So here I am in SaoPaulo, Brazil at Revestir, Latin America´s leading ceramic tile show. It is still early days, but my first impression is that this is a very different show in terms of interior trends than either Cersaie or Cevisama.
Firstly, there is little evidence of the hot European trends, such as textile-effects, terrazzo, trencadis, distressed/coloured timber-effects, etc.
However, 3D tiles, concrete-effects, large format porcelain tiles – particularly 2,400 by 1,200mm – plank format ´standard´ wood effects, faux encaustic, hydraulic tiles and, of course, high definition marble-look tiles, are very firmly on the agenda here.
There is also a good selection of specialist companies offering decorative pieces and tiles that can provide the perfect decorative detailing or framing for plain porcelain floor and wall tiles.
Colormix‘s selection of exquisite mosaics, metallic pieces and decorated small format wall tiles really leapt out on my first quick tour of Revestir´s three exhibition halls.
For the tile buyer, a visit to Colormix is a similar to a young child with freshly-given pocket money discovering that the world´s best sweet shop has just opened up in their street.
It offers an eye-widening pot-pourri of shapes, textures, colours and finishes: all beautifully realised.
Colormix manufactures its own mosaics and special pieces for the domestic market and export, but also imports decorative tiles from Spain and Italy for distribution in Brazil. It is thus a consistently good barometer for high-end interior trends in Brazil.
The imported tile ranges include Etinia, a 130 by 130 and 200 by 200mm collection with subtle line decors and embossed textures, plus geometrically-shaped tiles such as Provencal, hexagonal and truncated squares with tacos.
I particularly liked the Bugis textured tiles, the Rabari triangular decors and the Patchwork Zulu line decors that pick up the leaf shapes of the plainly-moulded Sindhi tiles.
It may not be a revolutionary collection but, in a ceramic world dominated by monotone, large format porcelain tiles, it offers a homely, welcoming look that has clear retro appeal.
A new post by Joe Simpson,Diary of a Tile Addict, March 2017
