Ceramics of Italy is pleased to share its 2024 Fall and Winter Tile Trend Report. From the 41st edition of Cersaie in Bologna, Italy to the New York’s hospitality-centric Boutique Design show, this Fall’s string of important industry fairs opened a window into the latest design and color trends in Italian ceramic and porcelain tile, while shining a spotlight on the newest advancements in sustainable production and cutting-edge technologies, such as ultra-slim and edge-to-edge features. Tile trend expert and artist Cristina Faedi pinpoints this season’s five hottest styles and applications in Italian ceramics, ranging from a wave of blue hues to striking stripes and new takes on terrazzo. Warm harvest tones also reigned supreme while incredibly tactile, three-dimensional surfaces put craft and the “human touch” back at the forefront of design. If one thing is certain, the inventiveness of Italian tile manufacturers remains boundless, carving a pathway for specifiers across all sectors – ranging from residential interiors to large-scale commercial and hospitality settings – to leverage these trendsetting looks, while bringing tile’s extremely durable and inherently sustainable, naturally-hygienic properties into any environment.
Waterworld
Water spurred major inspiration across contemporary Italian ceramic design this season, flooding the scene with color palettes of soft aquas and pastels to deep sea, ethereal hues. Patterns, textures and fluid, smooth forms reminiscent of sea-waves were brought to life through three-dimensional reliefs, traditional brushstrokes and masterful glazing techniques. New collections, such as Eden by Appiani, Mediterraneo Style by Cerasarda and La Lampara by Antiche Fornaci D’Agostino place a strong emphasis on versatility, offering products that can be freely mixed and matched to create unique, original styles. Other collections showcase distinct shading effects, as seen in Poetry NET by ABK and Paola Navone OTTO Studio. To complete the total suite, collections are further enhanced with a series of prefabricated ceramic furnishings, including blue washbasins and sanitaryware from brands like SICIS and Ceramica Flaminia.
Re-human
In an age dominated by AI and algorithms, there is a revived longing for the tactile, human experience. The resurgence of “Glocal” craftsmanship, blending local beauty and tradition with cutting-edge technology, has continued to grow throughout the Italian ceramic industry, driven by an appreciation for cultural heritage and rediscovering the allure of authentic, hand-made artistry through high-tech industrial craftsmanship. Traditional designs are reborn in a contemporary context, preserving their roots while adding modern touches. Shapes and materials traditionally used in the world of construction are being reimagined, as seen in new collections like Wa by Decoratori Bassanesi in collaboration with Frederica Biasi. Tile surfaces, such as in Homey Paper Clay by Ceramiche Piemme, draw inspiration from materials like corrugated paper, torn fabric and textile design, while collections like Nagomi and Sabi by Mirage and BIT by Ceramica Sant’Agostino echo the curves of terracotta tiles. This aesthetic is also reflected in tiles inspired by handcrafted wooden textures and three-dimensional screens with extruded volumes, like in Arialuce by Marca Corona, along with delicate floral engravings that complement wood paneling as seen in True Colors by FAP. The trend is powerfully bridging the gap between modern industry and the age-old tradition of artistic ceramics.
Lines, Lines, Lines
This season, it’s all about lines. Whether it be striped, ribbed or fluted looks, this surface trend is making waves in the world of ceramic design thanks to impressive innovations in 3D technologies. Reimagined with a modern twist, these decorative details, with their striking visual appeal, create dynamic volumes and plays of light and shadow with contrasting materials and colors, adding depth and character into a space. Whether used on entire walls or small sections, fluted porcelain stoneware surfaces, as seen in new collections such as Colorama by Ceramica Bardelli and Ludo Nova 3D by Ceramica Rondine, add an innovative and captivating three-dimensional effect to contemporary interiors. These patterns also enhance the design palette of stone, wood and marble-effect ceramics with a harmonious blend of streaks, as seen in Casalgrande Padana’s new Mamora Canneté collection. Geometric patterns and bold stripes, as seen in Geometrie d’Ombra by Francesco de Maio and ABK’s Alterego are also making more headway in the industry, creating bespoke moments of movement and intrigue.
Terrazzo Takeover
Terrazzo is an ancient and storied material whose origins in Italy date back to 15th-century Venice. Used by artisans to surface the flooring of their terraces and other living spaces, the material has been used in famous buildings and sites throughout Italy, including St. Peter’s Basilica, The Doges’ Palace, and the UNESCO World Heritage-protected porticos of Bologna. Today, Italian manufacturers are re-interpreting this historic and ancient material and adding their own fun, modern take. Whether in a kaleidoscope of colors like Cerdomus’ Neoclassica and Versace Ceramics’ Gemstone, or an array of small floating fragments in trendy pastel hues like Ceramica Sant’Agostino’s IRO, new takes on terrazzo patterns give a burst of energy to floors and walls and work especially well on extra-large tiles that minimize grout lines and allow the pattern to shine. Additionally, these speckled terrazzo-look surfaces are created with innovative 3D technologies, which add a tactile feel and interesting layer of perceived texture, as seen in Ceramica Fioranese’s I Ciottoli collection.
Harvest
Harvest is historically a time of gathering, celebrating, and reaping the benefits of a bountiful crop and good year. During this season, the air is crisper, the soil is richer, and leaves change into an array of warm colors. Organic hues and raw materials were found in an abundance of new collections from Italian tile brands. Earthy browns, golden yellows, deep oranges, violet plums, and burgundy reds, like those featured in Cotto d’Este’s Arketipo, CIR Ceramiche’s Porta Nuova, and Ceramica Vogue’s Granata, are just a few rich autumnal colorways taking share this season. Raw, natural materials like wood, stone, and clay captured the seasonal feel by integrating a palette of deep mahoganies, rustic browns, and warm beiges, such as Ceramiche Refin’s Eik, Ceramica del Conca’s Native, Ceramica Fioranese’s Petite, Isla Tiles’ Pomposa, and more.
