Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home, Bathroom, Projects
What's new in tile design? Expect intricate carvings, metallics and lots of customization.
There are few materials that can cause a stir in the hearts of design enthusiasts like tile can. Tile and all of its beautiful intricacies ranks right up there with a good fabric, lush carpeting and solid wood. And the recent introduction of new styles, sizes and details has inspired exciting new trends. Here's a rundown of what's hot in tile design.
It's All About White
"Today, everything is white," says Nancy Epstein, Founder and CEO of Artistic Tile. "We've noticed our customers asking for all types of shades and variations of white," from classic bright white to muted grey. Epstein says that this is part of a larger, overall trend of customization in the luxury market. "Customers want to customize, they want what they want and they want it their way, and if it's a particular shade of white they seek, it's up to us to make it happen."
White is trending when it comes to tiles, as are unique, global-inspired designs shown here in this chic bathroom. Tiles shown are Frameworks in Linen. Photo: Artistic Tile
Interior designer John Loecke has also been seeing lots of white, however he's also been noticing boldly colored ethnic-inspired designs emerging from companies such as Ann Saks. Expect tiles that look like they walked right out of the fashion tents at Bryant Park!
"I'm seeing ikats, arabesques and suzani-inspired patterns in bright colors," he says. "Anything blue or purple, from soft pastels to deep, moody hues. People are looking for ways to make their homes more personal. These special patterns and shapes can do just that by allowing them to reference a bit of history or an area of the world they love."
Photo: Artistic Tile
Sustainable Solutions
"Of course, the biggest trend in every industry right now is focused on sustainability and eco-friendly products," says Epstein. "Due to both their endurance and classic aesthetic, tile and stone can last longer than anything else in your home."
Loecke is also seeing a large eco-presence when it comes to tiles. "I'm seeing lots of faux wood looks, especially from manufacturers in Italy," says Loecke. "Even though these tiles come from Europe, they're porcelain, so they're extremely sturdy and very affordable." What's even cooler is that many of these tiles are designed to be laid in a random plank fashion, just like real wood, making it very hard to tell that that they aren't the real thing!
All About Dimensions
Intricately carved tiles that take their cue from art are also gaining popularity. "Bold, sculptured patterns offer a dramatic, beautiful wall," says Epstein. "Now that we can offer customers dimensional tiles, they love it!"
Carved tiles from the Ambra collection, shown here in Lake Blue in a bathroom , make the perfect addition to achieving a serene feeling in any bathroom. Photo: Artistic Tile
A great example of this technique is the Artistic Tile's Ziva Lotus line (shown below), which is all carved in India. "We were in a hotel in Tunisia and the panel behind us was beautifully 3-D. That was the whole start of our quest for dimensional wall tiles and carved stones."
Shown here is Lotus Gris from the Ziva collection. The sculpted squares offer homeowners gorgeous three-dimensional tiles that resemble artwork. Photo: Artistic Tile
Major Metallic
"My favorite new looks are copper and rose gold; they are especially beautiful when infused into glass tile," says Epstein. Additionally, rather than only using metallics as accents, the company is also stocking metallic field tiles, which account for a huge percentage of tile installations. Why? Field tiles can be made of any material and are basic, single-color tiles that are unadorned, meaning they have no patterns or other adornments.
Daltile's Clik Tiles are made of genuine porcelain and are a snap to install. Photo: Daltile
Do It Yourself
As budgets seem to be perpetually smaller, so many homeowners continue to embrace do-it-yourself options. Of note is the Cliks line of DIY tiles from Daltile, available at Home Depot. These porcelain tiles are manufactured here in the U.S. and don't require any additional grout for installation. Instead, the tiles click together quickly and easily using the company's patented Uniclic system.
Gorgeous Glass
"I'm really enjoying working with glass tiles right now," says Loecke. "Whether they are made from recycled glass or not, glass tiles are a great way to add a little sparkle to a space. We just finished covering the face of a client's fireplace in large 24-inch square mirrored tiles and they reflect light beautifully, adding a soft glow and shimmer."
Now that you've read up on the latest tile trends, time to explore some other trends for 2011!
Wallpaper Trends 2011: New, Fresh and Fun Designs
ShelterPop Predicts 2011 Pattern of the Year: Honeycomb
Trend Spotting: 2011's Hot Color Combos