Arpi on Tile
From Miles of Tile ... to Moments of Discovery
Coverings 2025 Unveils Global Showcase of Design, Architecture.
(Photo courtesy Coverings)
By Arpi Nalbandian Tileometry
Brimming with excitement and a determination to inspire, Coverings 2025 delivered on its promise as a dynamic catalyst to deliver innovation, education, and connection. Attendees expected, and received, a multitude of hands-on product demonstrations, in-depth training opportunities, and thought-provoking educational sessions designed to unleash curiosity and elevate expertise. With miles of tile and stone on display—featuring dedicated pavilions from Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Turkey—the global craftsmanship on display was as diverse as it was breathtaking. From designers and architects to installers and contractors, Coverings offered countless networking opportunities tailored to foster collaboration across every corner of the field, as well as the potential to see and feel what will be specified in upcoming projects. Surface trends for 2025 are making a dramatic statement—think star-shaped motifs, bold geometric pathways, sculptural reliefs, enhanced brick profiles, dimensional 3D elements, richly textured finishes, super-sized tile slabs, and hyper-glossy sheens. These standout details aren’t just decorative—they’re intentionally reshaping the language of contemporary design and architectural expression.
The Nexus collection, part of the Cross 2025 Launch collaborative from the Dexco group (Deca, Portinari, Duratex, Castelatto and Ceusa), reimagines trends from the past to the present – while focusing on timeless design. (Image courtesy Portinari Revestimentos)
Collaborative Collections
When creative minds unite, the results are nothing short of extraordinary. Collaborative tile collections bring together the vision of renowned designers, architects, and brands to craft surfaces that blur the lines between art and architecture. These partnerships infuse tiles with storytelling, innovation, and distinctive style—transforming every surface into a curated design statement. Let’s take a look at these efforts.
Poetry Net and Poetry Stone Reloaded (pictured) stem from ABK’s collaboration with Paola Navone OTTO Studio. These new tile collections capture the art of tie-dye while combining versatility with original, decorative appeal. Both collections are complemented by the solid colors of Alterego and the timeless elegance of the travertine-inspired Sensi Roma. (Image courtesy ABK Group)
Wonder Porcelain’s SUNSET Ceramic Wall Tile™ collection celebrates light and color across vibrant ceramic surfaces. With a glossy finish and intense hues reminiscent of painted light, these tiles transform walls into centerpieces. Offered in 3” x 9” and 2.5” x 15.5” formats, enabling creative and flexible layouts, these tiles are designed by CasaSYMARI. (Image courtesy Wonder Porcelain)
Reimagining the Norm with Tile Slabs
Pushing past traditional boundaries to unlock new design potential is what it takes to reimagine the norm. No longer confined to walls, today’s large-format tile slabs are making bold appearances such as countertops, statement furniture pieces, and seamless architectural elements. With their sleek scale, durability, and expansive aesthetic impact, these slabs are transforming interiors into immersive, multifunctional design experiences. Here are several standouts that define the imposing slabs.
Flaviker places color at the center of its latest offerings, with carefully coordinated pairings such as Supreme Hedonism, a refined ceramic marble, with Palette, which recreates the effect of hand-applied resin. (Image courtesy Flaviker)
Desvres Ariana’s collections combine attractive design with practical performance, ideal for both indoor and outdoor settings. Camouflage features a concrete effect, while Falaise stands out for its slate-inspired textures enhanced by eye-catching 3D details. (Image courtesy Desvres Ariana)
Multiple Versace Ceramics tile collections also took center stage in the diverse ABK Group space at Coverings, showcasing an extensive range of luxury and lifestyle-oriented products including Tarsia, Gemstone, Maximvs, V Stone and Leatherwood. (Image courtesy Versace Ceramics}
From Gruppo Romani is the Showall tile collection. These three-dimensional structures featured elegant geometric patterns, flowing natural themes, and iridescent textile-inspired designs. Each design is applicable to residential, hospitality, and retail environments. In addition to the classic 60cm x 120cm rectified tile, the collection includes the large 120cm x 280cm slab, as well as smaller 60cm x 60cm and 20cm x 20cm sizes. (Image courtesy Gruppo Romani)
Gardenia Orchidea’s sophisticated and distinctive La Geoteca and I Pigmenti collections combine the primordial beauty of natural stone with artisanal, handcrafted appeal; these collections reflect elegant, timeless style. (Image courtesy Gardenia Orchidea)
Spatial Distortion and Creativity
One of today’s most compelling tile trends is the artful use of spatial distortion to spark creativity and visual intrigue. From warped geometrics to layered patterns and 3D surfaces, tiles are being used to bend perspective and break up predictability—turning flat planes into immersive, design-forward environments.
The Soho collection from Argenta Ceramica provides a clean backdrop, where the monochromatic spatulated finish becomes the focal point with its subtlety and depth. Enhanced by Artech technology, it reflects light with a gentle effect that amplifies brightness and spatial perception. Available in a 75cm x 150cm format for use as large-format flooring and cladding in both interior and exterior spaces. (Image courtesy Argenta Ceramica)The Kintsugi Collection from Ceramicas Aparici reflects a reinterpretation of the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with a mixture of varnish and gold. (Photo courtesy Ceramicas Aparici.)
Decocer” new eye-catching collections are inspired by traditional design,s yet infused with contemporary touches -- such as Cubik, with relief surfaces and matte or glossy finishes. Offered in a 7.5xm x 3 cm format, these tiles bring movement and character to walls with a strong visual presence. (Image courtesy Decocer)
Rustic and Weathered
Rooted in authenticity and timeless charm, the rustic and weathered tile trend brings an artisanal, lived-in feel to modern spaces. With distressed textures, earthy tones, and heritage-inspired finishes, these tiles evoke a sense of history—perfect for adding warmth, character, and soul to contemporary design
Aptly named Forever Color … as color is the soul of the latest porcelain tile collection by Cir Manifatture Ceramiche. With 11 available hues, Cir (part of Gruppo Romani SpA) revives the tradition of smaller-sized tile (20cm x 20cm square tile and a 6cm x 25cm brick tile). The iconic speckled texture of terrazzo, reinterpreted in the Shot blast option, reveals a rich, intricate three-dimensional surface. (Image courtesy Cir Manifatture Ceramiche)
The Authentic collection from Naxos Ceramica (part of the Fincibec Group) draws inspiration from nature and wood. Implementing advanced production technologies to perfectly replicate the essence of natural wood, it captures the grains, knots, and tonal variations with stunning accuracy. Available in 30cm x 30cm - 12"x12" (60cm x 120cm - 23.6"x47.2") formats. (Image courtesy Naxos Ceramica)
The Petite collection from Fioranese seamlessly blends tradition and contemporary design, celebrating the charm of historic villages. Inspired by French terracotta floors, it’s available in four colors (Avorio, Rosa, Cotto and Nero) ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. The collection comes in multiple sizes: 20.3cm x 40.8cm, 20.3cm x 20.3cm, hexagonal (12.5 cm side) and brick (6.6cm x 20.3cm). Glossy majolica bricks are also available. (Image courtesy Fioranese Ceramica)
Terrazzo looks rustic and weathered from elemental influences, and Marazzi captures this natural look with its latest collections, Curation, a terrazzo-inspired series, offers a bold selection of colors in an assortment of sizes and styles. The collection is available in large formats and mosaics for floors, walls, or countertops. (Image courtesy Marrazzi)
Tiling Systems
Among several new tile collection launches, Spanish manufacturer Gres Aragón-Faveker launched Aradeck, A raised-access floor that features extruded tiles, with all the high-tech performance typical of extrusion techniques. It is a dry-installation raised-access floor system, incorporating extruded porcelain boards. Aradeck can be laid on plots and joists. “What sets it apart from other systems,” the company notes, is “the fact that it can also be laid on wooden structures on flat roofs and terraces and in many areas of the home or other buildings.” (Image courtesy Gres Aragón-Faveker)
From Laticrete is the newly unveiled NXT® Pedestal System, a modular, fully adjustable solution for raised surface applications. With just three core pedestal components and a full line of accessories, the system delivers a streamlined way to achieve precise height and slope adjustments for raised pedestal pavers on rooftops, terraces, and other outdoor spaces.(Image courtesy Laticrete)
I commend the organizers of Coverings for the GALvanize Women’s Lounge. As a successful initiative during Coverings 2024, the space proved to be an ideal place that nurtured inclusivity, encouraged community-building, and uplifted women and their respective crafts. Well done! Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the incredible sponsors, exhibitors and the tireless show staff who always make it all look so effortless! I’ll see you next year at Coverings 2026, set for March 30-April 1, in Las Vegas!