What an amazing week it’s been, I was invited as a Design Blogger and part of the VIP Press Tour to attend “Coverings” (www.coverings.com), which was rightfully touted as “The Ultimate Tile & Stone Experience” held in (not so sunny) Orlando, Florida. Next year it’s going to be held in my very own backyard, right here in the ATL (and I will be counting the days). I’m not even sure where to begin because I snapped over 350 photos, and was beyond impressed with the latest and greatest in tile and stone expertly showcased on the expo floor. My neck and feet are absolutely killing me, my feet from walking (they did warn me, but fashion over comfort I always say), and my neck from having to turn, pivot, and crane.
For the next week, I am going to hopefully inspire everyone to re-think tile and stone. Specifically, porcelain and ceramic, which I never thought I would say until I witnessed the innovations in tile from Spain, Italy and North America with my very own baby blues. Surprisingly, most of the designs were accomplished through various digital and ink-jet printing processes (I am totally not kidding). Better get ready Mr. B because I feel a change coming in our house (yup our master bath), which is going to be totally transformed someday with the ideas that are just floating around in my head. So while most of the population is counting sheep at night I am counting the days until I can change our builder grade bathroom to a sleek, and stunning Italian oasis.
I also wanted to thank VP&C, Ester Perman and Josh Schoenfelder (who totally rocks by the way) for coordinating this amazing experience, and of course those who represented some of my fav magazines; Coastal Living, Dwell, Interior Design Magazine, Domino (yes…as you may know they just had a special edition hit the new-stands as we speak, are you absolutely dying right now?), Interiors & Sources, Canadian Interiors, About.com, Architects and Artisans, and two people from the ATL., Shawn Alshut-President Elect for ASID Georgia, and Michele Lyden-President of IIDA. I think carpel tunnel just set in after typing that list, there are so many others in attendance that should be mentioned, but sadly I just don’t have the space, however, they deserve a big round of applause.
So here is just a sampling of what I saw…with more to come next week…
I was so impressed with this massive mosaic tribute to the brave soldiers who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom…
This is just a sampling of some of the amazing mosaics which were on display throughout the show…
Oops…there I am hiding behind Grant Gribble, Gribble Interior Group, who did one of the three rooms on display at the “Installation Design Showcase”…he was just so charming, and part of our dinner group at Opa’s with the rest of the VIP Press Tour. I loved this space…
This display was beyond fab, I loved the tile sampling in this gallery style setting…anyone of these designs would totally work in my house….
More mosaic magnificence…can you imagine one of these patterns on an accent wall?
Now this is a great idea, there was an area at the show displaying various tile benches. If you are a DIY’er this would be so easy to replicate with left-over tile. A unique garden seat perhaps?
Bati Orient
Decisions….any one of these vignettes is the perfect inspiration for a powder room, I am in love with the creamy porcelain vessel wrapped in rope…
Bati Orient
Need more ideas?
Pure “jungle love”, I have always loved rustic elements mixed with modern, and this bath with the tile in a raised relief pattern is just perfect…
This glammed out bathroom is totally what I would envision for my master bath make-over. It is simply to die for.
Classic European design with an assymetrical tile placement…black and white done right.
Another European masterpiece in metallic tile…
One of the most famous faces in the world translated into a psychadelic piece of mosicac artwork.
Hey, Mat Sanders of Domino Magazine how did you get in my picture? Just kidding! He patiently stood there while I snapped away. This tile display caught my eye because it brought back childhood memories of experimenting with Legos.
Yup…this is me with the special addition of Domino Magazine hot off the presses, Mat Sanders, Editor, Domino Magazine, shared this with us over dinnner. As a purveyor of all things design, I was devasted when Domino went away several years ago and now that they are back, well elated doesn’t even describe what I’m feeling…
It would be totally remiss of me if I didn’t post one pic of the adorable ducks at the Peabody, where we rested our weary heads.
This was etched into a slab of granite and says it all…
So check back this week, and I’ll be showcasing more fab tile and stone from Spain, Italy and North America.
Be amazing…
Vicki “The Ace of Space”
Bolick Interiors, LLC
