As 2021 comes to a close, we want to take the opportunity to reflect on the year behind us. This year came with its share of challenges and uncertainty. In a way, those challenges make our success even sweeter. Our team rose to and met each one with creativity. We introduced an impressive number of new collections this year. Even better, they were very well received, and we were recognized for our outstanding products with several 2021 awards in the design industry. We were fortunate enough to collaborate with outstanding designers on exciting projects. We are ending the year on a high note. Here is a deeper look at how it all unfolded.

With its emphasis on soothing, neutral colors and smooth surfaces, our new Emersyn Lane collection was perfectly timed in a year when calm, tranquil interiors were on trend. This line of ceramic gloss tiles offers an inviting element into design styles ranging from cottage core to contemporary, equally at home in residential or commercial projects. Designers have embraced the versatility of the line, pairing our tiles with wood flooring, metallic finishes, and textiles in fresh nature-inspired tones.

We continually scan the globe for inspiration. Even through the challenges of 2021, we were committed to our company’s mission to find unique products so designers and homeowners can create their boldest visions and unconventional designs. Our design team found creative new ways to source innovative materials and bring them to market. Take for example our award-winning Pedra Palazzo line, which is inspired by the rich natural texture of the limestone of the Iberian Peninsula. Etched with subtle grooves along the surface, the colors of these porcelain tiles simulate the shades of natural stone, from soft gray to ivory, and beige. Radiating warm, organic energy, these versatile tiles come in a mosaic mix option—ideal for a project such as a backsplash or bathroom and a variety of rectangular sizes.

Continuing our trip around the world, our new Velluto collection takes its name from the Italian word for velvet. That is a perfect description of the rich texture of these porcelain tiles. Using cutting-edge technology, we have been able to produce dimensional surfaces that mimic the veins and recesses of marble. With a natural palette ranging from ivory to gray and almond, the tiles of our Velluto collection radiate with refined elegance. We have seen them used in commercial and residential applications, on floors, walls, and countertops.

We drew inspiration from the American Southwest for our Kiva ceramic tiles collection, a double fire-glazed white body ceramic tile infused with high-pigment paint. Influenced by the colors of the Painted Desert, this fresh collection is charmed with earthy shades of pink, green, clay, and white. It is versatile enough to complement a mid-century, minimalist, or contemporary design and plays well with other natural finishes such as wood and leather. With mosaic and unexpected shapes, it can serve to introduce patterns, too.

We are not just global voyagers. We are time travelers. For our Pop Culture porcelain and glass tile collection, we drew from motifs developed during significant periods in art history. The bold black and white graphics of the 60s get an update in this line. But solid black and white options in glass let you experiment and mix and match. We love the way designers and remodelers are using this line to incorporate graphic designs, either boldly or subtly, on floors, walls, backsplashes, and more.

Our new Encaustic Echoes collection reached into the past to revive the time-honored look and feel of cement tile in porcelain. There is a rich history of pattern and color in tile that spans the globe. From France to England, Morocco, and Mexico, we draw upon tile traditions but updated the palette and patterns to fit with a range of styles from vintage to contemporary. This collection is endlessly versatile.

Last but not least, we continued to expand our line of natural stone tiles. Marble, Travertine, Dolomite: these large-format tiles have been highly sought after this year and we have continued to produce new and enticing ways to offer remodelers and homeowners options that meet their design needs. We love the original ways that our designers have continued to expand the choices available in our porcelain mosaic expansions to our Bera & Beren, Calacata, Cava Bianco, and Foussana lines, too. There’s a dazzling variety of patterns, palettes, and styles for any project.

Never afraid to go big and bold, we expanded our slab collections, adding an incredible new variety of options, sourced from the highest quality producers around the world. These stunning slabs are available in a variety of natural stones: marble, quartzite, onyx, granite, limestone, travertine, soapstone, and semi-precious material. Our glass slab takes sleek to a new level, indoors and outdoors and our Secolo porcelain offers the look of marble in a thinner form in both tile and slab form. As this surface continues to gain traction, we expect that this is just the beginning of what we can do with it.

Looking back, this year was a whirlwind of creativity for us! Designers noticed. The industry did, too. That leads us to our next take-away.

Our strong position in the category of affordable luxury tiles was acknowledged when Professional Remodeler Magazine’s included the Walker Zanger Studio line in its Top 100 Product for 2021 list. This means a lot to us. Remodeling professionals are among our most enthusiastic partners, and we are encouraged that our products are hitting them mark and being embraced by them.  

We were thrilled to receive the 2021 Award in Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards in the bath wall coverings category. We are pleased that readers appreciate the versatility of our tiles and continue to interpret them in creative ways. A tile award in this category is not just a nod to our design-forward thinking. It is a testimony to our ability to address the needs of designers and home remodelers alike.  

Architect Magazine included our Fragments Terrazzo collection in its  “15 Products to Upgrade Outdoor Environments” list. We are proud of this honor for several reasons. First, because it demonstrates the versatility of the collection, perfect for indoor or outdoor applications. But also because this collection is rooted in a long tradition that we have updated with great success. We are a leader in the revival of terrazzo as a sought-after surface and appreciate this acknowledgement of our position.  

Architect’s Newspaper included our Pedra Palazzo line in its Editor’s Picks, Best Products of the Year list in the Interior Finishes and Surfaces category. That is a strong endorsement of this debut product line. It is gratifying to know that the quality of this new collection has been noticed in architectural circles. We expect the popularity of this line only to grow in the future.  

Residential Products Magazine finds the most innovative and cutting-edge new materials and products in the market. The publication recognizes the best of the best with its annual MVP (Most Valuable Product) Awards. We are honored that Residential Products named our new Velluto collection as a Silver winner in the Interior Surfaces category and our Sterling Row as a Bronze winner in the Flooring category for the 2022 MVP Awards. 

In 2022, we celebrate our 70th year in business. To continue to be recognized for the excellence of our products after so much time is truly an honor. It is also a testament to our commitment to designing, developing, and delivering the best possible products in the industry. A product design award is inspiring and motivating. It demonstrates that we are still at the top of our game, and we have no intention of slowing down.

If you have not seen the Architectural Digest piece featuring our partnership with Bobby Berk, be sure to check it out. We were impressed by the way Berk incorporated a variety of our products into a distinctive, personal design for actress Freida Pinto and her husband, photographer Cory Tran. It is a perfect example of what a designer’s vision can bring to a product. It is obvious that the couple will love living with this thoughtful design for years to come.  

We were dazzled by the choices the Brownstone Boys made with our tile in the remodel they did for attorney and influencer Cynthia Andrew and her husband. Andrew is enthused about the way the terrace transports her to another place every time she sees it. We love that our designs have that effect on homeowners. The team transformed the children’s bathroom with a combination of tiles from several of our collections. But the true showstopper was the guest powder room the designers dreamed up with our tile substituting for wallpaper. A stroke of genius.  

We have long admired the work of Leyden Lewis, so we were delighted to partner with him for the pool bar and kitchenette at the Galerie House of Art and Design project, as seen in  Galerie Magazine. Using a bold green selection from our Kaleidoscope porcelain collection, he created an inviting space with a modern edge. This inspiring design demonstrated the versatility of the product and helped prove that bright, saturated colors can partner perfectly with natural finishes.  

Design is a collaborative business and being a vital part of the community is essential to our success. While opportunities to take part in in-person industry events continued to be limited in 2021, we pivoted to sponsor The Showroom, a special series in partnership with Convo by Design with Josh Cooperman, a podcast dedicated to promoting the ideas of architects, artists, designers, tastemakers, and those making a difference in the way we live. This Zoom series brought together some of the biggest names in the industry to discuss trends, news, and predictions for the future. Participants included Molly Fitzpatrick, Bunny Williams, Cara Woodhouse, Darrell Wilson, and John Marvel. These brilliant professionals offered so much insight. Topics ranged from discussions on the impact the pandemic has had on where and how we live and work to how designers find inspiration and continue to challenge themselves.  

Engaging in conversations such as these help us not only to stay on top of developing trends but to listen to the insight offered by others in the field. This informs everything from our product development to our partnerships. We all bring something different and valuable to the table. Participating in dialogue helps us to stay not only relevant but ahead of the curve. Plus, we cannot help but be inspired by the many talented professionals in our field.