The International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings wrapped up in Bologna on Friday, 26 September. Five days of tile tailoring and catwalk ceramics once again confirmed Cersaie as the ‘Fashion Week of Tile’.
The Stiles team touched down in Bologna for front-row seats at the event. And yes, there were side orders of espressos, bowls of ragù, gelato scoops and marathon-level cobblestone walks. More than 600 exhibitors gathered to showcase future trends, innovative solutions and high-performance materials across surfaces, bathroom furnishings and architectural finishes.
‘Visiting Cersaie always proves to be a massive experience for our team,’ says Stevie Joubert, CEO of Stiles. ‘It offers one of the best opportunities to keep our finger on the pulse of new trends, to forge new business relationships and keep up to date in a dynamic European setting.’
This year, the Stiles delegation arrived with a curator’s eye, seeking out the freshest looks in tile design. ‘Our team were specifically looking for tiles and tile trends that will resonate with the discerning South African market,’ explains Stevie. ‘Not only did we find collections that fit seamlessly, but we also confirmed that in terms of global design directions, we’re right on trend.’
Surface stories: Scale, seamlessness and texture
The 2025 edition confirmed what designers everywhere have been hinting at: tactile surfaces, micro-reliefs, striations and textural depths are leading the way. Exhibitors layered formats, combining vast slabs with smaller tiles to create dynamic transitions and visual rhythm.
Generally, the team noted a renewed emphasis on seamlessness, large format tiles and the use of complete tile ranges which allow continuity in surfaces from indoor to outdoor applications.
‘One of the most striking themes this year was the dominance of larger formats, with 1 200 x 1 200 tiles emerging as the star,’ notes Pierre du Plessis, Branch Operator for Stiles Paarden Eiland. ‘The scale creates a sense of seamless beauty and bold sophistication, something that resonates strongly with our vision at Stiles,’ he explains.
Artistic interpretations
For Calli Scott, Design Consultant at Stiles, the showstopper was the sheer mastery of Italian fabrication. ‘One thing the Italians do so incredibly well is fabrication,’ she says.
‘We saw tiles used beyond simple walls and floors. Entire spaces were sculpted from porcelain, including countertops, vanities, baths, basins, shower floors, benches, bed backdrops and feature walls. The result is a strong, precise finish with all the luxury of natural stone, but much more versatile and sustainable.’
Calli predicts we’ll soon see more of this in South Africa, as designers embrace large-format slabs, artisan craftsmanship and the rising trend of surface drenching.
An Italian colour palette
Colour also told a cohesive story at Cersaie. ‘The colour palette was such a common thread we started calling it “Tuscan Dusk”,’ says Calli. Think of an Italian countryside evening: terracotta walls, linen, creams, olive and sage greens, muted blues and off-whites. The look is natural, understated and timelessly elegant.
Bold personalities and nature’s hand
Beyond earthy elegance, feature tiles delivered personality in spades – daring patterns, reactive glazes, architectural statements and screen-blocking room dividers. ‘Feature tiles added a spark of personality everywhere we looked, with artistic patterns and textures that invite touch,’ says Pierre.
And underpinning it all: nature. From stone and wood to fabric-inspired surfaces, the authenticity of natural materials remains the ultimate muse. It’s a reminder that the most inspiring spaces borrow from the simplicity and beauty of the natural world.
Looking ahead
Stevie Joubert left Bologna buzzing with inspiration. ‘We saw a number of exciting new tile formats that feel tailor-made for South African spaces,‘ he says. He wouldn’t reveal exactly what he discovered, but he did say the reveal is close. ‘We’re already moving fast to bring them home, expect new shapes and palettes straight off the Cersaie runway. Watch this space; a new era of styling is landing at Stiles.’
Explore the latest tile and sanware at Stiles (both in store and online here).
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Picture: Supplied
