Smooth operator From marble to concrete and tiles, hard flooring is a robust pick
FROM MARBLE THAT EVOKES THE MEDITERRANEAN TO POLISHED CONCRETE AND GEOMETRIC TILES, FLOORS THAT ARE FIRED, POURED OR QUARRIED ARE HOT PROPERTY
Although hard flooring might present a bit of a tough landing for little ones, this underfoot surface scores high for robust durability and a modern look. Sought out for its strength and classic beauty, key options for this stalwart include stone, ceramic (seen above) and porcelain tiles, as well as the perennially cool concrete slab, smoothed and sealed, ready for some fancy footwork.
ROCK OF AGES
“Our top sellers are porcelain and ceramic tiles, but natural stones, which are timeless and earthy, are growing at a faster rate,” says Chris Ilias, managing director of Teranova. Homeowners are making a statement with marble and limestones from Greece, Italy, Turkey or Morocco, and they’re not afraid to spend. “Customers are splurging on high-end finishes such as stone to make a luxurious statement,” says Chris, who reasons that if they have spent $2 million-plus on their new home, they will typically see value in investing another $5000 on a statement floor.
VENETIAN VISTAS
With its echoes of an Italian palazzo and Art-Deco style, classic terrazzo has made a comeback – but with a twist. “Many people have grown up with terrazzo,” says Chris, of this versatile composite material made up of chips of marble and granite, and other substances, such as glass and shell. “But now it comes less shiny, uncomplicated and imperfect, with a rustic texture, while, instead of whites and greys, colours are making a return – think blues and pinks.” Terrazzo teams handsomely with every type of decor, from traditional to cutting-edge contemporary. >
HONED AND TUMBLED: WHAT ON EARTH?
THESE TERMS OFTEN POP UP WHEN SHOPPING FOR STONE. HONED MEANS THE STONE HAS BEEN GROUND BACK FOR A SMOOTH FINISH, FROM MATT TO SATIN. AS IT’S NOT GLOSSY, IT RESISTS SCRATCHING, BUT IT CAN ALSO SLURP UP LIQUIDS IF NOT WELL SEALED. TUMBLED TILES HAVE BEEN ROTATED IN A DRUM FOR DAYS, RESULTING IN A SOFT, SMOOTH SURFACE THAT GIVES A WORN AND PITTED LOOK AND MUTED, CHALKY COLOURS.
SEAL THE DEAL
Easier than ever to maintain these days, stone flooring offers userfriendly advantages. Stone can now go 10–15 years between sealing, “as opposed to a year in the past,” says Chris Ilias from Teranova. “There is not much needed to upkeep porcelain or ceramic tiles apart from giving them a general clean,” adds Christie Wood of Beaumont Tiles, whose tiles boast a 10-year guarantee. Beaumont recently released an anti-slip finish called Microtec, with the smoothness and tactility of a regular tile but with the slip rating of a heavy-duty one, so you can use the same tile indoors and out.
WELCOME MATT
This look shuns gloss and bling. “Finishes in natural stone are honed, tumbled and timeworn so the floors look as if they have been there a long time,” says Chris. And stones are often tumbled not just once but twice for a rustic rawness. Today’s travertines differ greatly from the highly polished 1980s take, being vein-cut, unfilled, warm and textured. (Vein cuts emphasise the lines rather than the swirls.) And terracotta ceramics are worlds away from the Tuscan looks of the 1990s, being handmade, raw and earthier, such as Teranova’s Moroccan Zellige range, which costs approximately $249/sqm.
SET IN CONCRETE
Add glamour to a concrete slab by sanding, sealing and waxing it. It’s great for an industrial look but perhaps a bit harsh for family living. It has the advantage of being already laid, but requires a lot of prep to make it a functioning floor. And hydronic in-floor heating is a must.
ALL FIRED UP
Porcelain’s perennial appeal lies in its versatility. “Porcelain requires less maintenance than stone, with no sealing or cutting costs,” says interior designer Lauren Mahoney of Studio Trio. And the patterns are endless – it can mimic its natural competitors. Moroccan and Mediterranean styles are leading the way, says Christie. “Start with a tactile, handmade look that celebrates its imperfections. Mediterranean patterns with strong geometrics or Moroccan arabesque patterns sing to this style,” she explains. “Stone-look ranges such as our Rock Salt feature heavily. So too do those with a raw aesthetic, such as travertine-, limestone- and pulpis-look tiles.” Anna-Carin McNamara of Anna.Carin Design seconds that. “There’s a big move towards stone-lookalikes,” she adds, of this budget-friendly alternative. “As they’re very durable and natural resources are limited, they’re here to stay.”
“THE TWO BIG TRENDS ARE MOROCCAN AND MEDITERRANEAN STYLES AND LOOKS INSPIRED BY NATURE” ~ CHRISTIE WOOD, BEAUMONT TILES
“WE USE A LOT OF LIMESTONE TILES. THE NATURAL, UNEVEN QUALITY BRINGS A LOVELY ATMOSPHERE TO THE ROOM”
~ ANNA-CARIN McNAMARA