Coverings, the premier trade show for the tile and stone industry for over 35 years, recently welcomed 25,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries, showcasing all the latest tile, stone and industry equipment trends at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. In addition to all the tile, stone and tools, there were informative presentations, educational opportunities and even a pet adoption exhibit where custom-designed dog houses clad in decorative tiles were raffled off to raise funds for the local animal shelter.
Colors of sand — mineral washing and travertine trends embodied in one porcelain, large-format tile and slabs series by Serena Crosscut Moka travertine look in porcelain by Roca Tile USA
One of the show’s highlights was the Trends Report by award-winning interior designer and Coverings spokesperson Alena Capra, CMKBD, of Alena Capra Designs of South Florida. Capra identified the following top trends, which were easy to spot on the show floor:
• Colors of sand — evoking colors of nature in many sandy hues. This is a turn toward warmer finishes and away from the dominance of cool grays for over a decade.
• Discreet technology — the concept of incorporating technology to give materials a functionality (the ability to cook directly on a countertop Invisacook or charge a using cellphone FreePower) or an appearance that would lead one to believe that a porcelain slab is actually a backlit piece of quarried stone. With technology akin to three-dimensional printing but in a two-dimensional format, manufacturers are producing mind-blowing, realistic porcelain slab surfaces that look like exotic quarried stone and have the coveted characteristic of being backlit, with no lights or power required.
Technology at its best —large, book- matched porcelain slabs have been created to look like a polished backlit piece of natural stone by Fondovalle of Italy.
• Holistic experience — biophilic looks of wood, stone and botanicals bring the outside into an interior space.
• Lines, lines, lines — be they texture in the tile surface reminiscent of fluting (also popular in cabinetry), extruded concrete or mimicking natural travertine stone striations, lines give our hands and eyes something to grasp.
• Mineral drenching — a popular trend is to use a single tile or stone material not just on the floor or the walls but on both and even on cabinetry or ceiling. This look works best with a tile or stone that is not monochromatic and has a level of variation or gradation.
• Mosaic artistry — mixing textures and finishes in a single application, such as using a matte (and slip-resistant) porcelain floor tile along with a glossy but identically patterned tile on the walls or combining both textures, colors and finishes from a single collection.
Technology was used by Fondovalle to produce a porcelain slab that accurately resembles labradorite.
• Re-human — bringing the craftsman look back into the ancient art of tile manufacturing with options like real stone tiles hand-painted with traditional or ethnic motifs.
• Sensorial design — tile designs that evoke a desire to “touch” with inviting textures and patterns.
• Veins of gold — color trends are leaning toward warmer tones rather than cool ones, and manufacturers are answering this trend with more gold in porcelain slab products.
• Water world — incorporating blues and greens in tile and stone installations, especially in bathrooms, to give a natural, relaxing and watery sensation.
Additional Show Notables
Typically known for their matte or low-sheen surfaces, a wide variety of porcelain tiles, be they field, mosaic or large format, were sporting textures like pebbled leather and glossy surface finishes. Porcelain tile and slabs are more durable (less prone to cracking and chipping), impervious and easier to transport than most natural stones and ceramic tiles. These qualities make porcelain a product with comparably lower material and installation labor costs.
Bring the inside out with these beautiful white oak plank tiles for indoor and outdoor applications. From the Rural Retreat Collection in the Sunrise finish by Crossville Tile
Sustainable material sourcing, manufacturing and distribution practices are on the upswing in the tile and slab industry. This is no small feat in an industry that relies on high-temperature firing and earth-extracted raw materials.
Geometric, botanical and textured large-format tiles are finding a new home on walls other than backsplashes, giving wallpaper a run for its money.
It’s fair to say that there is a “right” tile for everyone and every application in today’s world of tile and stone. With a bit of imagination and professional help, it’s possible to turn your home’s surfaces, be they floors, walls or ceilings, into a durable, easy-to-maintain piece of art.
Technology gives this Fondovalle porcelain slab the appearance of being backlit.
A classic French botanical pattern that will bring a refined style to many applications — this 6-inch by 6-inch marble field tile is from the Jeffrey Court Chapter 15 Classic Statuario Collection.
Bringing the outdoors in with the same tile in different surface finishes — deco and large- format porcelain tiles from the Elements Collection in white by Del Conca USA
An example of the mineral drenching trend with walls, floor and island clad in the same large-format tiles in a glossy Nero finish from the Soberano by Vitromex USA
Biofilic, botanical trend porcelain wall paper from Italian manufacture, ABK Group’s Wide & Style collection in the Country Flowers Pink finish
Porcelain wall tiles from the Spuma Collection in the SorbettoTutti Frutti finish by Spanish manufacturer Arcana Ceramica
Two sizes of rectified edge porcelain tile in Bianco Lasa finish from the Eden Collection by Del Conca USA
Painted limestone from the Artisan Collection in cypress finish by California-based Stone Impressions
Painted natural stone tiles from the Artisan and Custom Stone Collections by California- based Stone Impressions
In line with the water world and sensorial trends, this porcelain subway tile in a denim finish from Fap Ceramiche has a subtle surface texture.
On trend with the water world theme, this glazed 4-inch by 12-inch porcelain field tile from Mainzus Ceramica’s Village Collection in Evergreen finish is perfect for kitchens and baths.
Sculpture Gold porcelain slab by Wonder Porcelain
Spanish tile manufacturer Harmony’s Rainbow Collection features multiple colors in a fluted pattern that has an alternating two-size pattern, cherry finish.
Borghini Classico 24-by-48 porcelain slab for counters and mosaic combining wood look with stone by Portobello America
Large-format, porcelain panels with a re-human trending biofilic pattern. From the Gemini Collection in the Flora Luce finish by Crossville Tile
Onice Supreme Marfil large-format, porcelain tile by Roca USA
A slab of sliced amethyst, backlit for maximum appreciation, by Subh Gem Stones
Casalgrande Padana gives consumers what they want for bathroom floors and walls with its Concept tile in different sizes, shapes and textures, all with a beautiful watery-green finish.
Flora Luce in unpolished large-format, porcelain tile from the Crossville Gemini Collection (behind the bed) is a beautiful example of holistic-experience design.
Large format tiles that have a wallpaper- like appearance by Fincibec Group’s Naxso Cythere Collection in Ovra finish
Porcelain Cinque Terre subway tiles with a gloss finish in emerald pairs brilliantly with botanical 8-inch by 8-inch porcelain field tiles from the Murales Optym collection by Mainzu Ceramica.
Polished slab of brown petrified wood by Subh Gem Stones
MILE®stone’s on-trend porcelain travertine tile is available in 14 field and trim tiles and five realistic finishes, providing maximum design flexibility — shown in bold finish.
MILE®stone’s Playful Collection defies how we typically think of porcelain tiles with its rich crimson hue and glossy finish.
The Aurum motif painted on Greek Thassos stone by California-based Stone Impressions (Photo courtesy Laurey Glenn)
The concretesqe Sintese Collection is available in sizes from 6-by-36 inches to 48-by 106 inches for wall applications and in 12 finishes by Portobello America
Suitable for light-traffic residential applications, the made-to-order Miabella motif on Carrara marble in Stone Impressions’ Seaglass finish, with a coordinating border tile
Italian manufacturer Casalgrande Padana is on trend with its blue and green (water world) Alabastri large- format floor and wall tile (also deco tiles) in polished blue
Molly Erin McCabe, an award-winning designer, writer, presenter, community volunteer and principal designer of McCabe by Design LLC (formerly A Kitchen That Works LLC), a full-service residential design firm serving Kitsap County and beyond. Her professional certifications include Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD), Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP), Certified Green Professional (CGP), and... (see more by Molly Erin McCabe, AKBD, CLIPP, CGP, CAPS)
Coverings, the premier trade show for the tile and stone industry for over 35 years, recently welcomed 25,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries, showcasing all the latest tile, stone and industry equipment trends at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. In addition to all the tile, stone and tools, there were informative presentations, educational opportunities and even a pet adoption exhibit where custom-designed dog houses clad in decorative tiles were raffled off to raise funds for the local animal shelter.
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