Cersaie 2021: Goodbye White Bathrooms, Hello Sumptuous Textures
The latest edition of the Italian fair showcased colourful florals, sumptuous textures and some cool mirror technology
Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, opened its doors from 27 September to 1 October in Bologna, Italy – for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Spread over 15 pavilions, this edition welcomed 623 exhibitors from 28 countries and more than 62,000 visitors.
The fair showcased lots of novelties that are sure to interest both homeowners and design professionals. These include increasingly colourful tiles and bathroom furnishings and fixtures, as well as stoneware in floral patterns and jungle effects, tile designs inspired by marble or wallpaper, earthy textures, new extra-large tiles and designs available in both indoor and outdoor versions. New bathroom tech also made a mark in the form of LED backlit mirrors with motion sensors to create a cosy ambience. Here, we take you through the eight strongest trends.
The fair showcased lots of novelties that are sure to interest both homeowners and design professionals. These include increasingly colourful tiles and bathroom furnishings and fixtures, as well as stoneware in floral patterns and jungle effects, tile designs inspired by marble or wallpaper, earthy textures, new extra-large tiles and designs available in both indoor and outdoor versions. New bathroom tech also made a mark in the form of LED backlit mirrors with motion sensors to create a cosy ambience. Here, we take you through the eight strongest trends.
Allegro basin by Fabrizio Citton for Arblu, available in eight colours.
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Do you love a beautiful bathroom? Talk to a reviewed bathroom professional on Houzz.
Lithos white tile from the Sensi Collection by Matteo Thun for Florim.
2. New textures feel great to the touch
Another trend seen throughout the fair were stoneware finishes, worktops and cabinet doors incorporating 3D effects with strong tactile sensations.
2. New textures feel great to the touch
Another trend seen throughout the fair were stoneware finishes, worktops and cabinet doors incorporating 3D effects with strong tactile sensations.
Massimo Nadalini, designer of the Cut-Up finish for Mosaico+ (pictured), described his work as an experiment to study the interplay of smooth and textured surfaces. Inspired by the cut-up technique in literature – in which text is cut up and rearranged – Nadalini has reworked tiles created by Cardo and Marianna Costi to produce a surface made up of alternating designs. “We dissected the slabs into portions that incorporated only small details of the finished work, then generated modules with a selection of these fragments. Those who install the material are unconsciously writing a new story, generated by the random composition of the modules,” Nadalini says in its press release.
Signoria marble-effect series Sensi line from ABK in Port Gold.
3. Stoneware dressed up as marble
This year, the trend of stoneware inspired by natural materials was reflected above all in tile with colours and vein patterns imitating marble. Everything from the most expensive to the most colourful varieties were recreated in stoneware. Various shades of onyx, Carrara, Calacatta and Verona red marble were among the most sought-after imitations.
The tiles on display also ranged from classic sizes to large, nearly 3x3 metre tiles.
3. Stoneware dressed up as marble
This year, the trend of stoneware inspired by natural materials was reflected above all in tile with colours and vein patterns imitating marble. Everything from the most expensive to the most colourful varieties were recreated in stoneware. Various shades of onyx, Carrara, Calacatta and Verona red marble were among the most sought-after imitations.
The tiles on display also ranged from classic sizes to large, nearly 3x3 metre tiles.
Poetry House by Studio Otto-Paola Navone for ABK.
4. Wallpaper look
Natural materials such as timber or marble weren’t the only finishes imitated in stoneware. Collections inspired by wallpaper were in the spotlight at the fair, showcasing patterns and textures that we are used to seeing on fabric.
Thin tiles can be used to decorate walls while retaining the functional benefits of the stoneware.
4. Wallpaper look
Natural materials such as timber or marble weren’t the only finishes imitated in stoneware. Collections inspired by wallpaper were in the spotlight at the fair, showcasing patterns and textures that we are used to seeing on fabric.
Thin tiles can be used to decorate walls while retaining the functional benefits of the stoneware.
Milano Mood Collection by FAP Ceramiche in Flower Cipria decoration.
5. A jungle in the bathroom
Nature has come through to the bathroom; small flowers for romantic settings, jungle-style decor for creative spaces and 3D finishes that reflect light on leaves and flowers.
This dovetails with two other trends already mentioned: surfaces recalling raw textures and bold palettes. These are expressed in floral tiles with tactile surfaces and bright colours.
5. A jungle in the bathroom
Nature has come through to the bathroom; small flowers for romantic settings, jungle-style decor for creative spaces and 3D finishes that reflect light on leaves and flowers.
This dovetails with two other trends already mentioned: surfaces recalling raw textures and bold palettes. These are expressed in floral tiles with tactile surfaces and bright colours.
Roots wood-effect collection by Fap Ceramiche; Honey finish inside and Honey Out outdoors.
6. Same style indoors and out
Beyond the bathroom, at Cersaie we saw tiles could be used both inside and out to create continuity, with indoor and outdoor versions of the same design. From a technical standpoint, this means producing tiles with the same appearance at different slip ratings: here in R9 for indoor tiles and R10/R11 for their outdoor counterparts.
6. Same style indoors and out
Beyond the bathroom, at Cersaie we saw tiles could be used both inside and out to create continuity, with indoor and outdoor versions of the same design. From a technical standpoint, this means producing tiles with the same appearance at different slip ratings: here in R9 for indoor tiles and R10/R11 for their outdoor counterparts.
Elements series by Ceramiche Keope, available in 120x278 centimetres.
7. Extra-large tiles
One of the most important manufacturing innovations at the fair were large tiles reaching up to 3x3 metres. This means that tiles originally intended for the bathroom can be used as a second skin in ventilated building facades.
7. Extra-large tiles
One of the most important manufacturing innovations at the fair were large tiles reaching up to 3x3 metres. This means that tiles originally intended for the bathroom can be used as a second skin in ventilated building facades.
The Ardeco Circle mirror, available with integrated LED and motion sensor for automatic ignition.
8. Smart mirrors
Technology makes the bathroom environment more functional and comfortable as well. At Cersaie, mirrors were equipped with motion sensors that light up automatically when someone walks by. The built-in LED lights were dimmable and can change from cold to warm light temperatures depending on the time of day.
8. Smart mirrors
Technology makes the bathroom environment more functional and comfortable as well. At Cersaie, mirrors were equipped with motion sensors that light up automatically when someone walks by. The built-in LED lights were dimmable and can change from cold to warm light temperatures depending on the time of day.
Sasso mirror by Arblu with LED backlight and Blue Sensor touch switch to dim the light, change its colour or turn it on or off.
Your turn
Which of these eight design directions are you most excited about? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on international design trends? Peek into the future with Maison & Objet 2021: Trending Colours for the Coming Year
Your turn
Which of these eight design directions are you most excited about? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on international design trends? Peek into the future with Maison & Objet 2021: Trending Colours for the Coming Year
1. Hooray for colour!
Following the success of bold tones in the recent edition of Supersalone in Milan, Cersaie also opened up to colour. Bathroom fixtures, radiators and shower trays are no longer just white, they bring a colourful touch to the bathroom. In her keynote lecture, Cristina Faedi, head of promotion for ceramics association Confindustria Ceramica, suggested that we now feel the need ‘escape’ even within the home, and colourful ceramics can help us do that.
So, there is now room for serene light blue, comforting pastels and warm earth tones that bring us into contact with nature.