INSPIRED BY TILE
DESIGNER TONI SABATINO REFLECTS ON HER EXOTIC TRIP TO BALI
On a recent trip to Bali, I couldn’t help but notice the tile designs and patterns in the resorts, restaurants and shops, the homes, the swimming pools and even the sidewalks. Tile is such an interesting artistic medium to me as a designer. I found myself enjoying the tile installations as much as the window shopping while walking through the villages.
These pictures were taken on the Bali trip. I loved the use of tile as surface and art and found the spirit of the Balinese evident everywhere. The celebration of the ordinary and every day with artistic decoration made me smile.
I love the look of tile but I also love the durability. A few years ago, I was the guest of Tile of Spain at the Cevisama tile show where the latest innovations abound. I also had the pleasure of visiting some tile factories. The technological advances of additional firings, digital printing and sinking ink have led to some very interesting and durable product including wood look porcelains, metallics, aged looking pieces, and even stair treads.
Here are a few tiles that piqued my interest at the show. I love the idea of tile as wallcovering in common spaces of homes, like doing the entire fireplace wall in the living room or a bedroom as an example.
When considering finishes for my clients, I often propose tile as a long term decorative solution for spaces outside of the kitchen and bath. Wood look porcelains are a great floor solution for homes by the beach and the reclaimed wood look porcelain also makes a great accent wall. I also love to do an accent wall with textured whites like the ones above to play with the light and add some sophistication to a more modern space that will have fewer details such as the absence of crown molding. Mosaic tile “area rugs” are a great low maintenance way to add a little drama to an entry and yes, I could go on and on! I am inspired by tile and hope that you are, too! The pictures featured here taken at Cevisama. I hope you enjoy!
TONI SABATINO
Toni Sabatino is an award winning interior designer, cabinetry specialist, furniture designer and spatial planner serving the renovation and new construction market throughout the New York Metropolitan Area, Palm Beach, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, Vermont and other resort locations.
Toni believes in a kitchen-centric building and remodeling philosophy, championing open floor plans that honor the foodie, the entertainer and most simply, the family. Toni believes that good design should have a user experience to equal the aesthetic. NKBA AKBD and CLIPP certified, Toni believes all home should be safe, accessible and comfortable. Toni currently serves as the NKBA Manhattan Chapter President and is the proud recipient of the NKBA Chapter Star Award for Best President 2019.
Toni is a member of the Kitchen and Bath Business Editorial Advisory Board and she is the designer of the Retro Collection of bath furniture for Baden Haus, SPA., and also belongs to the IFDA, IDS and the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Published works include kitchens, home libraries, radiant refrigeration wine rooms, storage solutions and custom baths.
