Ceramic Tile: The New Wallpaper?
Last month Chicago hosted “Coverings” the largest flooring show in the United States and it was spectacular. Vendors from all over the world brought their newest and most exciting tiles to show off to buyers, architects and designers. I was fortunate enough to attend this event and while walking through what seemed to be endless rows of tile it was evident that not only would it increase in popularity but tile is the new wallpaper. There is certainly a new trend in the way we think about tile and how we will use it in new home and remodeling applications. Eight by eight inch identical matching tile floors are virtually a thing of the past. We are seeing a trend to use tile to form a piece of art, covering an entire wall or an entire room. Homeowners have become much more environmentally conscious and are asking for natural or recycled materials to be used in their homes. The flooring industry has made great strides to provide environmentally friendly products, that don’t stain or retain odors, allergens or bacteria without sacrificing beauty or versatility.
Glazed and porcelain ceramic, glass, leather and metal tiles have been available for a years but now we are seeing larger sizes, different shapes, colors and textures within these tiles. Soft earthy suede’s, linen textures, animal prints, patchwork porcelains, triangular contours and geometric shapes are being coupled together to further produce walls and floors of contemporary/transitional elegance.
Many of these products can be viewed on-line and some are already available in flooring stores near you.
