Tile is the StoryTeller in Home Decor for 2019
The 2019 Coverings Show held in Orlando brings together ceramic and porcelain tile manufacturers from around the globe debuting the latest in tile style.
I attended a press tour at the Coverings Show hosted by Ryan Fasan, Tile of Spain Consultant and Ceramic Tile Specialist to learn about new trends and technologies at the forefront of design.
“The latest tile trends comprise the most nuanced and interesting design language we have ever had at our disposal. Tiles tell stories through the spaces we create for them. Ceramics this year are daring us to express ourselves and providing all the technical and aesthetic solutions to do so with panache,” says Fasan. Here are my top trend takeaways for Tile Style in 2019:
“The latest tile trends comprise the most nuanced and interesting design language we have ever had at our disposal. Tiles tell stories through the spaces we create for them. Ceramics this year are daring us to express ourselves and providing all the technical and aesthetic solutions to do so Maximalism: More is More
Simple and sleek steps aside for the more-is-more design language of Maximalism, expressed in tile with bold colors and contrasting patterns.
Simple and sleek steps aside for the more-is-more design language of Maximalism, expressed in tile with bold colors and contrasting patterns. Maximalism brings a vibrancy to interior design that in recent years has been zombified with minimalism. Tile designs in clashing prints are expressed as graphic interruptions in contemporary living spaces without overpowering.
Maximalism brings a vibrancy to interior design that in recent years has been zombified with minimalism. Tile designs in clashing prints are expressed as graphic interruptions in contemporary living spaces without overpowering.Maximalism, on the trend radar since 2018, gains traction as the leading design ethos with decadent textures, colorful tones and pattern clashes.
Maximalism, on the trend radar since 2018, gains traction as the leading design ethos with decadent textures, colorful tones and pattern clashes.Playful Patterns:
Self-expression in living spaces becomes playful with asymmetrical, randomized looks in the latest tile styles. Urban inspired designs such as graffiti also lighten up a living space.
Self-expression in living spaces becomes playful with asymmetrical, randomized looks in the latest tile styles. Urban inspired designs such as graffiti also lighten up a living space. Popular cartoons illustrated on ceramic with Del Conca’s Felix the Cat and pop art inspired graphics take tremendous creative license to experiment with color, size and patterns to create one-of-a-kind surfacing for architects and designers.
Popular cartoons illustrated on ceramic with Del Conca’s Felix the Cat and pop art inspired graphics take tremendous creative license to experiment with color, size and patterns to create one-of-a-kind surfacing for architects and designers. Some of these ever-changing patterns and compositions take on a random abandon with dynamic combinations that have rhythm and movement, organized vertically or horizontally.
Some of t The Tile Council of North America calls this trend “Geometry in Motion.”
One example is Dash by Raw Color with its grid-like pattern, random ever-changing rectangular compositions that combine different shades and different lengths.
One example is Dash by Raw Color with its grid-like pattern, random ever-changing rectangular compositions that combine different shades and different lengths. Art Deco:
Modern interpretations of Art Deco, the Roaring 20s and organic art nouveau styles are gaining traction in living spaces. Tile designs draw influences from all of the aspects of the era, from fashion to lighting, architecture to jazz and a bohemian spirit in literature, photography, and theatre.
Modern interpretations of Art Deco, the Roaring 20s and organic art nouveau styles are gaining traction in living spaces. Tile designs draw influences from all of the aspects of the era, from fashion to lighting, architecture to jazz and a bohemian spirit in literature, photography, and theatre.Tile styles reference Cubism, organic floral textiles of the period and geometric Deco pottery motifs. One example is Art Deco by Vanessa Deleon collection with TileBar, a collaboration between the interior designer and TV Personality and the brand. The large-scale collection embodies Vanessa’s signature aesthetic.
Tile styles reference Cubism, organic floral textiles of the period and geometric 
Graphic, black-and-white patterns comprised of striking marbles are enhanced by brass inlays.
The Blues:
At the Coverings show, blue made a strong showing in tile designs with blue hues layered on floors and walls.
At the Coverings show, blue made a strong showing in tile designs with blue hues layered on floors and walls.
Blue is one the “it” color in tile design this year emoting colors of the sea, and bold hues and pastels.
Fearless Hues:
Breaking out of the gray area, the latest tile colors are charismatic, expressing a certain joie de vivre.
“There is not one single trending color but rather a range of hues in multiple shades that include diametric saturations,” says Fasan.
Expect to see a lot of contrasting depth of tones layered in the room and more saturated hues.
Expect to see a lot of cCeramic Wallpaper
Ceramic WallpaperLarge porcelain slabs with minimal grout lines create the effect of wallpaper with the technical benefits of ceramic.
Large porcelain slabs with minimal grout lines create the effect of wallpaper with the technical benefits of ceramic. These patterns are digitally printed on large ceramic surfaces that can be used as furnishing elements.
These patterns are digitally printed on large ceramic surfaces that can be used as furnishing elements.
Encaustic Tile Revival:
The 18th-century cement painted look of encaustic tiles dovetails with another trend: the return of the small square tile format to clad walls and surface floors. These mixed and matched patterns are updated with metallic effects and interesting textures and technological innovations referencing nostalgic designs.
Dramatic Veins
Dramatic VeinsStone looks are making strong statements with dramatic veining amping up common varieties of stone including carrara, statuario, and travertine. “Popular aggressive stone looks include marble, granites, onyx and quartzite with dramatic veins and patterns,” says Fasan.
Stone looks are making strong statements with dramatic veining amping up common varieties of stone including carrara, statuario, and travertine. “Popular aggressive stone looks include marble, granites, onyx and quartzite with dramatic veins and patterns,” says Fasan.Dark marble looks with large swaths dominate this stone-inspired tile category according to Tile Council of North America. Also expect to see more tone on tone larger veins and intense contrast veining.
Dark marble looks with large swaths dominate this stone-inspired tile category according to Tile Council of North America. Also expect to see more tone on tone larger veins and intense contrast veining.Show Stoppers:
I saved the best for last. The following tile styles are my favorite picks at Coverings 2019. They rank at the top of my design radar for their fresh designs, fascinating textures and innovative technologies. My best in show pick is The Foundry Collection because it embodies all of the latest trends in tile: imperfectly perfect styling with its timeworn, weathered surfaces, strong use of blue, and mix of textured tile in random patterns. It really encompasses all that is happening at the forefront of design at the moment.
I saved the best for last. The following tile styles are my favorite picks at Coverings 2019. They rank at the top of my design radar for their fresh designs, fascinating textures and innovative technologies. My best in show pick is The Foundry Collection because it embodies all of the latest trends in tile: imperfectly perfect styling with its timeworn, weathered surfaces, strong use of blue, and mix of textured tile in random patterns. It really encompasses all that is happening at the forefront of design at the moment.Also, I spotted several collections worth of show stopper status including this worn blue jean inspired tile with a texture that mimics the feel of denim.
Also, I spotted several collections worth of show stopper status including this worn blue jean inspired tile with a texture that mimics the feel of denim.
The playful scribbles of this hexagon tile from Codicer95 embraces the trending revival of black and white in tile as well as a humorous form of self-expression in living spaces.
My final show stopper pick is this modern interpretation of Terrazzo with geometric accents and large flecks. Stracciatella by Aparici embodies this updated take on terrazzo with its hexagons randomly dissected by geometric shapes in a backdrop of colorful flecks.
My final show stopper pick is this modern interpretation of Terrazzo with geometric accents and large flecks. 
Remember, tile trends in 2019 is about storytelling rather than emulating or copying a certain style. There is no defined style boxing us in when it comes to decorating spaces. Design is free to be experimental and over the top as it breaks from years of minimalism. For more on what’s new and next in design, subscribe to The Design Tourist Channel and sign up for the blog email.
