The Return of the Terrazzo

The Return of the Terrazzo

Over the last couple of years Terrazzo flooring has made an impressive come back.  It is no longer associated just with school floors and public buildings.  It is a thing of beauty, highly sought after, extremely desirable and unfortunately pretty expensive too, but don’t worry, we have a modern and cost effective twist on the original, which may be even more beautiful.

Terrazzo flooring originated in Friuli in Italy, it is thought around the 15^th Century.  The craftsmen who laid the venetian marble mosaic flooring began to gather all of the waste marble and chips from the marble floors that they were laying as well as pebbles and glass from the areas where they lived.  They would lay these into the ground around their living quarters, their “terrazza”, or terrace as we know it.  They would then rub the surface with stones to give them a flat surface, not long after this they developed a tool for grinding away the surface, revealing the beautiful patterns beneath.   They later discovered that by using the milk from their goats as a sealer they could bring out the colour in the chips of marble and stone.  They had created a beautiful, virtually free flooring.  Little did they know that this style of flooring would grow to be one of the most expensive, durable and desirable flooring options available.

We have, for the last couple of years been searching the globe to find you the best and most beautiful porcelain terrazzo.  To offer a terrazzo look that does not need a team of specialists to lay it and special cleaners and sealers to look after it, and one that will not break the bank.  We wanted something with a modern twist that you could get excited about, and now we have it.

Our porcelain terrazzo is made in Spain, using a range of different techniques to create the just the right look including photographing the real thing and studying endless chips of marble, stone, glass, granite and shell to give you the perfect combination of colours.  The artists behind the porcelain terrazzo have created a beautiful mix of patterns and colours for you to choose from as well as matching coloured bricks and delicate patterns. 

It is available in a carefully curated selection of colours from shades of greys to pink, blue and yellow.  It can be laid with a very narrow grout joint to give you a simple terrazzo feel or with brass in each joint to give you a bit of opulence.  It also comes in a range of different bold patterns, whether you want to go for Escher cubes or a delicate floral.  You can go ultra modern or a twist on retro.  Pair it with a stunning handmade style brick in a similar colour, use it on your kitchen walls for a real statement, try the semi-polished version for a bit of elegance or go ultra modern with a slick white pairing.  The options are endless.

So whatever your style, call in to see us and check out our absolutely stunning range of porcelain terrazzo tiles.  If you cant make it down just yet, don’t worry, you can also check it out on our website at:

www.ceramicaetc.co.uk/porcelain-terrazzo

Ceramica Etc

Ceramica Etc is like no other tile shop around.  From the moment that you enter you realise the tremendous choice that is available to you.  Their showroom displays the cutting edge in design and current trends but also appeals to those who want something different, personal, exceptional.  Whether your style is modern, traditional, bohemian, avant-garde or something else entirely this showroom will appeal to you. 

They haven’t done the norm and created small kitchen or bathroom settings, instead they have created dramatic displays, pairing patterns and metro bricks, porcelain parquet wood with handmade ceramic tiles.  They have everything you can imagine from real stone to digitally printed porcelain, tile panels depicting jungle scenes to very large format porcelain or even hand painted decorative tiles. If you want wood they have very realistic, or aged and painted wood effect porcelain, that you can put in a shower.  They can offer everything from tiny personalised mosaic panels to 1.6 x 3.2m porcelain tiles.  They profess to holding  large volumes of stock and catching a glimpse into their massive warehouse, it is apparent that this is indeed the case.   If they don’t have what you are looking for then it probably doesn’t exist. 

It is a family run business that has been going for three generations and the enthusiasm and passion that they have is incredible.  This gives their showroom a very friendly approachable feel.  It is also important to note that while they carry some very cutting edge products, they do have an incredible number of options available in many different styles at pretty much every price bracket. 

Real Wood or Porcelain Wood?

Real Wood or Porcelain Wood?

With so many options now on the market it is hard to know which one to go for.   Many people are still sceptical at the thought of using an “imitation” wood in their homes, so I have done a bit of research and here is my verdict on the matter.  My favourite; the porcelain wood!   This is why. . .

First off, there is nowhere that you can’t put it, and I mean nowhere.  Because of the nature of porcelain it won’t expand and contract like a real wood floor and moisture levels do not affect it.  So you can have a beautiful porcelain wood floor in your bathroom or wet room, some ranges even come with an outdoor version so you can carry it through your house and out onto your patio/BBQ area, you can’t get much better than that!

Kitchens and hallways have always been a bit of a grey area when it comes to real wood floors, they can wear and discolour with time, can be stained, and trap dirt between the planks.  Porcelain wood overcomes all of these issues.  It won’t stain or discolour, it is very hard wearing and the grout even prevents dirt and food from being caught between the planks.

If you are considering under floor heating then porcelain it is!  As a natural insulator, wood isn’t much good with under floor heating, it will heat up when the heat is on but will not hold the heat for long once the heating has gone off.  Porcelain on the other hand is a natural heat store.  It will heat up when the under floor heating is on, but will hold the heat for hours after the heating has gone off.

If you aren’t won over already then here are a few more reasons to go for porcelain wood.   It doesn’t just come in wood colours, although it is available in every shade of wood that you can imagine.  If you want subtle you can get beautiful grey and mink tones, beautiful pale unstained pine and charred dark wood.  If you are more into the texture you can go for a planed effect porcelain wood or go for textured (without the risk of getting a skelf) they even come in ultra smooth with beautiful grain.  Or go for a simple, small plank and lay it in herring bone, simply stunning!  If you are looking for more of a statement you can go for paint effect wood in a wide variety of colours, ornate patterned wood, end grain planks, hexagon wood or even sterling board in a wide range of colours.  What more could you want!

For me it just doesn’t compare.  Porcelain wood every time!

We are back Blogging!!!

It has been a while since we have updated our blog but we are back!  We have lots of gorgeous new tiles for your home!  First off are our new Victorian floor colours.  You can now make up these beautiful new patterns using the most gorgeous new greys and blues!

We also have brand new and exciting porcelain tiles made in Italy and brought in just for you!  These come in three different colours and finishes from a stunning matt to perfectly polished.  They are available from our showroom in Bangor, Northern Ireland.  Why not call in and see them.

Next are the breath taking 10 x 20cm bevelled mirror glass bricks.  Absolutely gorgeous and we have sourced them just for you because so many of you have been asking for them.

And last but not least.  We now stock Annie Sloan Paint!!!  Just for you in every possible colour.

Call in and see us at Ceramica Etc in Bangor, Northern Ireland.  We have a massive selection of Tiles, Stone, Mosaic's, Glass, Grout, adhesive, trims and sealers in stock.  Everything that you need to brighten up your home in time for summer.

So Many Beautiful Colours!!!

If you are wondering what to do to freshen up your kitchen or bathroom, then why not call in and have a chat with us at Ceramica Etc.  We have lots of bright new colours, sparkly mosaics, elegant stone, beautiful glass, and luxurious metal mosaics all waiting to smarten up your home just in time for Autumn.  It doesn't have to cost a fortune, so why not call in today and see what we can do to help you.  

Exciting New Displays and Ranges!!!

We have lots of new displays just up!  Call in and have a look around.  There are beautiful new wood effect porcelain tiles in a range of various colours for indoor and outdoor.  As well as this we beautiful muted grey and mink concrete effect and lots of new patterns and colours in various ranges.  The stock is flying out quickly so don't miss the chance to get your hands on some of these beautiful new product ranges.

Our Blog Is Now Up and Running!!

We Have A Blog!  Our new Website and blog are now up and running!  Keep an eye out here for lots of Special Offers and Sales as well as the latest in what is in and our new ranges of Tiles, Stone, Wood, Porcelain. 

 

Also Check out our brand new website at www.ceramicaetc.co.uk for more Images, Ideas and Inspiration!