Dynamic Ceramic: FAP Ceramiche

It is obvious that a more personal bathroom design is a prominent trend that is changing this special space fundamentally. But the more we leave the concept of a merely functional bathroom behind, the more freedom and creativity comes into play. This is why the role of architects and interior designers is changing too, for they are the ones who have to come up with new, exciting ideas to create something special that works both on a functional and on an emotional level. Because once we desert traditional concepts, the bathroom of today is at the start of the design process like a bare canvas: every shape, every colour, every surface and material is elementary in the composition of an individual interior design.

The Italian floor-and-wall-tile manufacturer FAP Ceramiche has understood this development and recently introduced a new family of wall tiles called ”Pat”. It consists of nine different colours (among them ”Sky”, ”Ecru”, ”Chocolate” or ”Deco Blue”) that feature various tactile patterns. They come in various sizes like 30,5 x 91,5 cm (12“ x 36“) or as 30,5 cm (12“) sized squares, for example in the ”Mosaico” or the ”Triangolo” format. The grids of the patterns range from fine geometric lines to bolder checked structures.

The unique interaction of lines and background colours was developed by the company´s in-house design team to match up-to-date preferences and styles. In order to find aesthetically pleasing combinations of pastel shades with subtle patterns, current trends in fashion, textile and furniture design were scanned.

In my personal opinion, there is a certain mid-century feel to the Pat collection, yet one that is interpreted in a contemporary way. Its uniqueness, first of all, comes from that fact that the fine structures and colour combinations are expected rather in textile design, so we may initially associate them with a softer material. The second surprise is the patterns' three-dimensional effect. This also adds to the warm, homy appearance of the series, as they are less slick than tiles usually are.

And last but not least, the designers have made an effort to choose colours that work well together and well with other wall and floor tile programmes of FAP Ceramiche. Architects and interior designers are given a great deal of freedom to come up with combinations that fit both the style and taste of their customers and which suit the given bathroom layout and dimensions.

This, without doubt, is an important issue when choosing colours for a bathroom: since that choice will have a lasting effect on the way the room is perceived, one must be careful not to create an obtrusive atmosphere with a colour that is too bright or too dark. After all, the bathroom is a space for relaxation. So the choice for pastel colours not only pleases the eye but has a soothing effect on anyone wanting to relax and recharge in his or her personal wellness area.

So if we take a closer look on FAP Ceramiche´s homepage at how exactly the Pat programme can be integrated in various bathrooms both large and small, and how its defined colours and patterns can be combined, also with the floor tile series by the Modena-based company, the results are really stunning: The architecture itself is graphically structured, emphasizing in some cases horizontal lines that are created by the combination of monochrome colours and checked tiles. All in all, there is a stylish clarity visible with a modern-day, fresh appeal that really gives bathroom interiors an individual, personal identity.

© Architonic