Striking the right tone: Marca Corona

From an early age, we are all asked ‘which colour?’. It is one of the first decisions we can make as humans to tell the world who we are. ‘Which colour?’ asks a mother to her child, holding up two objects. Without even understanding the concept of colour, the child is drawn to ruby red over sky blue.

While we might leave our ‘favourite colour’ in the playground, as we grow older, we still frequently confront the decision. However conscious or sub-conscious, each choice empowers us to express our personality. Slowly, we realise the complex power the language of colour holds over us as individuals – it can represent us, communicate to others, transport us in time, and even express our values.

Layering colour, pattern and texture across interiors since 1741, Italian porcelain tile manufacturer Marca Corona is well versed in its language. The polychromatic palettes of each tile collection are the result of rigorous in-house technology, conscientious eco-friendly materials and intensive design trend research. The hues are then balanced to express an unprecedented range of moods and dynamics.

It takes us a while to feel confident selecting colours – especially for our own home or business environment, which often feels like an extension of ourselves. A strong choice, no matter how subtle or bold, reflects how secure we feel in our own skin. When it comes to tiles, we rely on designers to understand this need for flexibility.

Marca Corona empowers its clients to be playful with colour and not afraid of it. The Terra.Art porcelain tile collection is designed to be used on both walls and floors, opening up the potential for 360-degree expression. Its wide range of cool, warm and neutral tones was carefully engineered to reinterpret the classic cementine tile; while the colours are light and modern, a soft chalky finish adds a layer of weight, something retro, and a touch of familiarity.

While colours can be a unique individual expression, they also have universal meanings that connect us. Green, for example, is synonymous with lush nature – rainforests, vineyards, and urban gardens. With this comes its associations with tranquillity, health and harmony.

Marca Corona’s new Lilysuite collection visualises ‘an enchanted garden’ to be wrapped around interior walls. The colour palette’s seven exclusive nuances, ranging from pastel tones to fresh accents, are inspired by the recent indoor garden trend that has seen an influx of houseplants and green walls. Colours such as a revitalising azure and forest green are then intensified with floral motifs and impressionist textures.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that colour can transport us – just like a piece of music might. Where does a piercing blue, or a burnt orange send you? Certain palettes can send us into a different era altogether. Marca Corona’s Victoria collection of wall tiles pays tribute to the elegance of late-nineteenth-century London. Colours such as theatrical obsidian grey and carnelian terracotta nod to the Neoclassical trend, while the relief patterning is a modern take on Victorian interiors.

After all – as well as personal, colours are cultural. When designing a space, we might choose the Victoria range because like the Victorian era, we too want to express restraint and refinement. On the other hand, we might want to express the vibrancy, warmth and vitality of the ‘bel paese’. For that, Marca Corona’s Storie d’Italia collection of wall and floor tiles would be the right choice. It is a contemporary twist on the traditional Majolica tile, made up of strikingly vivid white, yellow, blue and green across seven different geometric and floral patterns.

Intimately connected to who we are, colour can also express who we want to be. That’s why a change in colour often represents a larger change in our lives – a fresh beginning, a new chapter, or an evolution. Just like it can reflect our values through layers of references, memories, and cultural associations, with colour we can also project our values. But remember to have fun with colour too – just like Marca Corona does with its ceramic floor and wall tile collections.

© Architonic