Architecture Products

Chicago • Coverings

This year in Chicago, more than 37,000 people attended Coverings, America’s largest ceramic tile and stone trade show, with architects’ and designers’ numbers nearly doubling. At the show, manufacturers and distributors unveiled new green products as well as patterns inspired by textiles. - David Sokol

Just Add Elbow Patches
The nattily dressed professor will give high marks to I Tessuti, which matches the look and feel of tweed in four subtle colors. Cerim Ceramiche, Fiorano Modenese, Italy. www.florim.it

Project Runway
The Curelu and Very Fashion tiles from Venus are better suited to a store window than the shop floor. Curelu bears a striking resemblance to Coogi sweaters, and Very Fashion takes a page from Louis Vuitton. Venus Ceramica, Nules, Spain. www.venusceramica.com

Chevron Chic
Zig Zag 2 reproportions herringbone and gives it a dash of color, transforming the traditional fashion statement into a mesmerizing geometric field. Mosaic House, New York City. www.mosaichse.com

From Stone to Suits
This marble, from Marmara Island in Turkey, could be the original chalkstripe. Archeologists have determined that mining began there 2,500 years ago. Efendioglu, Orhangazi-Bursa, Turkey. www.efendioglu.com.tr

From Trash to Treasure
True to its name, Debris tiles contain 50 percent post-consumer and post-industrial recycled materials. Available in more than 200 colors and a variety of sizes and patterns, Debris’ clay and terra cotta bodies include granite dust from sandblasted electronic parts and glass salvaged from bottles and windowpanes. Fireclay Tile, San Jose, Calif. www.fireclaytile.com

Totally Porcelain
Designer Paolo Navone’s Drops collection includes porcelain wash basins, shelving, and a mirror to expand the oeuvre of Italian manufacturer Viva, which had limited itself to producing tile until now. Viva Ceramica, Formigine, Italy. www.cerviva.it