Tile Art: the findings of Cersaie-2016

Cersaie is the largest exhibition of ceramics in the world, held annually in Italy. It resembles a fashion week. But there are fashionable tiles, sanitary ware and bathroom furniture in the starring roles.

The best manufacturers, designers and decorators meet to share new collections and set the "tone" for the next season.

18 pavilions are a large number. But you can see the exhibition in 2 days (tested by Sergey Makhno Architects team). Of course, you will not examine all stands along and across, but visit all participants. What we did.

​1. Natural

The theme of "eco" and natural finishing materials continues. This year tile brands have imitated stone and used all possible kinds of tree – light, dark, patinated, with a picture and without.

2. Tile Giants

The trend of increasing in formats doesn’t leave the world of design. Huge tiles from 2016 move to the 2017.

Most manufacturers offer products ranging from one to three meters. The maximum tile size that we found is 160x320 cm at a thickness of 6 mm. Just «WOW!».

3. 3D

Tile is no longer just a textured one. It goes with collocations – "sculptural finishes of walls" and "decorative panel". Manufacturers offer to use these tiles... everywhere. It organically complements the home interiors and public ones – showrooms, restaurants, offices.

Several brands experimented with 3D panels – sculptures covering parts of the wall. On the one hand they are constructive elements of the interior. On the other – "art objects" effectively transforming the space.

4. Not algebra, but geometry

The complex geometric pattern is the trend of a few years. The new collections show more interesting combinations that allow people to create own unique interiors.

5. Tiles from skirts

Collections are replenished by textiles – textures of twill, tartan, tweed, wool and flax. For lovers of tenderness Cersaie has ceramics inspired by lace. All to make a bathroom softer, warmer and cozier.

6. 50 shades of gray

Finding the pure red or blue was the challenge for visitors. Tile manufacturers preferred muted, neutral tones.
The object of general love become a gray color.

7. Keep fit

The war against the stereotype "tiles must be square" continued. Brands played with octagons, triangles, diamonds and created new visual effects. The most daring ones experimented with a mosaic of small segments.

In the peak of popularity a chevron shape. You can found it in wood, stone, metal.

8. "Grout" as a design element

Combining the grout with a contrasting tile is ok. It became the decorative element of the most attention. As a result we have bold, non-standard compositions.

9. Say: "terrazzo"

The ancient Italian technique of terrazzo is well-known for the floor. Now imitations of terrazzo are in fashion. Tile manufacturers combine stone, marble, glass and other materials of small, medium and big fractions.

10. Not only wallpapers

The bright spots in a calm color spectrum of Cersaie-2016 are stands with prints imitating wallpapers. They impressed by large formats of tiles and disappointed with pictures. Few pictures.

After seeing so many perfect tile combinations we have one desire – to start working with the material.

Be inspired. See you at Cersaie-2017.