(ALEXANDRIA, VA — May 14, 2014) Celebrating 25 years as the epicenter of the tile and stone community in North America, Coverings 2014 exhibitors wowed attendees this year with a large variety of tile and stone trends during the exhibition and conference that took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center April 29-May 2, 2014, with the education program starting on April 28. Innovation was abundant at this year’s show with a bevy of new offerings showcasing remarkable technology, geometric shapes, bold colors, unique textures and materials, and a return to handcrafted artisan design. The broad array of introductions at this year’s show gave an insider look to what consumers can expect to see in the market later this year.
Tagina
Black & White, Metallic All Over
From decorative patterns to bold juxtaposition, the return to the classic black & white combination was a popular trend this year. Tagina paid homage to the pairing with a number of tile series dedicated to the hues, most notably its Dot to Dot collection of molded ceramic tiles in the shapes of X, O and squares. Each tile in the playful series is installed separately, allowing for unlimited variation in every application. Iberoceramica unveiled white body wall tiles in its B&W collection that features chrome accents to create a dramatic crosshatch raised pattern, in white on white and black on black color ways. Ornamenta introduced 9×9, a series of three decorative ceramic tile collections including Tangle, a range of square tiles with bold, linear, black and white patterns reminiscent of retro pop art. One of many manufacturers showing a metallic offering was Tau, which celebrated continued innovation with Energy, a new generation of metallic tiles full of strength and dynamism, an evolution of the Corten series, one of the most prestigious, well-recognized Tau ranges worldwide. Vidrepreur expanded its line of mosaics with Pearl, a collection of iridescent rounded glass tiles with several new colors featuring metallic accents.
Foss-Co.
Evolution of the Wood Look
While the wood-inspired look for porcelain and ceramic tiles has been popular for more than a decade, new technology has enhanced this trend to the next generation. Numerous exhibitors showcased wood looks with intricate graining detail similar to hand carved, rustic and distressed planks. Lea Ceramiche partnered with Diego Grandi to introduce Type 32, a series of ultra thin, plank tiles that feature four different graphics inspired by French Herringbone floors, which overlap a variety of colors creating 32 unique offerings. Metropol introduced Fossil, aged plank tiles in beige, white and grey colors that reveal the earthiness of worn wood, yet create a sophisticated environment. Florim unveiled a number of wood looks including the colorfully striking Charleston series, an ode to the warm and rustic appeal of the South, composed of distressed, faded tiles that come in small planks and are installed at random. Illuminating the category was Foss-Co., which unveiled its Forest Inspired Collection of glass and veneer custom tiles that can be backlit to create a bright, amber-colored display.
41Zero42
Good Things Come in All Shapes and Sizes
It’s no longer hip to be square when it comes to tile. Inspired by Roman and Moorish patterns and geometric shapes, a variety of styles beyond the traditional are making a comeback. CR Studio showcased its handcrafted clay tiles including Flying Garlic, an arabesque-style woven pattern encased in bronze. Betona introduced PopArt, a colorful collection of hexagon-shaped tiles, which each contain more than three recycled fluorescent bulbs. 41Zero42 offered a variety of shapes, including its Mate collection of neutrals in a hexagon shape and chevron patterned plank tiles.
Realonda
Added Dimension and Texture
Tile continued to jump off the walls with the evolution of 3-D design. From highly texturized materials and reliefs to tile that emanates the look of stacked stone this trend continues to flourish. Apavisa introduced Materia, a wall tile that mimics the soft movement of a wave with a varied relief throughout. Sicis revealed its tech-savvy side with Structura, a collection that features glass mosaic panels with shiny square tesserae in different sizes, thicknesses, shades and textures, for an intriguing multi-dimensional effect. Realonda Ceramica created a sophisticated patchwork look with Kubik, decorative glazed porcelain tiles using 3-D technology, adding dimension to walls for for both indoor and outdoor applications. Ceramica Sant’Agostino partnered with renowned architect Philippe Starck to create FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE by S+ARCK, which features a raised surface, allowing the joint to become a decorative element for modular design. Geo Design Direct unveiled Croc Skin, a textured square tile inspired by crocodile skin with an iridescent glaze adding a touch of glamour. Levantina nailed the leather look in large format panels with Techlam, a ceramic product with infinite possibilities for interior and exterior use including ventilated facades and flooring.
Waverly
Artisan Appeal
This year also saw a bevy of introductions inspired by the intricate shapes, detailed patterns and bright colors of old world artisans and hand-painted cement tiles. Using today’s inkjet and digital printing technology, the look and texture is more realistic than ever before. Aparici tapped the colorful aesthetic of the early 19th Century decorative artisans with Hydraulic, a series of porcelain tiles that comes in a variety colorful patterns, in natural, rectified and double fired formats. Waverly revealed its intricately cut marble tiles that featured gold overlaid on Calcutta marble in a detailed and stunning pattern, along with its custom etched marble mosaics that are inlayed with bronze, copper, gold and silver. Intermatex Groupo showcased a number of artisan-inspired mosaics including Marrakech, a glass mosaic wall tile inspired by the distinctive colorful patterns from the African nation. Using inkjet technology, the 30×30 tile has nine different patterns randomly laid underneath the translucent glass mosaic. Stone Impressions offered The Altalena Collection, inspired by the beautiful influences of ancient Spanish cities like Alhambra and Sevilla, the natural stone tile showcases rich, bold colors that exude a timeless feel. Created using an exclusive artist-developed process for hand printing, the collection has almost unlimited designs for natural stone.
Stones and More
Vibrant and Vertical
While wood and stone inspired many of the introductions this year, several exhibitors stood out with bright, bold hues and unique materials, particularly for wall applications. Fiandre’s Precious Stones use advanced printing technology to create stunning, 12-foot ceramic wall tiles that recreate the vibrant, swirled movement of precious stones including Blue Agate. Stones and More, a first-time Coverings exhibitor, unveiled MossTile – the first tiled wall installation covered in stabilized lichen, bringing the soft, serene feel of nature into homes, offices and hotels. Atlas Concorde tapped into the soft consistency with brushed resins with E-wall, an energetic collection of large format, and mini-brick options. ATEM introduced its punchy collection of porcelain and ceramic tiles to the U.S. market for the first time at Coverings. As Ukraine’s largest tile manufacturer, the company spotlighted its new line, Spain, a bold mix of images reminiscent of the culture and vitality of the country, accented with strong red hues and finished with a unique textured glaze.
Coverings will return next year with even more innovation in tile and stone at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, April 14-17, 2015.
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About Coverings
In 2014, Coverings celebrated its 25th Anniversary as the largest and most important ceramic tile and natural stone trade fair and expo in the United States. It featured exhibitors from more than 35 countries and is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world.
The exposition served as a valuable resource for continuing education for all segments of the industry, with more than 80 informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions throughout the show, all free of charge. Coverings attracts thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders and real estate developers, as well as journalists and bloggers who cover this vital and dynamic industry.
Sponsors of the show are The Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and Tile Council of North America (TCNA). The show is managed by National Trade Productions.
Coverings 2014 was held April 29—May 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information, visit coverings.com or contact National Trade Productions, Coverings Show Management, 703-683-8500.
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