Cool Ceramics
Ceramics
have been gracing our homes for many years in many forms and this year they are
again being tipped as a hot trend for decorating our homes in many of their
classic and contemporary forms
Classic tiling
Interior design company Increation are big users of ceramic tiles in their
luxury kitchen and bathroom designs and say “the latest trends in ceramic tiles
come in a big range of sizes, textures and colors, with earth tones being a
great option for your interiors not only for its sophisticated look but for its
easy maintenance and durable finish.” Indeed ceramic tiles are hugely versatile
with looks from traditional rich Mediterranean patterns, reflective glass,
rough patina, textured granite and polished metal through to traditional subway
black and white brick tiles. The options are endless and often cheaper and more
durable than the materials they imitate.
Wood tiles
The most
recent ceramic tile development to feature heavily in 2013 is the ceramic wood
floor tile. Designed for people who want the ease of maintenance of a ceramic
floor but the beauty of wood. These tiles can look so much like wood it is hard
to tell the difference. The tiles can look like highly polished bamboo, natural
waxed oak, bleached beech or indeed any finish of hardwood floor but have all
the advantages of the non-porous, well sealed, ceramic tiles that they are.
These can be used in any room of the house without problems of water or
condensation and maintaining the look is effortless compared with the care wood
will eventually need. These tiles will only offend the true purist who wants
the natural wear and tear to evolve in their country style cottage or urban
loft.
Baths, Basins and Sinks
The
traditional white ceramic is a classic look in bathrooms that never seems to
die. This year is no exception. As Increation says “For a luxurious touch in your bathroom square, round or
organic basins and baths are all the range this season”. Indeed the ceramic
look seems to be replacing recent trends for glass and stainless steel even in
the most contemporary bathrooms, with the shape of the basins and sinks more
varied to modernize the classic material. In the kitchen a Belfast sink is
still the envy of many a visitor -“if you want to complement the beauty and
comfort of your kitchen ceramic sinks can transform your space into a superb
chic kitchen”, Increation advise.
Lighting
Ceramics also offer a multitude of options in
lighting, from the most traditional oriental table lamps to modern organic
shaped pendants, streamlined wall uplighters and contemporary candle-holders of
all shapes and sizes.
The
versatility of ceramics has always been in the imagination of the sculptor or
engineer who designs the piece. With the advances in technology to alter the
appearance of the basic modeling material by applying heat, pressure and
cooling in a multitude of new ways, we are likely never to live in a home
without some form of ceramic to decorate it. And when it looks so good, who
would want to?
