Author: diaryofatileaddict

I have been writing about the tile industry for more than 25 years. I have started this blog to share some of my knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, ceramic tiles. I also wanted to shine a light on the work of some of the artists, architects and designers around the world who work with ceramic tiles. I was the Founding Editor of Tile UK, and I am currently the Editor of three tile-related publications in the UK: Tile & Stone Journal, The Specifier’s Guide to Ceramic Tile & Calibrated Natural Stone; and TDY: Tile Design Yearbook. I am also International Correspondent for Tile Today and Discovering Stone, both published in Australia. My aim with Diary of a Tile Addict is to introduce tile enthusiasts to developments in tile design, significant architectural and interior design projects that get the best out of tiles, technological developments that are driving the ceramic tile sector forward, and breaking news from tile exhibitions around the world. I will also introduce readers to some of the talented and inspiring individuals who help make the ceramic tile world so creatively diverse, technically advanced and intellectually fascinating.
Colour Trends, Coloured Tiles, Design, Distressed Decoration, interior design, Italian tiles, Kitchens, New Tile Designs, Small Format Tiles, Wall Tiles, Wood-effect Tiles

Welcoming Wheat

Iris Ceramica claims that Wheat offers: “uncontaminated places, where enthusiasm and emotion are the keywords, formed by multiple faces in two different colours: Brown and Blue.” I have to say that this, pretty much, hits the nail on the head. Continue reading Welcoming Wheat

diaryofatileaddictLeave a comment
Matrice by Cedit
Architecture, Colour Trends, Concrete-effect tiles, Creative Grouting, Floor Tiles, Incised decoration, Italian tiles, Italy, New Tile Designs, Paints, Porcelain Tiles, Production Technology, Retail Interiors, Tile Designers, Tile Technology, tile trend, Tiled Interiors, Wall Tiles

Sensory Structures

For Cedit’s Matrice collection, Brondi and Rainò have taken various concrete-inspired surfaces and imagined additional design reverberations, using 3mm deep incised graphic marks cut into the slabs. These provide a framework for infinite design combinations when grouted in bold colours. This recalls embroidery where every stitch is at right-angles to another one to construct forms and decorations. Continue reading Sensory Structures

diaryofatileaddictLeave a comment
Cava range designed by LucidiPovere.
Colour Trends, Concrete-effect tiles, Creative Grouting, Design, Exhibitions, Floor Tiles, Grouts, Incised decoration, interior design, New Tile Designs, Porcelain Tiles, Production Technology, Spain, Spanish Tiles, Tile Technology, tile trend, Wall Tiles

Grouted Geometry

Cava’s strength lies in graphic patterns of incisions, instead of surface decoration. The true reveal does not occur until the tiles are installed … at the moment when the chosen coloured grout joint is complete and the design is fully expressed. Continue reading Grouted Geometry

diaryofatileaddictLeave a comment
The Art Deco collection from Etruria Design
3D tiles, Artisanal Tiles, Bathrooms, Colour Trends, Coloured Tiles, Design, Floor Tiles, Glazed Tiles, interior design, Italian tiles, Italy, Porcelain Tiles, Production Technology, Small Format Tiles, splashbacks, Subway Tiles, Tile Designers, tile trend, Tiled Interiors, Wall Tiles

Art Deco Delights

Ital;y’s Etruria Design offers a rich and versatile range of 3D wall tiles in a variety of colours, shapes and graphic lines. These have been developed through two distinct decorative concepts: the stricter, more refined Victoria collection, and the Art Déco collection, which is centred on a reappraisal of this decorative retro style. Continue reading Art Deco Delights

diaryofatileaddictLeave a comment
Architecture, Concrete-effect tiles, Conglomerates, Design, interior design, Marketing, New Tile Designs, Production Technology, Tile Technology, United Kingdom

Patina Party Participation

Inspired by factories and urban lofts, and translated for residential and commercial interiors, each of Caesarstone’s Metropolitan surfaces has been created to reflect the authentic textures of raw manufacturing, such as oxidized steel, poured plaster and raw concrete. Using cutting-edge technology, weathered patinas have been achieved in quartz for what is claimed to be the very first time. Continue reading Patina Party Participation

diaryofatileaddictLeave a comment
3D tiles, Brazil, Colour Trends, Coloured Tiles, Design, Exhibitions, Geometric tiles, Glazed Tiles, Italy, New Tile Designs, Porcelain Tiles, Tile Designers, Wall Tiles

Harlequin Huzza

Portinari presented Carmen, designed by Alessandro Mendini, at the International Furniture Show in Milan. The diamond format, vibrant colours, and subtle relief reflect Mendini’s interest in the masks worn by Harlequin, the medieval puppet famous for his multi-coloured garments. Continue reading Harlequin Huzza

diaryofatileaddictLeave a comment
Mosaic installation featuring Litokol Starlike
Colour Trends, Creative Grouting, Design, Glass Mosaics, interior design, Italy, Mosaics & Glass Tiles, Murals, splashbacks, swimming pool tiles, Tile Contracting, Tile Technology

Starlike Sensations

Starlike is a two-component acid-resistant epoxy adhesive that can be used to fix and grout most materials, including porcelain stoneware, klinker, glass and metallic mosaic, natural and reconstituted stone, pebbles and even wood. It is ideal for wet areas and food environments. Continue reading Starlike Sensations

diaryofatileaddictLeave a comment
Part of the Tonalite display at Coverings
Artisanal Tiles, Colour Trends, Coloured Tiles, Design, Exhibitions, Geometric tiles, Glazed Tiles, Italian tiles, Italy, New Tile Designs, Small Format Tiles, tile trend, Wall Tiles

Commercialising Colour

Recent tile exhibitions have also seen unexpected tonal colour combinations, such as blue with blue-green, or orange with red. These analogous colours share a common base colour and, when juxtaposed, create dynamic yet quite delicate compositions that can be both expressive and surprisingly elegant. Continue reading Commercialising Colour

diaryofatileaddict2 Comments
3D printing, Design, Digital Decoration, Exhibitions, Floor Tiles, interior design, Leather-effect tiles, Living Rooms, New Tile Designs, Porcelain Tiles, Production Technology, Spain, Spanish Tiles, Tile Technology, Tiled Interiors, Trends, Wall Tiles

The Language of Leather

Apavisa’s new Pelle collection – a beautiful leather-effect range – has been created using innovative 3D digital printing. This allows tile designers to not only create subtle surface colours and patterns but also to print texture on tiles. Continue reading The Language of Leather

diaryofatileaddictLeave a comment