Have you ever wondered just who are those people photographed on the stands when tile manufacturers issue their post-exhibition PR? Well, I have, but then I am a sad old tile geek! It has always struck me as odd that I never seem to feature, as I visit most tile events around the globe, and make a point of visiting every stand.
So imagine my delight when I went on to the Vives website to download the company’s post-Cevisama Press Kit and, hey ho, there I was, loud and proud, in two of the Vives publicity shots. However, while I can clearly remember the stand tour with Andrew Chappell and James Hartwell and a select group of UK journalists, I don’t remember seeing the photographer. Just goes to show that undercover surveillance works.
Anyway, enough of all that. Did Vives have anything to tickle a Tile Addict’s fancy? Yes, naturally! As DTA regulars will know, I’m a fully paid-up member of the Vives fan club and 2018 proved once again that this stylish Spanish factory still sets the pace in avant garde yet commercial designs.
Today I will concentrate on just one collection, although I may return with further Vives updates in the coming weeks. Dynamism and elegance blend harmoniously in Dolce Vita: an effervescent new Vives collection that explores new directions in interior design, merging different periods and styles to create impressive spaces that are both gentle and, at the same time, pioneering.
The Brenta floor tile range rejuvenates the traditional 200 by 200mm format, with a matt finish and colourful designs. There are two versions; Brenta Multicolor with cheerful geometric patterns that combine vivid hues with cement, and Brenta Humo with more discreet grey tones. In patchwork style, Argileto Multicolor floor tiles deliver a romantic range of pastel colours; while Argileto Blanco is ideal for those seeking a relaxed vibe. Cestio Multicolor stands out for its breakthrough aesthetic that combines pastel colours, rich cement and marble fragments. Finally, Naevia Multicolor offers a mix of small marmoreal pieces: unique and authentic. All these designs are intended to accompany the 1900 hydraulic tile range from Vives, which now has a new Jade colour.
The Benaco porcelain tile range delivers 200 by 200mm tiles in a variety of encaustic-inspired designs, all with a matt finish. The standouts are Benaco, Carole, Pigneto, and Tercello; four monocolor decorated pieces featuring different classic and charismatic designs. They come in five different colours (Humo, Nube, Beige, Coral, and Mar). The range complements the Vodevil porcelain range, which now has two additional shades, Coral and Mar.
Heterogeneous and classy, the Farnese range starts with a porcelain base tile with touches of cement and stone. It is available in four different colours, Humo, Cemento, Crema, and Grafito in a matt finish. The Amalfi option boasts marble in small fragments. Available in two formats, 300 by 300mm and rectified, it comes a wide variety of colours: Humo, Cemento, Crema, Grafito, Beige, Mar, Rosa, and Azul. The range also has some interesting decors: Gadner, Cavour, Mancini, Aventino-R, Quirinale-R, and Apulia-R. With their beautiful colours and intricate designs, these hydraulic tiles transport viewers across both time and space.
The Portofino porcelain range is inspired by the fifteenth century Venetian technique that consists of mixing small fragments of coloured marble and cement obtaining a โstracciatoโ effect. It is available in three large sizes (600 by 600mm, 800 by 800mm and 593 by 1,193mm) that creates a feeling of spaciousness. There are four soft neutral tones: Humo, Crema, Cemento, and Grafito. The three sizes are available in both a matt version and a semi-polished rectified version. The 600 by 600mm format is available in a rectified matt version to deliver visual continuity. In the Doney range, the beauty of marble has been translated it into a matt finished porcelain. Available in 600 by 600mm (and a rectified version) and 593 by 1,193mm, Doney is decorated with soft greyish veins that add movement to the surfaces and add sophistication. Vives also launched the Necci Blanco porcelain tile (300 by 300mm); an intricate small piece mosaic.
Factor in the Ciฬes wall tile range (320 by 990mm in four neutral tones Humo, Crema, Cemento, and Grafito; and bolder Beige, Mar, Rosa, and Azul colour options; and the Sica relief wall tiles in eight colours: Hueso, Crema, Grafito, Cemento, Beige, Mar, Rosa, and Azul; plus the Bardot Wall tile (320 by 99mm), a glamorous design with touches of gold in eight colours: Hueso, Crema, Grafito, Cemento, Beige, Mar, Rosa, and Azul, and you can see that this is a very comprehensive collection. Added creative options include the Lesolo-R Blanco wall tile series (320 by 990mm), a marble-look designed to blend harmoniously with other ranges from the Dolce Vita collection; and Cinecita-R Blanco wall tiles with small elements of gold on the surface.
On-trend small format also have a presence in the Dolce Vita collection, with the Corso wall tile range in 100 by 200mm. Here gloss base tiles deliver cheerful colours (Hueso Caramelo, Gris, Turquesa, Burdeos, Antracita, and Azul). Finally, the Pincio design – a subtle relief creating dynamic 3D effects – is available in a wide colour palette (Hueso Caramelo, Gris, Turquesa, Burdeos, Antracita, and Azul); while Borgo Multicolor is an exotic design that alternates colour with a white base. This range is completed by Rivoli Blanco bevels (100 by 200mm) and Milvio Blanco reliefs, both in a matt finish.
A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, February 2018.