With more than 1,000 exhibitors in 2006, Cersaie showcased a dizzying array of tiles with trends toward historically sourced floral prints, kitschy patterns, and gleaming metallic finishes. - Russell Fortmeyer
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Connect the dots
Lite-Brite patterns are called to mind in Ceramica di Treviso’s Silk stucco options (near right), while designer Toto Dolfato has created a ceramic mosaic look for the company’s TrevisoProgetta’s Murazzi line, shown with and without grout (middle and right). Murazzi is available in a wide range of colors in a standard 12''-square grid. Ceramica di Treviso, Villorba, Italy. www.ceramicaditreviso.it
Patterns, please
The Live collection from Ceramiche Provenza injects the sensibilities of 19th-century Victorian wallpaper into tile, with subtle hues that thankfully avoid the gloomy tonalities of the period. Tiles are available in 23''- or 16''-square or 23'' x 16'' sizes, and in muted green and blue colors. Ceramiche Provenza, Modena, Italy. www.ceramicheprovenza.com
Finding the one
The Enigma line’s punch-card effect brings texture to an otherwise subtle surface. This Matrix-like pattern is available in neutral colors and in various sizes, including 20''-square and 26''-square tiles. Monocibec, Sassuolo, Italy. www.monocibec.it
Crazy daisies
Bisazza’s Decori collection, shown in the Daisy option, incorporates a laser-cut floral scheme in glass chip slabs that manage to be both retro kitschy and decidedly modern in a larger-than-life scale. The line is available in black-on-white, red-on-white, or white-on-blue (shown), and in 12''-square and 24''-square sizes. A 3¼16'' thickness is suitable for floors. Bisazza, New York City. www.bisazza.com
Steeling beauty
Fioranese’s Steelwork line brings the sheen of metal to the durability of ceramic tile. The tile’s metallic artificiality is extremely difficult to detect, making it a great substitute for floors and walls that can’t support a slab of Cor-Ten. Available in a variety of tinted polishes, the tiles come in 4'' x 24'', 12'' x 24'', and 24''-square sizes. Fioranese, Fiorana Modenese, Italy. www.fioranese.it