(ARA) - Once relegated to floors
and countertops, ceramic tile has evolved into a fresh and
exciting way to decorate a home and give it a touch of true
panache. In fact, the artistic DNA of tile, which traces its
roots back to ancient eras, is emerging anew to rival the
practicality and functionality of the material as interior
designers and homeowners discover untold uses for it in their
decorating projects.
"Homeowners increasingly are finding creative ways to use tile
in their homes," says Tamara Christian, CEO of National Trade
Productions (NTP), the company that manages Coverings, the
premier international trade show and conference dedicated
exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and
natural stone.
According to Christian and the trends she's observed at
Coverings over the past few years, the style and innovations
that manufacturers from Italy, Spain and here in the U.S.,
among others, are bringing to tile is tantamount to an
artistic renaissance.
"The extraordinary new concepts being introduced in tile are
breathtaking," she said. "The material is inspiring
architects, designers, builders and homeowners to fashion
spaces and décor that are works of art. The tiles, themselves,
are works of art."
With the scorecards for tile reading win-win for both beauty
and performance, the possibilities for using it in any room of
the home and in unconventional ways now are limitless. Every
surface is a potential canvas for creativity. Here are just a
few ideas.
Kitchen
Thanks to tile's durability and easy clean-up, it's
ideally suited to a variety of kitchen applications:
backsplashes for stove and sink, edging under cabinets,
walls under breakfast bars, or whole countertops. Even
cabinet doors can beautifully display a tile motif.
The Pedrables herringbone tile pattern, by Tisca,
a Tile of Spain
branded manufacturer, creates a visually
dynamic façade for the family room side of a kitchen bar
and adds contrast to the large square format floor
tiles.
Bathroom
A
water-themed mural -- such as a colorful seascape or
serene beach scene -- is just one option that can
transform the bath and spruce up a staid daily routine.
Inlaid and
three-dimensional underwater scenes,
created with tile from Michelle Griffoul Studios of
Buelton, CA,
fill the room with life and artistic expression.
Artwork
Recreate a favorite painting as a tile mural, or convert
a family photograph into photo tiles for a fresh,
enduring take on a beloved keepsake.
Italy’s
Refin Tiles has given contemporary art a new twist with
its
Pareti d’Autore series that is imitative of an
original modern masterpiece. Fireplace
Ceramic tile is a perfect -- and perfectly practical --
option for fireplace surrounds, given its durability and
flame resistance. Even without a crackling fire, tile
creates visual interest around the hearth.
Grapevine-themed tiles from Meredith Art Tile of Canton,
OH,
brings added character and depth to the fireplace. Ceiling
Throughout history, tile has crowned the magnificent
domes of basilicas and mosques around the world. Why not
replicate the same idea in the home? Use tile to turn a
ceiling into a canvas -- or replace crown molding with a
tile border for a finished look that's truly special.
Still life
floral images on tiles, from the Stripes collection by
Ragno of Italy, can bring a dramatic touch of art to any
room.
Outside
Whether it's hand-painted, glazed, metallic, carved or
inlaid, tile can artfully frame doors, windows or even
delineate walkways, or connect the pool with the deck in
unusual and exciting ways.
Bright,
bold colorful tile from Onix Mosaico, a Tile of Spain
branded manufacturer, forms a floor to ceiling portrait
depicting towering human figures. About Coverings
Coverings, the premier international trade fair and expo
dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile
and natural stone, has grown to be the largest and most
important show of its kind. Coverings features 1,200
exhibitors from more than 50 countries and attracts more than
33,000 distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors and
specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders
and real estate developers, plus the press and journalists who
cover this vital and growing industry. Coverings is the stage
for introducing some of the most innovative products in the
world related to tile and stone. The exposition also serves as
a valuable resource for continuing education for all
categories of attendees, with informative, accredited seminars
and live demonstration sessions conducted throughout the four
days.
For more information on attending or exhibiting at Coverings,
please visit
www.coverings.com or contact NTP at 703-683-8500 |
