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design trends | bathrooms TILES MAKE A STATEMENT Unusual combinations turn a floor into a work of art says Nicola Jones T he discerning consumer seeks the rare, the beautiful and the precious, and the pioneers that champion advances in the luxury goods market are constantly researching new materials and techniques to satisfy this demand. This is equally apparent in the interiors world as in the fashion world and is reflected in the increase in demand for bespoke statement flooring. Today’s Creative Directors travel to the furthest corners of the world, to discover extraordinary artisans, accessing techniques from different cultures which are now extremely rare and practiced by very few. The artists transform rare and precious materials by inventive combinations and unique designs to deliver truly exceptional and individual floor and wall surfaces. There is a burgeoning trend at the moment for floor tiles with unusual combinations of materials, such as marble overlaid with silver, which provides an alluring juxtaposition between the reflective qualities of a metal versus the smooth and honed marble. Metallics are another trend set to remain popular this forthcoming year. This emergence of gilt and silver accented tiles offers enormous scope for creative experiment and the iridescent properties of such designs can create a dramatic impact in bathrooms. As seen on the catwalks of London, Milan and Paris, there is also a shift towards bold geometrics and eye-catching patterns. The lines between interiors and art are blurring as innovation in ceramics, stone, textiles and glass allow studios to create show-stopping surfaces befitting of a museum. The renaissance of craftsmanship and bespoke hand made design is seeing a resurgence and the use of modern 18 Bridge for Design Bathrooms techniques on traditional materials can provide a highly durable finish for conventional style flooring. Rediscovering techniques such as repoussé and reviving the florentine technique of scagliola for example, has created a modern take on luxurious and incredibly intricate flooring for a contemporary consumer. Providing sustainable and environmentally friendly materials is also a concern for most consumers, so trends now focus on natural based products. Decadent and textured tiles are also becoming extremely popular. More than ever, consumers desire to express their individuality and are taking time to choose designs that are both functional and timeless in style rather than a quick fix or fad. Although the flooring industry is as avant garde as it’s ever been, designers are still relying on traditional techniques, with consumers investing in designs that boast provenance. Customers want their floors to tell a story and are increasingly involved in the design concept stage of the creative process from the beginning to ensure a wholly collaborative experience. This is no more evident than in the changing face of tile shops. Studios now resemble galleries with tiles displayed on walls as well as floors like objets d’art. These studios offer specialist surfaces including sourcing and provenance for unique and raw materials as well as colour studies and individual product modelling as customers look to transform the humble floor into something truly extraordinary. Nicola Jones, Director at

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