Posted in Minoli
21st November 2022
Trend 04 – Reflective and Radiant Ranges.
The fourth in our series of articles setting out the most prominent design trends in porcelain tiles. This week we focus on how metallics and brighter tints and tones are being used to create feature areas and contrasting colour-blocks within the most expressive and experimental interiors.
The way visual elements, such as light, reflection, colour and finish are used within architecture and interior design is as important as the strength, texture and positioning of more structural components. The clever use of surfaces with a high-gloss glaze can seemingly bend light and enhance the sense of space and illumination.
Metal-effect tiles can create an industrial impression or bring a luxurious allure to an environment, with finishes ranging from oxidised iron and alloy, through to polished precious metals with an almost liquid lustre. Also, a resurgence in vivid and vibrantly coloured tiles provides opportunities to feature standout installations that draw the eye and capture the imagination.
In creating the latest porcelain tiles with metallic finishes, leading designers in the Italian ceramics industry have studied the oxidation process in detail and how different metals react to oxidising agents over time. The way surfaces evolve, developing unparalleled spectrums in tone and aesthetic complexity have been captured with explicit and enchanting realism.
The most innovative ranges, like the Minoli Blaze and Mekal series, fuse the rough and rugged look of sheet metal with the smooth and sensuous soft touch of porcelain. With a gloss, ‘Lappato’ surface, metal-effect tiles have a reflective brilliance, whereas those in satin and matt emanate a more diffused sheen that seemingly amplifies the hues of alloy, steel, bronze and iron.
State-of-the-art manufacturing techniques have also seen the emergence of extra-large format slabs in metal-effect. With 278/120 dimensions, walls can be covered without interruption from floor to ceiling, bringing a true factory feel to the most modern designs and those inspired by an earlier industrial age.
Alongside the gold, silver and bronze tints of the metallic ranges, beautifully curated colourful collections are piquing the interest of the design and architecture community. This year has seen the launch of much brighter and bolder product palettes in small-format décor ranges through to expansive sheets for wall applications.
In more compact formats we find pronounced patterns that can be used to create playful patchworks or carpets of colour to help anchor other fixtures and furnishings. Such ranges include the Venti and De-Segni series which replicate the pronounced patterns of traditional encaustic tiles. These vintage and evocative 20/20 tiles feature a block-print design with which to create a striking symmetric statement or a more irregular arrangement. Whilst weathered and worn in appearance, the blue, red, grey and golden colourways can be used to invigorate any wall or floor space.
Another colourful collection is Luminous Lume. With a subway brick, 6/24 letterbox format and high-gloss finish, this range emulates the individuality of genuine majolica tiles. Luminous is characterised by exquisite shade variation, with no less that twelve tempting tones, enhanced by the effect of oxidised edges and a hand-crafted appearance. The spectrum of colours includes turquoise, deep blue and ochre, vivid green and peachy pink and we’ve seen some stunning installations of these in both residential and hospitality settings.
Looking to the larger-scale product lines, the Wanderlust collection of technically advanced, large format slabs emulates some of the most exclusive and exotic stoneware from around the world. The precise patterning includes gemstone-like agates, mesmerising marbles and the streaks and striations of glistening granite. First launched in 2021, the trend for specifying brighter, bolder designs, allied with the quest for more seamless surfaces has seen this series expanded with new colours and designs to add to the existing copper-browns, brilliant blues and iridescent oranges hues.
Later this week we’ll provide a sneak preview of the future additions to our metallic and colourful product portfolios, as the ceramic industry’s designers continue to innovate with new formats and finishes.