8 Design Trends From Italy’s Big Exhibition
Air-purifying tile, recycled vanity tops, marble-look porcelain and other designs stood out at the Cersaie 2019 expo
Antonia Solari
8 October 2019
If you’re looking for trends in tile, bathroom fixtures and more, then you wanted to be in Bologna, Italy, at the end of September for Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings. But if you couldn’t attend the show, which ran Sept. 23 to 27, don’t fret. Our international editorial team was there among the more than 100,000 design professionals and enthusiasts.
Here we discuss eight design trends you might be seeing soon, such as scented, water-resistant wallpaper and porcelain floor tile that purifies the air.
Here we discuss eight design trends you might be seeing soon, such as scented, water-resistant wallpaper and porcelain floor tile that purifies the air.
1. Sustainability Sinks In
The event’s theme, “Let’s Open a New Era,” drew attention to the importance of sustainability and research on low-impact design solutions and products. Some manufacturers’ exhibits included products and materials that combat indoor pollution, are made of recycled and recyclable materials, or are made of the byproducts of industrial supply chains to minimize energy consumption and waste.
For example, the porcelain wall tile shown here, mimicking the look of climbing plants, features technology that 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 tile. According to manufacturer Casalgrande Padana, 10,760 square feet (about 1,000 square meters) of these slabs, which can also be installed outdoors, can purify the air as well as a forest the size of a soccer field, and can eliminate the amount of nitrogen oxide that would be emitted by 70 cars in a day.
Wall tile: Limpha collection, Casalgrande Padana
The event’s theme, “Let’s Open a New Era,” drew attention to the importance of sustainability and research on low-impact design solutions and products. Some manufacturers’ exhibits included products and materials that combat indoor pollution, are made of recycled and recyclable materials, or are made of the byproducts of industrial supply chains to minimize energy consumption and waste.
For example, the porcelain wall tile shown here, mimicking the look of climbing plants, features technology that 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 tile. According to manufacturer Casalgrande Padana, 10,760 square feet (about 1,000 square meters) of these slabs, which can also be installed outdoors, can purify the air as well as a forest the size of a soccer field, and can eliminate the amount of nitrogen oxide that would be emitted by 70 cars in a day.
Wall tile: Limpha collection, Casalgrande Padana
Meanwhile, Agha, an Italian company that makes shower enclosures, shower pans and bathroom fixtures, presented another sustainable design solution. Its Reef line includes the vanity top and shower pan shown here, made of 100 percent recycled material sourced from the construction industry’s supply chain. The material is recyclable, formaldehyde-free and solvent-resistant.
Other exhibits featured faucets designed to minimize water consumption and others made from highly durable finishes that help increase the product’s life span — the longer it lasts, the longer it stays out of a landfill.
Shower pan and vanity top: Reef, Agha
Other exhibits featured faucets designed to minimize water consumption and others made from highly durable finishes that help increase the product’s life span — the longer it lasts, the longer it stays out of a landfill.
Shower pan and vanity top: Reef, Agha
Also on the topic of sustainability, world-renowned architects such as Emilio Ambasz, Felipe Assadi and, pictured here, Anupama Kundoo participated in a series of conferences, seminars and speeches that highlighted the importance of limiting design’s impact on the environment.
“Technologies must interact and stand in dialogue with people and knowledge, and I prefer technologies that reduce the costs of realization but at the same time avoid waste and are within reach of all,” Kundoo said in a speech.
“Technologies must interact and stand in dialogue with people and knowledge, and I prefer technologies that reduce the costs of realization but at the same time avoid waste and are within reach of all,” Kundoo said in a speech.
2. Tile Travels to Living Areas
At this year’s event, tile stepped out of its traditional roles in the bathroom and kitchen to play protagonist in other spaces. We saw lots of tile used to create feature walls behind beds, such as the large plant-pattern tile shown here, as well as in living rooms and dining rooms.
At this year’s event, tile stepped out of its traditional roles in the bathroom and kitchen to play protagonist in other spaces. We saw lots of tile used to create feature walls behind beds, such as the large plant-pattern tile shown here, as well as in living rooms and dining rooms.
Here, large-format porcelain tile slabs made to look like quartzite feature a textured surface that is more dynamic and pronounced than that of, say, traditional grasscloth wallpaper.
Wall tile: Realstone Quarzite in Bianco, Ragno
Wall tile: Realstone Quarzite in Bianco, Ragno
Here, limestone tile in small randomized squares brings visual texture to a modern bedroom.
Wall tile: Mystone limestone, Marazzi
Wall tile: Mystone limestone, Marazzi
3. Larger Formats Are More Accessible
Large-format stone slabs are now more readily available and, as already mentioned, are no longer relegated to the bathroom but work well throughout a house. Large slabs can even be used on exteriors as a second “skin,” or as furniture tops or kitchen countertops.
Tile: Bianco Vittoria in Lux finish, Lapitec
Large-format stone slabs are now more readily available and, as already mentioned, are no longer relegated to the bathroom but work well throughout a house. Large slabs can even be used on exteriors as a second “skin,” or as furniture tops or kitchen countertops.
Tile: Bianco Vittoria in Lux finish, Lapitec
The porcelain slabs on the walls in this staged living room measure about 5 by 10 feet and offer a beautiful wispy movement that mimics that of natural stone.
Wall tile: Project Evolution, Caesar Ceramics
Wall tile: Project Evolution, Caesar Ceramics
4. 3D Tile and Casts Catch On
Three-dimensional design elements continue to push the envelope and expand in scope. Here, stacked terra-cotta cast modules create wall screens.
Modules: Mistral by Barber & Osgerby, Mutina
Three-dimensional design elements continue to push the envelope and expand in scope. Here, stacked terra-cotta cast modules create wall screens.
Modules: Mistral by Barber & Osgerby, Mutina
Photo by Germano Schillaci
Artist Nathalie Du Pasquier used interlocking bricks to create a wall panel installation called Bric in a staged dining area.
Artist Nathalie Du Pasquier used interlocking bricks to create a wall panel installation called Bric in a staged dining area.
These 3D tiles look like raised, stacked cubes and bring texture and a sense of movement to the wall.
Tile: Ceramica Sant’Agostino
Tile: Ceramica Sant’Agostino
Not exactly three dimensions, but this new ceramic tile collection offers various raised texture surfaces that can create a dynamic wallcovering.
Tile: Pietra Mediterranea, Isla Tiles
Tile: Pietra Mediterranea, Isla Tiles
5. Black Breaks Through
Designers have recently reported an uptick in black’s being featured in kitchens. The trend is continuing into bathrooms too. Black plumbing fixtures and black-frame shower enclosures, like the one shown here, are showing up more in manufacturers’ product portfolios.
Shower enclosure: BlackBerry, BluBleu
Designers have recently reported an uptick in black’s being featured in kitchens. The trend is continuing into bathrooms too. Black plumbing fixtures and black-frame shower enclosures, like the one shown here, are showing up more in manufacturers’ product portfolios.
Shower enclosure: BlackBerry, BluBleu
This matte black toilet and bidet might make you wonder if all-white toilets will soon be a thing of the past.
Toilet and bidet: NoLita, Kerasan
Toilet and bidet: NoLita, Kerasan
Here, a matte black faucet and sink stand contrast the pastel-colored wall nicely.
Faucet: Seven, Nobili Rubinetterie
Faucet: Seven, Nobili Rubinetterie
6. Pastels Pretty Things Up
Speaking of pastels, at Cersaie, romantic light pinks, blues, yellows and greens showed up repeatedly on sinks, bathroom fixtures, toilets and tiles.
Sink: Acquarella, Colavene
Speaking of pastels, at Cersaie, romantic light pinks, blues, yellows and greens showed up repeatedly on sinks, bathroom fixtures, toilets and tiles.
Sink: Acquarella, Colavene
We saw full walls finished in pastel shades of single colors or in alternating tiles for a tone-on-tone scheme within a delicate color palette.
Tile: Key West collection in Seafoam Aqua, CIR
Tile: Key West collection in Seafoam Aqua, CIR
In this display, tile in shades of pink and in various shapes and finishes shows the dynamic range of possibility with the pastel color.
7. Stoneware Imitates the Real Thing
As we’ve seen with engineered materials like quartz, stoneware can mimic real stone as well. Technological innovation has led to advances in surface texture, shape and tile thickness so that ceramic and porcelain slabs look more like their natural stone counterparts. Here, for example, laminated porcelain slabs mimic white marble, a popular look at the exhibit.
We also saw stoneware that mimicked more colorful stones, such as lapis lazuli.
Slabs: Slimtech Delight in Invisible Light, Lea Ceramiche
As we’ve seen with engineered materials like quartz, stoneware can mimic real stone as well. Technological innovation has led to advances in surface texture, shape and tile thickness so that ceramic and porcelain slabs look more like their natural stone counterparts. Here, for example, laminated porcelain slabs mimic white marble, a popular look at the exhibit.
We also saw stoneware that mimicked more colorful stones, such as lapis lazuli.
Slabs: Slimtech Delight in Invisible Light, Lea Ceramiche
These ceramic tile samples mimic the look of various types of marble.
Tile: Sensi Gems, ABK
Tile: Sensi Gems, ABK
The leap in quality and innovation also allows wood- and parquet-look tile to echo the look of real wood designs, complete with inlays and decorations, as shown here.
Flooring: Intarsi, Ceramica Sant’Agostino
Flooring: Intarsi, Ceramica Sant’Agostino
Here, stoneware tile has the look of parquet flooring.
Flooring: Heartwood, Atlas Concorde
Flooring: Heartwood, Atlas Concorde
Wood and natural stone aren’t the only things tiles are mimicking. Here, ceramic slabs behind the bathtub channel the look of Cor-Ten steel.
Tile: Materia collection, Ceramiche Piemme
Tile: Materia collection, Ceramiche Piemme
8. Wallpaper Whips Up New Features
Stoneware wasn’t the only material grabbing attention at Cersaie. Wallpaper with innovative features turned lots of heads. Water-resistant wallpaper that can cover walls inside shower enclosures and around bathtubs was a huge hit.
Wallpaper: Tip Toe, Wall&decò
Stoneware wasn’t the only material grabbing attention at Cersaie. Wallpaper with innovative features turned lots of heads. Water-resistant wallpaper that can cover walls inside shower enclosures and around bathtubs was a huge hit.
Wallpaper: Tip Toe, Wall&decò
We not only saw great wallpaper options, but we smelled them too. The water-resistant wallpaper shown here is has fragrance integrated right into its surface. Scents such as florals can last up to five to six months after installation, and can be revived after that with a wax that cleans and protects the surface.
Wallpaper: Waltz of the Flowers, The Way of the Senses collection, Pixie
More on Houzz
10 Home Design Trends on the Rise
The 10 Most Popular Home Entryways on Houzz Right Now
Get more home design ideas
Find a designer near you
Shop for home products
Wallpaper: Waltz of the Flowers, The Way of the Senses collection, Pixie
More on Houzz
10 Home Design Trends on the Rise
The 10 Most Popular Home Entryways on Houzz Right Now
Get more home design ideas
Find a designer near you
Shop for home products
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And full of bugs and spiders. Please don’t spray insecticides. Add spiders and move vegetation +6’ from sitting or indoor areas.
Scented wallpaper - perfect! I use scented paints sometimes (Benjamin Moore), but love the idea of scented wallpaper, too!
I love these large format tiles, the interior looks beautiful with them.