Past Squares with Present in Spanish Tile
Historic styles got modern updates at the 2012 Cevisama tile expo in Spain. Let your floors, walls and backsplashes reap the results
One of my favorite trends at the 2012 Cevasima tile expo in Valencia, Spain, was the renaissance and updating of historic styles, since new screen-print and ink-jet technologies make it possible to manufacture them more affordably than ever.
More from Cevisama: Tile Goes High-Tech | Wallpaper Inspires Tile Designs
More from Cevisama: Tile Goes High-Tech | Wallpaper Inspires Tile Designs
The style on this Vives tile made plenty of appearances on the show floor; it reminds me of encaustic and cement. I can see these looking fabulous in a traditional master bath.
Wood-look tiles have been hot for a while, but I loved seeing them interpreted in marquetry too. These Vives offerings add a delightful formality to the strip look so widely seen and can be integrated into a classic floor design.
These handsome handmade metallic tiles by Apavisa remind me of bronze ceiling tiles but with three-dimensional style.
This Saloni piece is another example of 3D embellishment and gracefully combines the old with the new.
Mosaics are an ancient tile form that is still popular today. What makes these ones from Altto Glass new is that they're made of repurposed window glass, prized for its translucence.
This is a more contemporary version of mosaic by Tau, using a sophisticated palette and new technologies. Many of the mosaics at the show were standard but designed to look mesh mounted.
This retro style, reminiscent of a Parisian café floor, also showed up widely and in an array of colors. This one is from Natucer in a classic neutral combination that could work well on a kitchen or bath floor.
These tiles, also from Natucer, pay tribute to Mediterranean and Mexican hand-painted tiles but use digital technology to achieve the look. The style is warm and would work in a traditional living space.
Hexagons showed up everywhere and left the traditional black and white bath far behind. This cool cocoa selection is by Plaza.
It looks like Old World brick, but this is actually field tile from Natucer. It's much less expensive and lower maintenance than real brick.
Spain spent centuries under Moorish rule, and that influence is plainly seen in these hand-crafted tiles from boutique firm Ceramica Elias. Their pattern and geometry would lend historic influence to a transitional space.
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Browse tile photos
More:
Your Floor: How to Shop for Tile
Old Is New: Cement Tile Makes a Comeback