Sharp fall in Indian tile production may trigger a new business model
A growing number of Morbi-based manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on design and quality and shifting towards higher value-added products, large formats and premium surfaces. Continue reading Sharp fall in Indian tile production may trigger a new business model
Are you ready for National Tile Day?
The UK’s National Tile Day takes place on 8th September annually, and is organised by The Tile Association to celebrate tiles and the tiling industry across the UK. Continue reading Are you ready for National Tile Day?
Howdens gains share in ‘flat’ kitchen market
Howdens has reported first-half sales of more than £1bn as it continues to gain market share in a ‘flat’ UK kitchen market. It posted group sales of £1.03bn for the 24 weeks to 13th June, up 3.3% year-on-year. Profit before tax rose 4.3% to £122.2m, with gross margin improving to 62.8%. Chief Executive Andrew Livingston stated: “Our first half performance demonstrates the strength and growth … Continue reading Howdens gains share in ‘flat’ kitchen market
Emser’s interior design trend forecast
E by Emser Til’s 2026/27 interior design trend forecast highlights a shift toward emotionally driven spaces, expressive surfaces, and intentional luxury. Continue reading Emser’s interior design trend forecast
ABK Group secures funding for ambitious development strategy
ABK Group: brands are ABK Stone, Flaviker, Materia, Gardenia Orchidea, Gardenia Slabs, Desvres, Ariana, and 14 Ora Italiano. Continue reading ABK Group secures funding for ambitious development strategy
Refin opens first French showroom
Refin Studio Paris, the first showroom of Ceramiche Refin in France, invites professionals to explore the interplay of materials and design. Located in the 11th arrondissement, the space features interactive displays and comprehensive collections. It emphasizes hands-on experiences and collaboration, exemplifying the company’s philosophy of innovation and artistic integration in ceramics. Continue reading Refin opens first French showroom
Dune by Gigacer: only clays, no glaze
The Dune collection by Gigacer uses only natural clays to achieve the subtle and natural colours and textured effects. Continue reading Dune by Gigacer: only clays, no glaze
Contemporary take on natural stone
Inspired by the ancient stone of the city of Myra, the Miralith collection by Cerdomus preserves the authentic charm of surfaces marked by time: subtle fossil inclusions, mineral hues, and natural textures. Continue reading Contemporary take on natural stone
Casalgrande Padana’s versatile Pebble patterns
Casalgrande Padana has launched Pebbles, a new collection featuring random patterns formed by different shapes and sizes of pebbles. The random combination of stones and pebbles with different textures form a richly detailed pattern on the tiles. With a perfect balance of simple colours and casually arranged elements, no two tiles are ever alike. These new ceramic surfaces respond perfectly to contemporary interior design requirements, … Continue reading Casalgrande Padana’s versatile Pebble patterns
Decocer’s geometric floor revival
Decocer’s new Lythos collection reinterprets the compositional language of historic stone pavements through a contemporary perspective. In this design, a system of four geometries – octagons, stars, crosses, and insets – showcases the compositional potential of small-format ceramic tiles. In Lythos, geometry, material, and design come together to create surfaces of timeless, understated elegance. As the four different shapes can be combined in multiple ways, … Continue reading Decocer’s geometric floor revival
Ben Bryden appointed Interim MD at RAK Ceramics UK
RAK Ceramics UK has appointed Ben Bryden as Interim Managing Director, following the retirement of Managing Director Alvin Biggs. Bryden has been with RAK Ceramics UK for 10 years, having originally joined the company as Head of Projects before taking on the role of UK & Ireland Sales & Marketing Director. “It is an exciting time to take on the role of Interim Managing Director,’ … Continue reading Ben Bryden appointed Interim MD at RAK Ceramics UK
CRL Stone launches Silica-free collection
CRL Stone has unveiled its new Silica Free Collection of worktop slabs that is made up of five stone- and marble-inspired designs. Continue reading CRL Stone launches Silica-free collection
Mapei UK acquires new distribution hub
Mapei UK’s expansion continues with the acquisition of a new warehousing and office site in Bilston, near Wolverhampton. Spanning over 260,000 sq. ft, it will provide warehousing for Mapei’s increasing product portfolio. Mapei’s Midlands-located warehouses will transfer to the new location during 2026 as part of Mapei’s strategy to bring all logistics under one roof. Located just four miles from the M6, this new facility … Continue reading Mapei UK acquires new distribution hub
Contemporary evolution of marble
Billed by Ermes Aurelia as a contemporary evolution of marble-effect tiles, the new Classy collection offers vast geometric possibilities for interior design projects. Extremely versatile, Classy reinterprets marble’s timeless appeal through an of-the-moment modular approach. Designed for design professionals, Classy combines the aesthetic purity of natural stone with the unrivalled performance of porcelain stoneware, offering a sophisticated colour palette and an unprecedented range of options. … Continue reading Contemporary evolution of marble
N&C launch new tile catalogue
Artisanal wall tiles, marble effects, statement stone floor tiles, and décor tiles all feature in N&C Tiles and Bathrooms’ latest Tile Collections catalogue. The 350+ page catalogue showcases the latest in on-trend wall and floor tiles with designs that are both sought-after, as well as those that are incredibly unique. The catalogue is designed to spark creativity and elevate interior and exterior spaces, through a … Continue reading N&C launch new tile catalogue
Beatrice Lucchese appointed Florim CEO
On Thursday, 21st May Florim appointed Beatrice Lucchese as Chief Executive Officer, the third generation of the Lucchese family to hold the leadership of the Italian tile group. Founded in the early 1960s by engineer Giovanni Lucchese, Florim is now an international benchmark in the field of high-end ceramic surfaces for architecture, interior design and construction. Since 1984, the company has been led by President … Continue reading Beatrice Lucchese appointed Florim CEO
Back to the future: the hidden 2026 design trend
Joe Simpson settles down to contemplate the future of interior design in his restful analogue room. From financial crises and wars through to weather extremes and pandemics, major global events profoundly influence architectural and interior design trends. The banking collapse of 2008 saw a strong nesting instinct take over, with a calm neutral palette and restful minimalism moving centre stage. The Coronavirus pandemic, in contrast, saw … Continue reading Back to the future: the hidden 2026 design trend
Morbi shutdown: the hidden cost of war
I wanted to share the following post on LinkedIn with Diary of a Tile Addict’s readers because I have seen no coverage – in either B2B tile/construction magazines, newspapers, TV, or online news outlets – about the hidden costs of the Israel-USA attacks on Iran, and the subsequent impact on the global energy market, on world trade in general, and the ceramic tile sector in … Continue reading Morbi shutdown: the hidden cost of war
Please support my Alzheimer’s fundraising
I am about to undertake a second run – the full 26.2 mile Brighton Marathon – on 12th April in memory of my dear sister, Gina, who died last year. Although I have been a keen runner for years this will be my first marathon … at the age of 68. Training is going well, and running to celebrate Gina’s life means that I have … Continue reading Please support my Alzheimer’s fundraising
Austrian brick giant makes market-changing tile sector acquisition
Austrian brick and roof tile giant Wiemnerberger has launched itself into the global tile maket by acquiring the fast-growing Italcer Group. Wienerberger operates more than 200 production sites in 28 countries and is the world’s largest producer of bricks, and the market leader in clay roof tiles in Europe as well as concrete pavers in Central-Eastern Europe and pipe systems in Europe. The Italcer Group … Continue reading Austrian brick giant makes market-changing tile sector acquisition