FOCUS ON TILE: Laying it on the line.
by the Tile Showrooms at Michigan Design Center

	BEAVER TILE & STONE, Suite 37 Strip Cladding from Island Stone is made of solid stone, with every stone having been hand-selected for its texture and color.
	ANN SACKS, Suite 91 Erin Adams Glass Circles, a uniquely beautiful tile available only at Ann Sacks.

In the past, tile was typically reserved for kitchens and bathrooms, but not in today’s world. Smart interior designers are using tile in any room and on any surface. Tile is extremely versatile and comes in an ever-expanding selection of shapes and sizes to cover everything from the smallest to the largest of spaces. Made of more than clay or stone, today’s tiles are fashioned in glass, metal, mesquite, concrete and a variety of eco-friendly man-made and recycled materials.

Tile trends are not as dramatic as they are in paint or fabric because tile represents more of a long-term investment. While tile trends tend to be more subtle, they are striking nonetheless. Here’s a glimpse of what Michigan Design Center’s tile showrooms are seeing:

CLADDING (or PLANKING)
Previously used strictly as an accent, entire surfaces are now being covered with cladding to create new textures and designs. Available in a variety of materials, the most attractive examples of cladding are of natural stone or glass. The Beaver Tile & Stone showroom at MDC carries an outstanding selection of natural stone cladding.

LARGE FORMAT
24” x 24” tiles are taking us by storm! Most tiles are available in the larger format because design clients are demanding it. The trend in homes is larger rooms that lend themselves to larger tiles. Cercan Tile, located in Michigan Design Center, carries large format rectified porcelain tiles which feature very straight edges and allow for very tight grout lines, a very popular look. Be sure to discuss this option with your interior designer.

GLASS
We’ve also seen the popularity of glass tile growing in the past few years to the point that today, they’re practically a staple tile item. Due to the slippery nature of glass, usage has been limited to vertical surfaces but new, textured tiles are available that are suitable for floors. Sizes range from very small mosaics – some as small as 5/8” – to tiles as large as 20”. If you’re looking for something a little different, our Ann Sacks showroom carries some exciting new circular glass tiles.

STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel has made it to the Midwest! Popular on the East Coast, it is now being used primarily
as accents and mosaics. Virginia Tile, a trendsetter with stainless steel, has a great selection you
will not want to miss.

	ANN SACKS, Suite 91 Stacked pebble tile and dimensional mesquite tile.

GREEN PRODUCTS
More people are becoming concerned about the environment. Genesee Ceramic Tile’s Graniti Fiandre line offers a wide variety of looks that are available in a variety of colors, textures and sizes and are made entirely of eco-friendly materials. Ann Sack’s Inca is a distinctive tile made of recycled aluminum.

PEBBLES
Natural stone and stone-look tiles are very popular, but tiles made of whole or half pebbles are a new twist to this trend. Virginia Tile has some that are perfect for shower floors, but they also look great in both contemporary and rustic room settings.

MESQUITE
The newest look on the market, dimensional mesquite tiles are fabulous on vertical surfaces. Decay and insect resistant, they are available with a UV coating to resist fading.

The most exciting looks feature combinations of two or more of the above trends. Ask your designer to
visit Michigan Design Center's tile showrooms to see displays of intriguing combinations of these and
other new, up-and-coming trends.

BEAVER TILE & STONE, Suite 37 Artistic Tile’s Stilo planking in Brazilian Multi-color Slate Honed.		VIRGINIA TILE, Suite 100 Walker Zanger’s Roku glass tile is available in pure earthtone colors and dramatically-sized field tiles.		GENESEE CERAMIC TILE, Suite 108 Porcelanosa’s Kali Series stoneware tile resembles highly-polished natural marble without the maintenance of natural stone.