RANGE REVIEW: TILES & TILING
CENTRE STAGE TILES TAKE
Peter Vann, Director of Ceramique Internationale, explains how tiles are taking centre stage as stylish focal points throughout the home.
T
here was a time when tiles in the home were rarely seen beyond bathrooms and kitchens. Not
anymore. Home design has evolved over the decades with tiles being incorporated into conservatories, Scandi-style extensions, open plan kitchen/dining areas, wet rooms, utility rooms, spacious multi-use living spaces and seamless indoor- outdoor patio areas.
Home living has also changed significantly, with an estimated two million UK households now having two or more adult generations living alongside each other. As décor has adapted alongside these changing trends, the use of porcelain tiles has played an increasingly central role in creating homes that meet the practical and safety needs of multigenerational families, while also providing the stand-out features demanded by increasingly astute and style- focused owners. Porcelain tiles have it all – multiple choices in size and shape, with modern production and printing technology creating an almost endless selection of patterns, colours, finishes and surface textures. Here are just some of the ways in which they can raise rooms in the home way above the ordinary.
First impressions count The hallway is quite literally the first part of your home that is seen, and tiles are the perfect way to make an impression. Celebrity influencer and actress Martine McCutcheon got it right when she transformed her hallway with black and white tiles in a classic checkerboard layout. This timeless monochrome pattern brings grandeur to larger spaces, but also accentuates space in more confined and narrow spaces. For a more natural look, herringbone timber tiles recreate the warmth and variation of wooden parquetry flooring, but with far greater durability, lower maintenance demands, and at a much cheaper price.
16 DIY WEEK APRIL 2024 Or for the more traditional
properties encaustic-inspired patterned tiles can be used to create borders and randomised design. The versatility of tiles means they can provide a seamless journey from entrance hall to living spaces of any size.
Shared spaces with style & safety The trend for open plan kitchen/ dining/living spaces where the whole family can work, play, enjoy food and relax is unlikely to end any time soon. Therefore, nor is the popularity of large format stone- effect slab tiles, which impart an elegant, understated flow between spaces. Laid across large floors and often wall areas too, this look is guaranteed to remain in vogue, making it as future-proof and cost effective as it is aesthetically pleasing. Another highly practical option for shared spaces are porcelain tiles that perfectly replicate natural materials such as stone, wood or marble. They are easy to maintain and – thanks to the arrival of advanced anti-slip tile technology – safer for family members of all ages. Reactive glaze technology has been a game changer since it first started to emerge around five years ago, playing an increasing role within the broader domestic arena. Anti-slip technology delivers perfectly smooth porcelain surfaces which become even more grippy when wet. It provides the same grip level - PTV rating +36 - of heavily textured tiles but with none of the cleaning and maintenance challenges that uneven surfaces present. Many customers are also looking
to create a seamless extension from inside the home to outdoor decking and patio areas, and manufacturers have been quick to respond, offering 2cm thick, anti-slip options to their tile collections, which are also hardier as well as safer under foot.
Luxury at an affordable price Porcelain tiles really can create the bathroom, shower area or wet room of your customers’ dreams. They offer thousands of combinations of colours, shapes and textured finishes
to achieve whatever theme or mood is desired. All while ensuring safety underfoot when wet, and making light work of cleaning and long term upkeep.
The polished gloss opulence of natural white marble, threaded with gold-white or grey-white veining, remains a consistently top choice for UK consumers – after all who wouldn’t want a luxury spa in their own home? Manufacturers are now producing imposing 1,200 x 2,400mm marble slabs, which deliver a dramatic wall-to-floor backdrop in any area.
Digital print technology, combined with the wider availability of anti- slip technology, has enabled the marble trend to evolve even further, with colourful and exotic options such as onyx, jade and fiori di bosco coming into the mix. The ability to encapsulate nature in porcelain tiles also means a zen-like calm can be achieved with the authentic replication of materials such as travertine, slate, limestone or even wood, traditionally a no-go in high moisture environments. Crucially, with porcelain tiles these high-end looks can be achieved at a fraction of the budget for natural materials. It is worth noting that for smaller areas, larger tiles will impose an illusion of space so are always the better choice for more compact bathing areas.
Stand out from the crowd Feature tiling can give any surface the wow factor, irrespective of its size or scale.
Porcelain tiles can capture the
textures, colours and moods of different cultures to conjure up a touch of the Mediterranean, Scandinavia or Africa.
The striking honeycomb pattern
created by grouping hexagonal tiles in a repeat formation will bring the elegance of a Venetian terrazzo to the walls or floors of conservatories, hallways, or any other areas. Moroccan inspired porcelain Zellige tiles are an enduring favourite due to their huge versatility. There are myriad vibrant colours, shapes and high gloss sheer or crackle glaze finishes to choose from, and each tile has a unique non-uniform surface and uneven edges. They deliver a depth of perspective that makes a real focal point of a kitchen or bathroom splash back, or fireplace surround, for example. Tile manufacturers never stand still. They are now using reactive and 3D glaze printing to gently raise patterns off the surface of tiles, produce highly authentic looking three-dimensional structures such as bamboo, or introduce indented striations to bring added depth to marble finishes. One thing is certain – this technology will continue to add new twists to porcelain tile design, ensuring they remain an indispensable feature of the home.
For more details, visit https://
ceramiqueinternationale.co.uk
www.diyweek.net
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