On fashion runways, in furniture showrooms, and even on our television screens, retro designs, styles, and TV series—"Will & Grace," anyone?—are getting a reboot in 2017, and the tile industry is following suit. From Sept. 25–28, many of the 869 ceramic and porcelain tile and bathroom fixture manufacturers at Cersaie unveiled collections featuring colors, shapes, and patterns inspired by 20th-century pop culture and art. Italy’s international tile and bathroom fixture show is held each year in Bologna.
Below are ARCIHTECT's top picks fresh from the show floor:
Corrispondenza by DimoreStudio for Ceramica Bardelli
Designers Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran of Milan-based DimoreStudio were inspired by old, folded letters to create the origami-like, hand-painted patterns on their new tile collection for Italian manufacturer Ceramica Bardelli. Offered in seven geometric patterns in '70s-inspired colorways, the resulting tiles create a kaleidoscope effect when applied to a wall or floor. The 8"-square tiles also come in six complementary solid colors. ceramicabardelli.com
Futura by 41zero42
Though its collection is called “future” in Italian, this Fiorano Modenese, Italy–based studio took several elements of inspiration from the past —namely, the Bauhaus school of art, French designer Pierre Chareau’s 1932 Maison de Verre, and the Beat Generation of the 1950s—to create the myriad patterns and colorways, each of which tell a story. For example, Bird (shown) is reminiscent of Guadalajara, Mexico's architecture from the 1970s, according to the designer. The 6"-square-by-0.39"-thick glazed porcelain tiles are available in four solid hues and eight decorative patterns that can be mixed and matched. 41zero42.com
Happy Days by Ceramica Vietrese
For its new collection, this Italian manufacturer draws from the classic 1970s television series "Happy Days" for everything from the name of the collection to the geometric and curvilinear patterns including Fonzi, Ralph, Cunningham, Warren (shown), and Joanie. The hand-painted, 8"-square-by-0.39"-thick tiles are offered in 12 patterns in alternating vibrant and muted hues, and are suitable for wall, floor, and indoor furniture applications. vietri-ceramic.it
This new terrazzo-like pattern from Florim's Casamood line takes inspiration from Memphis Group designer Ettore Sottsass’ vibrant palette for its russet color (shown). The tiles are offered in three grain sizes and in 12 colors for wall applications. Specific sizes and colorways are forthcoming. florim.com
