RETAILOBSERVER.COM JUNE 2018
22
• WELL-LOVED VINTAGE
Heavy rustication and weathering are on the decline this year to
make way for more of a vintage, worked by hand look. In looks
ranging from woods and stones to glazed ceramics and cottos,
the overall impression is one of a long life with care and
consideration rather than one of neglect and hardship. The
stripped and painted woods have mellowed to a burnished sand-
blasted look and the ceramics have multiple effects of lustered
glazes, subtle metallics and varied finishes to deepen their
overall aesthetic.
• ENCAUSTIC MASHUPS
The strongest look by far remains to be the encaustic cement
look and other riffs on the style where multiple patterns are
mashed together to create a layered cohesive look. Most of
these looks are offered in the traditional 8x8" format but many
are printed as deco's in a larger format field. Other directions in
deco this year are favoring delicate textures in damask or lace
patterns, as well as a strong influence from paper and textiles in
all styles. Geometrics are also back in many minimalist collections
this year either as overlays or in tone-on-tone versions.
• GAUGED OR THIN TILE
This relatively new market segment continues to gather a head of
steam – especially to reduce grouting in bathrooms and kitchen
countertops. The market is steadily adjusting to this material, and
it is becoming more commonplace at point of sale.
• PAVERS CEMENT THEIR POSITION
One of the key components to the rapid growth of this 2cm thick
category is that they are lighter and more consistent to cut than
traditional cement pavers. Because of this, the contractor base
is actively promoting the switch to porcelain in projects.
Previous years saw almost exclusively 24x24" formats, but this
year there was a cornucopia of 16x32" and 24x48" pavers, with
some even being cut down to 12 or 8" planks as well. Some of
the paver offerings, especially in flagstone or cobblestone looks,
featured the softly weathered edge also seen in cottos and
French limestone looks in traditional thickness programs.
Visit www.tileofspainusa.com for more information about Spanish
tile and Tile of Spain, and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter,
Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram for up-to-date trend information.
I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ]
Keraben – Remake Series Inalco iTopKer for counters, tables and sinks
Peronda - Harmony
El Molino, Burela
