Over the past few years we have seen hexagons, chevrons and brick formats come to the forefront; alongside increasingly sophisticated 3D tile forms.
However, if manufacturers are not careful, these designs can seen a bit short lived: the kind of ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ novelties that don’t generate any real traction in the tile marketplace.
The new Luna range by Ceramica Senio could be the range to buck this trend and allow special shapes and 3D tiles to put down deep roots.
This double-fired wall collection is characterised by the combination of hexagonal shaped tiles, with or without raised round centres; alongside a very livable range of 200 by 600mm wall tiles.
The six colours seems particularly well chosen: with all the pale and accent hues working well together.
Factor in three alluring glaze options and the design possibilities are almost endless. This creative flexibility is particularly well conveyed by the PDF brochure produced to support the launch. This has a plethora of achievable rooms sets that, rather than the usual ‘Hollywood A list’ kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms beloved of so many Italian factories in their literature that tend to be of a scale and degree of opulence very few can aspire to (and, in which, even fewer potential UK tile buyers would actually feel comfortable).
The Luna range suits many different styles and combinations: the mix of the available sizes and colours not only facilitates complete wall tiling concepts, but should stimulate home owners or their designers to try original and unexpected compositions. The special pieces are said to recall the phases of the Moon (hence the name); with the whole concept completed by the new 200 by 600mm Bridge collection.
It is hard to see home owners (or tile retailers, for that matter) being able to resist playing with Luna’s shapes or wanting to create synergies between the different colours and finishes.
Format options include 100 by 230mm trapeze, a 115 by 200mm arrow-head double chevron, 120 by 200mm diamond, 60 by 200mm triangle, 100 by 120mm equilatertal triangle, 60 by 100mm right-angle triangle, 200 by 230mm plain hexagons and hexagons with raised circular centres, and even single and multi-coloured mosaics featuring 7 by 16mm, 7 by 33mm or 7 by 49mm strips.
These shaped pieces are available in white moon, aqua, grey stone and a darker Charleston grey colour options. The finish options are silk, craquele and transparent.
The complementary 200 by 600mm plain Bridge tiles are available in white moon, ivory, aqua, silver, grey stone and alabaster; in silk and craquele finishes.
A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, March 2017.
Further coverage of technical innovations, the latest ceramic tile design trends and profiles of leading manufacturers can be found in Tile & Stone Journal.