Status Ceramics creates a set of stunning handcrafted tile mosaics in a wide range of colors. Since the surface texture isn’t busy, they coordinate well with granite countertops, slate floors, and other stones. We often use them as an accent liner in kitchen backsplashes and shower surrounds, since the range of colors allows us to work with virtually any color palette.
Here is a short preview of the new introductions from Arizona Tile. From Subway Tiles to Calacatta Marble (in a porcelain) to commercial grade wood-look porcelain tiles, Arizona Tile has put together a great collection for 2010.
Within tile circles, one of the biggest developments of the last couple of years is the introduction of titanium dioxide treatments on the surface of porcelain tiles. I took some time to read over a scientific paper on how it works, most of which went right over my head. In essence, the titanium dioxide on the surface of the tile uses water and light to pull pollutants out of the air, much like a catalytic converter does in the exhaust system of your car. The process is called photocatalysis, and in independent testing has been shown to reduce bacteria by as much as 60% and organic pollutants by as much as 30%. The technology has been in use on other surfaces for a few years now, but there are still only a couple of tile manufacturers producing photocatalytic tiles.
In one conversation I had with a representative of a German company making these tiles, he described a project in a senior living facility. The staff were amazed at how much better the place smelled, since the tiles were actually improving the indoor air quality. If the results are as good as the researchers describe, these photocatalytic tiles will be used in every restaurant, every school, every hospital, and any other place where strong smells and high traffic result in poor indoor air quality.
For more detailed information, check out the Tile Council of North America’s Press Release.
Keeping up with the “green movement” is something we at Statements find very important. It is with this ever-constant desire to “keep up” in mind that we made the choice to bring in one of our newest lines, by Refin Ceramiche, Eco-Leader.
Eco-leader is a color-body porcelain tile; manufactured using 40% pre-consumer recycled material. It is this 40% recycle content which enables Eco-Leader to meet the requirements for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, the most important and strict American certification for conservation of energy and the environment.
Although many have tried, Refin is the first Italian factory to create a tile awarded LEED certification. It is this first step–and Refin’s commitment to their mission of becoming a forerunner of environmental policies through conscious consumption and production–which sets them apart from other tile manufacturers.
Eco-Leader comes in four sizes and colorways, each taken from Mother Nature’s color book; Sand, Ink, Ground and Stone.
We at Statements appreciate all that Refin is doing for the earth and look forward to seeing the many places Eco-Leader will be installed.
With spring comes new fashion and with new fashion comes new design. New to Statements is the glass line from Rex in their new Neoedonismo collection, Extralight.
Extralight comes in 10 colors ranging from everything from Ruby (red) to Black. To go along with the amazing colors are two amazing shapes; penny rounds and very tiny squares-just slightly bigger then our I Frammenti.
Trendir, the home decorating trend magazine describes Extralight as, “…gorgeous multihued glass varieties sparkle and shimmer as they catch the light.” Trendir is so right, when set into a white background these little glass tiles add an unexpected elegance like no other to any room. Able to stand alone, but easily accompanied by something more subdued they are perfect addition to anywhere you can use tile.
When its texture, color and sparkle you want, look no further. For all you need is some Extralight.
The 70’s and contemporary tile don’t often go in the same sentence unless you are Cat (Catherine) Braconnier. Montreal designer and artistic director since 2004 for Ciot, a wholesaler and distributor. Cat has brought back the 70’s in a good way through her newest line, and one of Statement’s newest ceramic tile lines, Tonic. The edgy patterns and colors are reminiscent of the 70’s but still have the smooth lines and contemporary modern feel the design community craves. The official Tonic launch took place at the, world-renowned Cersaie International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings in Bologna, Italy in October of ‘07.
Although Cat sees her line in the typical residential applications she would also love to see it be used more architecturally for instance a dining room wall. Commercially she sees it being used in hotels, restaurants, office bathrooms and spas. With her thoughts of commercial use she would one day love to walk into a boutique hotel in Seattle and find her tile in the bathroom. She feels, “….Tonic’s low relief creates both a visual and tactile aesthetic.”
Cat’s inspiration for Tonic was obviously from the 70’s but why? She says the patterns, music, textures and colors really appealed to her. She also noticed the 70’s are a major influence in today’s fashion and it is this blending of fashion and design that she wanted to bring to the MUDtile vision. Another way of blending design and fashion was the assurance that within the warm color scheme all the colors mix and matched together like an outfit. Out of the seven colors in the Tonic line Statements will stock the white, grey and chocolate in a 10×20 plane rectified wall tile, 10×20 raised deco and a ½x10 coprisilo (quarter round) and a poly decoro in white. Tonic will join the ranks of existing Statements lines such as Solid.
What’s new for fall at Statements? Well we are bringing you, Home Design, a new color-bodied porcelain line by Cercom. Cercom is a new company joining the Statements family and is an offshoot of the parent company Ceramica Serenissima S.p.A in Casalgrande Italy.
Ceramica was founded in 1968 by Sir Lamberto Romani. The company prides itself on constant research in the technical and aesthetic aspects of production, combined with an imaginative approach to design and manufacturing. In addition, Ceramica is always trying to create original products that stand out in the design market.
Cercom, the creators of Home Design, joined the Ceramica group in June of 2005. They specialize in the manufacturing of solid porcelain stoneware for technical applications, intending their products to be used in retail, industrial and urban design, in addition to the ever-present residential applications. Cercom’s creation of Home Design is a project employing cutting-edge technology to create tile guaranteed to produce unique looks. It is through the teaming of technique and aesthetics which create quality and perfection in Home Design.
Home Design expresses itself through textures and colors making this tile perfect for modern day design. It is Home Design’s subtle balance of technology and material which drives Cercom’s vision for this new line as the front runner for a new era in, well, home design.
Statements categorizes Home Design with the likes of Bloom II and Zebrano. Available in six colors–four of which Statements will stock–in five sizes and two textures, and one very unique lineal mosaic. The four colors are Vaniglia (a french vanilla ice cream color), Kaki (a dark khaki pants color), Bruno (dark grey-brown) and Carbone (very dark brown-black). All colors will be stocked in a smooth finish in 24×24 and 12×24, in addition to a 12×12 abrasso which has a texture similar to the Natura line and 12×24 graffiato which is linera like Groove but with the Home Design you can actually feel the grooves. All colors will also come in a 1/2×24 mosaic on a 12×24 sheet and a 3/16×24 battiscopa (bullnose). This new tile is just what you need to kick start a new look in your, home design.
Pietra Riciclata is the newest of the eco-friendly recycled tiles from Cerim, an innovative Italian tile factory and the producer of Bloom II. Pietra Riciclata is a porcelain tile made with pre-consumer recycled materials. The homogeneous (through-body unglazed porcelain) tile is designed for interior and exterior installations and is both durable and environmentally sustainable. The surface of Pietra Riciclata is slip-resistant, making this tile especially suitable for rainy climates.
Statements will stock four of the five shades; roccia (light gray similar to a cement look), muschio (darker gray with a hint of tan), ruggine (dark rust to a red brown) and castagna (warmer gray brown).
Because of the recycled content, Pietra Riciclata can also contribute to a project’s LEED certification. Cerim took the additional step of certifying Pietre Riciclata under Eco-Label.
The collection comes in four sizes: 12×24, 6×12, 6×6 and a 3×12 single edge bullnose. Aside from great indoor and outdoor residential uses, we expect Pietre Riciclata to be a hit among our commercial designers as well.
Metropol, the Spanish company who brought us the porcelain/ceramic line, India, recently came out with a new line in a similar price range. Statements will be stocking Kazan the first part of August. The rectified 10”x20” ceramic wall tiles will be available in Beige, Marron and Blanco with a matching 3”x10” bullnose. And just in case a little extra special touch is needed, there is a 2½”x20” Listelo Volga, a great little decorative piece of tile jewelry in the same color body as the Marron. This deco piece looks as though hints of copper and tin dripped into the glaze, giving the metallic drops a ripple effect. The Kazan line will be a great addition to Statement’s amazing medium priced products, and the hope is that it will be as popular as India. 
2007 brought a fresh new look to the world of tile. Amidst the jungle of animal prints and shine of metals, floral patterns bloomed onto the runway.
Bloom II, the newest creation from Cerim Ceramiche, creators of Zebrano, features a contemporary look in their color palette and their bold, modern graphics. Characterized by a 6″x19″ glossy, elongated, straight-edged ceramic wall tile and a 19″x19″ matte floor tile, Bloom II is a perfect addition to any room. Bloom II’s main distinction is the decorative interpretation of elements running from one tile to another. This product was put into production for spaces where modern design and strong images are required.
The six nature inspired wall colors and five floor colors are the result of painstaking research into international interior design trends. The subtle color palette includes warm and cool shades that can be mixed and matched in a variety of combinations. To keep up with modern design trends Cerim works with interior designers and fashion stylists to create images in which the product’s stylistic design reflects the company’s target: young, contemporary and dynamic. Bloom II will be arriving at Statements in the middle of June. The 6″x19″ wall tile comes in six colors: superwhite, white, green, tobacco, brown and black. In addition, we will be stocking five floor colors in the 19″x19″ size (superwhite is not available in the floor tile). To complement the ceramic wall and porcelain floor tiles, Statements will also stock a 3″x3″ mesh mounted mosaic, a simple 3/4″x19″ matita liner and a 1/2″x12″ quarter round trim piece. Bloom II’s 19″x19″ floor tile has a random floral pattern available in the five colors and the 6″x19″ wall tile is sold in a set of four continuous pieces available in six colors.
