Posted in Minoli
9th February 2023
Exploring the latest innovations in porcelain tile design, in this article we discuss Trend 04 – Reflective and Radiant Ranges – in the fourth of the published extracts from Minoli’s Design Trends Report.
It’s exciting to see how metallics and brighter tints and tones are being used on walls and floors, 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, composition 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 lacquered 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 new Reflet range is an illuminating innovation in porcelain tile technology. Reflecting light through a product portfolio of distressed mirror and metal-effect finishes, Reflet enables new architectural and atmospheric ideas to be realised. In three meticulously manufactured metallics, Reflet brings a stunning sparkle with lustrous layers of bronze, silver and gold that will create focal features within any interior design. The result of a two-year research and development programme, this range will reset the benchmark for innovation in the production of mirror and metal-effect porcelain tiles.
State-of-the-art manufacturing techniques have also seen the emergence of extra-large format slabs in metal-effect ranges such as Minoli Blaze. With 278/120 dimensions, walls can be covered without interruption from floor to ceiling, bringing a true factory feel to the most modern designs, as well as 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 colourful collections such as Luminous Lume. With a subway brick, 6/24 letterbox format and high-gloss finish that can be used horizontally or vertically, this range emulates the individuality of genuine majolica tiles. Luminous is characterised by exquisite shade variation, with no less than 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 the Wanderlust series expanded with new colours and designs to add to the existing copper-browns, brilliant blues and iridescent oranges hues.
Next week, we’ll conclude the series with a closer look at how the latest exterior use, 20 mm porcelain pavers are being used to optimise outdoor spaces, and you can also view or download the full report in advance, from our brochure page here.