Soft, delicate colours; sources of inspiration that range from rustic to refined, and classic yet original shapes: these are the main trends running through the ceramic tiles on display at Cersaie.
The continued search for an essential, natural feel is evident in many of the show’s exhibits. This finds expression in tiles that represent nature almost more faithfully than nature itself, and in collections that wear refined lines and colours with pride. There are clear signs of a palpable desire to design floor and wall tiles that embody both these aspects, with a view to creating entirely original products that masterfully combine rustic character with elegance, as though they were simply two sides of the same style.
But the desire for colour emerges too, in a series of sober, understated monochromes, including matt reds, sugar-paper sky blues, petroleum greens, reticent corals and tempered burgundies. The predominant shades, however, are brown, anthracite, beige and turtledove: whether light or dark, matt or gloss, these are the undisputed stars of the latest collections.
There is a certain uniformity about the accents, which reveal a prevalence of delicate floral motifs juxtaposed with original, abstract patterns, and optical-effect mosaics matched with luxuriant Baroque decorations. Various collections also draw inspiration from the world of fashion, such as the attractive houndstooth wall tiles.
The formats themselves are no less innovative, and thanks to technological progress, now reach sizes and thicknesses that would have been unthinkable until recently. Panels of up to five metres in length, with thicknesses ranging from four to 20 millimetres are now an established trend, which has prompted designers to think in terms of single, seamless coverings instead of the classic reticulation of tiled surfaces. Some manufacturers even have thicknesses of 30 mm in the pipeline, which will be ideal for kitchen and bathroom tops.
All this has been made possible by the continuing march of technological progress, in which digital decoration plays an increasingly important role. This is because digital technology gives designers the freedom to be almost obsessive about detail and create products with constantly new styling features and technical qualities. After all, versatility and innovation are two of the secrets of Italian ceramic.
