Cersaie 2000, Oct. 3-8, in Bologna, Italy, reconfirmed the position of the Italian tile producers as the leaders in the ceramic tile industry. Spanning 136,000 square meters of exhibit space at the Bologna Fairgrounds, the show included 1,078 exhibitors from 30 countries featuring ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings. By far and away, Cersaie is the largest show worldwide in the floor covering segment.

Serie Terme from Ceramiche Gardenia-Orchidea is a wall/floor tile series complete with listellos in two sizes. Comes in 4 colors. Wall tile measures 8" x 10" and floor tile 8" x 8".


From Tau Ceramica is Alpax, a silver metallic on 8" x 8" wall tiles. Look for metallics on the floor. Also available in gold (Dore). The Spanish company also introduced a mosaic line.
Cersaie 2000, Oct. 3-8, in Bologna, Italy, reconfirmed the position of Italian tile producers as the leaders in the ceramic tile industry. Spanning 136,000 square meters of exhibit space at the Bologna Fairgrounds, the show included 1,078 exhibitors from 30 countries featuring ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings. By far and away, Cersaie is the largest show worldwide in the floor covering segment.

Ceramiche Ricchetti has collaborated with designer and painter Patrizia Gucci for a new series of ceramic tile products. Known as Magia, the series features relief roses with delicately painted floral patterns; geometric patterns and small flowers; or roses, in a choice of backgrounds and a range of pastel and assorted colors for floors and walls. Available for walls in 10" x 13", and 13" x 13" for floors. Gucci most recently worked with Ricchetti on the Regina collection.
For the North American market, the changes in ceramic tile style, design and colors were limited. In fact, many manufacturers were holding back new product introductions for the North America until the Coverings show in New Orleans (May 21-23, 2001).

Gayafores introduces Egeo, a glazed porcelain tile for floors and walls in 13" x 13" and 13" x 19" sizes in four colors.
Stone looks continue to dominate the floor products segment with more and more producers offering glazed and unglazed rectified porcelains. Metallic and glass finishes will be more visible in the products coming into the U.S. market. Curved edges and geometric shapes are also appearing along with archaeological motifs.

Keraben's booth at Cersaie 2000.
One of the most interesting booths belonged to the Spanish tile manufacturer, Keraben. The company maximized its display space by using the floor and wall areas to show creative ways to present its product line within a small area.

Giovanni DeMaio introduces Pennellato, a series of solid color wall tiles in 5" x 5" sizes and complimentary trims; Torello, decorative wall tiles; and Amalfi, in 5" x 5" and 5" x 10" sizes.
In the color palette, mottled bottle blues, greens and soft yellows were shown alongside bright oranges and reds. And blacks and shimmering grays made a comeback.

Gracing the following pages is a selection of new products introduced for the North American market.