Several years ago we made the decision to offer man-made porcelain tiles partly because some of our customers couldn’t cope with the variation that occurs within natural stone and they were looking for surfaces that were more consistent in tone and markings. Not surprisingly our porcelain and decorative tile ranges went down a storm and now accounts for over 50% of our collection.
What I do find slightly ironic is that some of our porcelain tiles now have more variation than actual stone, and they’re very realistic too! This is down to the manufacturer’s clever use of ink jet technology to mimic natural materials. We are discovering that the design world is no longer concerned with perfection and absolute consistency and are instead embracing the variation and unique imperfections of the natural world. Celebrating the interesting differences in tone, shade and markings rather than hiding them, and we’re right on board…as stone flooring lovers how couldn’t we!
Our new ‘Fusion’ collection is the perfect example. This porcelain tile mimics various natural stones such as marble, limestone & granite and combines them together to create a unique surface, it is available in five shades and numerous formats.
‘Rocco’ is also a new range launched earlier this year that replicates the look of travertine flooring. This faux, porcelain version is extremely durable and is available in both a ‘cross-cut’ travertine version ‘Rocco’ or for even more natural appreciation the ‘Rocco Linear’, that is characterised by fairly bold lines replicating when real travertine is cut along the vein.
Our striking ‘Verdigris’ porcelain replicates the blue-green patina formed on copper by oxidation and offers variation in abundance. With various sizes available and suitable for both floors and walls, the Verdigris porcelain tile has certainly caused a stir.
To embrace true, natural variation there’s nothing better than the real thing and we’ve done this by adding some exciting new stones to the collection this year. Showcasing French Limestone at its very best, our new ‘Bordeaux Provence Limestone’ offers a truly elegant melange of grey and fawn tones and to create that perfect antique stone floor it boasts imperfect surface and edges…that’s why we love it!
Add a touch of natural variation in your home with our range of natural stone tiles and limestone tiles. Buy online, request a brochure or visit a Mandarin Stone showroom to learn more.
