Boost Mineral surface and wall tiles by Atlas Concorde

Atlas Concorde, an Italian ceramics brand established in 1969, has highlighted a selection of its recently launched tile collections on Dezeen Showroom. These collections are designed for various applications, including walls and floors in both indoor and outdoor settings, as well as kitchen and bathroom surfaces, reflecting the brand's expertise in porcelain tile manufacturing since 1998. One featured collection is Boost Mineral surface and wall tiles. These tiles are inspired by the sedimentary stone found in the Ardennes Plateau in Belgium, exhibiting a compacted, granular finish. The collection comprises five different shades of grey, each featuring a three-dimensional texture. Their durable composition makes them suitable for diverse environments, allowing for a seamless aesthetic transition between interior and exterior spaces. Another collection, Marvel Onyx surfaces, is engineered to replicate the distinct striations observed in natural onyx stone. This range offers a palette including white, champagne, pearl grey, black, light blue, and pink, all characterized by a highly polished and reflective finish. These tiles are versatile, designed for use on walls, floors, and countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The Marvel Meraviglia Decor tiles showcase the natural aesthetics of marble combined with intricate geometric patterns. A notable collaboration within this collection is the Diamond Decor, developed with Zaha Hadid Architects. This specific tile is named for its appearance, which mirrors the multifaceted structure of a cut diamond, adding a layer of visual complexity to spaces such as bathrooms. Drawing inspiration from ancient construction techniques, the 3D Wall Plaster collection offers wall coverings distinguished by their gestural and textural surfaces. These tiles are available in five distinct styles: Origami, Bloom, Jasmine, Combed, and Barcode. Each style is handcrafted from plaster using traditional tools like chisels, brushes, trowels, and combs, contributing dynamic textures to interior walls. Finally, the Marvel Meraviglia tile collection is named after Calacatta Meraviglia, a highly sought-after natural marble. These porcelain tiles faithfully reproduce the unique striations of their natural counterpart, providing a range of white to greyscale finish options. The collection includes both dark and light-toned finishes, and some tiles incorporate a blend of reflective and matte sections to enhance their naturalistic appearance. This collection is also designed for both interior and exterior applications, further emphasizing the versatility and aesthetic continuity offered by Atlas Concorde's product range. #AtlasConcorde #Tiles #CeramicSurfaces #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalMaterials #DezeenShowroom #StoneEffectTiles

Atlas Concorde's new Marvel Gems collection introduces a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Venetian terrazzo through coordinated floor and wall tiles. This collection, developed under the overarching Marvel concept, integrates the aesthetic of marble fragments embedded in fine marble chippings with the practical benefits of porcelain stoneware and white-body wall tiles. The design aims to enrich residential and commercial spaces by creating an interplay of light-capturing fragments. The collection faithfully reproduces the beauty of marble-effect pieces and inclusions, while offering the enhanced qualities of ceramic materials, such as ease of installation, maintenance, and cleaning. The resulting ceramic surfaces combine the luster of porcelain stoneware and white-body wall tiles with the distinctive style of multi-faceted marble pieces set against a background of fine marble chippings. These marble-effect fragments are designed to appear like gemstones, generating unexpected reflections and contributing to a visually engaging environment. Drawing inspiration from original Venetian flooring, Marvel Gems offers a diverse range of colors and particle sizes, facilitating elegant and personalized combinations that coordinate with the entire Marvel project. The collection provides numerous tile sizes, extending up to 75x150 cm. It is available in five standard colors: Grey (a cold grey), Pearl (a warm grey), Cream (a luminous ivory), White (a pearly white), and Black (an intense black). Additionally, the collection features an exclusive deep, elegant blue shade, offering a unique interpretation of Venetian terrazzo. All porcelain stoneware tiles in the collection feature a fully lapped, glossy, and reflective finish, designed to mimic the honed appearance of traditional materials. This robust and compact surface is engineered to maintain its aesthetic integrity over time without requiring extensive maintenance. The Marvel Gems collection also includes the "Palladiana" in porcelain stoneware, which incorporates large Carrara marble-effect pieces. Further variations include Mix Cold and Mix Warm porcelain stoneware surfaces, characterized by minuscule, densely packed homogeneous fragments, which are suitable for modern environments seeking a retro touch. The overall effect of these glossy, reflective surfaces combined with marble-effect fragments is the creation of light-filled, reflective spaces, distinguished by the superior qualities of Atlas Concorde ceramics. #AtlasConcorde #MarvelGems #VenetianTerrazzo #PorcelainStoneware #WallTiles #FloorTiles #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #CeramicSurfaces

The Acme Brick, Tile and Stone showroom in Abilene serves the larger Big Country region by providing a wide array of high-quality building materials. This location specializes in offering a comprehensive selection of Acme Brick products, catering to various construction and design needs. Beyond bricks, the showroom is a hub for diverse building materials essential for both interior and exterior projects. For flooring solutions, the Abilene showroom features an extensive collection. Customers can explore ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles, suitable for a range of aesthetic preferences and functional requirements. Additionally, the showroom provides engineered and laminate hardwoods, offering durable and attractive options for different spaces. To support these flooring projects, a full complement of tools and supplies is also available, ensuring that customers have everything they need for successful installation. The showroom also stocks a full line of concrete block products manufactured by Featherlite Building Products. These concrete blocks are versatile for various construction applications. In addition to blocks, customers can find pavers and landscaping products from Pavestone, which are ideal for outdoor spaces, driveways, and garden paths, enhancing the aesthetic and utility of exterior areas. For stone needs, the Abilene location offers a diverse selection, including natural stone sourced from five different quarries, providing a variety of textures, colors, and types. Furthermore, manufactured stone options from three distinct suppliers are available, offering alternative choices that combine durability with design flexibility. This extensive range allows customers to find the perfect stone for their architectural and decorative requirements. Architectural features are also well-represented at the showroom. The facility carries fireplaces from three different manufacturers, providing numerous styles and heating options for both indoor and outdoor settings. Other specialized building materials available include glass block and grid systems from IBP, which can add unique visual elements and natural light to designs. Essential construction components such as flashing and masonry anchors are also supplied to ensure structural integrity and proper installation. For more refined finishes, granite slabs and stucco supplies are on hand, allowing for a complete range of building and finishing applications. #buildingMaterials #homeDesign #construction #flooring #landscaping #architecturalFeatures #brick #tile #stone

Atlas Concorde introduces the Boost Mineral surface and wall tile collection, designed to create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments. This innovative collection draws inspiration from the natural sedimentary stone found in the Ardennes plateau, located between France and Belgium. By replicating the aesthetic qualities of this stone, Boost Mineral aims to bring a sense of natural ambience, sophisticated color, and distinctive style to various interior and exterior spaces. The Italian brand, Atlas Concorde, is recognized for its continuous innovation, distinctive Italian style, and global market presence in the contemporary porcelain floor and ceramic wall tile sector. The Boost Mineral collection exemplifies their commitment to promoting wellness through design. It is crafted to offer a sensory experience, making it suitable for both sheltered and exposed areas, thereby facilitating a harmonious transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. This approach ensures continuity and uniformity in design across different areas of a property. Key to the Boost Mineral collection's appeal is its meticulously reproduced texture, which faithfully mimics the original stone. The application of a bush-hammering technique enhances the authenticity of the material, revealing three-dimensional details that imbue the tiles with personality and depth. The collection features a palette of five distinct gray tones, allowing for versatile design applications. These tones are specifically chosen to complement the broader Boost World project, an overarching tile group from Atlas Concorde that enables creative mixing and matching of styles and shades to achieve diverse design outcomes. The collection offers a comprehensive range of formats to accommodate various indoor and outdoor project requirements. These include tiles in 60 and 75 mm modules, alongside an extensive selection of outdoor-specific formats. A notable addition to the range is the large-scale slabs, measuring 120x278 cm. These slabs provide a new stone effect, creating monolithic, jointless spaces that enhance the aesthetic continuity of large surfaces. Furthermore, Boost Mineral is available in the Atlas Plan slab format, making it suitable for kitchen countertops and other furnishings. The collection also extends to Atlas Concorde Habitat washbasins, which are designed to appear as if carved from a single block of stone, emphasizing a natural and minimalist aesthetic. Overall, the Boost Mineral collection from Atlas Concorde offers a sophisticated and versatile solution for designers and homeowners seeking to integrate natural aesthetics into their living spaces. Its inspiration from sedimentary stone, coupled with advanced manufacturing techniques and a wide array of formats and applications, allows for the creation of cohesive and visually appealing environments that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, enhancing both functionality and sensory appeal. #TileDesign #SedimentaryStone #IndoorOutdoorLiving #CeramicTiles #PorcelainTiles #HomeDesign #SurfaceDesign #ArchitecturalMaterials #AtlasConcorde

The Marvel 3D collection from Atlas Concorde expands the existing Marvel universe, a comprehensive stylistic project that has focused on surfaces inspired by Italian and international marbles for over a decade. This new capsule collection is specifically designed for wall installations, aiming to re-establish marble as a premium designer surface. It integrates the realistic aesthetics of marble- and travertine-inspired products with the contemporary trend of three-dimensional reliefs, imbuing the collection with a modern sensibility. The collection draws inspiration from five elegant looks already present in the Marvel world, including Marvel Meraviglia, known for its understated elegance derived from Calacata Meraviglia marble, and Marvel Travertine, which captures the grandeur of travertine in porcelain tiles. These five field tiles share a common thread of color harmony and refinement, featuring a lightly textured surface. The white marble interpretations include Calacata Meraviglia, characterized by subtle grey veins, and Calacata Bernini, a refined Apuan marble. For travertine variations, Light Majestic presents a compact light grey background with intense tone-on-tone veins, while Travertine Sand offers a warm beige with ivory and hazelnut accents, and Travertine White provides lighter shades with delicate sandy hues. Marvel 3D graphics, based on simple lines, are realized through three distinct surfaces: a lightly bush-hammered texture (Field) and two soft three-dimensional textures (3D Crease and 3D Reed). The advanced industrial technologies used in crafting the 3D surfaces ensure that the contrasts and color variations of the five looks are softened, resulting in a more discreet and elegant appearance while retaining their inherent character. The matte Field tile, common across the range and subtly textured, harmoniously complements the two three-dimensional reliefs, forming a versatile and modern trio. The collection's versatility is a key feature, as the final aesthetic changes based on the illumination angle and the orientation (horizontal or vertical) of the slabs, creating dynamic interplay of light and shadow and offering extensive decorative possibilities. The slabs' 50×120 cm format also simplifies installation by reducing the number of joints compared to conventional wall tiles. 3D Crease introduces a geometric, modern, and sophisticated pattern, providing new architectural applications for marble with a contemporary edge. The three-dimensional effect fluctuates with lighting and tile direction, creating interesting chiaroscuro from a distance, while up close, the slightly bush-hammered texture lends a realistic and sculptural quality. The Field surface, with its subtle three-dimensional texture and matte finish, offers an understated elegance suitable for wall installation. Its state-of-the-art enameling technique ensures a pleasant tactile experience. The Field finish can be used independently as a wall cladding or paired with matching floor tiles from other Atlas Concorde collections. 3D Reed features a more organic, irregular, and natural relief, mimicking the imperfections of hand engraving to achieve a handcrafted effect that varies with the original material's hardness. This flexible design allows architects significant creative freedom, with laying direction and room lighting profoundly influencing the outcome. For instance, the nature of the relief enables vertical slab installation to completely conceal joints. Beyond their unique aesthetics and light interaction, Marvel 3D solutions offer practical advantages over traditional marble, including ease of cleaning, stain resistance, zero maintenance requirements, and scratch resistance. Furthermore, Marvel 3D products seamlessly integrate with other Atlas Concorde collections, allowing for cohesive 'total look' designs with floor tiles from the Marvel Meraviglia and Marvel Travertine series, or as standalone elements combined with wood-effect solutions (Entice) for warmer interiors, or the concrete-look Boost Balance collection for a more modern aesthetic. #Marvel3D #AtlasConcorde #WallTiles #MarbleEffect #3DReliefs #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalSurfaces #LuxuryFinishes #HomeDecoration

This blog post highlights current offers and discounts on a range of flooring and tiling products, aiming to help customers refresh their homes with stylish and durable options without exceeding their budget. The available products include various types of flooring, such as engineered wood, laminate, and luxury vinyl, as well as wall and floor tiles made from ceramic and porcelain. These offerings cater to diverse aesthetic preferences and functional requirements for different areas of a home. The flooring selection features laminate options in different thicknesses, ranging from 8mm to 12mm, with varying AC ratings of 4 and 5, indicating their durability. Popular styles include wood effect finishes, with specific products like Wickes Salerno Light Grey Oak, Wickes Hayfield Grey Oak, and Wickes Venezia Light Oak laminate flooring. Luxury vinyl flooring is also presented, exemplified by Novocore Natural Oak, providing a resilient and visually appealing alternative. Engineered wood flooring, such as W by Woodpecker American Light Oak, is available for those seeking a more premium wood aesthetic. For tiling needs, the article showcases both ceramic and porcelain wall and floor tiles. Examples include Wickes Lava Bone Matt Glazed Porcelain tiles in different sizes (600 x 300mm and 595 x 595mm), Wickes Luna Light Grey Ceramic tiles, Wickes Everest Steel Porcelain tiles, and Wickes Mason Grey Matt Porcelain tiles. These tiles come in various color families, including beiges, browns, creams, and greys, and offer styles such as marbled stone effect, stone effect, and wood effect to complement different interior designs. Suitability is specified for different areas, with some tiles and flooring suitable for all indoor areas, including wet rooms, and others for living areas, kitchens, and bathrooms. The blog also addresses practical considerations through a Frequently Asked Questions section. It confirms the availability of samples for both flooring and tiles, allowing customers to evaluate products before making a purchase. It clarifies that all discounted items are new and maintain high-quality standards. Additionally, it informs customers that grout and tile adhesive are typically sold separately unless explicitly stated in the product description, providing essential information for project planning. The overall goal is to present a comprehensive overview of discounted flooring and tiling solutions, emphasizing variety, quality, and affordability for home improvement projects. #FlooringOffers #TileDiscounts #HomeRenovation #LaminateFlooring #PorcelainTiles #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DIYHomeImprovement

The article explores the resurgence of tile countertops as a decorative alternative to traditional stone, composite, and wood surfaces in various practical spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. While often considered passé, tile countertops offer endless design configurations to introduce color, pattern, and texture. For kitchen applications, material selection is critical. Porcelain tiles are recommended over ceramic due to their lower porosity and greater hardiness, making them ideal for areas prone to food spillages and splashes. Practical considerations include the need for regular cleaning of grout lines to prevent staining and the potential for cracking if heavy items are dropped or hot items are placed directly on the tiles. It is also advised to use a chopping board for food preparation to maintain hygiene and prevent damage. Several design approaches are highlighted. For a utilitarian aesthetic, simple white ceramic tiles can be paired with natural wood finishes, as exemplified by a kitchen island design featuring curved D-tiles. These curved edges enhance spaciousness, ease cleaning, and improve child safety. To add texture to a white kitchen, particularly in spaces inspired by Spanish interiors, tiled countertops can be a focal point, though careful use and spare tiles for potential replacement are advised. In bathrooms, tiles offer an opportunity to inject color and personality. Glazed tiles are suitable for vanity units in cloakrooms or guest bathrooms, areas with less wear and tear, as they can chip if heavy items are dropped. For small bathrooms, a floating tiled countertop can create a seamless look, especially when matched with wall tiles, making the space appear larger. Encaustic tiles in wet areas require sealing. Zellige tiles, handcrafted Moroccan clay tiles, are presented as a choice for creating a Moroccan feel due to their rich surface texture and variations in tone, size, and glazing. These tiles require cement-based grout suitable for thin gaps and may show wear over time, which is considered part of their natural charm. Matching countertop tiles with backsplash tiles can create a seamless and cohesive design. Small-scale penny tiles offer a decorative effect but come with the drawback of numerous grout lines susceptible to staining and dirt accumulation, making them more suitable for areas with less frequent use, such as guest bathroom vanity units. Handmade tiles, like zellige, can introduce rustic texture to industrial spaces, such as kitchens with extensive stainless steel. Their organic appearance and light-reflecting qualities add depth and character. Zellige tiles are also suggested for laundry room countertops to bring texture and character. In wet rooms, non-porous or sealed ceramic and encaustic tiles are suitable for countertops due to their water resistance and ease of cleaning. Tiling all surfaces, including the countertop, in the same tile can create a sleek and spacious appearance. Finally, tiled kitchen islands can serve as a statement piece. Black zellige tiles, for instance, can add drama and reflective qualities to a black and white kitchen, injecting movement into potentially stark spaces. While tile countertops offer decorative versatility, designers emphasize the importance of using resin-based, stain-repellent, and non-absorbent grout, applied flush with the tiles, to prevent food collection and staining. For practical areas, porcelain tiles are highly recommended for their durability, stain resistance, and ease of maintenance, especially when combined with epoxy resin grout to prevent discoloration and mold. Zellige tiles also gain popularity for their handcrafted aesthetic and eco-conscious production, though their inherent variations mean surfaces may not be perfectly flush. #TileCountertops #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ZelligeTiles #PorcelainTiles #GroutMaintenance #SurfaceMaterials

The Cersaie 2019 exhibition highlighted a significant resurgence in the use of decorative ceramic tiles as a versatile and expressive cladding material. This trend showcases ceramics' ability to emulate natural materials such as wood, stone, marble, and concrete, while also establishing its unique aesthetic identity through innovative decorative applications. Manufacturers presented a wide array of formats, colors, and designs, transforming surfaces into opportunities for artistic and formal experimentation, with a particular focus on covering large areas using maxi slabs and extra-large tiles to ensure graphic continuity. Del Conca, celebrating its 40th anniversary, introduced the 'Timeline Seventy-Nine' collection, characterized by soft tones and sweeping surfaces. The decorative motifs in this collection draw inspiration from imperfection, featuring textile textures with interrupted designs that evoke the elegance of aged tapestries or rugs, adding a sense of dilapidated sophistication to walls. Ragno's new 'Maiora_Concrete Effect Botanical' line combines large, thin slabs with intricate natural and floral graphics. This collection, including three extra-large models (120x278 cm), can be used individually or in bold wall compositions. The designs uniquely contrast concrete-effect backgrounds with vintage botanical decorations, pushing the boundaries of ceramic surface application. 41zero42 unveiled 'Louis,' a new family of decorated tiles with floral inspirations, as part of their 'Paper41 Lux' collection. This line utilizes photographic hyper-realism and advanced digital printing, incorporating a resin into the ceramic mix to achieve particularly brilliant, resistant surfaces with vivid reflections and chromatic intensity. Florim, in collaboration with Rubelli, presented 'i Filati di Rex,' a collection that meticulously translates motifs from prized textiles onto ceramic surfaces. This innovative stylistic approach enhances the material's expressive potential, creating visually detailed surfaces that resemble fabric wallpapers, with nine decorative motifs inspired by nature and art spread across large tiles. Devon&Devon;'s 'Décor Slabs' collection uses pure gold as its foundation, offering large-format ceramic slabs that interpret Art Deco motifs through advanced digital inkjet printing. The extra-large sizes minimize seams, ensuring a clean and perfect aesthetic. The collection features two themes: 'Acanthus,' inspired by acanthus leaves and available in six colors, and 'Peacock,' a stylized reinterpretation of peacock plumage on white or sage backgrounds. Fap Ceramiche introduced 'Bloom,' a collection of large 80x160 cm tiles designed to create a wallpaper effect with remarkable materialistic and graphic qualities. These lightweight tiles are easy to install, with maxi decorations ranging from floral themes to warm, faded colors and sparkling metallic inserts. Mutina's ceramic decorations emphasize the versatility of clay, a moldable mineral compound used for tactile and chromatic experimentation. Their display at Cersaie 2019, an 'Alphabet' stand, showcased over ten years of production, highlighting their consistent exploration of whites, blacks, and neutral tones. Ceramiche Refin's 'Vetri' collection focuses on brightness and transparency, utilizing advanced production technologies to give porcelain stoneware the expressive qualities of crystal. Delicate shades at tile borders create depth, while a glossy finish reflects light. The collection features an evanescent color range and natural glass tones, with geometric decors like 'Piet' inspired by Mondrian. Marca Corona's 'Victoria' collection, exhibited at Cersaie 2019, features geometries and reliefs inspired by classic English aesthetics. These ceramic surfaces create exclusive environments with soft tones like aqua green, silver grey, and beige vanilla. Ornamental tiles include three-dimensional textures and molded panels with a boiserie effect, reimagining Victorian-era bathrooms. Another collection from Marca Corona, 'Overclay,' presents decorative porcelain stoneware with sandy shades inspired by desert tones, evoking Moroccan souks through faded and dilapidated effects, creating relaxing atmospheres with Rose and Cotto accents. Finally, Ceramica Sant’Agostino’s 'Spring' collection utilizes glazed double-firing to enhance vibrant colors and decorative textures, expressed through 3D reliefs or fantastical graphics that mimic wallpaper effects. Ceramica Francesco De Maio reissued Gio Ponti's 'Blu Ponti' collection, featuring 33 decorated majolica tiles in white and blue, showcasing hand-printed designs that pay tribute to Italian ceramic heritage and design mastery. #DecorativeTiles #CeramicCladding #Cersaie2019 #InteriorDesignTrends #ArchitecturalSurfaces #MaterialInnovation #HomeDecoration #SurfaceDesign #TileTrends

Tile serves as a primary protective layer for walls, floors, and ceilings in humid bathroom environments, while also offering significant aesthetic potential. Designers utilize a diverse range of materials, shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns to create various bathroom styles, from dramatic to serene. This article explores how different designers incorporate tile to elevate bathroom spaces. Emily van der Linde of Lacquer Design aimed for a modern and elevated coastal look in a client's beach home, integrating zellige and cement tiles. Zellige tiles, known for their handmade texture and light reflection, evoke seashells and sea glass, used extensively in the primary bathroom's wet room around the freestanding tub and shower to create a calm, serene atmosphere. Cement tiles, valued for their functionality in wet areas, are laid in a herringbone pattern on the floor and tub platform. In a guest bath, printed cement floor tiles with a flora persona become a focal point, reflecting the home's tropical surroundings, complemented by zellige wall tiles behind the vanity and in the shower. Van der Linde notes the growing trend of viewing tile as an artistic medium, with artisanal hand-painted and hand-printed tiles transforming spaces. Rima Nasser of TEW Design Studio frequently incorporates color into her bathroom designs, moving away from all-white spaces. She uses tile to enhance perceptions of space, making small bathrooms appear larger or low ceilings taller, and utilizes reflective finishes for brightness. In one award-winning project, Nasser used an abundance of colors, including royal blue doors, green walls, and a salmon-colored 'frame' that highlights an emerald green wet room. Ceramic tiles in emerald, laid in a herringbone pattern, clad the wet room walls, niches, and a built-in planter, with an arched entrance also tiled in the matching colorway. In another primary bathroom, black and white porcelain tiles with unique, unrepeatable patterns create a graphic focal point in a super-sized shower, reflecting light and adding visual interest to a formerly outdated space. Lauren Brandwein of Rock House Design employs tile to establish the overall tone of a space, whether minimalist or maximalist. For a primary bathroom addition to a Spanish bungalow, her clients desired a bold, modern Mediterranean, and eclectic aesthetic. This was achieved using contrasting black and alabaster cement tiles on the floor in a classic Moroccan star and cross motif, extended into a wet room. The wet room also features white marble with green veining and green and white mosaic tiles that create an ombre effect, along with dimensional ceramic tiles in a deep emerald green behind the tub. Brandwein highlights the use of natural living materials like cement, clay, and glass tiles, appreciating their ability to patina and add charm, and the effective combination of various tile scales to create a layered, maximalist style. Alida Coury of Alida Coury Interiors focuses on texture and incorporates deeper, saturated tones and increased use of tile on walls and ceilings to create a curated, high-end feel. In a primary bathroom renovation, she used white fluted ceramic tiles on the shower walls to provide texture and an 'edge,' echoing the fluted vanity and freestanding tub. This choice maintains an open and airy spa-like atmosphere while introducing dimensional features. Coury pairs these textural tiles with classic marble for timelessness, which is used for the shower bench, bathroom floor, vanity top, and backsplash. The mix of polished nickel plumbing fixtures with modern matte black lighting and hardware creates a balance between modern and timeless elements. Kristen Harper and Michelle Flores of Remodel Boutique emphasize the role of color in their design/build projects, using it to elevate spaces and enhance happiness. In one primary bathroom renovation, they mixed multiple shades of blue with graphic black and white cement tile to transform an awkward attic space into a functional and inviting bathroom. A dramatic accent wall behind the freestanding tub, clad floor to ceiling in 8"x8" Tulum cement tile in Pacific Black and Pacific White, becomes a focal point. The graphic tile's pattern accommodates the wall's angles, making the design intentional. Neutral subway tile in a vertical herringbone pattern on adjacent walls complements the bold accent, protecting against humidity and reflecting light to create an illusion of height and a more dynamic space. #BathroomDesign #TileTrends #InteriorDesign #ZelligeTile #CementTile #ColorBlocking #TexturedTile #WetRooms #HomeRenovation

This article provides an extensive guide to selecting and applying tile grout, a crucial component for preventing water seepage and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of tiled surfaces. It emphasizes the importance of grout in achieving a flawless finish for tiling projects in various areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or hallways. The selection of tile grout is diverse, offering options in colors like black, white, grey, charcoal, ivory, beige, and silver grey, allowing for versatile design choices. Available in various sizes including 2.5 kg, 5 kg, and 15 kg, the products cater to different project scales and needs. The article highlights that most tile grouts are suitable for both walls and floors, with one specific product designed exclusively for floors. Pricing for these products generally ranges from £0 to £49.99, making them accessible for a wide range of budgets. Key products featured include various Mapei Anti-Mould Flexible Coloured Tile Grouts and Mapei Flexible Coloured Tile Grouts, available in popular shades such as grey, white, ivory, black, beige, and charcoal. These Mapei products are frequently reviewed positively by customers, indicating reliability and performance. Beyond product selection, the article addresses frequently asked questions regarding tile grout. It offers practical advice on how to properly grout tiles, recommending the use of a grouting float to spread grout firmly into joints and remove excess before cleaning. For comprehensive instructions, readers are directed to a 'how to tile a wall guide.' The guide also includes instructions for cleaning floor tile grout. It suggests using purpose-made grout cleaners, with a caveat to check compatibility with tile materials, or an alternative solution of baking soda and water. The cleaning process involves applying the cleaner, letting it sit, scrubbing with a toothbrush, and rinsing with warm water. Furthermore, the article provides steps for removing old grout using specialized tools like a grout rake, grout out tool, or an oscillating tool with a grout blade, ensuring gentle and effective removal. Complementing the grout products, the article also mentions related tiling tools and accessories, such as tile adhesives and primers, essential for a complete tiling project. Products like Mapei Fast Set Plus Ceramic & Porcelain Tile Adhesive and Mapei Mapeker Rapid Set Flexible Tile Adhesive are introduced, underscoring their suitability for various types of tiles and environments, including wet areas. Mapei Plaster Primer is also highlighted for enhancing adhesion on gypsum-based surfaces. This comprehensive resource ensures that users have access to both products and knowledge necessary for successful tiling outcomes. #TileGrout #HomeImprovement #TilingTools #BathroomDesign #KitchenDesign #DIYHome #MapeiProducts #GroutCleaning #FloorTiling

The Dwell on Design show consistently highlights innovative concepts in home design and architecture. This year, despite tiles being an ancient material with a history spanning approximately 5,000 years, the exhibition showcased a plethora of fresh approaches, new materials, and advanced technologies in tile design. The convention provided extensive inspiration for various home surfaces, including floors, walls, and backsplashes. Several notable products and designs were featured. Bedrosians, a California-based importer, presented a 4-inch-wide Japanese tile named “Shinzen,” available in multiple colors and a herringbone design, retailing at $17 per square foot. Another offering from Bedrosians was the “Panache” hexagonal mosaic, a new market entry combining Chinese glass tiles with Brazilian stone, priced at $44 per square foot. Eos Surfaces showcased a non-porous, stain-resistant material made from recycled glass shards integrated into a resin base. This material boasts durability and smoothness comparable to quartz. Another variation from Eos Surfaces, also featuring glass-embedded resin, was priced between $60 and $70 per square foot, offering a favorable alternative to traditional concrete tiles with broken glass. Classic Tile & Mosaic displayed custom carved stone designs. Their bespoke mosaic pattern strikingly combined “Antique Brush” and “Fine Adze” limestone finishes, priced around $32 per square foot. They also featured volcanic basalt sourced from Indonesia or Mongolia, a more economical stone, with individual bespoke finishes costing approximately $12 per square foot. Tesselle reintroduced encaustic cement tiles, a process originating in Catalonia in the 1850s and popular in Latin America. These handmade tiles, produced near Mexico City, ranged from $15 to $18 per square foot. The cement tiles are not fired or glazed; instead, mineral pigments are hydraulically pressed into the cement surface, resulting in slight imperfections that add to their character. Their precise dimensions allow for finer grout lines. Tesselle, based in Riverside, California, offers about 30 different designs and custom work, though these tiles are best suited for mild climates as they are not resistant to freezing temperatures. Pasadena Craftsman Tile, led by artist-architect Cha-Rie Tang, presented gloriously imperfect handcrafted tiles in the Craftsman style. These unique field tiles start at $24 per square foot, with no two pieces being identical. The studio also creates custom murals, ideal for fireplace settings, ranging from $250 to $450 per square foot. Pental Quartz showcased a hexagonal porcelain tile called “Material,” featuring a 3-D mosaic design that creates an M.C. Escher effect. Available in four colors, this tile retailed at $11 per square foot. Island Stone introduced “Paragons,” a seductive stone cladding consisting of interlocking rhomboids with a deeply tapering, angled relief. This tile was expected to be available in October 2015, priced in the “high 20s” per square foot. DENY Designs, based in Denver, presented a unique approach using plywood printed with proprietary processes. The company offers over 9,000 designs, priced at $12 per square foot, and emphasizes durability. An example shown was the “Collins Ave” design by Australian artist Three of the Possessed. Overall, the Dwell on Design show highlighted a vibrant evolution in tile design, combining historical techniques with modern materials and artistic innovation to offer diverse and inspiring options for contemporary homes. #TileDesign #HomeDecor #DwellOnDesign #SurfaceMaterials #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalTrends #Bedrosians #EosSurfaces #Tesselle #PasadenaCraftsmanTile

Ceramiche Refin, an Italian tile manufacturer established in 1962, has introduced its latest porcelain tile collection named Craft. This new range draws inspiration from the aesthetic of hand-applied cement surfaces, aiming to replicate the unique marks, strokes, and shadows typically found on architectural finishes created manually. The design philosophy behind Craft is to imbue industrial products with an artisanal feel, moving away from a uniformly manufactured appearance to one that suggests handmade origin. The in-house design team at Ceramiche Refin conducted extensive research into traditional craft techniques and the inherent characteristics of cement materials from various sources. This investigative process informed the development of surface patterns that faithfully reproduce the visual effects of hand-troweled cement. The resulting ceramic tiles exhibit a non-uniform aesthetic, characterized by a range of tonal differences, from light to dark shades, and visible brush strokes and tool marks, all of which are hallmarks of materials applied by hand. Craft tiles are engineered from grés porcelain, a material known for its durability and resilience. The manufacturing process involves vitrification, where clay is compacted under hydraulic pressure and then fired in a kiln. This process significantly reduces the material's porosity, rendering the tiles highly resistant to common issues such as stains, scratches, frost, and chemical damage. These robust properties make the Craft collection suitable for a wide array of applications, including both indoor and outdoor installations. To cater to diverse design requirements and spatial dimensions, the Craft collection is available in several sizes. Larger formats, including 120 by 240 centimeters and 120 by 120 centimeters, are specifically designed for more expansive areas such as public spaces and building facades. For smaller areas and residential projects, the collection offers more compact sizes, including 60 by 120 centimeters, 60 by 60 centimeters, and 30 by 60 centimeters. This variety in sizing provides flexibility for architects and designers to integrate the tiles into different scales of projects. Color options for the Craft range are thoughtfully selected to enhance the cement-inspired aesthetic. The collection offers four distinct colors: Rice, Tan, Cloud, and Fog, which span a spectrum from lighter to darker tones. These color choices, combined with the textured patterns, allow for the creation of various moods and atmospheres, from bright and airy to more subdued and earthy environments. Ceramiche Refin leverages state-of-the-art manufacturing processes that integrate advanced surface texture techniques with digital printing. This technological sophistication enables the company to produce contemporary tile collections that are versatile enough for a broad range of design applications. The Craft collection stands as an example of how modern industrial production can be utilized to mimic and celebrate traditional artisanal craftsmanship. Prior to the Craft collection, Ceramiche Refin has launched other innovative tile series, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to design and material exploration. These include a collection inspired by fabric textures, known as Arte Pura, developed in collaboration with Daniela Dallavalle, and a range called Wide, which features patterns of lines and grids that simulate hand-drawn chalk designs. These previous collections, much like Craft, aim to bring unique visual and tactile experiences to ceramic tile surfaces. The Craft collection is positioned as a sophisticated option for those seeking the raw, authentic look of hand-applied cement with the superior performance and versatility of porcelain tiles. #CeramicheRefin #CraftTiles #PorcelainTiles #CementSurfaces #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalFinishes #TileDesign #MaterialInnovation #HomeDecoration

This article compiles a list of the nine best tile brands in 2023, offering a comprehensive guide for individuals looking to update various spaces within their homes, including kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas. The selection criteria for these brands prioritize overall product quality, the diversity of tile types available (such as porcelain versus ceramic), and the range of colors and patterns offered. Customer service and reviews were also factored into the evaluation, alongside the aim to include options across different price points, catering to both budget-conscious buyers and those seeking luxury. The article emphasizes that selecting the right tile is crucial for achieving a desired aesthetic, whether modern, contemporary, or traditional, and for ensuring durability. The featured brands include American Olean, which celebrates a century in the industry, known for its high-tech printing and scanning tools that produce a wide array of styles in materials like wood, marble, stone, and concrete. Many of their products exceed American Society for Testing and Materials quality standards, with several manufactured in the United States. Ann Sacks, starting in 1980, has become a prominent name offering tiles made from ceramic, marble, limestone, porcelain, glass, and concrete, with showrooms globally and virtual appointment options. Marazzi, founded in Italy in 1935 and expanding to the U.S. in 1982, is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, utilizing advanced technology and making over 99% of its tiles from reclaimed or recycled materials, significantly reducing its energy consumption and carbon footprint. Daltile, the leading manufacturer and distributor in the U.S., accounts for approximately one-third of all tiles sold nationally. They are praised for advanced production techniques that mimic materials like wood, marble, and natural stone, and offer design guidance through showrooms and a virtual platform. Florida Tile, initially a ceramic trim producer in 1954, now specializes in porcelain tiles with diverse patterns, including wood and natural stone looks. A significant portion of their products are made in the U.S., with their Kentucky facility producing tiles with about 40% recycled content, and the company being the first to have all products Greenguard certified. Porcelanosa is highlighted as a luxury tile manufacturer with a global presence, offering not only tiles but also countertops, kitchen equipment, and wallpaper, with 30 showrooms across the U.S. and Canada. Shaw Floors, a leader since 1967, provides attractive and practical flooring solutions in materials such as marble, limestone, porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone, alongside other flooring types like hardwood and carpet. They offer free 30-minute design consultations and free samples. MSI, with 45 showrooms and distribution centers, offers an extensive range of wall and floor tiles, including subway, natural stone, and arabesque tiles, complemented by a user-friendly website with a visualizer tool. The article serves as a valuable resource for consumers, guiding them through the top tile brands of 2023 by detailing their histories, product offerings, price ranges, and unique selling points, thereby simplifying the selection process for home improvement projects. #TileBrands #HomeImprovement #InteriorDesign #Renovation #BuildingMaterials #SustainableDesign #LuxuryTiles #Flooring #WallTiles

Ceramiche Refin has unveiled its latest collection of porcelain tiles, named Blended, which intricately merges the diverse textures and aesthetics of natural geological elements. This new range is designed to replicate and combine the tactile grain of quartzite, the distinctive veining of French limestone, and the warm, earthy tones found in the sandstone formations of the Wadi Rum desert. The Blended collection forms a harmonious hybrid material, creating a visual and tactile experience that evokes the natural world. The inspiration for the Blended tiles stems from Earth's multi-faceted geology, aiming to encapsulate the authentic markings and shadings found in various natural stones and sands. The brand emphasizes that the collection achieves a sustained yet balanced rhythm by blending these different textures, some more pronounced than others, to create a surface that mirrors a real slab of earth. This approach allows for a sophisticated design that celebrates the organic beauty of natural materials while leveraging the durability and versatility of porcelain. Blended tiles are offered in five distinct colors, reflecting a palette that spans from cool to warm tones. These include grey, natural, white, beige, and dark, with Natural specifically described as an orangey neutral shade. This variety in color ensures that the tiles can complement a wide array of interior and exterior design schemes, offering flexibility for different aesthetic preferences and functional requirements. Each tile within the collection features a unique pattern, preventing repetition and contributing to the overall natural and organic appearance of the installed surface. Functionality is a key aspect of the Blended collection, as the tiles are engineered for use on both floors and walls, and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. This versatility enables designers and homeowners to create seamless transitions between different architectural features and spaces. The ability to extend the same tiling from an indoor living area to an outdoor patio, for instance, helps to blur the boundaries between internal and external environments, fostering a sense of continuity and openness. This characteristic makes the Blended range particularly well-suited for interiors that draw inspiration from nature, seeking to integrate and contaminate the outdoors within the living space. The introduction of the Blended collection follows Ceramiche Refin's previous release, Riflessi tiles, which incorporated Mediterranean colors, patterns, and traditional craft techniques. Both collections demonstrate Ceramiche Refin's commitment to exploring diverse natural and cultural inspirations to create innovative and aesthetically rich tiling solutions. The Blended collection, with its focus on geological hybridity and seamless indoor-outdoor application, represents a sophisticated offering for contemporary design projects aiming to connect with nature. #CeramicheRefin #PorcelainTiles #NaturalStone #HomeInteriors #OutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #MaterialInnovation #InteriorDesign #SurfaceMaterials

Acme Brick, Tile and Stone in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been a significant presence in the region's building materials market since 1925, serving the eastern half of Oklahoma across 25 counties. The Tulsa office features a 3,200-square-foot showroom designed to cater to a diverse range of construction and design needs. This showroom highlights the largest selection of hard-fired clay brick in eastern Oklahoma, sourced from Acme's regional production facilities in Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas, and Texas. The emphasis is on providing high-quality, durable brick options that meet various aesthetic and structural requirements for both residential and commercial projects. Beyond traditional brick, the showroom also showcases an extensive array of building materials, recognizing the increasing popularity of incorporating multiple textures and types of materials in modern construction. Customers can explore a full range of both man-made and natural stones, suitable for various applications from exterior cladding to interior design elements. These stone options are presented to facilitate creative design combinations, allowing homeowners, builders, and architects to visualize and select materials that complement brickwork or stand alone as focal points. The comprehensive display includes samples and installations that demonstrate how these materials interact and contribute to different architectural styles. For interior spaces, Acme Brick, Tile and Stone offers hundreds of choices in tile, natural stone, and hardwood flooring. This wide selection enables customers to find suitable flooring solutions for any room, balancing durability, aesthetic appeal, and maintenance needs. The flooring options span various colors, patterns, and finishes, ensuring that clients can match their interior design visions, whether they prefer classic, contemporary, or rustic styles. The staff at the Tulsa location are equipped to provide guidance on the best flooring choices based on specific project requirements, traffic levels, and desired longevity. Looking ahead, the Tulsa location is set to introduce an outdoor fireplace feature, further expanding its offerings for outdoor living spaces. This new addition aims to inspire customers to design elaborate outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas. The outdoor fireplace display will demonstrate how various materials, including brick and stone, can be integrated to create functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor environments. This initiative reflects a growing trend in home design, where outdoor spaces are increasingly seen as extensions of indoor living areas, demanding similar attention to detail in material selection and overall design. The goal is to provide a holistic approach to home construction and renovation, from foundation to finish, and from indoor comfort to outdoor enjoyment. The diverse product categories available at the Tulsa store include brick, building materials, cladding, Concrete Masonry Units (CMU), fireplaces, flooring, landscape materials, masonry, various miscellaneous items, outdoor living products, stone, and thin brick. The store also features specific products such as Abbeville Queen Heritage, Academy Modular Heritage, Aden Blend Queen Heritage, Adobe Wells King Heritage, Allendale King Heritage, Allendale Rustic Queen Heritage, Allentown King Velour, Allentown Modular Velour, Alluvial Light Modular Ruff, Alluvial Light Modular Velour, Alluvial Medium Modular Ruff, Alluvial Medium Modular Velour, Alpine King Heritage, Amaretto Estate Velour, Amaretto King Velour, Amaretto Modular Velour, Americana Modular Heritage, and Ansley Park Modular Heritage. These examples highlight the breadth of styles and finishes available to customers, ensuring a comprehensive selection for any construction or renovation project. #AcmeBrick #BuildingMaterials #HomeDesign #Construction #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving #Flooring #StoneCladding #BrickProducts

The use of mosaic tiles for flooring is a common consideration in home design, particularly in bathrooms. While mosaic tiles can indeed be used on floors, several factors warrant careful attention, including material selection, installation techniques, and ongoing maintenance. Mosaic tiles, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2 inches in length, or larger pieces on a mesh backing, offer a way to introduce pattern, depth, and character to interior spaces. Their smaller size makes them particularly suitable for complex areas like shower floors, where they can be Tiled into falls without creating break lines, and around obstacles such as exposed pipework, making installation easier than with larger tiles. In bathrooms, mosaic tiles are an excellent choice, with many options boasting slip ratings. The increased grout lines inherent in mosaic tiling provide an additional layer of grip underfoot, which is a significant safety advantage in wet environments like showers. Porcelain and marble are generally safe material choices for mosaic floor tiles, provided the floor is adequately supported and the mosaics are fully bedded. However, glass is not recommended for floor applications due to the risk of sharp edges if broken and its potential for being a slip hazard. For peace of mind, homeowners should ensure their chosen tiles meet an R11 Anti-Slip rating for domestic use and verify with the manufacturer that the tiles can withstand foot traffic without cracking. Proper installation is crucial to ensure both aesthetic appeal and functionality. Tiles must be laid as flat as possible to prevent trip hazards. The type of mosaic flooring also matters, with ceramic tiles generally being more durable for floors than porcelain. In bathrooms, effective water drainage is a key consideration, meaning tiles should be laid at the correct angle to manage water runoff. Beyond bathrooms, mosaic tiles are also suitable for other high-traffic, potentially wet areas like kitchens, laundry rooms, and entryways due to their hard-wearing and slip-resistant properties. When installing in larger areas, particularly if the tiles come in sheets, it's important to confirm with the vendor that the selected mosaic can be laid without buckling or uneven patterns. Mosaic tile flooring is currently a popular trend, driven by a desire to introduce more texture and depth into homes. They offer extensive opportunities for incorporating color, pattern, and personality into a design. However, the numerous small tiles and significant grout lines can create a slightly uneven surface, potentially making cleaning more challenging. Dirt and grime tend to accumulate in grout lines, which may be more noticeable depending on the tile color. Regular maintenance, including the annual application of grout protector and routine cleaning with a specialized tile and grout cleaner, is essential to prevent water and grit from penetrating or damaging the grout. Mosaic floors typically require more frequent and diligent care compared to floors with larger tiles to prevent cracking and lifting of grout over time. #MosaicTiles #FloorTiling #BathroomDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #TileInstallation #SlipResistance #GroutMaintenance #HomeDecor