Hitting the tiles in Vegas

 

 
LAS VEGAS - Just a quick report for you, dear reader, from my perch at Coverings, the huge (46,500 sq.-ft.) stone and tile trade show here in Sin City. Three things I've noted here so far. One is the huge effect the evolution of digital print and ink-jet technology is having on the world of flooring. I'm seeing durable, affordable porcelain made to look like everything from marble to scraped wood. (There's a green story there that I'll get to.)  Texture is another big trend; there are tiles with wonderfully undulating surfaces and with finishes that look like basketweaves and herringbone. There's also an astonishing (to me, anyway) number of regional artisans making amazing small-batch and custom-made tiles. Mirrored and glazed finishes appear to be making gains with the cool kid designers. OK - that's four things - I'd better run. I'll return soon with more news (I've met manufacturers from both the US and Canada, and today we're checking out new products from Italy and Spain) and lots of pretty pictures. But here's one beautiful shot from a company called Stonepeak -- just to whet your appetite. Oh, and by the way, it's sunny and  26 degrees in L.V. Sorry about that.