Articles

Ceramic tiles stand out for their limitless visual potential, their versatile applications and properties such as their durability and resistance. But what contributions does this material make to the environment and to the current economy? Read More

This is how Tom Jennings (the World Floor Covering Association’s retail swami) explains the reason for his tips for the flooring retailer. He says, “They say champions don’t do one thing 100 percent better, but they do 100 things 1 percent better.” For some reason Tom’s Tips reminds me of Warren Buffet’s famous line about great sales and then a slowdown: “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” Tom wants you to keep your swim trunks on so you are not found out. Read More

If you’re getting deja vu, it’s because cement-look tile was trending in 2020 as well. But while 2020’s trend focused on the industrial-chic vibe of cement looks, 2023 is all about the versatility of cement looks. For example, cement-look tile may feature a worn patina look or it can appear to be layered, sanded, or tinted. You’ll find cement looks in large-format tile, mosaics—and every size in between—with textured surfaces and color variations. As a result, cement looks are suitable for a wide range of applications, from bustling corner cafes to serene spa-like garden spaces. They can bring visual harmony to a space and still evoke a raw urban energy. Read More

The share of baby boomers has surpassed millennials and now makes up the largest generation of home buyers, according to the latest study from the National Association of Realtors. Read More

Three weeks remain until Coverings, and we hope you’re getting as excited as we are. To share our enthusiasm and continue our National Tile Day celebration, we’re highlighting yet another 2023 tile trend. This week’s trend: statement stones. What makes a “statement” stone look? In design, we are seeing a significant effort toward individual expression as people are choosing materials that speak to them personally instead of falling back on safe-for-resale designs. And when porcelain provides a multitude of options, including floor-to-ceiling sizes, why go small? Floor-to-ceiling stone-look porcelain exudes sophistication and will make a lasting impression. And thanks to its superior durability, it doesn’t require the regular maintenance or upkeep marble, granite, or other natural stones do to stay looking its best. This material selection will also be much nicer on your budget than thick slabs of stone. Inspired by precious and rare marbles from classic calacattas to linear zebrinos, porcelain stone looks can be understated, elegant and neutral or bold, rich in movement and in attention-commanding colors. A statement stone look can elevate a run-of-the-mill room into a well-appointed work of art. Read More

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY During the Tile of Spain Press Conference, held on the first day of the fair, Vicente Nomdedeu, President of The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), echoed the strength of Spain’s ceramic sector, reporting on 2022 production, sales and exports figures. Read More

Our countdown to Coverings continues with another 2023 tile trend. This week, we’re highlighting not a tile design, but a new type of tile: 2 cm gauged porcelain tile pavers. Increasingly more tile collections are including 2 cm thick pavers to match their thinner indoor counterparts, allowing for indoor-outdoor transitions with stylistic continuity. Connecting the interior and exterior living spaces this way blurs the line between the built environment and nature and encourages us to make better use of available space. To further blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces, we often see tile pavers in biophilic designs and natural looks. These are just a few of our favorites. Read More

It’s our third week celebrating National Tile Day and counting down to Coverings. This is a long-time favorite, so we’ll cut right to the chase: Our third tile trend for 2023 is cemented looks. If you’re getting deja vu, it’s because cement-look tile was trending in 2020 as well. But while 2020’s trend focused on the industrial-chic vibe of cement looks, 2023 is all about the versatility of cement looks. For example, cement-look tile may feature a worn patina look or it can appear to be layered, sanded, or tinted. You’ll find cement looks in large-format tile, mosaics—and every size in between—with textured surfaces and color variations. As a result, cement looks are suitable for a wide range of applications, from bustling corner cafes to serene spa-like garden spaces. They can bring visual harmony to a space and still evoke a raw urban energy. Read More

Experimenting with interior design trends is exciting, but it can also be risky. After all, this isn't personal fashion we're talking about. You can always ditch a hat or a pair of shoes if you make a bad choice at the store, but with household design, the potential for permanence limits your options. You best get it right the first time, or you'll either be stuck with a look you don't love for years, or you'll pay a lot to fix your mistake. Read More

Tile of Spain will be heading back to Valencia, Spain in just a few days for the highly anticipated return of CEVISAMA, International Fair for Ceramic Tiles and Bathroom Furnishings. Read More