Guest Blog Post By: Ceramics of Italy
Ceramics of Italy is thrilled to return to Atlanta, GA for the 34th edition of Coverings. This year, over 100 premier brands will sweep the Italian Pavilion across Hall B, debuting thousands of innovative ceramic tile and installation products that demonstrate advancements in technology, sustainability and design to the North American market.
Once again, Ceramics of Italy’s “Giardino all’Italiana” (booth #3855) will lie at the heart of the Italian Pavilion, functioning as a hospitality hub for attendees to become immersed within an inspiring display of Italian design and biophilia. Designed by leading architecture, design and engineering firm HDR, the installation boasts a modular framework that can be sustainability reused, while showcasing an array of designs ranging from marble- and concrete-looks that flawlessly capture the nuances of natural materials, to trendsetting three-dimensional effects coupled with muted, warm earth tones. To carry out their vision, the firm tapped on collections from several Ceramics of Italy member brands, including Appiani, Ceramica Vogue, Cotto d’Este, La Fabbrica, Lea Ceramiche, Mirage and Naxos, to cover every inch of the booth’s surfaces through a variety of innovative applications. This includes elements like floating floors and three-dimensional grid structures to custom-built benches, countertops and tabletops. Designed as a reflection of the Italian lifestyle, Giardino all’Italiana will give visitors a taste of la dolce vita, providing a welcoming space where they can enjoy authentic Italian coffee and pastries throughout the day and take a break from the show’s hustle and bustle in the open lounge space. The booth will also house an information desk where visitors can learn more about exhibitors in the Italian Pavilion and current industry initiatives.
This year, visitors will be transported to the historic streets of Bologna – the ceramics capital of the world – at the special “Postcards from Cersaie” activation (Hall B – Booth #3821). Designed by Fashion Institute of Technology graduate students and mentor firm HDR, attendees will learn all about Cersaie – a premier exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings held annually in Bologna, Italy – taking place from September 23-27, 2024. Attendees can get a taste of the city’s iconic portici, discover the cherished memories of Cersaie attendees from the past 40 years, and mail a postcard to a friend or colleague they’d like to visit with!
With a continued focus on health and wellness, sustainability, timeless luxury, and outdoor spaces, visitors can also expect to see a wide variety of tile collections and installation products throughout the Italian Pavilion that correlate with these trends. With wellness-oriented spaces, specifically in the kitchen and bath, rising in popularity in recent years, Italian manufacturers have expanded their product selections to now offer everything from durable porcelain countertops to ready-made hygienic bathroom vanities and washbasins. As always, elevating sustainable practices continues to be a key priority for Italian manufacturers, with companies set to display an abundance of eco-forward products that are LEED-compliant, Greenguard certified, EPD certified and more. And, it’s no secret that the “quiet” or “refined” luxury trend has sent the design world buzzing in recent years, with Italian manufacturers experimenting with high-definition digital printing to create exotic and evocative stone and marble looks alongside breathtaking ceramic wallpaper renditions that exude a trompe l’oeil effect. Lastly, right in time for the warmer weather, visitors will find a plethora of Italian tile products designed specifically for outdoor installations, ranging from innovative pedestal systems and special pool coping pieces to weather-resistant large-format porcelain tiles for exterior facades and outdoor kitchen countertop use.
