Tile Shapes and Patterns

Christina Ginn discusses new trends in tile shapes and patterns. Recently I’ve noticed some exciting patterns resurface in the tile industry. The first pattern that I have been seeing all over is Plaid or what I like to call a Tartan. This is one of my personal favorites because of the historical significance of a Tartan. Each clan or region in Scotland had a specific color and pattern Tartan to signify their family. My husband is part Scottish, so we named my 6 month old son Benjamin McRae Ginn after his family heritage. Below is the McRae Tartan! The next pattern that I have been seeing more and more of is Arabesque. The arabesque pattern was popular back in 1970s but it was done in deep earthy tones resembling a more Mediterranean style. The new resurgence of arabesque is a clean white timeless look, which can be done in stone or ceramic. Architectural Ceramics now stocks Bianco Venatino and Calacatta marble arabesque as shown below. Hexagons! It’s refreshing when most things in design are circles and squares, then we throw in new shapes like hexagons! Such little things are exciting to me. Hexagons were seen during the Victorian period, but they were used in small mosaics done in black and white. Now we’re seeing hexagons in porcelain floor tiles, stone, and ceramic and they are being done in various colors and sizes. Last but not least, is the Herringbone pattern (also known as a Chevron or Zig Zag). The new trend in southwestern style clothing and home décor has influenced tile design. In the last couple years wood-look tile has hit the market running because who doesn’t love the look of wood, but doesn’t want the downsides. In the image below you can see porcelain tile (that looks like wood), done in the herringbone pattern! The Chevron pattern also looks great in a glass tile mosaic as shown below. Contact Architectural Ceramics at 1.800.287.1742, sales@architecturalceramics.com, or visit our website at www.architecturalceramics.com for information on tile found in this blog.