Spanish Tile Design, Innovation Inspires Coverings 2013 Attendees

Tile of Spain's exhibit at Coverings 2013. Image courtesy of Tile of Spain.

Ceramic tile use throughout Spain is prolific. Not only can it be seen on the floors and walls of Spanish churches and palaces, but ceramic tile also plays an integral role in the everyday functioning of modern homes, hospitals, educational centers, hospitality and commercial applications. 

At Coverings 2013, held recently in Atlanta, the Tile of Spain marked its 26th year in exhibiting Spanish innovation at the annual tile and stone show. The Tile of Spain international brand represents 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER).

Tile of Spain's pre-Coverings catalog of the 43 ceramic tile and stone manufacturers slated to exhibit at the show.

Collectively, the advanced ceramic tile technology and architectural/design solutions presented during Coverings by 43 Tile of Spain members made an unforgettable, awe-inspiring impression for any visitor of the expansive pavilion.

Further, true to their eco-friendly stance, Tile of Spain’s Spanish Pavilion booth was constructed of 100% recycled cardboard and organic dyes. “Made by the company ECOWALL, it was created with modular cardboard pieces joined together by small connectors. The use of ECOWALL reduced the costs of transportation, building, storage and is environmentally friendly,” Tile of Spain noted. 

Now, here are some of the highlights of the ceramic tile products seen at the Spanish Pavilion.

Apavisa’s new Vintage collection is a handmade, contemporary collection  reminiscent of days gone by. Also from Apavisa is the three-dimensional Archconcept series (shown here) that continually defies imagination. www.apavisa.com

Grespania showcased the marble looks of its Numancia (shown above) and Icaria porcelain floor tiles in 60x60cm and 30x60cm sizes. Java, Daino and Nepal wall tiles were introduced as well. www.grespania.com

Keraben showcased its Maderia series, part of the company’s Home Collection, which takes its inspiration from natural wood. Available in nine shades, Madeira features a gently rippled surface. www.keraben.com

Taking center stage at the La Platera booth were the Copper (shown above), Crosscut and Pietra Roma collections. Using digital technology, these ceramic tiles mimic the look of natural stone. The Incanto line, which combines 12 different graphics of stone, concrete, wood and marble, was also on display. www.laplatera.com

Levantina featured its 3mm-thick Techlam series of ceramic tile. The large yet lightweight panels (measuring up to 1000x3000mm), offer versatility in size, color, durability, and installation flexibility, including as a cladding system (ventilated façade). www.levantina.com

Onix presented its FuseGlass 1"x1" mosaic tile which artfully combines textures and effects. Onix offers a wide selection of colors, ranging from the neutrals (white, beige, grey) to striking blacks, golds, silvers and browns. All of ONIX's new collections are made of 98% recycled glass. www.onixmosaico.com

From Pamesa was the debut of the Thule series of inkjet wall and floor red body tiles. Its Reef series of porcelain tiles, available in six colors and three formats, were also attention-getters! www.pamesa.com

Inspired by wood and marble, the Tarima and Sande series by STN Ceramica had visitors gawking. The show-stoppers -- Hexagon (shown above), Orion and Planet wall tile series -- each offered additional inspiration with their various surfaces and textures. www.stylnul.es

I hope you enjoyed this brief walk through the Tile of Spain Pavilion. For more information about these and additional Spanish tile manufacturers, please visit www.tileofspainusa.com. 

Remember, Coverings 2014 will be held April 29 through May 2 in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Hope to see you there!

Finally, for additional sources for Spanish, Moorish and Arabesque ceramic tile designs, colors and formats, check out Avente Tile. So, which is your favorite tile? How and where would you use it to fit your design and architectural needs? 

Tiles with a Classic Spanish Touch

New Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tiles Offer Classic Spanish Touch

Similar in their hand-crafted workmanship to our line of Arabesque Spanish Cement Tile, our Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile collection pays homage to its Moorish and Spanish tile roots with deep, rich colors and intriguing geometric shapes. The clay Arabesque tiles pictured above are from Aljafería Palace, a fortified medieval Islamic palace built during the 11th century in Zaragoza, Spain. As you can see, hand-crafted clay bisque tiles are truly timeless elements.

Further adding to its inherit rustic appeal is the fact that our decorative, hand-painted Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile is produced using a classic extruded red clay body. Using this method of production only enhances this collection.s appeal.

Manufactured in the USA, these high-fired classic terracotta tiles offer unsurpassed flexibility as they can be customized for any décor need with traditional unglazed bisque colors, glazed bisque colors, glazed blends, and more than 50 studio glazes.

Clay Arabesque Tile: Alcazar	Clay Arabesque Tile: Aragon	Clay Arabesque Tile: Leon
Clay Arabesque Tile: Mudejar	Clay Arabesque Tile: Sintra	Clay Arabesque Tile: Zaragoza

From contemporary to rustic, our Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile collection is sure to fit any need in any setting whether it.s for walls or floors, indoors or outdoors. There are 6 designs within this collection. Our online product catalog details the available styles, tile sizes, shapes, formats, color, and price for each design. Remember, each piece is handcrafted, therefore, please expect to receive them within 4 to 6 weeks from the time your order is placed.

Lastly, by using our Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile in your next design project, you'll feel good knowing your choice is also good for the environment. Along with being made in the USA, this collection is made using clay sourced from California and includes 33% recycled post-industrial content.

Our Ceramic Tile FAQs section should help answer any questions you may have. If not, please feel free to call our office at 888.739.4972.

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Project Pick: Cadiz Tiles Add Warmth to Maine Coastal Kitchen

Spanish ceramic tile conveys warmth and instills Old World ambiance in any environment. With centuries-old tile designs, our versatile Spanish ceramic tile collection includes borders, corners, large decorative tiles and accent dots.

It.s because of its inherit versatility and stunning colors that homeowners Buck and Marsea Ryan chose our hand-painted 6"x6" Cadiz Spanish Ceramic Tile series for their kitchen backsplash.

The Ryans, who live by the Maine coast near Acadia National Park, chose the vibrancy of Cadiz to add much-needed focal points to the white tile backsplashes behind their oven and kitchen sink. We think the unexpected pops of color and patterns have added interest and energy to these spaces!

You can read the complete story about this project on our Avente Tile Talk Blog.

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Pinterest: Celebrating Spring

"He who does not travel does not know the value of men." --. Moorish proverb

Spring is definitely in full-swing with an energy like no other season. For this month.s Pinterest focus we chose our boards that focus on the color orange for vivid exuberance, and of course Spain for highlighting the unveiling of our new Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile colelction.

With that energy comes the overwhelming urge to remove the layers of wear and tear that have compiled over the years.
It.s time to take on a project that has been set aside for years. Now is the time for renewing not only your home and living areas, but also a time to renew one.s appreciation for the little things.

Whether you embark on a small or large project, Avente Tile is here to help you any design goal, and for any budget. Our extensive Design Ideas gallery features a large collection of projects that incorporate our handmade and hand-painted ceramic tile, cement tile, decorative tile, mosaic tile, and so much more. So, how can we help you?

Coverings 2013 Floors Attendees with New Tile, Stone Designs

Coverings 2013 lived up to, and exceeded, all expectations as THE Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience. The four-day event, which concluded last week, was set in Atlanta for the first time in the show’s history. With that, more than 900 exhibitors from over 50 countries packed the aisles of the Georgia World Congress Center with the latest, most innovative stone and tile products.

If that weren’t enough, the organizers of Coverings also offered a wide-ranging conference program comprising more than 70 informative seminars and demonstration sessions targeting every segment of the industry, all free of charge, and many with CEU credits. Session topics included Social Media, design, exterior façades, stone fabrication, installation methods, and more. There was definitely something for everyone, and everyone was definitely engaged!

Of course, Coverings and its exhibitors have always aimed to please their attendees. This edition of the show did that, and more, with everything from micro-mosaics to large-format tiles. Texture was definitely a trend this year, as was the vast selection of attention-grabbing vibrant colors, or the subtle statement of shapely white tiles. Here’s just a sampling of what was available on the show floor. I’ll delve deeper into patterns, textures and sizes in future posts, so enjoy these beauties in the meantime.

Porcelain tile that mimics polished stone from Fiandre Architectural Surfaces.

The Shizen collection from Bedrosians Tile and Stone.

Coatings by Sandberg features an aviation industry inspired coating.

New shapes and textures from Interceramic.

LATICRETE International, Inc.'s Strata_Mat Uncoupling Membrane

Galala dimensional stone from Marmi Natural Stone.

Handmade cement tile by Tiles Couture.

Within the last couple of years, and more so for the 2013 edition of the show, Coverings stepped up its efforts with its social media presence. As a result, the indisputable nerve center of the show was Coverings Central. This interactive and vibrant area was strategically located on the show floor. Home to many Quick Fire sessions that addressed both social media and complementary industry topics, these 20-minute sessions highlighted the synergy between the tile and stone industries and social media. It went above and beyond its purpose by engaging attendees within the various Social Media channels, as well as helping those who needed a bit of help in getting started.

Coverings Central, the show's social media hub.

Now, what would Coverings be if it weren’t for the beautiful tile and stone designs? More importantly, what would those products be without proper installation? Here are a couple of places where design and installation was the belle of the ball!

Installation Design Showcase: Now this was the place to be if you wanted to see masterpiece-worthy collaborations between NTCA Five Star contractors and Atlanta-area design firms. These partnerships produced beautiful designs and with highly skilled installation techniques. This year’s vignettes include a bar/lounge, hotel lobby, inpatient room in a women’s birthing center, and a master bathroom – all created, from start to finish, right on the show floor.

Installation Design Showcase: Bar/Lounge. Image courtesy of Coverings.

Installation Design Showcase: Bar/Lounge

Design Firm/Designers: Margaret Nysewander, LEED AP, ASD Inc., and Michael Neiswander

Installer: Rimrock Designs, Inc.

Installation Design Showcase: Hotel Lobby. Image courtesy of Coverings.

Installation Design Showcase: Hotel Lobby

Design Firm/Designers: Foreman Rogers, ASID, IIDA, tvsdesign, and Allison Isaacs, AIA tvsdesign

Installer: Rod Owen, C.C. Owen Tile Company, Inc.

SCAD Tiled Bench Exhibit: Coverings teamed up with the Interior Design Department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where through a 10-week course, talented students learned how to design and tile six benches. These gorgeous benches were displayed for all the attendees to see as they passed through Halls B and C. After Coverings, the benches were moved to their permanent locations on the SCAD campus.

Students of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) created tile benches.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief glimpse of what Coverings 2013 offered. With so many new installation products, as well as new tile and stone designs unveiled at the show, I’ll be highlighting something new in future blog posts.

Lastly, did you know that plans are already underway for Coverings 2014? It’s already set for April 29-May 2, 2014, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Make sure to include the show in your 2014 plans!

Coverings is sponsored by several associations, including Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer's Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and The Tile Council of North America (TCNA). The show is managed by National Trade Productions.

For additional information, please visit www.coverings.com, or contact National Trade Productions, Coverings Show Management at 703-706-8257. 

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all images are the property of Arpi Nalbandian. Please contact her if you would like to use these images.

How to Create a Stunning Mosaic Tile Wall Feature

Avente Tile welcomes a new tile perspective to our blog. Our guest post is provided by Ruth Hinds on behalf of Tons of Tiles, U.K.-based importers and suppliers of a wide range of quality floor and wall tiles for bathrooms, kitchens, and any area of your home you would like to improve.

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A mosaic wall is one of the best features that you can have in your home. Not only is it highly personalized and individual, it's also really easy to create once you know what you're doing. Let's take a look at how you should approach the task.

Necessary Materials

Planning is key to success, so make sure that you have everything you need before you get started. This is likely to include adhesive, grout, a grout scraper, gloves, and safety glasses. Then, it's just a case of picking the best tiles for your job!

Use Handmade Tiles

Handmade porcelain tiles are made with the most care and love, so are a great option when you want to make something really special. The colors and designs that you'll find are almost endless. A dedication to using handmade tile products doesn't mean you compromise on results; rather, you're installing a sense of uniqueness into the existing style of your home.

Break the Rules!

The joy of creating a tile mosaic is there is no right or wrong. Feel free to let your imagination run wild, and go with whatever patterns or designs appeal to you. A haphazard approach might even make the best results, so just go with the flow!

As you can see, it really is simple to create a mosaic wall feature. Have you ever made one? Do you have any tips you'd like to share?

Cadiz Tiles Add Warmth to Maine Coastal Kitchen

If you follow this blog, you know there's nothing I like better than sharing a tile installation photo from our customers! I received an email a few weeks ago from some good people who live by the Maine coast near Acadia National Park. They were kind enough to show us how they used Avente's Spanish Cadiz Tiles!
The email started like this and included several photos:

"Attached are some closeups of the tiles as I installed them in our kitchen. Also attached is a photo of our cozy house looking eastward out to Penobscot Bay. Thanks for assembling such a pleasing collection of tiles for our selection."

Spanish Cadiz Tiles for Backsplash


Avente Customer's cozy home looking eastward out to Penobscot Bay.

The Ryans, who shared these photos, chose the vibrant hand-painted Spanish Cadiz tiles to add focal points to the white tile backsplashes behind their oven and kitchen sink. We think the unexpected pops of color and patterns add interest and energy to these spaces! It's a great example of how different sizes of decorative tile are used to bring both pattern and color to a design.

Stove backsplash uses Spanish Cadiz 4"x4" & 6"x6" Tiles



Sink backsplash uses Spanish Cadiz 4"x4" Tiles



View of the Kitchen

One aspect about this project that I love is that they choose decorative accent tile based on their desire to add interest and color to their kitchen. Occasionally, I hear, "I love those Spanish tiles; but, they don't work with my home's style."  Often, different styles can complement one another and I have to admit the bold gold and blue in this Spanish Cadiz work well with this New England kitchen's maple cabinets, white field tile and clean, functional layout.

Expect Variation in Hand-Painted Tiles

I have to tell you that the Cadiz wasn't the Ryan's first choice. Originally they ordered some Spanish Burgos 2"x2" tiles.

Spanish Burgos 2"x2" Dot was the First Choice

While the blue glaze in some of the tiles was exactly what they were looking for; some of the tiles in the lot didn't have the same vibrancy the Ryans wanted. This is often the case with hand-painted tiles because the hand of the artist can be seen in each tile. Showing Yankee perseverance, they discussed a few options with me and then asked if they could return the Burgos dots and try the Cadiz 4"x4" and 6"x6" formats. We had a winner! And, I love how they used the tiles differently behind the sink and stove.

Sink Backsplash


Stove Backsplash

Yankee Ingenuity Helps the Layout

The Ryans used a unique way to lay out the tiles that really focused on scale and size rather than color and pattern. Below is a photo of their paper layout demo. They explain, "Here is another aspect of our tile project that might have interest for your blog readers. Before ordering anything, we made a full-size paper mock-up of the two splash areas to be tiled, using colorful squares cut from magazine photos to represent the accent tiles - which allowed us to play with different layout options and really evaluate the impact of potential layouts in situ (on the wall), and in our case, to thus evaluate the interplay of the design of the two separate splash areas. We were trying diagonal accent layouts at first, comparing them to vertical/horizontal patterns, and playing with spacing of the accents. All easy to do with scotch tape!

Layout was simulated using magazine cutouts as Deco Tiles

After the switch from 2-inch to 4-inch tiles as the material we chose to work with, and after the first order of 4-inch had arrived, we again used full-sized paper mock-ups to play with different configurations. And that's when we decided to go for a very different layout from the initial plan, which necessitated ordering a few more tiles. Since the tiles differ in size, the use of proper sizing of the background grid and of the accent tiles also promotes recognition of the required layout that will be necessary and to avoid additional or excessive cuts, awkward edges, or thicker grout lines. Going through the physical mock-up process can be very helpful to generate the most satisfactory end results."

I agree, it's difficult to envision design concepts on any scale and to take into account all of the details. But, it's that work and effort that really shines through on your installation. Not only is the layout clean and professional, but the two backsplash designs work well together to provide a cohesive design. It's always a good idea to lay out the design to get a sense of what works, and to find any flaws you might not have thought about.

Finally, the Ryans pointed out that, "The reason we used paper magazine cutouts for accents is that you get the exact size of accent pieces. I suppose someone could print a set of photocopies of the desired accent tiles and trim to correct size if the printing process does not generate a correct size (tricky). That would produce a more realistic mock-up than the magazine clipping approach."

Ceramic Tile Projects from Avente Customers

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy these Tile Talk articles that show how Avente customer's have added style and a personal touch to their homes with hand-painted ceramic tiles. Here are a few posts devoted to tile floor accents and kitchen backsplashes using our hand-painted ceramic tiles.

• Leaf Imprint Tiles and the Right Design Create Tranquility
• Leaf Imprint Tile Backsplash from a Reader
• Leaf Imprint Tiles Make the Kitchen Backsplash
• Portuguese Tiles for a Residential Kitchen Retrofit

Cement Tile Projects from Avente Customers

These posts show you how cement tile can be used on floors and kitchen backsplashes. You'll also discover the decisions that each customer experienced as part of the project. I thank these customers for taking the  time to share these tips and ideas.

• Finding the Right Cement Tile Adds Personalized Touch
• A Cement Tile Kitchen Backsplash Makes a Chelsea Remodel
• Cuban Tiles Make Eye-Catching Kitchen Backsplash
• A Customer Shares Their Cuban Tile Installation
• Cuban Heritage Cement Tiles featured in This Old House

Coverings 2013 Set to Dazzle with Trend-Setting Styles, Educational Opportunities

With its eye towards the future, Coverings 2013 has remained steadfast in its quest to provide the best possible experience for the attendees of its annual tile and stone trade fair and expo. Set for April 29 to May 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Coverings is prepared to help its attendees tackle real-world installation situations, preview the latest in tile and stone designs and products from global providers, and help attendees utilize their time and efforts within various social media platforms. It’s this dedication to innovation and resourcefulness that continue to drive the success of Coverings and make it a must-attend annual event. 

Once again, Coverings will be host to hundreds of exhibitors, distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals. The four-day exposition serves as a valuable resource for continuing education within all segments of the industry. There are more than 70 informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions offered throughout the show, all of which are free of charge, thanks to several sponsors, including Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer's Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and The Tile Council of North America (TCNA).

Coverings 2013 Highlights

There’s always so much to see and do while at the show that it can be overwhelming for first-time attendees or the veteran show goer. By all means, pace yourself and wear comfortable shoes so you can fully grasp and enjoy all that Coverings offers you. Here's just a sampling of what I have on my not-to-be-missed agenda for this year’s event:

Tile of Spain Pavilion: More than 40 ceramic and stone manufacturers from Spain will showcase some of their most advanced ceramic tile technology and breathtaking design choices. Guests will experience cutting-edge technology, sustainable design and diverse architectural solutions from leading Spain tile manufacturers. To get started on the Spanish tile journey, first visit the Tile of Spain booth (#3309), located in the center of the pavilion, where you’ll find a variety of literature, including directories of the “must-see” Spanish tile exhibitors at Coverings. You can find a preview of the 43 Spanish tile and stone manufacturers participating in the Spanish Pavilion.

Illusion by Onix Mosaico.

Ribadeo from Vives Ceramica.

Tile of Italy Pavilion: The 3,000-square-foot Piazza Ceramica (Booth #2231) designed by e+i studio, will once again be in the heart of the Italian Pavilion. Serving as the main information point and gathering space, the pavilion will be surrounded by displays from dozens of Italian tile brands. The Ceramics of Italy booth will feature a popular café and coffee bar, offering authentic Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon aperitivos every day of the show. The Piazza also serves as your starting point to viewing Italian tile collections and design trends from nearly 50 Ceramic Tiles of Italy exhibitors.

Diamond from Gardenia Orchidea

Frame designed by Studio FM for Ceramiche Refin

Installation Design Showcase: This is the place where attendees can observe masterpiece-worthy collaborations between NTCA Five Star contractors and Atlanta-area design firms. These partnerships produce beautiful designs and highly skilled installation techniques. This year’s vignettes include a bar/lounge, hotel lobby, inpatient room in a women’s birthing center and a master bathroom being created from inception to completion right on the show floor. 

For Coverings 2012, Foreman Rogers, senior designer from tvsdesign in Atlanta, designed this boutique guest room. Image courtesy of Coverings.

SCAD Tiled Bench Exhibit: Coverings teamed up with the Interior Design Department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where through a 10-week course, students learned how to design and tile six benches. These benches will be displayed at Coverings, after the show, be permanently located on the SCAD campus.

Coverings Central: This interactive and vibrant area, located on the show floor, will be home to many Quick Fire sessions addressing both social media and complementary industry topics. Located in booth 6457, these 20-minute sessions are designed to highlight the synergy between the tile and stone industries and social media. Within Coverings Central, attendees can also check their email in the Internet Café, get a photo taken in the Coverings 2014 photo booth with Las Vegas showgirls, view the PROJECT: Green display, relax at the bar, and so much more! 

Must See Tile Products at Coverings

As the largest and most-attended show for the U.S. tile and stone industries, it’s important that manufacturers get a head-start on new designs and materials to debut their latest creations in time for Coverings. With that in mind, here is just a sampling of the newly unveiled collections and series you’ll be able to see and touch at the show.

Pulling inspiration from fashion, Jorge Aguayo hopes to have you on, "Pins & Needles." The handcrafted collection of fabric-inspired field tiles and trims are all made of cast cement and marble dust. They come with an exhaustive color palette, too. "Pins & Needles" takes its romantic yet edgy cue from the fashion trend of combining lace with textured fabrics. The complete collection will be on display during Coverings at Wholesale Tile by Aguayo's booth (#7941).

Pins & Needles is a handcrafted fabric-inspired collection of textured cement tile by Wholesale Tile by Aguayo.

The Manhattan Collection from Bedrosians. Image via Bedrosians.

The Alhambra series from Kalebodur. Image via Kale Seramik.

SistemC CITTA Wall Tile by Marazzi Architectural. Image via Marazzi Architectural.

Crossville's Virtue Porcelain Tile Collection. 

The Riva Del Mar Collection by Country Floors. Image via Country Floors.

For additional information, list of exhibitors, a comprehensive session schedule, and more, please visit www.coverings.com, or contact National Trade Productions, Coverings Show Management, 703-706-8257. I'll see you there!