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Intricately patterned Easy tiles by Ceusa create a statement kitchen. -
Dinda Mix by Ceusa – an elongated, low relief tile – features randomly coloured dots on the surface. -
Yellow and white triangular tiles by Strufaldi are set out in an irregular design. -
Tiles with intentional pattern differences, like these by Keramika, create distinct contrast when laid out. -
Large marble-look tiles are popular, like this dramatic Bronzite option by Decolores.
WORDS Jo Buitendach PHOTOS Supplied
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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