- December 4, 2023
- Sarah Miller
Why Cersaie?
This fall, we visited Cersaie as part of an NKBA Global Connect exploratory trip. Cersaie is the international showcase for the design of surfaces, bathroom furniture, and finishes in Bologna. The 40th edition of the show concluded with 633 exhibiting companies from all over the world and 99,319 international visitors. If you’re a design professional looking to visit an international show, add Cersaie to your list! It’s a great opportunity to discover the best of ceramics while exploring the growing European kitchen & bath market.
Brands that Wow-ed Us
When we walked into the Park Avenue booth, we were transported to 1920s New York. In what they describe as a “déjà-vu of shapes and colours,” Park Avenue displayed its latest designs through the lens of Art Deco. Combining modern-day design and tradition, the brand successfully created beautiful bathroom vignettes that evoke a feeling of nostalgia. We love it when a brand tells a story.
At Cersaie, it was remarkable to see the various ways in which ceramic can be used.
Acquabella masters the traditional uses, shower trays, washbasins, countertops, panels, furniture, and accessories. The Delia Zero basin, pictured above, exemplifies this with its sleek and minimalist aesthetics. The beautiful detail of waves on its base softens the design. Acquabella offers the Delia Zero in a variety of colors, such as the stunning Ocean color here.
At the QUADRA / Roman Ceramics booth, we saw how ceramics can mimic other beautiful surface materials. Particularly stunning was the Agata Foresta finish (left). Even up close, it mimicked the look of granite.
Our next stop was the.artceram, known for its stylish tailor-made design. The Brera collection pictured here represents the Brera neighborhood in the beating heart of the historical city center of Milan. Taking inspiration from traditional Art Deco, Brera offers an element of distinction in the deliberate lack of slim rims, in favor of a bold rim characterizing its overall aesthetics and generating an interesting undercut inside the bowl.
The Trends
There was so much to see at the show. In terms of trends, we certainly noticed bold colors: deep blues and greens, and orange to contrast. We also noticed the combination of various textures and shapes. The days of hyper-cohesive design seem to be over! Lastly, vessel sinks were everywhere. No matter how you feel about them, they are still are strong trend in the European market.
Italian Luxury
Next, we had the pleasure of visiting the Corà booth to check out the new flooring design by Pininfarina, the designer of the Ferrari since 1951. The Miraggio design is an innovative collection of high-quality parquet that is made of wood and ceramics. The innovation lies in the amalgamation of wood surfaces, for indoor use, with elements of ceramic stoneware, for outdoor use. The result: a stunning transition from your home to the outdoors.
We can’t wait to see what’s in store at Cersaie in 2024. And we look forward to seeing some of these brands come overseas to North America.
