A key theme emerging from exhibitors at this year’s Surface & Materials show is hyper-nature, or high-performance wall coverings with aesthetics influenced by the natural world. And I am not just talking tiles here. This trend runs across advanced laminates with anti-fingerprint finishes; and hygienic, mould-resistant panels for kitchens and bathrooms; as well as sleek, strong and versatile tile collections.
Overall, the range of elegant choices on offer for multiple applications is inspiring.
From metal to marble and distressed wood to raw stone, these natural looks allow for subtly elegant, earthy designs, with all the durability and easy care of modern materials. Digital printing technology allows drama to be added in the form of bold colour blocks, ‘ghosted’ images, or exaggerated grain effects.
Kerradeco Loft solid wall panels, shown here in the Rusty metallic effect, offer a high quality, textured wall covering suitable for any room including within the shower wall area and above the bath.
Fibo’s latest tile panel collection (including Roughwood Marcato) offers modern matt finishes, large tile designs and thin grout lines of 1.8mm: a contemporary and stylish look for the bathroom, in panel sizes of 2,400 by 600 by 10.2mm, with an aqualock joint hidden in the textured ‘grout’ line, creating an ‘invisible’ join.
Kerradeco Stone Moon comes in packs of eight 9mm thick panels, each 1,350 by 30mm. Solid throughout they offer realistic feel when touched and a highly effective natural aesthetic.
Formica’s Calcatta Marble offers veined grey on a luminous background of creamy white. The Radiance texture adds a shimmer, highlighting the veining, and also refracting light.
VOX Kerradeco premium 9mm wall panels are solid, 295mm wide and feature a textured finish together with striking decorative effects, such as Concrete (shown here with an Art panel element).
Fibo’s latest tile panel collection (including Shabby Chic) offers modern matt finishes, large tile designs and thin ‘grout’ lines of 1.8mm: another contemporary and stylish look
for the bathroom, in 10.2mm panel sizes of 2,400 by 600mm, also with an aqualock joint hidden in the textured ‘grout’ line.
Johnson Tiles’ Harbour – yes, there are also real ceramic tiles on display – encapsulates the rustic aesthetic of sea-weathered rocks, com-prising a range of glazed ceramic wall tiles in three colourways – Sea Spray, Quay Grey and Breakwater – and one size of 400 by 150mm.
Also from Johnson Tiles, Classics is a range of glazed ceramic wall tiles, inspired by the beauty of natural marble and stones. There are three contemporary shades – Carrara, Crema Marfil and Travertine – and one size of 600 by 300mm.
The Surface & Materials Show will take place at NEC Birmingham, between 10th and 12th October 2017 as part of UK Construction Week. Now in its third year, Surface & Materials will showcase the latest surface solutions for architects, interior designers, specifiers and design savvy homeowners and self-builders seeking a broad range of innovative and high-performance products.
A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, August 2017.