Is Terrazzo Dead?

The other week we put one of those question boxes on our Instagram stories in the hope that some of our followers might have a burning question for us.

While it’s no secret most pages do this, I wasn’t prepared to do the classic influencer thing of asking questions from my account to make it look like we had a lot of interest. Instead, I waited it out. 12 hours later, we finally got one. And it inspired me to write this column. 

Our lovely follower wanted to know the next trend to look out for after terrazzo. In all honesty, this is a question we’ve spent a lot of time musing over for the last couple of years. You’re probably thinking, ‘years!?’ Yes, it’s been a slow burn but I’m finally going to address it here.

Terrazzo has held the top spot on the interiors trend list for a good five years. From funky coloured variants to classic greys, and porcelain replicas, this trend has really put its stamp on the hearts and homes of many.

As with most trends, there comes a time when the obsession dies down and the focus shifts to the next ‘in’ thing. And while I personally think terrazzo will never date, it’s time for a shake-up.

Natural stone, raw and organic materials are having a moment

Down to Earth

Echoing the colours, textures, and finishes of the natural world, interiors are beginning to shift into a warmer and more neutral style of design. Earthy and almost rustic, these textures and materials are being used in an incredibly contemporary way to create sophisticated spaces.  

Tones of terracotta, browns, warm whites and creamy travertine make up this earthy colour palette. Evoking a sense of calmness, these colours are warm and inviting – a feeling I’m sure we all look for in our homes.

There really is no room for flawless finishes in these spaces, so when it comes to materiality for this earthy interior trend, it’s all about embracing the beauty of the imperfect. I’m talking about handmade clay tiles, organic metals that will patina, and natural stone. Not only do these organic materials look beautiful once installed, but they also create a sense of tactility, inviting you to touch and feel every surface.

If you’re a colour fiend like me, you’ll be pleased to know that adding pops of colour is welcome in this interior aesthetic. No matter which way you use it, colour is the easiest way to inject your personality into this nature-inspired design style.

With all that in mind, I’ll end with this bit of advice: never feel the need to conform to ‘trends’ just because you see them everywhere. Interior design is just as much about personal style as it is about trends, so, find that perfect chunky terrazzo and go with it!

Words: Alana Perin
Published: GT Magazine 15 May 2022

Keeping Ancient Traditions Alive Through Tiles

History has a great way of repeating itself through art, and never has this been more apparent than in the design and creation of porcelain tiles. With new technologies and talented creatives at the helm, these tiles continue to push the boundaries by reintroducing ancient practices into the 21st century.

We’re pretty lucky here at GT&B to have access to some of the world’s most daring, innovative, and timeless tile collections from around the world. And to think we can take a piece of ancient European history and place it in our contemporary homes on the other side of the world is incredible – and we love it.

Pulling from the brilliant minds of craftspeople before us, today’s tile designers have the ability to take us back into the heart of these places, allowing us to experience the grandeur of what once was (and likely still is).

A tribute to the timeless beauty of Venetian floors 

Inspired by an art practiced since ancient times, NEWDECÒ celebrates the beauty of Venice’s terrazzo-laden floors. An emblem of elegance and refined design, NEWDECÒ gives a glimpse into high society and noble Venetian palaces, embodying all the traditions of timeless design. Now if you’re anything like us, you’re already transporting yourself into one of these palaces, marvelling in the beauty…and sipping on a prosecco.

Available in both natural and polished finishes, the six body colours are faithful to the tradition of Venetian laying and range from light, grey, orange, and dark variants. Two décor designs complement the body tiles and can be laid on the floor or wall to create a striking feature.

The large and chunky coloured fragments that make up the décor tile’s terrazzo pattern are a real-life dream. The creative combinations are not only sophisticated, but they make a scenic impact and would make anyone ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at first glance. You should have seen us when the samples arrived in the showroom!

Maintenance-free application

You can have these glorious maintenance-free tiles in your home without the hassle of needing to seal them. Unlike natural stone or terrazzo, NEWDECÒ is surface resistant to wear from foot traffic, stains, and light – making it the perfect material for applications in the home, commercial spaces, or hospitality venues.

We don’t know about you, but these tiles are our newest obsession and we invite you to check them out with your own eyes by visiting our showroom. NEWDECÒ is not a stocked item and must be ordered in from Italy, so lead-times will apply to this range – but we think it’s worth the wait.

3 Trends to Watch This Season

As published in New Homes & Land Magazine