In the 10 years that we have been publishing Contemporary Stone & Tile Design, we have seen countless trends in the field. However, when you look at design as a whole, these “trends” actually fall into two different classifications - those taking place in terms of materials and those that relate to the final application.

On the materials end, suppliers of stone and tile products are continually introducing new materials to the marketplace. That means they were showcasing new products at trade shows, marketing them to the design community and, of course, promoting them to niche design magazines such as this one. For example, when we first began publishing Contemporary Stone & Tile Design 10 years ago, products such as tumbled stone were first coming into the fold, and they were present at trade shows and magazine advertisements long before they found their way onto residential floors and walls. Now they are a mainstay of completed design projects. And so it has gone for the past decade, where new products are introduced on a conceptual basis before the architecture and design community takes full advantage of their potential.

Following this logic, the other side of the “trends” equation is the end use of these products. This is dictated not by manufacturers or market research groups, but by the individual preferences of designers and homeowners. It is this aspect of the trade that has been the most gratifying for suppliers of stone and tile products - to see their new introductions being used in thoughtful ways that the manufacturers themselves may not have even envisioned.

In this issue's feature on decorative tile (page 40), we look at both ends of the spectrum. We start by taking a look at the ways in which designers are using decorative tile products such as glass tile, mosaic pieces, hand-painted accents, moldings, medallions and more. Although these materials have been on the marketplace for a few years now, veteran designers such as Gail Green of Green & Company, Inc. in New York are now using them exclusively for a broad range of applications. “We are no longer using the standard American tiles that were around when I first started working in the venue,” she said. “A lot of people like more unusual tile applications nowadays, and you can be really imaginative in your use of it.” In addition to Green's array of work, our decorative tile feature also highlights a range of additional residential and commercial designs.

And with an eye on future projects, this issue also features a “Showcase of Decorative and Glass Tile” . This two-page product spread includes some of the newest material introductions on the market today, and innovative designers have already begun using these products to maintain a cutting-edge look to their designs. As these projects are completed, we'll be sure to include them on the pages of Contemporary Stone & Tile Design, as we have for the past 10 years. And on a personal note, I would like to extend my thanks to the many architects, designers and suppliers we have worked with over the past decade. It has been a gratifying experience to say the least, and we look forward to a solid future in the industry.

Michael Reis
Senior Editor