arrangements that create more subtle backdrops (FAP’s Brickell and Mosaica’s Jointed).
Courtesy FAP

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DIMENSIONAL SOLIDS
Fresh takes on classic tiles were everywhere this year, with solid color tiles that got visual interest from three-dimensional relief. Depending on the tile mold’s pattern, the effect was a mix of minimalist, contemporary, and nostalgic looks. Many of these collections are available in multiple textures and, with unassuming uniform sizes, meant to be mixed and matched.
Courtesy FAP

DIMENSIONAL SOLIDS
Fresh takes on classic tiles were everywhere this year, with solid color tiles that got visual interest from three-dimensional relief. Depending on the tile mold’s pattern, the effect was a mix of minimalist, contemporary, and nostalgic looks. Many of these collections are available in multiple textures and, with unassuming uniform sizes, meant to be mixed and matched.
Courtesy FAP

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DIMENSIONAL SOLIDS
For example, Biscuit (by 41zero42 ceramics) is a slim brick-shaped tile with six 3D textures, ranging from a pyramidal lap to a Chevron-like wave.
Courtesy 41zero42

DIMENSIONAL SOLIDS
For example, Biscuit (by 41zero42 ceramics) is a slim brick-shaped tile with six 3D textures, ranging from a pyramidal lap to a Chevron-like wave.
Courtesy 41zero42

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DIMENSIONAL SOLIDS
In contrast, Dekorami (designed by Marcante-Testa for Ceramica Vogue) is a square tile with three decorative structures reminiscent of folk embroidery and Classical architecture.
Courtesy Ceramica Vogue

DIMENSIONAL SOLIDS
In contrast, Dekorami (designed by Marcante-Testa for Ceramica Vogue) is a square tile with three decorative structures reminiscent of folk embroidery and Classical architecture.
Courtesy Ceramica Vogue

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REFINED INDUSTRIAL
The ceramics industry continues to court a more architectural market with ranges that mimic natural materials like stone, marble, and wood to cater to the popular refined-industrial look.
Courtesy Isla

REFINED INDUSTRIAL
The ceramics industry continues to court a more architectural market with ranges that mimic natural materials like stone, marble, and wood to cater to the popular refined-industrial look.
Courtesy Isla

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REFINED INDUSTRIAL
A number of companies are applying digital printing techniques to bring convincing variations in texture and finish, such as by adding metallic shimmer to marble veining.
Courtesy Bardelli

REFINED INDUSTRIAL
A number of companies are applying digital printing techniques to bring convincing variations in texture and finish, such as by adding metallic shimmer to marble veining.
Courtesy Bardelli

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REFINED INDUSTRIAL
Cor-Ten and other oxidized looks were popular this year, as were digitally-printed brass-look inlay.
Courtesy Costruire

REFINED INDUSTRIAL
Cor-Ten and other oxidized looks were popular this year, as were digitally-printed brass-look inlay.
Courtesy Costruire

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GRAPHIC
Last year, Francesco De Maio released its licensed hand-painted reproductions of Gio Ponti’s Blu Ponti tile collection. This year too, big bold pattern is in.
Courtesy 41zero42

GRAPHIC
Last year, Francesco De Maio released its licensed hand-painted reproductions of Gio Ponti’s Blu Ponti tile collection. This year too, big bold pattern is in.
Courtesy 41zero42

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GRAPHIC
Contemporary spins on retro graphic looks were everywhere at Cersaie 2018, promising more levity and swagger in commercial and residential interiors.
Courtesy Ceramiche Piemme

GRAPHIC
Contemporary spins on retro graphic looks were everywhere at Cersaie 2018, promising more levity and swagger in commercial and residential interiors.
Courtesy Ceramiche Piemme

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