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2012 Trends: New Tile Styles for Living Spaces
Go beyond the kitchen and bath when designing with the latest in tile
You probably think "kitchen and bath" when you think of tile, but it's widely used in living spaces, too, and has been for millennia.
In fact, some of the top companies making tile today are based in Spain and Italy, where you can see tile from centuries ago still in use today. Tile-makers in both countries look toward the future, too, as you'll see in some of the images below.
Many of these European manufacturers — along with tile companies from the U.S. and around the world — show North Americans their new tiles first at Coverings. The tile and stone industry's premiere U.S. show (set for April 17-20, 2012) features materials and trends long before you'll see them in a showroom near you ... unless you happen to have access to a major market design center.
Here are how the top trends shake out for this versatile medium in your "other" living spaces. I hope you're inspired to incorporate tile in ways you might not have considered before, in ways you might have used other, less durable materials in the past. After all, hundreds of ancient Roman and Iberian floors and walls can't all be wrong!
In fact, some of the top companies making tile today are based in Spain and Italy, where you can see tile from centuries ago still in use today. Tile-makers in both countries look toward the future, too, as you'll see in some of the images below.
Many of these European manufacturers — along with tile companies from the U.S. and around the world — show North Americans their new tiles first at Coverings. The tile and stone industry's premiere U.S. show (set for April 17-20, 2012) features materials and trends long before you'll see them in a showroom near you ... unless you happen to have access to a major market design center.
Here are how the top trends shake out for this versatile medium in your "other" living spaces. I hope you're inspired to incorporate tile in ways you might not have considered before, in ways you might have used other, less durable materials in the past. After all, hundreds of ancient Roman and Iberian floors and walls can't all be wrong!
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| Eclecticism shows up in shapes and finishes this year, as well as patterns. Here, you see that in a rare blend of rustic drama from Tile of Spain. While the look is current, I don't see eclectic tile looking dated in a few years, given that not every space will be wearing it. |
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| Eclectic style is definitely a trend for 2012 — but not for the faint of heart. This look from Tile of Spain isn't for everyone, or every space, but it sure looks cool in a nontraditional living space. |
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| Tile as wallpaper, as seen here from Ceramic Tile of Italy, is a hot trend for 2012. Using tile lets you add sophisticated texture and pattern in a very new-millennium style. |
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| Metallics are a hot trend for 2012, especially in bronze tones, as shown here from Crossville. Use them strategically in focal point locations for a timeless elegance. |
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| Large-format floor tiles are a strong trend in 2012. They tend to have subtle textures, as shown here, and are installed with minimal grout lines. |
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| Look for large-format tile to show up strongly on walls as well as floors. It'll work as "wallpaper" or as accent walls — an upscale alternative to paint. The presentation, shown here by Ceramic Tile of Italy, is current but timeless, rich without being showy. |
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| You'll see less and less grout in 2012. Rectified porcelain tiles, like those shown here from Tile of Spain, make close installation possible and create a streamlined look. Less maintenance is a happy byproduct. |
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| Grays are showing up as a very strong trend for 2012. They work in traditional or contemporary spaces, and go with just about everything. You'll see them with various finishes from rough slate style to matte linen. Here, they're seen in a Ceramic Tile of Italy-designed living room. |
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Text-inspired prints are hot, hot, hot. Here you see it in a whimsical black and white library floor featuring Tile of Spain. You'll also see it in wall applications. The look is fun but certainly not for everyone.
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Graphic tiles add pattern and color without telling a story. It's more about creating a casual mood. Use it in spaces you wouldn't consider a traditional tile setting in place of artwork, as Ceramic Tile of Italy has done here.
Comments
Vintage Renewal The first two posted are incredibly beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration!
16 months ago · Like
linbar Thanks Jamie for this wonderful selection!
16 months ago · Like
Looking Glass Drapery Co. Lovely in a warm climate, unless you have heated floors, tile can be very cold especially here in Canada during the long winters. They do look great though!
16 months ago · Like
roch503 Check out the new wood-look Berkshire tile from Florida Tile. I just did the whole main floor of my new farmhouse with this and it is both beautiful and durable to dogs and kids! I can't say enough about it's beautiful color and hand-scraped looking detail. So happy to have an alternative to wood floors!!!
16 months ago · Like
luvscout roch503-looked at video on youtube from florida tile. That wood look tile was stunning. Would love that in my Florida condo. Thanks
16 months ago · Like
kennedytarheel Love Crossville tile (located outside Nashville). In their warehouse they have lots of tile for almost "free" that's been discontinued....we used a terrazzo look Crossville porcelain tile with sea glass edge tiles for a 8' x 10' bathroom that was in the "discount" section of the warehouse: total cost for tile for floor, tub (to ceiling), and 3 walls up to 4' was $150!
6 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Jan. 27, 2012.
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