Using tile to add interest to a space is nothing new, but at this years Cersaie, I noted many examples of tiles that had a decorative bent based less on color or strong visual pattern, but rather on high texture and a certain rough-hewn chic.
Some are definitely for use in a feature area only - installed like art or across a smaller section of a wall, whereas others are subtle enough to be used across larger surfaces. Some tiles have the textural quality built in, other times the effect is created through creative installation. Either way, this look is a statement-maker for those who love a textural, beautiful, unique and hand crafted look with no need for splashy colors or shiny finishes.
This would be very difficult to produce with any other wall treatment (paint? wallpaper? Nope!) and is one of the ways that tile can really shine as part of a rooms decor, rather than just a surface necessity.
Top Image: Exciton XL by Giovanni Barbieri at Petra Stone
Gallery Images:
1. Bagattini
2. Cottovietri
3. Lea Ceramiche
4. Petra Stone
5. Petra Stone
6. Arezia
7. Petra Stone
8. Bourellecs for Mutina
9. Ragno
10. Lea Ceramiche
11. Caesar
12. Cerdisa
13. Cerdisa
(Images: Janel Laban)
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not brutalist at all. not even brutalist-like
Love the tiles in the title shot. I do totally see the brutalist reference, too...maybe I need to re-familiarize myself with the concept???
A few look good; others look cheesy like linoleum rugs of the 20s & 30s.