March 10, 2023
As part of the Azulejo de España 2023 Cevisama Tour in Valencia, Spain, KBB got a first-hand look at emerging innovations in mosaic design and technology. Here are general observations on developments in the field.
glazing
The colors and textures were notably nuanced in Cevisama; the designs truly inspired contemplation. They subtly influence, rather than overtly impact, a space.
As far as color is concerned, this is achieved by multiple firings of the tile, at increasingly lower temperatures. During this process, colors gain visual depth, while some textural details, seen on Ibero’s Mystic (pictured), which has a gold glitter relief, emerge from the surface.
finishes
A fascinating effect on many of the exhibitor stands was the use of a single mosaic collection in a combination of finishes. It was especially successful when the floors were highly polished and the walls were matte. He created an immersive environment that created a great dynamic between consistency and contrast.
Another finishing treatment seen at Cevisama was an orange peel-like look called lapatto. An example of this is the 3D Soft product shown by Fanal (shown). Compared to making a full coverage polish finish, lapatto uses much less water; good to know for designers looking for a product that is eco-friendly.
Gardens
The dreamlike botanical themes that dominated Cersaie were not very present at Cevisama. Instead, there was a clear emphasis on geometric patterns, often exuberant riffs on historic designs ranging from Art Deco to Mid-Century Modern and Memphis. A prominent example of this was Aparici’s Lined Ribbon Hexagon collection (shown).
Color
Whether it was a resurgent interest in rustic terracotta (often with handcrafted decorative flourishes in white, like Decocer’s Toscana Rose [shown]) or marble looks with veins of tan, taupe, copper, or cream, there was a clear shift toward field or accent colors that complemented the natural woods. Black and white and other rich color combinations like lapis lazuli blue or malachite green and gold seemed largely cold and disconnected against the background of the on-screen vignettes.
borders
For patios and pool surrounds, a couple of key post-pandemic (we hope!) spots in the home, authentically detailed pavers are all the rage. Instead of those severe porcelain rectangles set in gravel or whitewashed with ground cover, there are medium formats with rough and irregular edges that replicate quarried stone. A vastly improved reproduction of their 1970s predecessors, these new models, like Realonda’s 18 x 36 Arlet (pictured), celebrate the imperfections of nature.
Stay tuned for a full gallery of the new products seen in Cevisama.
—By Leslie Clagett
