Decorating
8 Design Trends from Italy’s Bathroom Fair
Air-purifying tiles, recycled countertops, marble-look porcelain and other designs stood out at the Cersaie 2019 expo
For the latest trends in bathroom design, as well as surfaces that work throughout the home, look no further than Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, which was held in Italy this September. Our editorial team was there, along with more than 100,000 design professionals and enthusiasts, to spot the styles and materials that might be coming our way soon, including scented, water-resistant wallpaper and porcelain tiles that purify the air.
Shower tray, Reef by Agha.
Meanwhile, Agha, an Italian company that makes shower enclosures and trays as well as bathroom fixtures, presented another sustainable design. Its Reef line includes the vanity unit top and shower tray shown here, which are made of a 100% recycled material sourced from the construction industry supply chain. The material is recyclable, formaldehyde-free and solvent-resistant.
Other exhibits at the fair featured taps designed to minimise water consumption and others made from highly durable finishes that help increase their lifespan, keeping them out of landfill for longer.
Meanwhile, Agha, an Italian company that makes shower enclosures and trays as well as bathroom fixtures, presented another sustainable design. Its Reef line includes the vanity unit top and shower tray shown here, which are made of a 100% recycled material sourced from the construction industry supply chain. The material is recyclable, formaldehyde-free and solvent-resistant.
Other exhibits at the fair featured taps designed to minimise water consumption and others made from highly durable finishes that help increase their lifespan, keeping them out of landfill for longer.
Architect Anupama Kundoo.
Also on the topic of sustainability, world-renowned architects such as Emilio Ambasz, Felipe Assadi and Anupama Kundoo (pictured) participated in a series of conferences, seminars and speeches that highlighted the importance of limiting design’s impact on the environment.
Over the course of her multi-award-winning career, Anupama Kundoo has demonstrated her strong focus on research and experimentation with materials that have minimal impact on the environment and are often deliberately suited to the socio-economic context in which they’re used.
“Technologies must interact and stand in dialogue with people and knowledge, and I prefer technologies that reduce the costs of realisation, but at the same time avoid waste and are within reach of all,” she said in her speech.
Also on the topic of sustainability, world-renowned architects such as Emilio Ambasz, Felipe Assadi and Anupama Kundoo (pictured) participated in a series of conferences, seminars and speeches that highlighted the importance of limiting design’s impact on the environment.
Over the course of her multi-award-winning career, Anupama Kundoo has demonstrated her strong focus on research and experimentation with materials that have minimal impact on the environment and are often deliberately suited to the socio-economic context in which they’re used.
“Technologies must interact and stand in dialogue with people and knowledge, and I prefer technologies that reduce the costs of realisation, but at the same time avoid waste and are within reach of all,” she said in her speech.
Wall tiles, Nola by Target.
2. Tiles for every room
This edition of the fair saw ceramic finishes stepping out of their traditional roles in the bathroom and kitchen to play protagonist in other spaces.
We spotted them in living and dining rooms, as well as being used as creative headboards in the bedroom, as pictured here and below.
2. Tiles for every room
This edition of the fair saw ceramic finishes stepping out of their traditional roles in the bathroom and kitchen to play protagonist in other spaces.
We spotted them in living and dining rooms, as well as being used as creative headboards in the bedroom, as pictured here and below.
Wall tiles, Realstone Navigli by Ragno.
Wall tiles, Mystone Limestone by Marazzi.
Wall tiles, Lux Bianco Vittoria by Lapitec.
3. Large-format tiles
Large stoneware slabs are now more readily available and, as already mentioned, are no longer relegated to the bathroom, but work well all over the home.
Large slabs can even be used on outdoor facades as a ‘second skin’, or as tops for tables or kitchen counters.
3. Large-format tiles
Large stoneware slabs are now more readily available and, as already mentioned, are no longer relegated to the bathroom, but work well all over the home.
Large slabs can even be used on outdoor facades as a ‘second skin’, or as tops for tables or kitchen counters.
Wall tiles, Project Evolution by Caesar Ceramics.
These extra-large porcelain tiles mimic slabs of marble and bring a luxurious look to a living room.
These extra-large porcelain tiles mimic slabs of marble and bring a luxurious look to a living room.
Sanitaryware, NoLita by Kerasan.
…to all-black, as in this example from Kerasan, where not only the taps and accessories but also the sanitaryware is black.
Find the right bathroom designer to bring your project to life in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
…to all-black, as in this example from Kerasan, where not only the taps and accessories but also the sanitaryware is black.
Find the right bathroom designer to bring your project to life in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Basin, Acquarella by Colavene.
6. Pastels
On the other hand, there was also a trend towards romantic pastels, with basins, bathroom fixtures, sanitaryware and tiles in pink, light blue, yellow and pale green.
6. Pastels
On the other hand, there was also a trend towards romantic pastels, with basins, bathroom fixtures, sanitaryware and tiles in pink, light blue, yellow and pale green.
Wall finish, Invisible light from the Slimtech Delight collection by Lea Ceramiche.
7. Stoneware imitating nature
The already substantial selection of tiles inspired by natural materials, such as marble, continues to grow. Technological innovation has led to advances in surface texture, shape and thickness, so that tiles now feel more like their natural inspirations.
Nature-inspired tiles now include ones that mimic more unusual stones, such as deep blue lapis lazuli.
7. Stoneware imitating nature
The already substantial selection of tiles inspired by natural materials, such as marble, continues to grow. Technological innovation has led to advances in surface texture, shape and thickness, so that tiles now feel more like their natural inspirations.
Nature-inspired tiles now include ones that mimic more unusual stones, such as deep blue lapis lazuli.
Marble-effect ceramic tiles, Sensi Gems Series by ABK.
Flooring: Heartwood by Atlas Concorde
These wood-look tiles mimic a traditional parquet floor.
These wood-look tiles mimic a traditional parquet floor.
Wallpaper, Waltz of the Flowers from The Way of the Senses collection by Pixie.
As if that weren’t enough, we also spotted – or rather smelled – wallpaper that’s not only water-resistant, but also scented. The design seen here has a fragrance integrated into its surface and maintains its intensity for up to six months after installation. After this, the scent can be revived with a wax that also cleans and protects the surface.
As if that weren’t enough, we also spotted – or rather smelled – wallpaper that’s not only water-resistant, but also scented. The design seen here has a fragrance integrated into its surface and maintains its intensity for up to six months after installation. After this, the scent can be revived with a wax that also cleans and protects the surface.
Wallpaper, Selva from the Inediti series by Inkiostro Bianco.
Tell us…
Are you attracted to any of these trends? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
Are you attracted to any of these trends? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
1. Sustainability
The event’s theme, “Let’s Open a New Era”, drew attention to the importance of sustainability, research on low-impact design solutions, and products that are in line with these philosophies.
For example, the porcelain tiles pictured here incorporate so-called bio self-cleaning technology, which uses photocatalysis – the acceleration of a chemical reaction by sunlight – to break down pollutants in the air and decompose dirt that settles on the surface of the tiles.
According to the company, around 1,000 sq m of these slabs, which can also be installed outdoors, can purify the air as well as a forest the size of a football pitch, eliminating the amount of nitrogen oxide that would be emitted by 70 cars in a day.