Traditional terrazzo dates back to ancient Egyptian mosaics, although terrazzo is most well known due to its later Italian heritage - and most predominantly Venetian terrazzo. In its contemporary format, terrazzo tile is used commonly - perhaps most infamously on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The modern terrazzo tile is a reinterpretation of the early Italian format, incorporating marble fragments to create a unique, glistening finish designed to capture the light at different angles.
VENICE VILLA by TILE WAREHOUSE
One of the latest collections to hit our shores is the Venice Villa range by Tile Warehouse. âVenice Villa reinterprets the famous Venetian terrazzo in a contemporary key, combining the appearance of crushed marble fragments with the excellent properties of full body porcelain stoneware,â The Tile Warehouseâs Jacqui Robinson says.
âThe result is a real interplay of colours that capture and reflect light, enhancing homes and commercial space. Inclusions of fragments express the beauty of the material that inspired the collection, faithfully reproducing it in a ceramic surface that is extremely easy to lay, maintain and clean.â
Itâs a collection that stands out for its variety of colours and fragments: the marble effect fragments appear like gems and result in elegant, personalised combinations, Jacqui says.
The reinvigorated trend for terrazzo tiles began in Europe and is now seeing popularity across Australasia with the style of tile being specified in a large range of settings from homes to commercial settings. âIn terms of colour, pink is on trend at the moment and is a hue we expect to remain incredibly popular into 2020,â Jacqui says.
The Venice Villa collection is available for pre-order in New Zealand ahead of its release in December 2019, and it has already been specified into an airport, various retailers and a transport hub pre release.
âThe drawcard is the innovation and creativity behind the development of this range. Real terrazzo chips are added to full-bodied porcelain giving a âgem-likeâ quality to each tile. No two faces are the same, the design is original and the terrazzo flows through the whole tile. A significant factor is that, unlike traditional terrazzo, full-bodied porcelain does not wear out and holds its colour so the flooring does not wear in colour nor form over time.â