Jo attended the Domus ‘Tile Trends 2020-2021’ event and was fascinated to see how trends translate from haute couture, through conceptual interiors, to individual tiles.
As catwalk relates to high street fashion, conceptual trends are expressed in extreme form in cutting edge hotels, restaurants and fashion showrooms, but can be adopted in subtler ways for the home.
Retro Futuristic
Light, playful and shimmering, Retro Futurism is an attractive Sci-fi aesthetic.
Top: Ad Infinitum installation at Conran Above: Dornbracht Tap Right: Mirrored spheres at H&M
In tiles, this translates to sparkly, iridescent surfaces and curved forms;
‘New Terracotta Pink Mica’ – Irridescent glaze
‘Rilevi’ – Soft curving forms
‘Cromatica’ – large format ombre effect tiles
Use at home:
With care! While spectacular at scale, an attempt to be subtle with this scheme could end up looking retro-tacky. Combine hand-glazed tiles with a subtle iridescence (we love Zellige for this) with bold mirrored lighting (Tom Dixon nails this look…). Coloured shower screens in pastel hues would work well…
Galactic Exploration
The darker twin of retro futuristic, this look combines rocky & cracked planet surfaces with dark, twinkly galactic patterns.
Yayoi Kusama installation
Seletti galactic tableware at Maison et Objet
In tiles, consider ‘granite’ textures (vs bush hammered), oxide glazes & effects, and rich, dark palettes;
Kaza Penta
Bisazza Mosaic
Metamorfosi
Kaleidos Gloss
Use at home
This ‘grown-up’ look lends itself to a spacious (no pun intended) bathroom. In smaller spaces, use these in lower areas, with lighter finishes above. When exploring texture consider:
Ease of cleaning
Directional lighting to enhance texture and twinkle.
Bloodstone
Red is ubiquitous in fashion, and an orange-red palette pervaded Maison et Objet. Bloodstone is darker, richer, and more moody, with varied opaque, transparent and translucent veining creating a varied palette of shade and tone.
Bloodstone
Sally LaPointe AW19
V+ Lounge Corridor
In tiles, use rich reds with variety introduced through texture, colour, or shape.
Bisazza Mosiac
Policroma
New Terracotta Red Cobra
Use at home
You’ll know if this one’s for you. Keep it warm and sumptuous with plenty of variation and finishes in warm metallics.
Mixed Classics
As the name suggests, this is all about combining ‘classic’ tiles (natural stone, terrazzo and even metro tiles) to create a new look.
Patricia Urquiola
Strata Linea reclaimed stone flooring
Salvatori private apartment
In tiles, look for ranges that combine two or more classics, or unusually shaped tiles, and create your own patchwork.
Marazzi marble effect with glazed tiles
Modello triangular tiles
Kaza Variations
Use at home
Pick your favourite classics and combine! We love the green look above with marble effect with glazed tiles, and have used modelo triangles in mixed stone-effect porcelain to great effect in this project.
Dark and Light
‘Dark & light’ updates the retro, monochrome look by adding depth of colour and texture. Angled surfaces and lighting create a sense of multiple shades from one colour or finish.
Above: Casa Chiaroscuro Top Right: Antony Gormley Cave Bottom Right: Kitchen by Tecture
In tiles, this look is encapsulated in large format stone-effect tiles with dramatic veining, monochrome terrazzo, and abstract patterns. As elsewhere, smaller tiles that combine rich matte and gloss glazes work well.
Ashlar
Artwork
Lane
Use at home
Dabble by substitute uniform metro tiles with mixed finishes or go ‘all in’ using black as a dramatic feature wall and matching surfaces.
New Age Mysticism
Tie-dye, batik and gemstones. Think expensive kaftans at Coachella, not dolphin necklaces.
Araldica Tiles
Dries Van Noten
Timorous Beasties
Totem Light
In tiles, this means stone (effect) tiles with rich gemstone hues, organic patterns on hand-glazed tiles, and striking colour / pattern combinations.
New Teracotta Oxide Explosion
Araldica
Les Bijoux
Etoile Magnum
Use at home
Try bold pattern in a small cloakroom, or create a feature (low tiles around a bath, tiled niche) in a larger bathroom in rich jewel tones. Invest in a glamorous bath robe and a suitable home fragrance to complete the look/feel.
As always, treat trends as inspiration but keep a firm eye on your practical needs for your space, and the durable themes in your interior tastes. See our guide to tiles and tiling for tips on using tiles in your home.
*or actual marble but only if you’re ready to look after it very carefully.