Shape The Future of Black

Do you have what it takes to Shape the Future of design? DuPont Corian has established an international design competition that has been launched across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

Participants are invited to conceive an interior design solution (such as furnishing, tables, seating, vanities, vertical cladding, etc…) for one of the following with the new DeepColour blacks:

• home environment (kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom, etc…)

• public/commercial spaces (hotels, hospitals and medical facilities, shops, restaurants, bars, yachts, offices, airport  and train stations, museums, banks, shopping centers, theaters etc…)

The contest excludes flooring and ceiling applications, lighting equipment, accessories and small objects. Entry deadline is June 15th, 2014.

Corian DeepColour | KitchAnn Style
The result is to give architects, designers and fabricators the confidence to experiment with the material through all manner of volumetric or surface treatments. “The newness of this technology and the depth of these colors offers designers something to play with that they haven’t had before,” says Mark Woodman, lead design consultant for Corian.

Consider the work of the Giles Miller Studio. I saw their amazing tiles at the London Design Festival last fall.

When the LDF needed  a feature desk for the V&A entrance , the organizers approached Giles Miller for a solution that was the opposite of “off-the-shelf.” In response, Miller developed a system of intricately patterned, machine-cut panels that could be arranged volumetrically. The triangular panels, each uniquely grooved with a different surface treatment, were laid out in opposite directions, creating a dazzling effect of light and shadow.

Giles Miller Desk for VA | KitchAnn Style

Miller, who typically works with metals and other reflective materials was new to Corian, yet he was able to achieve the same, polished metal effect using only DeepColor solid surface. “Before we made the final desk, we laid the tiles out on the floor of our studio and saw the effect of the reflection,” recalls Miller. “We were blown away by the ability to make intricate profiles and have them all reflect light.”

For those who dare to use Corian as more than just sheet goods, you may have encountered “stretch marks” as you manipulated and formed the surface. DeepColor, however, now eliminates those unsightly lines and other imperfections, such as scratches, a constant issue with darker surfaces.

The new collection of solid surfaces is currently available in four dark, lustrous hues—Anthracite, Nocturne, Night Sky and Black Quartz. Still under wraps in DuPont’s labs, an extended palette of colors is about to be added to Corian family of colors.

Milan Design Week Corian | KitchAnn Style

Perfectly Nonperfect Ceramic Wood Planks

Dakota by Flaviker | KitchAnn Style

It seems everyone wants to emulate the true look of wood while having the ease of care found in ceramics – but who wouldn’t?

Dakota by Flaviker is so realistic, it looks aged, stained and even has tiny worm holes.

Dakota by Flaviker | KitchAnn Style

Dakota takes its name from the North American landscape at the time of the pioneers, when men were colonising the great open spaces using materials provided by the land itself.  The collection is inspired by planks made of alder, a timber that is widely used in construction and interior finishes, and is characterized by natural imperfections caused by ageing.

Dakota by Flaviker | KitchAnn Style

The planks are offered in four sizes: 16″ x 68″, 8″ x 68″, 8″ x 48″ and 8″ x 32″ A 3D tile, perfect for vertical surfaces, is offered 8″ x 32″ and looks like two 4″ planks.  Stair pieces are also available.

Dakota 3D by Flaviker | KitchAnn Style

The Dakota finishes are very natural and sophisticated. You can choose between Naturale (Natural), Avana (Havana) Grigio (Gray) and Tortora (Turtledove). The rectified planks are produced with a slight convex shape for easier installation. They self-level under their own weight.

Dakota by Flaviker | KitchAnn Style

Flaviker PISA is part of the ABK Group founded in 1992. their production covers Gres Porcelain tiles, double fired and single fired ceramic tiles offering trendy design-oriented ranges. All Flaviker tile collections are designed and produced in Italy combining High technology in production and respect to the environment

Slate-ish

Who says scrap is useless? Slate-ish  is a tile product made in the US from 100% post industrial waste reclaimed from the fabrication of  paper-laminate products which are normally used for countertops (Richlite and PaperStone), skateboard ramps, bathroom partitions, lockers and more.

Slate-ish Strips | KitchAnn Style

The scraps are cut into various geometric shapes, and hand-split to create a tile that looks like slate. Six shapes are available from Slate-ish: Hex, Tri, Square, Para, Stud and Strip. The tiles are sold loose or as custom mounted panels. Tile depths vary from 1/8″-1/4″ and weigh 7-1.2 pounds per square foot.

Slate-ish Square| KitchAnn Style

Four colors are available: Soot, Bark, Chocolate and Earth. The color of the tile will vary slightly from piece to piece, and from batch to batch. Soot is considered the most consistent color, but mixing tiles during installation for a more uniform look is recommended.

The tiles can be sealed to protect and deepen the color, but it is not required.

 Slate-ish Para| KitchAnn Style

Slate-ish, which resembles stone tile, is appropriate for interior use and weighs a fraction of the weight of natural stone, making it ideal for unique installations. – such as feature walls, fireplace surrounds and even ceilings. While most choose to install Slate-ish in a dry-stack method, you can opt to install it with space and grout like standard ceramic tile.

Slate-ish | KitchAnn Style

Slate-ish tiles are impact resistant and at least 6 times stronger than natural stone. Slate-ish is non-porous and available with Class A fire rating. The tiles start at $20 per square foot.

Slate-ish Hex| KitchAnn Style

Slate-ish has been busy sourcing new materials to add to their line. Look for new offering such as large format tiles in the near future.

2014 Tile Trends

Tile Trends 2014 Subway | KitchAnn Style

What’s going to be hot this year in tile? It seems many trends from 2013 will continue to reign supreme. The palette is mostly neutral – nuanced and sophisticated; balanced equally between warm and cool tones with a heavy emphasis on grays and muted tones.

Beveled

Tile Trends 2014 Subway | KitchAnn Style

The Beveled subway tile and 3D tile adds dimension, depth and interest to a basic geometric shape. Look for large tiles scored to look like smaller tiles.

Tile Trends 2014 Subway | KitchAnn Style

Pattern

Patterned tiles continue to be popular in 2014, such as the classic encaustic tiles from 2013. The vintage look is still the effect you should be striving for in your home, and ceramic tiles which imitate original encaustic tiles are excellent for creating this look.

Tile Trends 2014 Encaustic | KitchAnn Style

2014’s encaustic wall and floor tiles have gone a little bit Boho: a slightly softer look which was popular in Europe between the two wars. Try to recreate this style with ever-so slightly faded ceramic tiles in complementing shades.

Tile Trends 2014 Encaustic | KitchAnn Style

Create an eclectic feel by going for a mismatch effect. Apply tiles to walls for a fresh feel and to accentuate a room.

Tile Trends 2014 Encaustic | KitchAnn Style

Geometric

Geometric shapes such as hexagons and fashion inspired Victorian reliefs or herringbone patterns offer a fresh vantage point – outside the rectangular or square box.

Tile Trends 2014 Geometric | KitchAnn Style

Many tiles have a vintage hand-craft feel to them. This trend also works well mixed with others for a fusion style.

Tile Trends 2014 Geometric | KitchAnn Style

Gloss & Glitz

Highly polished tiles that look like stone are starting to be replaced by the tiles that look like polished wood.

Tile Trends 2014 Geometric Wood | KitchAnn Style

This trends lends itself well to being combined with the geometric trend – especially with a herringbone pattern.

2014 Glossy Wood | KitchAnn Style

Stone Effect

Rather than mimicking one stone the latest collections will have elements of several different types of stones and marbles and toned them to the same neutral color palette. This creates a unique stone look that can only be created with the latest inkjet-decorated ceramics.

Tile Trends 2014 Stone Effect| KitchAnn Style

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