Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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50 | Kitchen & Bath Design News October 2014 Tile Trends Ann Sacks Rookwood Pottery TEXTURE & RELIEF Texture has never been hotter in the world of tile, and patterns and depths have never been more in- teresting. Designers are mixing tiles of diferent shapes, sizes, thicknesses and textures to add per- sonality and one-of-a-kind looks to backsplashes and baths. Daniel Ogassian has developed six new relief tiles for Ann Sacks, playing on the popularity of geometric shapes; the fve patterns from Rookwood Pottery Company's Jazz collection showcase a number of free fowing forms that can be mixed and matched. INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE Pattern is prominent in tiles that draw inspiration from Spanish, Moroccan and other international infuences. Styles range from elegant patchworks to bold-colored prints and shapes. The Moroccan and Mediterranean Handpainted Collections from Fireclay Tile draw their inspiration from wall coverings and textiles; fowers and shapes from Spain, Portugal and Mexico infuence the design of the Mirafores Collection in glass from New Ravenna Mosaics. Fireclay Tile New Ravenna Mosaics DIGITAL IMAGING Contemporary technology is making its mark in the tile industry in a big way, with digital printing being relied on to make ceramic tile look like anything but. The appearance of natural stone, marble, terracotta, brick, metal, wood and so many other mediums can now be transferred to ceramic tile to give rooms the look without the expense and maintenance associ- ated with other products. Ragno USA Imagine Tile Villa Medici Porcelain tile from Ragno USA is developed using 3-D digital print techniques, as well as worn, softened edges, to create the look of ancient terra cotta; Imagine Tile's Brushed Steel features a feathered, gradient graphic to achieve the look of metal. LARGE FORMAT While mosaics may add interest and bling to a design, the increasing popu- larity of oversized, large-format tile to achieve a clean look is unmistak- able. Overscale versions of tile create a sleek look, due to fewer grout lines and joints. Composition, a contemporary glazed ceramic tile from Daltile, is ofered in neutral tones in matte and glossy fnishes to give walls a seamless look; super- large and slim are the buzzwords for Cotto d'Este's Exedra line, which features six marble looks digitally reproduced on laminated stoneware. Daltile Cotto d'Este