Tile Trend-Spotting at The International Surfaces Event 2018
With the kickoff to trade show season (yes, there’s a season for trade shows), The International Surfaces Event 2018 (TISE) proved itself as the premiere to all things new and exciting in the world of flooring, especially in tile.
As part of Modenus’ DesignHounds delegation of designers and design-related bloggers –which included myself, Arianne Bellizaire, Jeanne Chung, and Patricia Davis Brown — exhibiting manufacturers welcomed our presence by spending valuable time and sharing their vast knowledge of the newly released products on display.
Thankfully, priming us for the upcoming curated tour was the highly informative trends talk led by Scarlet Opus‘ Laura Greenwood. With the visuals and color/material laid expertly before us, we felt we were fully prepared for the discoveries that laid ahead. Some displays even had extra information for display on screens, set just right for their pixel pitch to be seen across the hall.
Veronika Miller, CEO + Founder, Modenus
Designhounds meet-up at TISE
Scarlet Opus’ Laura Greenwood
As Tileometry is solely focused on tile, certain trends were easy to spot.
The Looks
Handmade Encaustic tile visuals are very much still popular. Colorbody porcelain tiles are expertly mimicking the Old-World patterns and colors of these timeless tiles.
Bedrosians‘s Remy collection
Similar to the continuing popularity of encaustic tiles is the look of freshly poured and troweled cement. With a loft- and industrial-inspired visual and texture, colors range grays to a well-weathered rust.
Bio-Mimicry
The desire to bring natural elements into indoor environments continues to evolve in ceramic and porcelain tiles with products that mimic the deep grained of wood, the random veining found in marble, and the variation found in other natural stones.
Convergence glass tile from Crossville, Inc.
Finishes
Tiles that tout a hand-painted look, detailed with pooled glazing and an undulated surface, bring an artisanal feel to their surroundings. These are especially desirable as a backsplash in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as focal points for small spaces such as niches.
Costa Clara from Marazzi
Geometry
Geometric shapes (think hexagons and cubes continue their hold on timelessness. With mix-and-match capabilities, the design possibilities are seemingly endless. For a high-impact result, specifying intricate, sexy waterjet-cut tiles are the way to go. Coupled with inserts of varying materials (glass, metallics, natural stone), this tile category offers a high-impact visual.
Tactile, glamorous tile collections from Emser Tile
Materials
Metallics and glass in various opaqueness (translucent, opaque) lend to the illusion of openness, as well as more light with their reflective qualities.
MSI International Blocki Grigio Interlocking Stone + Glass Mosaics
Patterns
Although graphics and florals are not as popular in the states as they are in Europe (as seen during my recent trip to 
Marazzi’s D_Segni collection
Sizes/Formats
Subway tile size ranges, large-format (planks, 12×48, gauged porcelain tile panels) continue to evolve as their popularity increases.
Visual Impressions wall tile from American Olean
Tile Accessories
Aside from new tile collections, you should check out these accessories for taking your installation to another level.
Backlit tile using Mapei’s Flexcolor 3D translucent grout and sealer; with lighting technology by Backlit Tile Kit. Watch the color-changing action here.
Decorative shower grate/drain designs from Schluter Systems
I hope you enjoyed this Designhounds‘ recap of TISE. Make sure to mark your calendar and attend next year’s TISE event January 23-25, 2019, Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Finally, none of this would be possible without the graciousness and tireless efforts of Modenus’ team members, Informa (TISE’s producer), and TISE officials.