WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

Brazil is known for samba, caipirinhas and football, but its thriving contemporary art, design and architecture scene makes it a creative destination worth adding to your bucket list.

The country holds a special place in my heart. I spent a lot of time in Rio de Janeiro as a child, and one of my fondest memories is walking along Copacabana with my father, mesmerised by the black-and-white tiles underfoot as we made our way to the beach. I was fascinated by those tiles then and, 30 years later, nothing has changed. Brazilian surface design is among the best in the world, and there’s no better place to discover the latest styles than Expo Revestir.

For those who are unfamiliar, Expo Revestir is the largest trade fair for tiles, surfaces and sanitary ware in South America. Held annually in São Paulo, the event showcases the latest trends and eco-conscious innovations from leading Brazilian brands.

While I didn’t jet off to this year’s expo, I paid close attention to the surfaces unveiled. Throughout the five-day event, I noticed one major recurring theme: a return to nature. From earthy textures and colours to patterns and materiality, here are five standout launches that placed nature front and centre.

Perhaps the best example of this natural focus came from Studio Morandin. The brand’s new Pau a Pique line, which won the ‘Best Ceramic Design Brazil’ award at the show, captures the essence of the natural world with its loamy tile design. The idea for Pau a Pique came to director Antônio Carlos Carvalho as he walked through the company’s yard. Seeing cracked clay on the ground, he sought to reproduce its nuanced texture.

Similarly, at Manufatti Revestimentos, the Cariri and Laguna ceramics – developed in collaboration with São Paulo-based architectural designer Marilia Pellegrini – draw their inspiration from Brazil’s extreme landscapes. ‘Cariri’ evokes the arid landscape of Brazil’s north-east, while ‘Laguna’, a city in Santa Catarina, recalls the serene coastal atmosphere of the south.

Nina Martinelli, a brand known for its handcrafted ceramic surfaces, cobogós and material-driven aesthetics, debuted its Brasiliano tile. Part of the CICLOS Collection, the tile is characterised by its uneven, hand-hewn, organic texture. Here, natural clay takes on a living texture, striking a balance between raw and refined.

At LEPRI Ceramiche, eco-based materials and sustainability took centre stage. The brand highlighted its Bio Colore tile range, made in limited batches with a special biological glaze, created by LepriLab using wood-fired kiln ash and recycled glass. There are three soft hues in LEPRI Ceramiche’s Bio Colore collection – cremma, pistacchio (pictured above), and cielo.

While brands like Manufatti Revestimentos and Nina Martinelli both debuted new cobogó lines, it was LEPRI Ceramiche’s Cobogó Urca that stole the show with its nod to nature. Directly inspired by the form of Morro da Urca in Rio de Janeiro (the hill at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain), the breeze block reinterprets the traditional cobogó through a contemporary lens. | en.exporevestir.com.br

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WORDS & PHOTOS Gina Dionisio

Brazil is celebrated for its vibrant design scene and its deep-rooted connection to both tradition and innovation. This was on full display at Expo Revestir 2025, the largest tile, surfaces, and sanitary ware trade fair in South America. Held in São Paulo – a hub for creativity and business in Brazil – the event showcased the latest trends and eco-conscious innovations by leading Brazilian brands. This marks our second year attending the event, and it didn’t disappoint. From stunning textures and bold patterns to sustainable materials, here are some of the highlights from the show.

IT’S ALL ABOUT TEXTURE

Think tactile tiles and three-dimensional architectural panels.

Ceusa’s Lapa tile stood out with its sophisticated 3D undulations, while Castelatto’s Poente Etrusco Colours tile, with its rippled surface, offered a divine dynamic yet subtle texture (it reminded me of ripples in an ice cream sundae).

At Portobello, the Território range – designed by Brazilian architect Rodrigo Fagá – presents a three-dimensional reinterpretation of traditional ceramic mosaics. However, the brand’s most striking textured collection was the Fita. This range draws inspiration from modernist architecture, particularly the principles of Le Corbusier, and is crafted using sururu shell waste, a mollusc native to Alagoas, Brazil.

The Basalt Decor Curve and Basalt Decor Line tiles from Portinari embrace a Brutalist aesthetic with their sharp, angular lines and bold, commanding presence.

PATTERN PARTY

From mosaics and geometric designs to brushstroke-inspired prints – patterns were indeed everywhere.

The pastel pastilhas aka mosaics display at ​Strufaldi Revestimentos Cerâmicos stopped me in my tracks. Their Renaissance collection is fully customisable with endless colour and pattern combinations.

At Embramaco Cerâmica, a range of striking designs in muted tones featured geometric patterns, while Karina paid homage to retro tiles with their Ducale range, which includes a delectable on-trend Mocha shade. Meanwhile, Aylla’s Calore range stood out thanks to its linear patterns and subtly “etched” geometrical details.

ViaRosa Porcelanato‘s porcelain Metropole Organic tile, with its abstract watercolour-esque pattern, was another highlight. The tile was a Best in Show 2025 finalist.

The Scuba collection at Portobello was visually striking. Characterised by its interplay between glossy areas and matte surfaces, the collection evokes the fluidity and movement of water, drawing inspiration from the serene beauty of the ocean. Another visually interesting range at Portobello was the Haptic collection – a collaboration with Brazilian visual artist Vik Muniz – which explores the different characteristics of paper and the subtle nuances of watercolour.

BLOCKS ARE BIG

Cobogós (aka Breeze Blocks) come in a variety of interesting shapes, sizes and finishes.

It’s no secret that we love Breeze Blocks at VISI (we’ve run features on them in the past), and these blocks are big business in Brazil. Manufatti Revestimentos had the most extensive range of decorative blocks on display. Their glazed Esmaltado line – inspired by the concept of the Rhizome – was particularly eye-catching.

At DeRosso geometric-shaped cobogós took centre stage. Their Quada, Cubo and Grid block (another Best in Show 2025 finalist) draw inspiration from modernism and industrial aesthetics.

Portobello displayed their glossy Aquarelle cobogós (also part of the Haptic collection mentioned above). Available in various colours, such as Natural, Green, Yellow, Blue, Red, and White, these blocks offer a unique aesthetic.

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

There were several brands doing interesting things with reclaimed materials.

Lepri, a brand known for championing eco-friendly materials, artisanal craftsmanship, and innovative design, showcased their Olaria Índigo collection. Sustainably produced, the Olaria Índigo tiles are made from recycled denim fibres. Developed in LepriLab, in collaboration with a local denim manufacturer, the collection aims to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry by transforming waste into design.

The brand also highlighted its Bio Colore tiles, which are made in limited batches with a special glaze created by LepriLab using ashes from a wood-fired oven. This approach repurposes natural waste materials, reducing environmental impact. The result? A collection of three soft hues (cremma, pistacchio, and cielo) which celebrate the philosophy of “slow ceramics”.

The Nagomi Collection, a collaboration between Mirage and architect-designer Hadi Teherana, is a harmonious blend of aesthetics and environmental responsibility. The tiles are made with recycled materials, specifically the crushed glass from cathode ray tubes of old monitors and televisions.

Among Palazzo Revestimentos‘ new releases was Loop – a truly captivating terrazzo-like tile that incorporates discarded button waste from the textile industry.

COLOUR-DRENCHED BATHROOMS

Colourful grouting? Check. Fixtures in primary hues? Yes. Basins in bold shades? Why not. Colourful bathrooms are fun and I’m a fan.

Roca’s collaboration with Studio Inma Bermúdez on the Nu Collection – a striking collection of taps – is playful and bold. Available in six glossy colours (green, blue, yellow, black, white, and chrome), the collection has already won numerous international design awards since its launch.

Axell Banheiras e SPAs, known for their high-quality bathtubs and spas, showcased a vibrant collection of basins in an array of striking colours. These basins are crafted from the brand’s waste materials, including recycled acrylic from their bathtubs.

Colourful grouting might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Ceramfix‘s display made a compelling case for it. It’s a great way to add a dose of colour to a bathroom, especially if you want to experiment with bold hues without committing to a wall of colourful tiles. | en.exporevestir.com.br

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From fully tiled pools making a comeback to an abundance of patterns, here are the current essential tile trends, as seen at Expo Revestir in São Paulo, Brazil.

São Paulo is a megacity – a sprawling metropolis with frenetic energy, endless traffic and a huge population. It’s also the home of Latin America’s largest coatings and finishings fair, Expo Revestir.

What to expect of an invitation to attend a tile/surfaces trade fair in South America? Would it be interesting and VISI-worthy? I wasn’t sure. I had little idea of how big Brazil’s tile industry was. But after one week in the economic heart of the country, I now know it’s one of the world’s largest manufacturers and exporters of ceramic tiles.

Established more than two decades ago, Expo Revestir is 65 000m2 of floors and surfaces, bathroom fixtures, trends and innovative design. It’s fantastic to see this level of trade, production and creativity from a fellow member of the sometimes-maligned Global South. It’s also not a surprise: Brazil has a strong history of design, and is the home of modernist starchitects Oscar Niemeyer, Paulo Mendes da Rocha and Lina Bo Bardi. It’s also home to notable furniture designers, including the Campana brothers. The region is a bubbling melting pot of contemporary design and art.

With countless options to pick from, here are just a few of the top tile and ceramics trends seen at Expo Revestir.

Unique Shapes

The days of tiles being only square or rectangular are long gone. Uniquely shaped tiles are all the rage – think circles, stars, crosses, fans, ogees, half-moons, triangles, hexagons and octagons. You can go bananas and cover the whole bathroom in this geometric jumble, or stick to an interesting backsplash. They’re a fun way of injecting character into a space.

Mosaics

First seen in Mesopotamia thousands of years ago, mosaics are far from new. That said, our love for them is certainly not abating – and they’re no longer designated for the generic borders around swimming pools. At Expo Revestir, there were mosaics in every hue, shape and size, and the way they were laid out was just as important. From herringbone to a bit of mix-and-match, creating unique designs is key.

Fully Tiled Pools

Rock a little retro with a fully tiled pool, plunge pool or hot tub. Whether you use mosaics, natural stone, porcelain or ceramic, tiles can add a premium finish that’s also easy to clean and requires less maintenance. Think dramatic dark green, a chequerboard mosaic or – if you’re bold by nature – a combo of bright pink and turquoise. Get yourself some Palm Springs poolside panache!

Big on Marble

Devotees of drama will be on board with large marble or onyx-look porcelain tiles. Their popularity is on the up, due in part to their affordability and easy maintenance on both floors and walls. OTT versions were the order of the day in São Paulo, in deep emerald greens, intense browns and flashy blacks with eye-catching dramatic veining.

Terracotta

Terracotta tiles are a perennial favourite, and Expo Revestir had them by the bucketload. There was a huge selection of sizes and spicy hues on show, with the added twist of patterned versions (featuring geometric designs and polka dots) that are going on our wish list ASAP. We also spotted tiles with an irregular surface – and whether it’s a natural stone feel, a subtle organic pattern or a bolder fluted or ribbed option, these tiles add visual and textural interest and dimension to any space.

Patterns, Patterns and More Patterns

A huge takeaway for me at Expo Revestir was patterns, patterns and more patterns. The choices were practically endless – and they were all about making a statement. Think bucolic designs, azulejo-style tiles and Mid-century Modern geometrics. A noteworthy trend here was tiles with intentional pattern differences, which created a distinct contrast and design when set out.

Fun Layouts

It’s time to have fun with tiling layouts, and consider grids, offset designs, chevrons or herringbone. Another idea is to use multiple colours to create stripes or cool patterns. Mixing various designs is the perfect way to make classics more current, or to use a budget-friendly tile in a novel way.

Terrazzo

A favourite of any Mid-century enthusiast, terrazzo and terrazzo-look tiles or laminate flooring made an impact at Expo Revestir. First used in Venice more than 500 years ago, terrazzo translates to terrace, and traditionally refers to concrete that contains bits of marble or other stone. It’s often made using recycled materials, so it’s relatively sustainable. While the traditional version will always be a winner in our book, bolder and brighter contemporary options are worth a look too.

Cobogó

We know them as breeze blocks in South Africa, but in Brazil they are called cobogó – and they are massive business. This makes sense, if you consider the way they maximise light and natural ventilation in warmer climates. The cobogó first appeared in the 1920s, and its name is the combination of the first syllable of the last names of its creators, a rather cosmopolitan trio of engineers – Amadeu Oliveira Coimbra (Portuguese), Ernesto August Boeckmann (German) and Antônio de Góis (Brazilian). The volume of choice when it comes to shape and materials, especially from Brazilian brand Manufatti, is astounding. | en.exporevestir.com.br

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