From down-to-earth to high style, the new tiles and counters are smart and shiny.
By Amanda Ross
Not-So-Basic Granite is the little black dress of countertop materials: classic, and it works with almost everything. Give the bath an urban edge with Black Mosaic slab [1] from Brazil. From $22.50 per square foot. margranite.ceramstone.com
Shiny Happy Counters With eight new sparkly colours on tap, like Aqualite, Bronzite and Copperite, Corian’s luxe Metallic shades [2] disguise the material’s practical nonporous, durable workhorse, roots. Price on request. dupont.com
Sexy One-Piece From Idea Group Italy comes a new ultra-clear glass countertop [3] with integrated sink or sinks in 50 glamorous colours-think Cappuccino, Sahara and Violetta. From $23 per linear centimetre. ideagroupbathrooms.com
Paper Trail Richlite’s layered paper-composite Cascade counters [4]-created with post-consumer recycled paper-evoke the Cascade Mountain range with six colours and multicoloured edges. Price on request. richlite.com
Wooden It Be Nice Formica’s new Petrified Wood laminate [5] from its 180fx line brings the look of the outdoors in without sacrificing modern durability. From $33 per linear foot. formica.com
That’s So Raven This handmade half-round relief-carved bird tile [1] hails from tiny Gabriola Island, B.C. $60 per tile. earthsongtiles.com
Wild Thing Artistic Tile’s new Zebrano brushed marble [2] features burgundy veins on a background of olive-grey. $23 per square foot. artistictile.com
Arabian Nights The Wavy Relief Qatar tiles from Porcelanosa [3] echo the slow, undulating movement of desert dunes. $4 per square foot. porcelanosa.com
Wood Stock The Circles wood tiles from Ann Sack’s Indah collection [4] are carved onto antiqued reclaimed teak. $160 per square foot. annsacks.com
Op Art The arresting design of these oversize Lily Optical tiles [5] from Italy is no illusion. Price on request. iconstonetile.com
Endless Summer Oceanside Glasstile’s Coppertone Blend mosaic [6] is made from 85 percent curbside waste. $70 per square foot. glasstile.com
Boho Chic The Soho Brown tile by Marazzi [7] takes its inspiration from the eponymous Big Apple neighbourhood. $6.50 per square foot. marazzitile.com
