All Blogs. Tile.Expert. Blogs about Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

Quick Delivery of Tile Samples across the USA

We have upgraded this service by opening an integrated Milan-based hub with in-house sample cutting, storage, marking, and packaging. The highly automated process is operated by the Swisslog robot made in Switzerland. The hub of 850 m² is designed for handling 1,000 sample orders per day. Having selected the required product on the website, and having paid for it, you simply launch your order picking by our robot. The whole process takes just a few minutes, including labeling and packaging. The

20.04.2020

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COVID-19. TILE INDUSTRY COMES TO LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN

On May 4, Italy was the last one to reactivate tile production. Once the global leaders, it is the Italian tile-makers who, presumably, will be among those the most afflicted. Meanwhile, we constantly keep our finger on the pulse of the industry with particular attention to the warehouse stock and production programs of all our suppliers. At the slightest threat of compromised supplies, our cooperation with such manufacturer will be suspended, the tile brand will be marked "Temporarily

03.05.2020

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Overview of Brand-New Tiles at Cevisama 2020 Exhibition (Valencia, Spain)

Easily group and filter ranges using key tile characteristics.

19.02.2020

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Insights about Tile New Arrivals at Cersaie 2019 (Bologna, Italy)

Effortless filtering and selection of tile ranges using the key tile characteristics.

30.09.2019

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A (Revolut)ionary Cashback. Notice for the Customers Who Paid Their Orders through Revolut Ltd and Received Their Money Back

We would like to be brief. Most of you have already received your orders. Hopefully, you are satisfied. If the tiles are not delivered, please don’t worry. The chargeback will by no means influence neither the lead time of your order, nor any other our obligations towards you. We’ll perform all our obligations to the fullest extent. For no explicable reason, Revolut Ltd have randomly selected and returned some of the customers’ payments back to them. Your dedicated customer support specialists

06.09.2019

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Insights about Tile New Arrivals at Cevisama 2019 (Valencia, Spain)

Easily group and filter ranges using key tile characteristics.

08.02.2020

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Overview of Cersaie 2018 Ceramic Tile Exhibition. Bologna, Italy

Starting from this year, the exhibition overviews on our website are compiled as a photo gallery of the tile new arrivals. Using the envisaged filters, you may sort the tile ranges according to their characteristics. The majority of the featured tile ranges will appear in our online tile catalogue in the nearest future. Of course, with prices and an opportunity to order them immediately.

17.10.2018

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Refunds for Late Tile Delivery

Precise and high-quality logistics is one of the most challenging issues that we solve when delivering tiles to any destination in the countries we operate. We cannot fully eliminate all incidents and failures related to shipment. However we understand that a failure to deliver on time often causes troubles to our customers. We constantly work on minimizing the number of delayed deliveries. As of today, we deliver about 95 % of all orders on time.In case of delay, we automatically calculate a

05.09.2018

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Pronunciation of Ceramic Tile Brand Names Now Available on Our Website

Since this is not an easy task without having an idea about the Italian or Spanish spelling-to-sound rules, this might be of interest to such industry professionals as architects or tilers. Clicking on this icon next to the name of tile manufacturer, you can hear the correct pronunciation provided by a native speaker.

22.03.2018

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3D Visualization of Tiles Selected for Your Project

Photorealistic images are provided by our partner architecture studio. Add the tiles you like into your order. Once your decision is final, contact your customer specialist via chat (or by Email) letting him know that you would like to order a project design. Attach a plan of the premises in PDF or JPEG to your message in chat or sent by Email. Please check that the following data are available: height, length, width of the premises, doors, windows and other structural elements, if any. Select

05.03.2018

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Cevisama 2018. Overview of Ceramic Tile Exhibition Held in Spain

It has already become a tradition to present our vision of one of the major international events annually hosted by Valencia (Spain). Please take a look at the most eye-catching and promising new arrivals. It should be noted that the image colors may slightly shift from the tile shades in reality due to distortions caused by the photography equipment and your laptop or mobile device screen. Moreover, the shades within every product batch may also slightly vary, which is characteristic of the

07.02.2018

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Downloading Tile Images for Rendering Software. New Option on Our Website

With just a click on the Down Arrow, you may download high-resolution tile images in the PNG format (with transparent background) perfectly suited to the application in rendering software. This is particularly important when it comes to non-standard items (e. g. octagonal tiles, diamonds, stars and crosses, etc.).

24.11.2017

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Cersaie 2017 at a Glance. New Tile Arrivals and Trends Not to Miss

From the 25th of September, Bologna is hosting Cersaie 2017 ceramic tile exhibition. This is the 35th edition of the event attended by more than 800 visitors from 43 countries from all over the globe. Traditionally, Cersaie brings together the most influential industry professionals — tile producers, retailers, architects, artists, raw material and component suppliers. The central exhibit is accompanied by the versatile themed events, conferences, workshops. The expo poster image, like every

27.09.2017

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September: Hot Month for the Tile Industry

In late September, the major ceramic tile exhibition called Cersaie is held in Bologna, Italy. Anticipating this event, all the tile producing companies launch their new collections, or at least expand the existing ranges of tile sizes and colors. Annually, we provide a real time coverage of the most remarkable and unusual new arrivals. You might also like to take a look at our previous Cersaie reviews:Cersaie 2015Cersaie 2016Starting from September 27-28 2017, you may follow our live Cersaie

30.08.2017

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Buying Tiles in August — a Challenge to Face

Traditionally, August is the time when major Italian and Spanish tile manufacturers enjoy vacations. However there is an interesting dependence to mention. The more artistically accomplished the tiles are, and the more handmade tiles there are in the brand portfolio, the higher is the probability that not a single tile is shipped in August. Fortunately, the large-scale tile manufacturers cannot suspend production. The period when they do not take orders and do not make shipments is reduced to

21.07.2017

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Authorized Dealers of Tile Manufacturers. The Reverse Side of <s>Low</s> High Prices

Authorized Dealers of Tile Manufacturers. The Reverse Side of Low High Prices

We are a typical online store. With all the pros and cons e-commerce usually has. Practically, we are an online platform with automatic order processing and mathematical optimization of all operations — from advertising to logistics. This business model implies continuous and relentless reduction of all possible expenses. Headquartered in Estonia, we pay a notary 100 times less than we would have to pay for the same services in Italy. Our team is composed of professionals who work remotely.

07.06.2017

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A New Selection of Prestigious Design Award-Winning Tiles on Our Website

As of today, there are only 14 tile series in this section. However all of them are distinguished by the competent experts as outstanding decorative solutions and a genuine breakthrough in the field of design. Hopefully, this section will be regularly updated in future.

08.05.2017

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How to Save Money While Purchasing Tiles. Useful Tips

1 Select tile brands of the same country. If your order includes tile producers of several countries (e. g. Italy + Spain + Portugal), this would surely incur extra shipping expenses related to order pickup from warehouses located in different countries. If your order includes several tile brands of one country, this would result in slight increase of shipping expenses as a result of material collection from different warehouses within one country. 2 Make the list of items short (if

20.04.2017

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WIDE&STYLE by ABK at Milan Design Week 2017

WIDE&STYLE is a revolutionary vision of decorative finishing materials introduced by ABK Ceramiche. The project will be presented during Milan Design Week 2017 held from 4 to 9 April through Style Therapy, an installation inspired by such contemporary phenomenon as art therapy, and by coloring books for adults in particular. Visitors may relax and enjoy coloring in versatile patterns applied to ceramic panels. This entertaining activity reveals the idea of creative freedom, which underpins the

04.04.2017

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Cevisama 2017. International Ceramic Tile Exhibition at a Glance

On February 20-24, Valencia is hosting the global ceramic industry forum. Traditionally, the event attracts the key players of Spanish tile production and related sectors, and outlines the benchmark trends for the year ahead. No wonder that Spanish brands dominate on the "domestic" fair, though there are participants from all across the globe. Vives has consolidated the new achievements within the Dolce Vita range highlighted by the imitation of Venetian terrazzo floors (Portofino) and

21.02.2017

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Would You Buy Some Tiles from Your Cousin?

Of course, you would. All the relatives (5-10 people you really trust) recommend buying tiles from him. This situation is quite different. Unknown customers share their buying experience on an unknown website. And though the reviews are numerous, it is not enough to make them trustworthy. Besides, there might be some doubts regarding website moderation: what if sellers provide positive feedback, whilst negative reviews are being deleted in cahoots with review communities. However, while buying

18.01.2017

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The Iconic Majolicas by Gio Ponti Revived

The Italian brand Ceramica Francesco de Maio has acquired an exclusive right for the reproduction of Blu Ponti, a collection of thirty blue-and-white majolicas conceived by Gio Ponti in the 1960's. Originally, these authentic decors were elaborated for Parco dei Principi, the world's first design hotel in Sorrento. Cersaie 2016 was highlighted by the premiere twelve Blu Ponti products presented at the exhibition stand of Francesco de Maio. Remarkably, the decors are formed and painted by

21.11.2016

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Cersaie 2016. Highlights of Exhibition and Tile Trends

On September 26-30, Italy will host Cersaie 2016, the pivotal event of the European ceramic tile industry. Traditionally, the exhibition will be held in Bologna to gather together the companies from more than 40 countries. Of course, the number of visitors will be even greater. In 2015, the event welcomed more than 100 thou attendees from 170 countries. Staying at the heart of it all, we will bring to your attention live reports onsite, share the photos of the manufacturers' stands and highlight

02.09.2016

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20 mm Thick Porcelain Tiles. What Are They for?

Extra-strong 2 cm thick porcelain tiles are nowadays widely presented in the portfolio of the major European tile brands. The elevated thickness of 20 mm makes these porcelain stoneware slabs ideal for outdoor installation: in gardens, terraces, river walks, observation decks, pathways, swimming-pool areas, etc. Owing to the outstanding technical characteristics and performance, this innovative material is considered an optimum finishing solution for the commercial heavy traffic areas. There

04.08.2016

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Paisley. A Dramatic Shift from Textiles to Porcelain Stoneware

The Italian brand Ornamenta comes up with an innovative tile series featuring paisley motifs, sometimes also called "Persian pickles", "Welsh pears", etc. This traditional print is commonly encountered in the fashion industry and interior design. However it has been undeservedly neglected by the tile brands. Ornamenta characterizes the collection as "high-end wallpapers". Indeed, the wallpaper effect is fully reached, while the tiled surfaces exhibit outstanding benefits of porcelain

22.07.2016

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Made a Mano. The Tiles Born on the Island of Sicily

Made a Mano is a lifetime project by the company founder and artist Rosario Parrinello. After 40 years of artistic quest, the production of lava stone tiles and traditional Sicilian majolica was launched in 2001. The manufacturer is headquartered in Caltagirone, the town that entreasures the secrets of ceramics and pottery production on Sicily. The heart of the island is the active Etna volcano, which has significantly contributed to the traditions of lava stone working on Sicily.It should be

27.05.2016

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The Novelties of Cevisama 2016

In February, Valencia hosted the annual Cevisama event, which is rightfully regarded the key venue and the major trend-setter for the Spanish brands throughout the year ahead. We would like to offer a brief overview of the exhibition, outlining the dominating development paths of the ceramic tile industry. Noteworthy, the popularity of the brick-effect tile keeps growing along with the expansion of the Italian tile market. The faux-wood, concrete-effect tile and patchwork items remain among the

01.04.2016

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Game of Fifteen by Ascot. The Dutch Artist Boris Tellegen

The Italian brand Ascot came up at Cersaie 2015 with the second collection in the Game of Fifteen range, a tribute to the artworks of fifteen modern artists. The crucial idea of the entire Game of Fifteen portfolio is tile as an objet d'art. Every collection is a genuine immersion into the aesthetic philosophy of an artist. The first collection was dedicated to Keith Haring, an iconic American artist and pioneer of the pop-art style. The second one was conceived and developed in collaboration

21.03.2016

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The Imola Ceramica Group. Rebranding and New Collections

The Italian manufacturer Cooperativa Ceramica d'Imola has more than 140 years of history, possesses three globally recognized tile brands (ImolaCeramica, LaFaenza, Leonardo) and seven production facilities. The annual company output amounts to 30 mln sqm of tile. At the last Cersaie event, Cooperativa Ceramica d'Imola announced the decision to substantially reshape the company image and launch 16 brand-new tile series. The upgraded corporate identity and logo have added zest and vivacity to the

26.02.2016

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A Private View by Mutina Ceramiche

The Italian ceramic tile brand Mutina passes by Cersaie. During the recent years, in order to demonstrate the brand-new tile projects, Mutina has been organizing the invitation-only events. The last event dedicated to the tenth anniversary of Mutina unveiled two concept tile series. These collections are still under development and will be launched into production in the end of January. Rombini The series is ideated by the creative tandem of the French designers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec.

01.02.2016

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Chevrons. Rediscovery of Cersaie 2015

It is of great interest that the chevron pattern, being as old as the hills, is commonly encountered in contemporary design. The first zigzag elements occur on pottery in Ancient Greece. The modern denomination emerged later. It was derived from the system of insignia used with reference to the military ranks. A chevron is a combination of zigzags or V-shaped elements, which differ in color and/or thickness. Today, the popularity of chevrons is largely contributed by the Italian fashion house

25.01.2016

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Wall&Porcelain – High-End Innovation by ABK Group

Driven by the success of Auto-Leveling technology, ABK Group comes up with a solution, capable of opening the new horizons in the contemporary ceramic tile industry. Wall&Porcelain is a ground-breaking material that merges the unparalleled performance of porcelain stoneware and traditional ceramics, leaving behind all drawbacks, bottlenecks and restrictions. The Wall&Porcelain technology allows for large-size tile production (60×120 and 30×120 cm). These items are light-weight, slim (just 7

17.11.2015

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Preview and LIVE Report from Cersaie 2015

On September 28, 2015, Bologna (Italy) is going to host Cersaie 2015, the major international event in the world of ceramic tile. The key market players are ready to unveil their brand-new collections and, in doing so, to anticipate the hottest industry trends for 2016. Starting from September 29, we will be continuously updating you on Cersaie progress, presenting for your attention the LIVE coverage of exhibitors and sharing our first impressions. What is more, you may follow our online

18.09.2015

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White Marble Effect Tile. The Fancy New Arrivals

Similarly to the wood-looking tile, ceramic tile that imitates valuable stone grades surpasses the prototype materials in many respects. The inherent beauty of minerals and rocks is enhanced by the ultimate performance characteristics of modern ceramic tile. Visibly indistinguishable from natural stone, porcelain stoneware enjoys equal durability and wear-resistance. Besides, an incontestable advantage of porcelain tile is its affordability. Nowadays, the growing demand for the stone-effect

06.08.2015

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Cement Tile: Installation and Maintenance

Please note that this is not a complete guide to installation and maintenance of cement tiles, but some advice on aspects which we from our experience have found to be particularly important. Tile Installation Step 1 – Tile Setting Since the tiles are hand-made and therefore subject to color variations we recommend that you batch mix them randomly from different boxes when laying them out in order to balance color and tonal variation. Make sure that the surface that is to be tiled is

30.07.2015

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Original Tile Shapes for Unprecedented Interiors

Indeed, the range of ceramic tile and porcelain stoneware offered by the European flagship brands amazes. The choice of patterns and shadings, surface textures and finishes reflects the ever growing demand for tiling materials. The tile sizes vary from elaborate miniature pieces to the impressive slabs of 100×300 cm. However, some manufacturers dare to experiment with tile shape, leaving behind ordinary rectangles. Such experiments are relatively rare and, hence, much sought after both among

21.07.2015

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Loft-Style Ceramic Tile

Indeed, industrial style (or so-called "loft") has recently become one of the hottest trends in ceramic tile manufacturing. Originated in the USA in the 1920's, this architectural and design movement has become an utterly new approach to the decoration of interior and exterior spaces. The beginning of the 20th century was marked by economic recession. Numerous industrial buildings, old, run-down and loss-making, dominated the city skyline. Their fate was nothing else but demolition. However the

07.05.2015

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Imperfection, a Brand-New Trend in Tile Design

The recent ceramic and porcelain tile exhibitions are characterized by, though not all-encompassing, but rather noticeable trend. In pursuit of excellence, tile manufacturers have focused on the very essence of materials to discard decorative knickknacks for the sake of rough, worn-out, unworked, half-finished, in other words, virgin, floor and wall surfaces. This benchmark approach is set in opposition to the cutting-edge technological advancements with a cult of ideally accurate tile

29.04.2015

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Ceramic Tile Roofing of Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona

The renovation of Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona erected in 1848 is an ambitious project by the famous tandem of Spanish architects, Benedetta Tagliabue and Enric Miralles. The eye-catching roof, a huge mosaic, a faerie motley of colors, was ideated and brought to life by their fellow countryman, artist and sculptor, Toni Cumella. The revolutionary ceramic covering is critical for the project. The roofing consists of myriads of tiny ceramic tesserae covered by transparent glazing. The

27.04.2015

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Asian Motifs in Fiumi Porcelain Tile by Vitrex

The Italian brand Vitrex has enhanced Fiumi, its full-color glazed rectified porcelain stoneware collection, by the brand-new decorative pieces. The cutting-edge sandblast engraving technologies cater a dizzying array of decorative solutions. Here, Vitrex makes use of RAL color chart. This color standard was invented in 1927 by the German State Commission for Delivery Terms and Quality Assurance. Among other shadings it includes such colors as golden, silver and bronze. The awesome decorative

16.04.2015

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Brick Generation, the Brand-New Brickwork Effect Tile by Rondine

It is a common practice, when industrial or commercial warehouses are reconceived into the loft-style residential areas. That said, the principal accent is made on the structural elements of premises. The unfinished brickwork walls and uncovered ceiling beams are reinterpreted so that to become a constitutive element of a loft-style design concept. Moreover, they evoke the building past. However, even if your apartment has nothing to do with warehouses and shops, you may add there a pronounced

09.04.2015

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Cromatica by Revigres Wins Red Dot Design Award 2015

Revigres has added another prestigious award to the collection of the Portuguese tile brands. Cromatica porcelain stoneware by Revigres was ranked among the most ingenious concepts in the Product Design category. This high-profile prize has been awarded since 1955 by the Design Center of North Rhine-Westphalia (Design Zentrum Nordhein Westfalen) for superior quality and outstanding achievements in consumer goods design. Among the prizewinners are such internationally recognized iconic brands as

07.04.2015

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Bisazza Wears Emilio Pucci

The new state-of-the-art mosaic by Bisazza evokes the signature prints by the Florentine maestro Emilio Pucci . This mosaic collection was launched last spring at the Salone Internazionale Del Mobile exhibition. This is one of the major events in the world of interior design, an opportunity to share innovative ideas and creative concepts. An opportunity not to miss. The name of the series is a tribute to the prolific collaboration between two brands, a symbiosis of fashion and design that has

26.02.2015

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A Brief Outline of Cevisama 2015

This year Valencia traditionally received Cevisama, the mega-event in the world of ceramic tile. This exhibition generally features Spanish ceramic tile and porcelain stoneware brands. Along with the industry trailblazers, the fair hosted artisan family undertakings, which preserve the secrets of handmade tile. It took several months for the brands to get prepared for Cevisama. Starting from the Cersaie International Exhibition, held in September 2014 in Bologna, the manufacturers kept

17.02.2015

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Italian Wood Effect Porcelain Stoneware. New Design and Production Trends

The range of wood-imitating porcelain stoneware collections continuously expands. The first tile series produced about ten years ago, looked ordinary and trivial. Gradually, using the innovative digital printing equipment, tile manufacturers have reached an unparalleled similarity of porcelain stoneware with natural wood. Nowadays, tile surfaces reflect the minute nuances of wood texture and chromatic variations. What are the perspectives and challenges for the wood effect porcelain stoneware

05.02.2015

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Myths and Legends of the Mediterranean Basin in the Collections by Francesco De Maio

The Fiori di Ravello line by Francesco De Maio praises the vibrant beauty of the Amalfi Coast. The ancient town of Ravello has always been the fount of inspiration for artists, poets and musicians. This centuries-old beauty spot encouraged the medieval romanticists to accomplish exploits in the name of love. Fiori Grandi, the first collection of the range, takes us away to the picturesque Monti Lattari (Lattari Mountains) permeated with the scents of the sea, to Villa Cimbrone and to the endless

22.01.2015

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User-Friendly Selection of Tiled Interiors to Ideabook

Eventually, this option has been fully implemented on our site. It is provided both for desktop computers and for Android and iOS applications. Clicking the BULB on the interior you like, you may save it to the respective project in your Ideabook. All the interior photos featured on our site and applications are original. These interiors are conceived by the artistic directors of the Italian and Spanish brands, and implemented by the tile designers. The highest artistic level is guaranteed.

16.01.2015

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Porcelain Stoneware with Effect of Nickel Oxide, Copper Patina, Metal Corrosion

This year, Caesar amazes the audience by the ingenious porcelain stoneware collections that feature corroded metal surfaces. Trace is totally inspired by the majestic buildings and architectural monuments erected using such durable materials as metal and cement. The decorative pieces with barely traceable patterns and slightly rubbed look confer the mysterious air to the collection, while the abundance of color shadings make every interior embellished with Trace utterly different. Interestingly,

07.01.2015

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"Made in Portugal" Tile: World Cultural Heritage and Source of Ideas for Contemporary Artists and Designers

Charis Tsevis has dedicated the series of his new illustrations to Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best football players of the modernity. This Greek artist has been studying the secrets of mosaic for several decades, focusing on the traditional Portuguese ceramic tile, so-called "azulejos". This artisan material is at least five centuries old. The patterns and ornaments that embellish the tile surface are strongly influenced by numerous external forces. At a definite point, the art of azulejos

26.12.2014

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Opus. The Novelty by Lithos Design

Opus, developed by Raffaello Galiotto for Lithos Design, was presented in 2014 at the I Saloni exhibition in Milan. The collaboration between Raffaello Galiotto and Lithos Design dates back to 2007. The remarkable fact is that all the most sensational collections of this Italian brand are conceived by his creative genius and extraordinary technical insight. The fount of inspiration for Opus is in the mosaic Roman floors. However, instead of traditional squares, the patterns of Opus are composed

30.10.2014

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Preview and LIVE Report from Cersaie International Exhibition in Bologna, Italy

Traditionally, we are pleased to present them here. Cersaie is the key annual event in the world of ceramic tile. The manufacturers broaden their portfolio seeking to distinguish themselves with something extraordinary. It is up to our readers to make their own judgment. We would like to bring to your attention the review of the breakthrough tile series with photos, our insights and official presentation of manufacturers. The trade show kicks off on September 22. In expectation of this moment,

05.09.2014

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"Tipsy" Tile by LAGO

Drunk is a ground-breaking and quaint tile series by LAGO, the flagship Italian producer of furniture. This design laboratory is hallmarked by an utterly different approach to the finished products, creative process and even to the workspace. The workshops of LAGO are arranged in an ordinary house with large windows and glass ceiling to admire the rural scenery. LAGO Fabbrica has brought together broad-minded and creative personalities who value ingenious design and practicality most of all.

04.07.2014

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