With an ever-growing versatility and range of styles, ceramic tile is a formidable surfacing material that can be fashionable as well as practical. Its rich history, one that goes back thousands of years, impresses, and to this day, inspires. Walking through the porticos of Bologna, for example, which hosts Cersaie, the annual to-the-trade show for ceramic tile, surfaces and bath furnishings, you can't help but appreciate the engaging tapestry of stones on walls and underfoot. This is especially true of terrazzo, which has enjoyed a design renaissance in recent years with no sign of letting up, as changes in scale and palette are giving way to exciting new effects -- even textiles and decorative accessories.

Porcelain tiles have been getting the most attention, and that's mostly due to boosts in technology that allow remarkable fidelity to images and textures that replicate all sorts of stones, as well as concrete, majolica and photography, much of which are enabled by extraordinary digital printing. Inspiration from history sees turns in classic design, plus looks of rustic or glam, with flecks or additions of gold, copper or silver. Some designs are stylized, some hyper-realistic, while others are playful.

From slabs that are dead ringers for real marble, limestone and gemstones that can be impossibly slim, to micromosaics fashioned to create stunning murals, there's a lot to offer. Which is why more designers and homeowners are considering moving beyond kitchen backsplashes and bathroom walls and floors for installations.

Wallcover Up

One reason pivots around a growing trend in recent years: porcelain tile being billed as "wallpaper." Large-scale allover patterns or bold decorative imagery on open grounds, as well as strong geometry that taps into popular retro eras -- '60s, '70s and '80s -- keep feeding designs. Creating feature walls or even framing tiles as art is catching favor, much as it has in wallpaper.

Full-scale murals amaze with their fidelity to images and extraordinary detail. Land- or cityscapes, such as one of Venice by ABK, create atmospheric interiors.

Flower Power

Vivid depictions of flowers are taking different paths, as evidenced at Cersaie. Ceramics producer Casalgrande Padana unveiled a blooming wall of roses nestled into glossy green foliage that was so lifelike it demanded a touch just to make sure -- even though this fool-the-eye example was just 2D. The same was true of two other designs -- one ivylike pattern and the other foliage that featured tiny white Stephanotis flowers.

Bringing the outside in is appealing, but this porcelain tile also can be used outdoors, to permanently brighten a drab wall. In addition, a technology borrowed from sanitary ware manufacturer Toto activates a reaction in the presence of sunlight to reduce air pollutants and decompose dirt deposits, which are washed away by rainwater.

While uber-scale flowers have been popular in wallcovering as well as porcelain tiles, Vallelunga and Co. explored another intriguing direction. Designed as a companion to a black ground that features swirling patterns, there's a series of horizontal tiles with graphic images of flowers. On an entire wall, the effect feels almost random, and it's a departure from the overblown florals we've seen in tile and wallcovering, and one with a very modern look.

Another floral pattern conjured the feel of textiles, and for good reason -- it's a collaboration between Florim and Rubelli, a revered high-end textile manufacturer based in Venice. One of the patterns, a soft, breathtaking, medium-scaled floral felt almost like the fabric that it replicated. Whether it's used in a living space, teamed with a chair that repeats the pattern in jacquard or damask upholstery, or in a bathroom with modern fixtures, it's uber elegant.

Wood Play

Wood looks, which have been dominant in recent years, offer a whole new range of possibilities. Grain, with real, palpable texture, sometimes exaggerated in wide planks, has been prevalent, even in unexpected colors. Some of newest iterations riff on traditional parquetry in a new hybrid of wood look on porcelain tile. One by Emilceramica features a kaleidoscopic pattern. The Italian brand Sant'Agostino features several novel patterns -- skinny wood tiles arranged in a labyrinth, or in a random look of Pick-Up Sticks dropped on the floor and incredible replication of hand-rubbed and oiled wide planks.

Industrial, Take 3

Although the industrial look has backed off a bit as a style category, cement and cement-look tiles still appeal. Combinations, like those with wood, also include terrazzo. At ABK, geometric pieces patterned in terrazzo create a sort of rug pattern on a "concrete" ground.

Some of the cement looks are very painterly, with a fresco feel. One from Del Conca depicts a worn threadbare look popular in rug design.

Surface mixes

Contrasts between matte and glossy, and smooth and textured surfaces, are adding more interest, even to monochromatic schemes. At Tonalite, for example, an entire wall of emerald green tiles (bottiglia) from the Tissue collection, which the brand says is a favored hue, is all the more striking because of several textures, including large-scale herringbones, plaids and honeycomb. In addition, slivers of shiny copper and gold could be seen intertwining or overlapping rough cementlike textures in broken-up plaids.

The Italian brand Imola took an ordinary subway tile, showed it in a coral red, then accented it with a metallic gold in a bubble pattern. Dimensional mosaics, especially on a beefed-up scale, which enhances pattern options and allows for more seamless designs, are an emerging category. Artistic Tile's Garden Party shows lovely elements such as dragonflies, butterflies and flowers that pop from a ground of creamy Bianco Dolomiti marble.

Another dimension

Besides bas relief, more exaggerated 3D examples continue to push the design envelope. Chunky pieces, like those of Made39's Cube, are hollowed out or assembled in overlapping cubes, a rich dimension that is highlighted by light and shade. Zephyr, one of the most striking new designs from Artistic Tile, which won the 2019 Best of the Year award from Interior Design magazine, depicts dynamic sweeps of gilt-edge ruffles that mimic fabric. In fact, the undulating design by Alison Rose was inspired by the symbol for infinity.

Fashion, architecture, archival patterns, paintings, photographs, cityscapes and dreamscapes, as well as geometry, textiles and paint techniques all are driving today's tile designs. Choices abound for those looking for surface materials for floors and walls, indoors and out. On a smaller scale, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds and feature walls offer special canvases for striking designs that require little maintenance -- always an attractive selling point.

Sources

-- ABK, www.abk.it

-- Ann Sacks, 800-278-8453, www.annsacks.com

-- Artistic Tile, 877-237-4097, www.artistictile.com

-- Casalgrande Padana, www.casalgrandepadana.com

-- Ceramica Bardelli, www.ceramicabardelli.com

-- Cle, 415-887-9011, www.cletile.com

-- Del Conca, 865-657-3550, www.delconcausa.com

-- Emilceramica, 703-481-1150, www.emilamerica.com

-- Florim, www.florim.com

-- Imola, www.imolaceramica.com

-- New Ravenna, 757-442-3379, www.newravenna.com

-- Refin Ceramiche, www.refin-ceramic-tiles.com

-- Sicis, 877-839-8900, www.sicis.com

-- Tonalite, www.tonalite.it

-- Vallelunga and Co., www.vallelungacer.it

For further information about Italian Ceramics of Italy tile and contacts for Italian companies without U.S. phone numbers, call the Italian Trade Agency, 305-461-3896, www.ice.it

Reporting on home decor encompasses a lot of real estate, including furniture, lighting, accessories, textiles, wall and floor coverings, kitchen and bath appliances, cabinetry, hardware, housewares and building products.

For a global perspective, part of my routine the last decade or so has been tracking what's new at expositions in Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Dublin and Bologna, as well as High Point, North Carolina, Chicago, New York and Miami -- always with an eye to new prospects and design summits.

Viewing thousands of introductions from year to year is a daunting task. And though some products are almost universally celebrated, deciding what to spotlight is a little like falling in love. Certain features resonate more to some than others. It could be a color. Or pattern. Or shape. It could be a concept. A texture. A technological marvel.

So much technology has changed in the last decade. LED lighting has fostered design creativity because it's smaller, more flexible and conducts less heat. Because it can be shaped, lighting can be more sculptural, especially eye-catching when it's designed for outdoor use. Pendant lights have morphed from tiny designs to a range of sizes and are now a go-to in decor because of their versatility and impact from hanging in multiples.

Digital printing has made a huge impact on textiles, wallcoverings and porcelain tile, with amazing fidelity to imagery.

Travel and ethnicity continue to inspire, either in motif or techniques. Textile artist Aliki van der Kruijs, for example, was fascinated with the texture and pattern of antique Japanese kimonos, and she played with them dimensionally -- on pots -- to develop VEER, a grid dimensional weave for Wolf-Gordon. At Kohler Co., kimono patterns depicting organic elements, such as waves, were translated into natural stone -- both honed marble and limestone. The material was etched using a 15th-century Italian technique called aquaforte, and the artisanal result is beautiful.

Handmade, or the look of craft versus machine, still holds enormous appeal. Stitching, imperfections in glassware and uneven edges on pottery all lend charm.

Many design cues come from fashion runways, especially those brands that also create product for the home. When New York-based interior designer Sasha Bikoff was tapped by Donatella Versace to create a present for the brand's new home collection at its storied palazzo in Milan during Salone del Mobile, she designed patterned carpeting in candy colors in a Memphis style to perfectly suit the furnishings. Her touch also graced the Versace boutique in Miami, and she orchestrated an installation (site of a fab party) featuring three pieces she designed -- chandeliers, a bed and a shapely chair, all inspired by the book "South Beach Stories," published by the family in 1993. It added to the excitement of Design Week during Art Basel.

When the red-hot Virgil Abloh, artistic director for Louis Vuitton menswear, who recently had a retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, collaborated with Baccarat, chief executive Daniela Riccardi made no promises. "He wanted to create a chain in crystal," she says. She pretty much told him, "We'll see." But to everyone's pleasant surprise, it worked. His new crystal chandelier features a crystal chain, and it's pretty cool. Small accessory pieces also are part of the capsule collection.

Home decor directions also are influenced by film styles and sets, art exhibits and lifestyle trends, such as wellness and sustainability. Travel continues to ignite interest in foreign or exotic locales. Motifs from Japan and Africa are particularly strong.

One category that emerged in the past year is that of linear drawings, especially those depicting faces. Some were more classic, others more Picasso-esque, and the drawings have found their way onto lampshades, pillows, fabric and plates. At Roche Bobois, a new collection of rugs depicts faces inspired by the artist Jean Cocteau.

Florals, palms and vegetation -- often powerful in uber scale -- as well as exotic, animal, geometric and other graphic prints feed choices for wall coverings and fabrics. And textures provide surface interest, especially in a monochromatic scheme.

Nature continues to be a muse, and we honestly don't see that changing anytime soon. Organic materials (including lots of woven basketry and rattan, plus embellishments like coconut shell beads), drawing from nature's palette, and the incorporation of live plants into decor are continuing, with vertical walls perhaps gaining traction -- both indoors and out. While many like the concept, they fret the maintenance. Here's one solution: At Cersaie, the international tile show in Bologna, we saw a wall of foliage and pink roses that looked so incredibly realistic that visitors actually touched it to check it out. It was made up of porcelain tiles printed with stunningly vivid imagery in a 3D quality.

The preferred overall look in furnishings is light -- not so much in physical, but in visual weight. Which is why wood finishes also are trending to the lighter side. The painted and stained gray that seemed to catch the fancy of kitchen cabinet manufacturers not so long ago seems to be waning in favor of warmer hues as well as colors. With the insistence of blue in all areas of home decor, it wouldn't be a stretch to see it emerge in kitchens again.

Matchy-matchy has pretty much been banished -- even with metals. While gold (still with a bit of rose gold and copper hanging on) continues to win confidence, it's far more acceptable now to mix metals, especially silver and gold, even matte with shiny. A deft mix is what makes furniture pairings more attractive.

And continuing to ramp up is the proliferation of performance fabrics. The no-fade, mildew- and stain-resistant materials now are produced by an enormous range of brands, some in tandem with Sunbrella or Crypton, the most well-known outdoor fabric specialists. Sophistication of design and suppleness, as well as choices of colors and patterns -- even luxe looks like velvet and leather -- are driving more consumers to consider them for indoors, especially in family rooms or high-traffic areas populated by children and pets.

That's because most of us, regardless of style preferences, try to be practical. Whatever makes life easier sparks joy. Don't forget the clutter-free part. Thank you, Marie Kondo.

Sources

-- Bruce Andrews Design, 706-750-8188, www.bruceandrewsdesign.com

-- Baccarat, 800-221-6330, www.baccarat.com

-- Bisazza, 800-247-2992, www.bisazza.it

-- Duravit USA Inc., 770-931-3575, www.duravit.com

-- Empire Collection, 212-243-4993, www.empirecollectionrugs.com

-- Etro Boutique, 212-317-9096, www.etro.com

-- Hermes, 800-441-4488, www.hermes.com

-- Ligne Roset, 312-846-1080, www.ligne-roset.com

-- Moroso, 212-334-7222, www.moroso.it

-- Ethnicraft USA, via Lekker Home, 877-753-5537, www.ethnicraftusa.com

-- Kohler, 800-456-4537, www.us.kohler.com

-- Moooi, 646-396-0455, www.moooi.com

-- Versace Home, 888-721-7219, www.versace.com

-- Paola Lenti, 619-850-9073, www.paolalenti.it

-- Roche Bobois, 212-889-0700, www.roche-bobois.com

-- Rosenthal, 800-596-3503, www.rosenthalusa-shop.com

-- Thompson Traders, www.thompsontraders.com

-- Visionnaire, 786-577-4370, www.visionnaire-home.com

-- Wolf Gordon, 800-347-0550, www.wolfgordon.com

-- Zoffany, 201-399-0500, www.stylelibrary.com

SIDEBAR

Design Trends Set Sail Into '20 Upon New Winds

So what about the new year? A few new directions in home decor are in place, ready to evolve. Some others are being talked up.

-- Expect to see more matte black, especially in kitchens and baths. Black faucets call attention to form. Solid black sinks can be very dramatic, as in one asymmetrical design from Thompson Traders. And steel? Framework for porcelain vanities, taking a cue from furniture, also is compelling. One handsome design from Duravit features a slender frame that supports a white sink and shelf.

-- Of course, we'll be seeing a lot of Pantone's color of the year: Classic Blue. Everywere. In every product category.

-- The latest buzz has nothing to do with mid-century modern. Even though it has to do with millennials. It's been dubbed "grandmillennialism." It's all about a thirst for nostalgia, inspired by the cozy feel of their grandparents' homes. It's their spin on traditional, with patterns a little chintzy, or at least with chinoiserie motifs. It's a decorating style that will dose out warm and fuzzy. Stay tuned.

For serious all-out holiday decor enthusiasts, planning begins well before Thanksgiving. There's a camp that subscribes to ritual, repeating decorations with favorite ornaments, tree toppers and even wreaths styles that have been part of family traditions. Then there are those who view the yearly exercise with an eye for something different, like kooky lime and orange ornaments in unusual shapes.

Jennifer Perkins relates. She is crazy for mod seasonal decorations and shows her love at Christmas with about 100 trees displayed in her Austin, Texas, home. (Many, you might guess, are of the tabletop variety.) The blogger and DIY stylist (www.jenniferperkins.com), who has appeared on HGTV and the DIY Network, is well-known for her craving for color and offbeat takes on holiday decor.

One recent favorite: nearly neon yellow trees in her '60s-inspired living room. It all started with a trip to the Salvation Army last November.

"I fell in love with this floral-printed couch," says Perkins. "It was so goofy, I had to have it. I took out all the furniture and rearranged the whole room, with Christmas trees around that couch, decorating with emerald green ornaments.

"Christmas should be fun and whimsical," she says.

There is nothing like Nat King Cole crooning "The Christmas Song" to give us the warm and fuzzies. But one lyric, "Everyone knows a turkey and some mistletoe/ Help to make the season bright" has new meaning when it comes to today's holiday decor. While the seasonal classic combo of red and green still prevails, though sometimes nuanced to berry and apple green, vivid hues have become a part of the conversation.

Neiman Marcus and Horchow consider modern brights one of five major decor collections to create a holiday haven, describing the look as "fresh, fanciful and full of joy." Brands like Cody Foster and Co., MacKenzie-Childs and Kim Seybert (known for beaded stockings, tree skirts, place mats and table runners) all deliver. At Anthropologie, many of the pop-y colors are embraced in decorations with a handcrafted look. A fluffy pompom wreath composed of colorful yarns is especially dramatic on a vivid coral door.

In addition to more mainstream sources, Pinterest is full of ideas, and posts on blogs and even retail websites feature modern brights as well as candy-colored pastels, some in combinations reminiscent of the macaron palette from the French confectionary Laduree. Perkins actually is a brand ambassador for Treetopia (www.treetopia.com), where you can find yellow, orange, pink, red and blue trees in addition to patterned offerings (candy- and zebra-striped).

Also high on Perkin's list is Glitterville Studios (www.glitterville.com), another rich source for stylish and colorful handcrafted decor by Stephen Brown of Knoxville, Tennessee. You can even purchase his how-to, "Glitterville's Handmade Christmas; A Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting!" on Amazon (Andrews McMeel Publishing; $24.99). A set of Brown's patterned hand-painted gift boxes graced the cover of Oprah magazine three years ago. (Full Disclosure: Andrews McMeel Universal is the parent company of both Andrews McMeel Publishing and Andrews McMeel Syndication.)

Kara Whitten also is a cheerleader for brights. Her Austin, Texas, living room tree last year was pink flocked ("It stole my heart") and decked with red-and-white candy-striped ribbon with aqua ornaments. Beneath the tree were packages -- all color coordinated -- wrapped in papers she designed. Her white mantel screams, "Go Big or Go Home!" with a fun display of oversized ornaments in shades of pink and turquoise.

"Every year we do something different," says Whitten, who graduated with a degree in chemical engineering and quit her first post-college job because she couldn't imagine working in a lab for the next 40 years.

During a trip to a fabric store to get a pattern for the wedding dress her grandmother was sewing, she found a cool handbag pattern. She found her inner artist, launched what eventually grew into her website Kailo Chic (www.kailochic.com). That morphed into a brand, and now she sells crafts that she produces, as well as writes about home decor, craft and how to add color to your life on her blog, www.akailochiclife.com.

"I've always been drawn to color," says Whitten, who designed a set of DIY color-block ornaments after she was inspired by color-blocked planters that she created. A set of bright acrylic trees available at her online shop were inspired by clear triangular trays, which she stood up, painted and set on a stand.

Whitten sees Christmas as the perfect time to play.

"A monochromatic home is fine, but it's just not me. It does not make me happy and smile. But for someone looking to try something new -- this is a good time, because it's temporary."

Global trend forecaster Michelle Lamb, who covers an international Christmas fair each year in Frankfurt, Germany, says the current affinity for outside-the-box seasonal colors make perfect sense.

"Christmas was once a standalone event," says Lamb. "You'd decorate in a Christmas palette -- and it didn't matter if it was like anything else in your home. Now people strive to integrate (colors) into their decor."

Part of the reason for brights and even neon colors, says Lamb, is because of a surge in popularity of 20-century artist Frida Kahlo (last year there was a huge exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London) and also a punk rock revival, which played out in a big way with "So Punk Rive Gauche" at Le Bon Marche department store in Paris in the fall.

"(Some of it) is kitschy, but it's sophisticated," says Lamb.

"If there was ever a time to let your inner kitsch lover out, it is Christmas," says Perkins.

Perkins populates almost every surface in her home with decorations. "It's a chance to restyle everything," she says. "My house is like a living, breathing organism that never looks the same way twice." She clears off bookshelves and etageres, like the brass Milo Baughman piece that her mother scooped up for $100 in a thrift shop, and displays collectibles, including colorful glass, vintage art, elf ornaments from the '50s, small artificial trees, mirrored glam, '50s plastic. She says she tries to avoid the same things by mixing and mingling eras and putting together odd groupings like angels and vintage cameras. "So no tree is big box from head to toe," she adds.

Another winning Perkins combo is a champagne tree that perfectly suits an '70s rose gold mirrored credenza with its funky collection of orange and pink ornaments.

"It's never going to appeal to the majority of people," she says. "But for those who want to create environments that feel and are unique, brights are one way to do it. Colors definitely make me happy."

'Tis the season to be jolly, to be sure. And fa-la-la-la-la fabulous! "So have fun with it," says Perkins.

Sources

-- Anthropologie, 800-309-2500, www.anthropologie.com

-- Garnet Hill, 800-870-3513, www.garnethill.com

-- Glitterville Studios, www.glitterville.com

-- Grandin Road, 866-668-5962, www.grandinroad.com

-- Horchow, 877-944-9888, www.horchow.com

-- Kailo Chic, 512-636-3780, www.kailochic.com

-- Neiman Marcus, 888-888-4757, www.neimanmarcus.com

Sidebar

A Rush to Blush

Blush is making a low-key move into holiday decor. At West Elm (www.westelm.com), there's a pink tinsel tree shown with blush and amber glass balls, as well as elegant dinnerware that combines the palest pink in abstract gilded brushstrokes on dreamy cream dinnerware. At CB2 (www.cb2.com), pine gets a refresh with pretty-in-pink wreaths, garlands and faux fur stockings, and tree skirts in dusty rose.

"There are a lot of reasons for blush to be part of the palette," says global trend forecaster Michelle Lamb. "In fact, one of my favorite trends for 2020-2021 is a winter fantasy with the sea, blush with a little bit of turquoise and light spa colors, against a backdrop of white and ivory."

Besides solids, patterns in these appealing palettes have been emerging. Many are graphic, geometric and even a little suggestive of Southwest-style motifs. Colorful boxes and wrapping papers with striking graphics also extend the more standard Christmas tandems of red and green.