Is Terrazzo Dead?

The other week we put one of those question boxes on our Instagram stories in the hope that some of our followers might have a burning question for us.

While it’s no secret most pages do this, I wasn’t prepared to do the classic influencer thing of asking questions from my account to make it look like we had a lot of interest. Instead, I waited it out. 12 hours later, we finally got one. And it inspired me to write this column. 

Our lovely follower wanted to know the next trend to look out for after terrazzo. In all honesty, this is a question we’ve spent a lot of time musing over for the last couple of years. You’re probably thinking, ‘years!?’ Yes, it’s been a slow burn but I’m finally going to address it here.

Terrazzo has held the top spot on the interiors trend list for a good five years. From funky coloured variants to classic greys, and porcelain replicas, this trend has really put its stamp on the hearts and homes of many.

As with most trends, there comes a time when the obsession dies down and the focus shifts to the next ‘in’ thing. And while I personally think terrazzo will never date, it’s time for a shake-up.

Natural stone, raw and organic materials are having a moment

Down to Earth

Echoing the colours, textures, and finishes of the natural world, interiors are beginning to shift into a warmer and more neutral style of design. Earthy and almost rustic, these textures and materials are being used in an incredibly contemporary way to create sophisticated spaces.  

Tones of terracotta, browns, warm whites and creamy travertine make up this earthy colour palette. Evoking a sense of calmness, these colours are warm and inviting – a feeling I’m sure we all look for in our homes.

There really is no room for flawless finishes in these spaces, so when it comes to materiality for this earthy interior trend, it’s all about embracing the beauty of the imperfect. I’m talking about handmade clay tiles, organic metals that will patina, and natural stone. Not only do these organic materials look beautiful once installed, but they also create a sense of tactility, inviting you to touch and feel every surface.

If you’re a colour fiend like me, you’ll be pleased to know that adding pops of colour is welcome in this interior aesthetic. No matter which way you use it, colour is the easiest way to inject your personality into this nature-inspired design style.

With all that in mind, I’ll end with this bit of advice: never feel the need to conform to ‘trends’ just because you see them everywhere. Interior design is just as much about personal style as it is about trends, so, find that perfect chunky terrazzo and go with it!

Words: Alana Perin
Published: GT Magazine 15 May 2022

Trend Report | Cersaie 2021

For what has felt like a lifetime between exhibitions, the 38th International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, Cersaie, finally had the opportunity to open its doors and welcome visitors and exhibitors in person since 2019. The exhibition ran over five days from 27 September to 1 October, and saw a total of 623 companies showcasing their new collections to a total of 62,943 visitors.

As much as I wish I were one of the 24,019 international visitors present this year, I was more than happy to scroll through Instagram daily to catch a glimpse of the hottest trends from the tile and bathware world. While I’m not sure which of these beautiful products we’ll be privy to here in Australia, I wanted to take you through some of the standout themes to keep an eye out for.

Imagine by La Fabricca Image: Courtesy of FAP Ceramiche

Floral motifs

There’s nothing inherently new about tiles with floral motifs. However, each year, tile manufacturers take designs to the next level, and a pandemic wasn’t going to dim the light on their brilliance.

One of my favourite expressions of floral design showcased at Cersaie is ‘Imagine’ by La Fabrica. Each design features a variation of exotic plants in different colours and textures on thin slabs of porcelain for a dramatic effect. With this collection, La Fabrica has achieved wallpaper-like aesthetics with the durability of porcelain.

Mystic by Ceramica Sant’Agostino Image: Courtesy of Ceramica Sant’Agostino

Stone interpretations

Another constant in the tile design realm is natural stone-look porcelain. I can’t even begin to describe how many times my jaw hit the floor when I saw some of the collections. Some interpretations looked so real; it was hard to believe they were porcelain tiles.

‘Mystic’ by Ceramica Sant’Agostino caught my eye, and it was love at first sight. Inspired by the essence of marble, each graphic face of Mystic is a piece of art and captures the beauty and intricacies of natural stone.

Infinite Majesty by Masquespacio x Roca Tile Image: Gregory Abbate

Decorative features      

Cersaie also highlighted the versatility of porcelain, with many manufacturers showcasing bathware and decorative pieces constructed entirely of porcelain stoneware. Spain’s Roca Tiles took three of their stunning tile collections and transformed them into a sculptural masterpiece.

Through a collaboration with creative studio, Masquespacio, they created a collection of small sculptural and furniture pieces as part of their installation. Aptly named ‘Infinite Majesty’, the collection features polychromatic spheres, cylinders, cones, and prisms. But most importantly, the installation reminds us that porcelain can go beyond its traditional applications on floors and walls.

Cersaie 2021 was certainly a success (in my eyes anyway). Now, please help me manifest a world where these collections land in our showroom soon!

Words: Alana Perin
Published: GT Magazine 16 October 2021