By Matthew Spieler
Orlando, Fla.—While Coverings’ organizers have packed in a myriad of events for the four-day market ( FCNews, March 20/27), in the end it still comes down to the vast array of products that will be displayed on the show floor.

And with more than 1,200 exhibitors setting up shop there will be no shortage of that at the Orange County Convention Center here from April 4 to 7. Whether it be texture, color or innovation in production technology, attendees can expect to see it all at Coverings 2006.

If there is a common denominator to be found among the many introductions it is the fusion of cutting-edge technologies with a design aesthetic that yields inventive new forms, colors, textures and finishes.

What follows is a small sampling of what some of the companies are planning to have on display:

• Artflor. It will showcase a hybrid-concrete tile line with textures, inlays and color effects. The collection “reflects the company’s expertise in pioneering the architectural concrete industry and its engineering of groundbreaking tile technology,” said a company spokesperson;
• Azuvi. The Spanish manufacturer of glazed porcelain tiles will showcase the new Shape series. Part of the Performance collection it is made for exterior facade applications;
• Bab Tile. The Turkish company will introduce four lines at Coverings—Antiquity, Earthtones, Chateau and Element. The Antiquity porcelain tile is available in two “generous” sizes of floor tile with matching mesh-mounted sheets of mosaics, including a multi sheet for mixing and matching with no limits. It is appropriate for all interior residential and most commercial floor and wall applications. Earthtones is a large-sized glazed porcelain in rich earthen colors with stone-like veining and shaded undulations. Chateau presents the beauty of travertine stone without the high maintenance and cost. It also has a full trim package. Finally, Element is warmed by the organic naturalness of the material. It has a natural fabric texture that “enhances the sense of touch” with its soft tones and chromatic scale of browns, grays and blacks;
• Cerdomus. It will be launching Sculpture, an “imaginative” design from renowned Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas. The collection’s corrugated surface can be laid vertically or horizontally indoors or out;
• Clay Décor. The artisan company will introduce the Aurelia collection, a new line of elliptical-shaped tiles. Available in the company’s 12 distinct finish colors, it features an elaborate leaf-like center design surrounded by curved elements which complement the elliptical curve of the tile itself;
• Coem/Fioranese. The Chiaroscuro collection will be unveiled. From damask patterns to Asian-inspired floral motifs, the designs in this line play with the contrast between light and dark;
• Cotto d’Este. The Kerlite collection will be introduced. Enriched with Zirconium particles, the pieces in the line radiate in the light. It comes in six colors and three sizes for a range of possibilities;
• Crossville. Among its many offerings, two new series, Journey and Now, will be featured. Journey is available in three earthern tones and combines “the best of nature with the most advanced “Porcelain Stone” manufacturing technologies to create a level of realism never before offered,” noted the company. The Now Series mimics nature’s own handwork using Crossville’s advanced double-press porcelain tile manufacturing techniques. The result is a crisply refined stone look that works with minimalist designs;
• Dunis Studios. Several new collections will be exhibited, including Authentic Spanish Tile, Hand-Glazed Bricks, Modern Surfaces and Dichroic Fused Glass. Spanish Tile is a series of imported decorative tiles and murals from Seville, Spain; Bricks is an arts and crafts-inspired group in 63 hand-applied colors; Modern gets its influence from industrial building supplies to form an ultra-modern style, and Fused Glass is a highly technical piece in which glass tiles are coated with micro-thin layers of titanium, silicon and magnesium which result in an iridescent finish;
• Eco Ceramica. Will introduce New Liberty. The collection is a marriage of color, pattern and Celtic-inspired designs;
• El Barco. Several new designs are being brought from Spain for their American debut, such as the Earth Collection, which features two distinctively rustic patterns, Vulcano and Provenza. They are both available in six colorways and three sizes and each has companion hand-cut mosaic trims. The ceramic tiles can be used for numerous applications—floor, wall and countertop in the kitchen and bath;
• Etruria Design. Two designs are making their Coverings debut—Optical and Haring. The first features beveled wall tiles while the second is reminiscent of the designs of ’80s pop art icon Keith Haring. These collections join a portfolio of more than 16,000 designs;
• Emilceramica. Taking a cue from the runways, its new collection Fashion will be introduced, along with Madison. The chromatic range of Fashion includes four colors, while Madison’s distinctive black and white pattern depicts blooming botanicals. Also to be shown are decorative strips and a complete range of trim tiles;
• Florida Tile. The U.S. manufacturer is adding several newcomers to its portfolio, such as Horizon, Pinecrest and Stone-henge. The first is a fine glazed porcelain tile with a visual reminiscent of the Nepalese landscape. Pinecrest is a glazed porcelain but with the look and feel of natural sandstone. Finally, Stonehenge is a rustic glazed porcelain with slightly chiseled edges and distressed surface;
• Florim Cermiche. The Ma Touche Collection will be showcased. The line of fine porcelain is offered in three colorways
and a number of faux textures that imitate leather, elephant and crocodile skin;
• Granada Tile. For the first time at Coverings, Nicaraguan designer Marcos Cahina will present three lines of handmade, eco-friendly tiles. The signature Granada line revitalizes art with organic earth tones and 1920s designs to fit in a Spanish revival hacienda, while the black and white diagonal creates a more chic effect. Rústico also complements a range of styles, such as French limestone, travertine and Italian terra cotta. It is available with a flat or gently undulating surfaces. Monostratto has the look of terrazzo with a modern flair. Featuring 12 combinations of color and marble aggregate, it works in both intimate places like a bathroom to grand public entryways;
• Graniti Fiandre. Three collections are being highlighted—GeoDiamond Textured, NewGround and NewStone. GeoDiamond is embedded with tiny, sparkling metal embellishments; NewGround is an alternative to stained concrete and can be used on interior or exterior floors and walls without the need for stains, waxes, sealants or coatings, and NewStone employs a new technology allowing slabs to be formed into right angle curves without seams or grout lines;
• Impronta Italgraniti. The Rhus Le Leche collection is being introduced. The series is reminiscent of woodblock art from the Edo period and is available in colors which pay homage to imperial dynasties, such as Han (white), Song (black) and Tang (red);
• Inalco. Both the Oppalo and Maderas series will make their debuts. Oppalo’s colors feature a lighter and darker version which mix with its complementary lines of crystal borders, while Maderas is a line of wood-grained tiles;
• Iris Group. Will be launching Materials and Design (MA.DE) and Deluxe. The contemporary MA.DE series includes three distinct textures—a 3D waffle-grid structure, a rattan pattern and a smooth, sleek metallic. The company said Deluxe “represents a successful marriage of porcelain manufacturing, cutting-edge technologies and contemporary Italian design.” There will also be four designs from Fabbrica Marmi E Graniti;
• Lea Ceramiche. The Studios line is being introduced by the Italian mill. Developed by Diego Grandi, Elle Decor Italia’s Young Designer of the Year, Studios is sandblasted tile and features such patterns as Scratch, Seed, Route, Knit, Plan, Grid and Outline;
• Mediterranea. Several of the company’s new artistic tiles will
be debuted. They include Indian Trace, a glazed porcelain that emulates real stone, it was produced in Argentina; Cottage, a wood look reminiscent of a weathered beach cottage; the Vatican Collection features both unique shading and color like those found in timeless Renaissance works of art, and Affresco pays tribute to the original hues found in the frescos of Venice (beige), Florence (gray), Verona (gold) and Rome (terra cotta);
• Oceanside Glass Tile. The maker of handcrafted luxury glass tile will debut Facets. The new line has intricately detailed borders and field tile patterns and features gem-like mini glass tiles as small as 1/2-in.;
• Olivia Daniels. Four collections will be introduced—French-inspired St. Etienne, Palatina, Biarritz and Asian-influenced Pagoda. Made in High Point, N.C., the new series are manufactured through
a process that uses composites rather than ceramics and provides “an intricacy of design that is hard to find in the ubiquitous ceramic tile lines, while still at a competitive price point,” said company president Michael Goldman. In addition, the collection comes in a selection of sizes, designs and finishes, and options such as large themed centerpieces, accents and complementary fields;
• Roca. The Spanish mill will feature the Norway series at Coverings. Available in six colorways, the porcelain tile can be combined to create unique effects. The collection also comes with a wide range of decorative inserts;
• Trikeenan. The Northeast-based company will introduce Modulus, the first collection from its recently purchased facility in upstate New York. Modulus differs from the mill’s other products in that it not only has its own unique palette of 25 glaze colors, it will be offered in sizes and shapes not found in the other collections, including several large-format sizes. “The idea behind it is to offer modern sophistication at a mid-range price,” said owner Stephen Powers;
• Venus. Will add Medusa to its Scandal Touch Collection. The leopard-inspired Medusa is available in three colors and complements other lines in the collection including Decor, Idol and Oh La La, and
• Vitromex. The Mexican manufacturer will showcase its newest brand, Artemis Impervious Glazed Porcelain, which is produced at the company’s new factory in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Available in sizes ranging from 6- to 20-in., products feature the engineering, density and water-resistant properties to set them apart from the competition, notes the company. To achieve its .5% or less water absorption, the company uses a higher-fired process. Artemis also comes with a full set of trims including surface bullnose, v-cap, q-round and corners.