FLOOR FANCIES

Tiles of varying sizes, shapes can give your floors a distinctive look

Everyone wants something a little different in their home and companies have ushered in a whole new wave of flooring options that include ceramic planks, wood and leather tiles, along with tiles that have been digitally designed. Underfoot, they can be almost soothing; esthetically, they set the tone for the entire space.

Lucy Malagisi of Interiors by Lucy Malagisi has been working on several projects with distinctive flooring materials that truly define thinking outside of the box.

“I’m just finishing the kitchen in my own home, where I decided to go with a vinyl plank click-system flooring,” she said.

“It’s so easy to install; it’s easy on the feet, it’s waterproof, and it looks amazing. I just love it!” For this type of installation, there are no nails or glue, and it can be integrated right over the existing tiles, which really cuts down on the amount of demolition involved.

Vinyl planks come in a wide range of colours and patterns, including those that mimic different kinds of wood.

“Earlier this year, on a bathroom project, we installed ceramic planks laid down in a chevron pattern.

“The subtle variation in pattern and texture added a unique element to the space,” Malagisi said.

Another flooring material she has worked with is leather tiles. “I wouldn’t install these just anywhere, because the grooves can be problematic in a high-traffic area,” she said, “but in an office, leather tiles are perfect.

“Again, they are soft on the feet, and with the cork backing, they reduce the sound of the office-chair wheels.”

Technology is also changing the way that flooring is being manufactured. Digital production has opened the doors to all sorts of cool, edgy, one-of-a-kind flooring options.

“Because of technology, we can do a lot more patterns in tiles,” explained Kristina Panzera, marketing manager at Ciot. “These aren’t necessarily strong patterns, but one tile is different from another in texture — from afar the floor looks the same, but when you get up close, you really see the detail.”

Tiles can be made to imitate the look of weathered cement, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating patterns. Homeowners and designers can achieve any look, from traditional to retro.

Ceramic planks are also being used in flooring, but these aren’t particularly easy to work with, experts say.

“Installation is key, especially when we’re talking about large tiles like these,” Panzera said. “They have to be installed properly, and you have to make sure your floor is very, very straight.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF CIOT Imola Ceramica’s X-Rock porcelain tiles in a large 60x120-centimetre format give this floor a clean, modern look.

INTERIORS BY LUCY MALAGISI PHOTOS COURTESY OF Vinyl plank flooring is easy to install using the click system, which doesn’t involve nails or glue, and comes in a wide variety — including patterns like the one shown here, that mimic the look of wood.

Ceramic plank flooring, laid down in a chevron pattern, gives this bathroom floor a unique look thanks to the variations in pattern and texture.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CIOT Treverkhome’s coloured body porcelain stoneware tiles, made in Italy, mimic the look and feel of wood.

Imola Ceramica’s beige porcelain tiles form an outdoor patio floor.

This glazed porcelain stoneware replicates the look of real wood planks while offering the convenience and durability of porcelain tiles. Installation is key, and it’s important that floors be straight and level.