Comfort “made in Italy” | by Cristina Faedi

The third “mood” to emerge at Cersaie 2017 after “Poetry” and “Tradition” is that of Comfort, in this case the well-deserved luxury of spending time in places that nurture a sense of well-being – whether hotels, spas or our homes. The reference to Art Deco is highlighted in the use of sophisticated materials such as black and white marble-look ceramic, complemented by gold, yellow, red and copper-coloured decorative elements. The surfaces are enhanced by exquisite hand-drawn or brushed details, by glazes and luminescent elements applied like decorations to a canvas in a marked return to mosaic, bringing a sense of luxury, personality and exclusivity to any interior.

Black ceramic marble stole the limelight at Cersaie 2017 thanks to a production technique that uses the highest quality raw materials and innovative techniques to create ceramic surfaces with exceptional gloss and ease of cleaning.

An enduring symbol of classical elegance, ceramic marble can reproduce an unlimited variety of different vein effects, generating a sense of movement and resonance with matt and gloss surface finishes.

Meticulously crafted in every detail, they reproduce the most prestigious material effects such as onyxes, alabasters and sedimentary stones whose unique qualities are further enhanced by the large sizes. Ceramic panels and slabs fulfil these characteristics and are suitable for use in any space. Due to their versatility, they become design elements in their own right when used on kitchen counters and worktops, built-in kitchens, tables and sinks.

Diagonal or horizontal cuts create novel installation effects and a highly realistic interpretation of nature, exploiting the product’s directional qualities and reproducing the cross-cut or open-book effect of the original material.

Ceramic surfaces acquire a sense of movement and extend the range of available sizes to smaller and highly distinctive decorative elements that break up the decoration with powerful colour and three-dimensional effects.

As a result, the tile appears to fragment and decompose into new geometries, almost to the point of losing its shape and assuming a “folded” appearance. This creates a heterogeneous surface in both large and smaller sizes, which can be coordinated in different installation layouts, colour palettes and seemingly irregular patterns.

Like a diamond, ceramic tile is assembled on floors and walls in the manner of a jigsaw puzzle, acquiring surface movements and three-dimensionality ideal for original custom-made compositions.