Patterned Tiles are Power Play at Coverings 2014

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile.

While Coverings was celebrating its 25th anniversary in Las Vegas, I was celebrating something I hadn't seen much of at this annual tile and stone trade show since I've been attending: patterned tiles. Lot's of patterned tiles!

Apavisa's Hydraulic Blue pays homage to Classic Cement Tile Designs

I was thrilled to see patterned tile proudly promoting artisanal looks almost everywhere. While last week's post, New & Old Cement Tile Patterns Heat up the Strip, was supposed to be the last in a series to focus entirely on pattern and tile design, you'll see why this week's post is devoted to pattern once again: it shows how pattern is playing a big part in both design and tile trends.

Aparici's Vanguard embraces bold pattern and placement

Tile Returns to Its Artisanal Roots

Those of you who follow our blog know that I'm a big proponent both of color and pattern in design. So, I was thrilled to see many manufacturers embrace pattern in their 2014 tile designs! While pattern definitely took center stage, the underlying theme was a trend to create tiles with an artisanal look. I was thrilled to see porcelain tiles paying homage to traditional and contemporary cement tile patterns. A well-executed example of where pattern took precedence is with Apavisa's Hydraulic series.

Apavisa uses classic patterns and a straight-forward palette

Cement Tiles are often called hydraulic tiles in Spanish-speaking countries. To create cement tiles, each tile is hydraulically pressed as part of the manufacturing process. This is often called a "hydraulic look." Apavisa isn't shy about letting us know that the inspiration for these tiles comes from the cement tile manufacturing method that was first developed in Southern France during the mid 19th century. The tiles break from tradition using a larger 12-inch format,  and are available in four pleasing but limited colors of patchwork natural, grey natural, black natural and blue natural. 

Apavisa's Hydraulic Natural Patchwork has 27 random patterns

The patchwork natural colorway comes with 27 random patterns in each box! And remember, while the look is that of hand-crafted cement, these tiles are made entirely of porcelain.

I want to thank Lori Dolnick and Katie Sikorski for inviting me to participate in the Tile of Spain Press Conference and tour hosted by the always-insightful Ryan Fasan. As an advocate of hand-crafted ceramic and cement tile, I felt more connection than ever to these new porcelain tiles. Finally, a tip of the hat to Tile of Spain for exhibiting distinctively unique ceramic innovations at Coverings 2014!

New & Old Cement Tile Patterns Heat up the Strip

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile.

Greetings from Las Vegas! This week I'm in Las Vegas making my yearly pilgrimage to Coverings 2014, an annual tile trade show.

Avente Tile Owner, Bill Buyok, in front of the Cuban Heritage Tile Mural at the Tropicana.

As I conclude my final post on playing with pattern in tile design, I'm excited to share a unique wall installation of our classic, popular Cuban tiles and our newest line of cement tile offered by Aguayo Cement Tile. That's yours truly seated at a wall installation of our popular Cuban Heritage Design 140 1A 8" x 8" Handmade Cement Tile at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Avente Tile supplied this unique installation when the resort completed a remodel a few years ago.

A wall tile mural installation at the Tropicana of Cuban Heritage Cement Tile

Guillermo & Tania Collection

Guillermo and Tania is the sixth collection of unique cement tiles offered by Aguayo Cement Tiles that are created by artists from the Dominican Republic. These unique tiles showcase the artist's skills and elevate cement tile to functional art. This collection, created by artists Guillermo Gomez Lama and Tania Marmolejo, features eight different designs - each presented in three colorways. All tiles are in the 10-inch square format. The collection features new, contemporary designs that are ideal for commercial and residential spaces.

Guillermo & Tania Collection is a new cement tile line from Avente.

 One of may favorite new patterns from Guillermo is "Asterisk" in a bold blue colorway.

Asterisk is a new, contemporary cement tile pattern

Lama is a visual artist, graphic designer, paper lover and obsessed with both patterns and the production process. His work's influences are based on vibration and repetitions of experimental electronic music, mosaics, and the patterns of human behavior. His work is also influenced by the art of lithography and giants in that field, such as Andy Warhol and Peter Gee.

The influence of Lama's graphic design background and lithography are apparent in this cement tile pattern.

Also, I love the flowing, organic patterns of Tania, and a personal favorite is Bloom. The motif creates a three-dimensional effect as the petals converge on each bloom.

Tania Marmolejo's Bloom cement tile pattern

For this project, Tania uses the line as a design element. She uses an eclectic mix of Swedish textile designs and Caribbean themes, such as tropical gardens and the sea.

Wave is a new cement tile pattern by Tania Marmolejo

I'm looking forward to the show and celebrating 25 years of Coverings. I've been attending the show for over a decade.

Coverings 2014 is at the Las Vegas Convention Center

If you happen to be at the show, stop by Booth #19002 and say hello! 

Aguayo Cement Tile Booth #19002 at Coverings 2014

You'll love the new patterns; but, you'll also be able to see some of our classic patterns that are as popular today as they were when Aguayo first introduced them over a decade ago. We'll also be sharing more of the Guillermo and Tania collection here, and it will soon be available for purchase at Avente Tile.