SPAIN SETS TRENDS FOR TILES

METALLICS

Metallic finishes on tiles is an increasing trend, they provide the perfect combination with an ultramodern look and a classic touch of glamour. We saw aged copper presented by Apavisa with its Patina collection, a rectified porcelain tile available in a range of tones, and silver decorations from the Vergel collections by Vives. Onix Mosaico have utilized traditional manufacturing processes to produce tiles that look simply stunning.

Hardwearing platinum, silver and steel finishes such as the Madison series by Keraben, composed of tesserae and porcelain flooring with a glinting metal effect were also on display. Aparici presented several tones, including steel, graphite and mother-of-pearl, as part of its Metalstyle porcelain collection. Peronda, Onix, (Glam Glass) and Vidrepur (Titanium) also exhibited ranges with metallic finishes.

BOLD COLOUR

Minimalism and its palette of neutral tones is giving way to a resurgence of bright and bold colours. At CEVISAMA 2008 designs in striking tones stood out: fiery reds, zingy oranges, punchy limes and cool blues formed the basis of several forward thinking collections.

Onix and Keraben showed their inclination for strong reds, generally contrasting with dark tones.

Spanish cutting-edge ceramics are currently experiencing an explosion of colour with no boundaries and no set rules. The fresh blues by Keraben, Grespania and Diago, amongst others, were equally stunning.

Vives and Onix have also gone for colour with innovative wall coverings in yellow and lime tones. Pamesa continues to develop its daring and colourful collection designed by Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada.

Roca’s Coral series shows the power of yellow, orange and neutral tones combinations.

NATURAL MATERIALS

The imitation of natural materials such as wood or stone is not a new development to the world of tile manufacture although extensive research and development has ensured that the finished products continue to evolve and develop into highly realistic alternatives which are easily confused with the most noble materials, with the difference that the ceramic version can be applied to high-traffic floors, damp spaces, kitchens, public areas and exterior facades.

Keraben have launched the Havana collection that stands out for its burnt wood texture and effect. Grespania has also clearly focused on this increasingly popular trend. Its America collection is based on the geological formations of the American West, with ochre, ivory and beige colours. Grespania’s Tanzania collection takes a new look at stripped woods and has captured the essence of the original material.

With its Betón collection, Apavisa improves the properties of natural cement, adapting it to a highly contemporary urban style. With its Dibelgio collection, Azuvi presents a highly architectural product that is a faithful reproduction of natural stone. Ceracasa’s Concret series is also worth highlighting: 40 m2 of imitation cement produced through the award-winning Emotile digital printing process.

Ceracasa also presented its Euphoria collection, a flawless ceramic marble series, also achieved through Emotile. For more rustic settings, both interior and exterior, Roca presented its Red & Rock Canyon collection, a third-generation porcelain tile with a three-dimensional finish in reddish tones. Together with its traditional terracotta range, Cerámica Decorativa presented new pieces inspired by oriental philosophy: the TAO Collection.

RETRO / TEXTILES

Tile decoration is in tune with fashion trends and has gone for a retro style. Both wall and floor tiles, featuring funky, geometric patterns inspired by the 60s, 70s and 80s, were showcased at Cevisama. This can be seen in the Iridium, Trébol and Cuarcita collections by Vives, and the Prisma collection by Togama, all with original geometric designs.

With its floral patterns and textile motifs, giving a new twist to the past, we highlight the Vintage series (Dekorarte) by Colorker, with decorative mosaics that allow all sorts of combinations. Rue Chambon from the Catwalk Collection by Pamesa takes inspiration from Parisian fashion in the 1920´s. Azuvi brings fashion and ceramics together in its Art Tile collection, whose lines and textures offer the warmth and softness of a fabric with metallic effects.

Craftsmanship merges with modernity in the designs by Inalco and Tau, whose murals have the visual texture of fabric with superb reliefs and textures.

NEW FORMATS

Long and narrow oblong pieces that give spaces a sensation of greater width have been one of big items presented by many of the companies present at Cevisama 2008, including Roca, with its Tempo series, a wall covering in 30 x 90 cm panoramic format.

In line with this trend, Grespania presented its new series of 20 x 60 cm wall coverings with a wide range of finishes and textures.

The technical quality of Spanish companies was once again clear to see with the architectural solutions provided by Saloni and its Lammax collection, an oversize porcelain tile (1 x 3 metres), along with Integracroma by Alcalagres, as part of its Integraplus collection.