STONE EFFECT TILES
ILLUSION OF STONE CREATING THE
Leigh Price, Managing Director of Real Stone & Tile, looks at the 2017 trends for stone-effect floor tiles.
Stone-effect porcelain tiles are the go-to for homeowners looking to incorporate beautiful tiles that look like stone, feel like stone, yet cost a fraction of the price and, of course, have less maintenance than the real thing.
There are always new styles, colours and sizes to choose from and it is easy to become overfaced. Here are some key trends that will be prevalent in 2017:
MIX IT UP Tiled floors don’t have to be just one pattern, design and colour. Try using alternative shades within the range or different sizes to create a unique display.
Bathroom environments are often kept neutral as the rooms tend to be smaller, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the same colourway throughout. Continuing the tile from the floor and onto the wall in a complementary shade is great way to add depth and dimension.
SHAPES Forget standard square and rectangle tiles, this year it is all about shapes such as hexagons and triangles.
Hexagon tiles offer versatility and contemporary design aesthetics. Driven by the attractiveness of geometric patterns and the sought-after honeycomb look, hexagon tiles are perfect for kitchen and bathroom flooring.
Creating a trendy and sophisticated ambience that is both simple and playful at the same time, hexagon vitrified tiles promise to add more character and depth to any room.
TRADITIONAL VS CONTEMPORARY An interesting trend we noticed at design shows last year was mixing traditional stone i.e. marble with modern, industrial surfaces like concrete.
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To some it may sound ghastly and I know when I have mentioned it to customers in the past, they look at me like I’m mad! But honestly, it can look fantastic especially when paired with similar shades.
Flaviker is a particular brand that proves that this style can work. Mixing a brown marble-effect porcelain tile with a slate-effect porcelain tile really illustrates the combining of traditional and contemporary design.
This look might not be for everyone but small nods to the trend can easily be incorporated with feature walls.
MAKING PATTERNS Patterned tiles can look great throughout the home and add a vintage feel that creates the effect that they’re an original feature. However, they can look overly fussy and the colours can often limit the rest of the room.
With the neutral tone of stone-effect tiles, patterns can still be replicated by laying in a bespoke design. Hallways are sometimes overlooked as many consider it an entrance/exit or a walk-through room, however, these long and narrow spaces carry shapes really well and can give a very warm welcome.
Herringbone designs will also become bolder and bigger in 2017. Trendy chevron patterns in large-format stone-effect planks add personality to the room and make a compelling choice for any residential or commercial projects.
As with all trends, they do come and go but these suggestions aren’t too ‘out there’ and will no doubt remain popular in many years to come. Here is to another great year for the tile and stone industry!
www.realstoneandtile.co.uk www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
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