Ceramic Tile Design Trends From Spain at AIA 2004

Ceramic Tile Design Trends From Spain at AIA 2004
Tile programs aiming to simulate natural stones used to be limited to a single, very generic marble-like pattern - usually produced in the most common shades. But, recent multi-screen and roto-drum technologies have improved screening capabilities to the point where a wide variety of veining treatments are now replicating each individual stone's uniquely beautiful markings using stone-specific screens for each variation.

Most manufacturers have significantly increased the number of formats available in the new collections- especially since the introduction of the narrow elongated rectangle shape last year. Now, it's not unusual to find six or more sizes in square and rectangular formats accompanied by a staggering array of coordinating, mesh-mounted mosaic systems and skinny bar- or rod-shaped pieces.

In the large format collections, which now stretch to enormous 36 and 43-inches sizes, a monochromatic floor-wall combination creates a feeling of almost limitless space - with little awareness of where the horizontal and vertical surfaces meet.