Tiles are popular in rooms all over the home for their practical hard wearing surfaces and constantly evolving design flexibility. Increasingly attractive, tiles now provide a wealth of design choice and versatility with vivid colours, sophisticated patterns, interesting visual effects and tactile finishes for all interior spaces.
Metallics are bang on trend at the moment, highly desirable for contemporary homes. Tile Depot, the UK’s largest independent tile and stone retailer, has just introduced Elements Titanio – a porcelain tile rich in browns and bronzes, smooth with a highly seductive metallic finish, available as 30x60cm tiles for walls and floors and 30x30cm mosaic sheets for walls.
Natural stone and stone-look porcelains and ceramics are still a timeless favourite, for blending with the warm tones of wood in classic kitchens and creating a calming bathroom atmosphere. Natural stone – whether travertine, granite, marble or slate – is the ultimate in luxury but alternatives in ceramic and porcelain are better than ever before with some excellent examples such as Vega, a wonderful ceramic tile 25x40cm with a cream, extremely natural stone-look finish, Black Slate Porcelain, a 40.6×60.8cm black porcelain tile with an authentic slate finish – also available in white – and Massa, ceramic 20x60cm wall tiles with the sumptuous effect of white marble.
The emergence of the open plan living space, popular in modern developments and conversions as well as apartment, mews and waterside living, is stimulating the desire for statement interiors as kitchens and bathroom enter the living space. Tiles are great in these situations for creating zones and defining areas. Carlstone does this elegantly and gracefully; a beautiful matt porcelain tile available in four colours –
beige, black, brown and grey – for walls and floors, in 30 x 60cm, Carlstone’s natural tones and matt finish create a relaxed, contemporary room.
The evolution of the modern statement kitchen has bought with it a whole new world of design flair with patterned and brightly coloured cabinetry, appliances and accessories. Meanwhile, kitchen wall tiles are getting bigger and bolder with raised prints, wallpaper patterns and vivid colour palettes making an impact in kitchens as well as bathrooms and other living spaces as feature walls or focal points.
Contrasting walls and floors are popular. Adversely, using the same tile on walls and floors makes for a harmonious room with no distinction between wall and floor, creating a feeling of space. Black and white is once again popular. In smaller bathrooms, bumpy white tiles are enjoying a re-found popularity for their simple, stylish design flexibility and reasonable cost. Today’s modern twist on the traditional classic is rectified whites for smaller grout lines and a sleek finish and deep blacks, such as Tile Depot’s Galaxy Black Granite with sparkles or its new
Fiber range, with a pattern of small dots creating depth and interest.
There are 15 Tile Depot stores in London and the South East with a massive selection of ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles as well as wooden flooring, grouts, adhesives, tools, trims and accessories to take away today. Tile Depot’s Price Promise ensures the very best value and the retailer’s Trade Card entitles trade customers to exclusive offers and discounts. For further information, pop into any of the stores, in Aylesbury, Basingstoke, Bedford, Crawley, Cricklewood, Edgware, Greenford, Hanwell, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes,
Slough, Uxbridge, Watford, Wembley and Whetstone. www.thetiledepot.co.uk 08000 740720 Statement Interiors
