Oregon Homes Get Fashionably Green With Organic Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile is hotter than ever in Oregon, thanks to an astounding array of design options and the inherent "green" qualities of the materials. This year, ceramic tile is showing up in virtually every space and on every surface both inside -- and outside -- the home.

"The use of ceramic tile has grown about 10 percent over the past two years and, with new technologies and fashion's impact on the latest trends, we expect that number to continue to increase," says Glenn Feder, president of client events for National Trade Productions (NTP), the company that manages Coverings, the premier international trade show and conference dedicated to presenting the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone. "This year, we're seeing designs that draw inspiration from the environment, as well as those that breathe new creative life into time-honored design themes." 

What are the hot tile trends being shown at Coverings 2008? Manufacturers from Tile of Spain, Ceramic Tiles of Italy and North America are leading the way with the following design movements.

Organic

Ceramic tile is fundamentally "green": it is recyclable, biodegradable, hygienic and made of natural ingredients. Modern manufacturers have also made great strides in reducing the environmental impact of the production process. And, from a design perspective, nature itself is influencing the style of tiles, with leaves, stones and rippling water effects appearing as popular decorative motifs. Among some of the more impressive designs are Porcelanosa's Yakarta series, which mimics the look of natural materials like grass cloth, Meredith Collection's Paperwhite series that showcases looks featuring the delicate flower and eco-label recipient Ceramiche Caesar's "Glam" which comes in a variety of solid colors and floral and arabesque patterns.

Devotees of this "organic" design trend advocate healthy, sustainable lifestyles and the use of building materials that "belong" in a home's natural environment from Portland city lofts to country cottages.

Out-Rageous

While ceramic tile has long been a staple of interior decor, designers in Oregon are now taking the material outdoors, following the greater trend of creating outdoor living spaces. Modern outdoor spaces go far beyond a deck or patio; kitchens, living rooms, dens, dining rooms and even baths are all finding space in the great outdoors. Technological innovations that have created tile resistant to extremes of cold and heat mean ceramic tile has a place in outdoor spaces. Durable and beautiful, ceramic tile creates the perfect transition from indoors to outdoors.

Available in larger sizes for the grander scale of outdoor spaces, Grespania has created the Escandinavia series -- a porcelain tile inspired by the style of various wood grains.  

More Metallics

Like the familiar song says, "Everyone wishes for silver and gold." This dream comes true with new collections that define opulence in iridescent gold and platinum glazed tiles. Showcased in collections such as Diamond Tech's Metal series and Tagina "Fucina," tiles feature glimmering rays such as gold, platinum and silver that are, at once, minimal in appearance yet grand in design. 

In Living Color

Color knows no bounds and is permeating our lives and homes more than ever before. Bolder, more saturated colors are making a definite splash this year. "The Glass Box" series from Crossville features dazzling bright colors, while Viva's artful new "Black Flowers" collection mixes tile and photography for an effect that makes black appear to explode into a thousand colors. This mixing of media -- the exchange between photography and industrial production -- is a new and exciting path for the tile industry.

Glamour and Fashion

Fashion and interior design are intimately entwined, and today's ceramic tile reflects what's happening on the runway, where glamour is in. Look for tile patterns that evoke damask and finely textured fabrics. Bold florals are another favorite, as are styles encrusted with gems and inventive inlays. Glittering finishes that harken back to Hollywood's heyday are in vogue, especially all colors of bronze. Art Nouveau influences are beginning to creep into glamour offerings, as well.  Showcasing this trend is Inalco's "Lounge," a porcelain tile with the look of fine fabric.

A menswear influence is also appearing with patterns and effects that conjure London's famed Savile Row, where tailoring reaches the level of an art. Conservative tweeds, herringbones and menswear textures are the perfect counterpoint balancing the feminine side of the glamour equation.

To learn more about tile trends and the hottest designs in ceramic and porcelain, visit www.coverings.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent