National Tiles Magazine - issue 5

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NATIONAL TILES 3 Available in 7 colours: Marrakech Gloss edLemona Marrakech GlossLake Marrakech GlossCarmin Marrakech GlossOlive Marrakech GlossAzur Marrakech GlossWhite Marrakech GlossEbony

25 marvellous mosaics 29 superior stoneware 32 vivid veining 34 given a green light 36 local heroes 40 the great outdoors 42 initimitably italian 44 timeless timbers 24 20 6 editor’s note 7 latest news 12 australia’s best house 14 twice blessed 16 fragmenti cotto 20 country home facelift 23 women in design 24 brie talks tiles marvellous mosaics outdoors contents WHAT’S INSIDE 4 NATIONAL TILES

14 48 studio M 50 redstone 52 talking trade 56 franchise focus 62 best of insta 66 the catch-up

some 42 years ago. You know that the iconic ‘hellooo’ radio catch cry put National Tiles on the map, and you know that National Tiles is respected and revered by home renovators, architects, designers, trades, and builders alike.

When it comes to our product, we have an amazing array of new ranges about to hit our shores. After several years marooned in Australia, our global sourcing team have taken to the skies again, sourcing the best quality, affordable and innovative products from around the globe. With spring on our doorstep, now’s the time to update those spaces in your home with colour and style and get ready to embrace the Australian summer.

As a team, we take pride in living our values of safe, customer obsessed, teamwork, respect, and relentless improvement every day. We are constantly looking at ways we can evolve and grow, ensuring we become the destination for hard floor, wall, and outdoor surfaces. Voted ‘2021 Large Employer of the Year’ in vocational education and training from the Builders Academy Australia, we continue to invest further in our team to make sure there is nobody better to help our customers on their hard flooring journey. Thank you again to all of our team and customers for their support over the last few years, and I hope you enjoy a memorable Summer with family and friends.

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So, what don’t you know? Well, we have 38 stores nationwide and are expanding in a serious way so we can deliver the National Tiles experience to more customers each and every day!

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ArtDirector

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Can you believe we’re already over half way through 2022? Time flies when you’re not locked down! It feels like only yesterday we were all on Zoom (don’t miss!) and wearing trackie bottoms (do miss!) Finally though, we’re back to normal, back together and proud to present another issue of National Tiles magazine: The Design Issue.

Bart grew up around the building industry, doing rouse-about work for his builder dad, Eddie. He’s been with National Tiles for five years working in various roles. He is currently the digital producer, managing website content, campaigns and personalisation, our e-commerce catalogue and looking after email and digital marketing. Bart’s idea of colour is dark green, navy blue, black and marle grey.

Olivia is originally from England but after catching the travel bug, she left in search of warmer waters and landed in Australia. Having made Melbourne her home, Olivia joined the National Tiles family in late 2021 as the Campaign Manager. When she isn’t concepting new campaign ideas, Olivia enjoys riding horses and falling off her skateboard. Liv likes the va-va-voom of pink and red at the same time.

Another overt design trend you’ll find ahead is that nature is still the now - marble is always â la mode, green is going nowhere and the warmth of timber and travertine are forever Product-wise,on-trend.we’ve

Just like our last issue, this one explores some breathtaking designs and ideas boasting bursts of colour and personality - because one clear design trend this year is that plain white wall tiles won’t cut it anymore. Having long been a modern design stalwart, this year, designers are mixing it up and ditching the ordinary tiles for ones with some oomf.

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Starting off at Art School, Helen was always drawn to advertising. It wasn’t long before she realised she needed to stop making art about ads, and starting making ads. She has worked as an Art Director for the last 10 years, highlights including working on homewares and beauty campaigns for Myer. Her ultimate colour combo would be lilac, beige, aqua, grey and orange.

Sami is the newest member to join the National Tiles family. She is a digital content creator with a love of popculture, video content and of endlessly scrolling on TikTok. As the Social and Content Coordinator, you can find her creating content Yellow.Mauvefavouriteemojischeekyonlineresearchingcalendars,thelatesttrendsandfindingwaystoslipintocaptions.HercoloursareaGreenandPastel

B art SchofieldEditor

Sam i JenkinsContentCo-Ordinator

Olivia HamiltonCampaignManager

got some stunning new ranges to reveal. From traditional terracotta re-worked as a contemporary classic to stunning slabs of stone-look porcelain in gorgeous green tones. There’s wall candy colour explosions, flawless flooring and perennial favourites to thumb-through and explore. So, grab a coffee or a wine and explore our world of design in this latest issue of National Tiles magazine.

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The beautifully curated and considered storylines will take the viewer on a journey of discovery, inviting them to discover new ways to find their style with National Tiles. Inspired by colour and kitsch with a bright and cheeky sense of humour, the new campaign with delight and Whethersurprise.

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The National Tiles profile is cemented in the psyche of Victorians and Queenslanders, and increasingly with Australians in every state of Australia. The national profile of the brand is synonymous with Frank Walker’s ‘Helllooo’ and his voice has become an integral part of one of the most recognisable campaigns in the Nationalmarketplace.Tileshas also been profiled on national television, but there is a new wave of brand exposure hitting TV screens this October. Developed by Campaign Manager Olivia Hamilton and the Marketing Team, the Summer launch for National Tiles is going to raise some eyebrows, turns some frowns upside down and pique the interest of our valued customers. Expect the unexpected!

customers want a colourful space, neutral space, textured spaces, tiny spaces or grand spaces, these national

The beautiful Fairview 321 Display Home by Hallmark Homes features the elegant Statuario Lunesis panel on the kitchen splashback. This colour is one from our extensive Ultraslim collection, replicating beautiful marble in easy-care porcelain. Each rectified glazed porcelain panel is made in Italy, and is exclusive to National Tiles. Available in both matt and gloss finishes and two impressive sizes 1600x3200 or 1200x2780. Fairview also features National Tiles Quarziti for external paving and the Helsinki white tiles are stunning on the bathroom walls. Hallmark Homes’ Fairview 321 is located at Sundew Crescent, Kensington Grove, QLD. labdesign

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Our inaugural Design Lab Industry Forum was held in July in Alexandria, with a wonderful turn out of local architects and designers keen to learn the latest in colour and design trends. The presentation by Michael Cleghorn, Managing Director of MC&Co Trend, provided a lively discussion. As Australia’s leading trend forecaster, Michael and his team work globally with leading retailers and design houses, and he shared the company’s insights into the latest directions in shape, materials and colour released at the Salone del Mobile in Milano. A focus on macro movements and micro expressions brought our special guests up-to-date with what was emerging and evolving, and Michael’s engaging presentation style provided a concise, researched and commercial summary with loads of inspiration for all. Davide Mucci, one of National Tiles’ most experienced Italian tile partners followed up this discussion with his view on how these global styles can be translated and interpreted by the local tile industry for residential and commercial properties.

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i=Change is a platform that enables us to turn every purchase into positive impact, and empower women and girls with 100% transparency. This means every time you buy from us, together we make a difference in someone’s life.

iiequalchange.com=change

One of our goals at National Tiles is to be a brand with purpose. That’s why we’re extremely proud to partner with i=Change and donate from every online sale.

A big thanks to all National Tiles shoppers and remember, your choice = change!

Nestled in the Buderim foothills, Nature’s Edge is a stunning lifestyle community welcoming over 55s and offering premium, low-maintenance homes in a tranquil rainforest setting.

Withbeyond.the final stage of homes now selling, and a second luxury community clubhouse coming soon, there is so much to look forward to at Ingenia Lifestyle Nature’s Edge.

With easy access to local amenities, services and an extensive range of facilities, homes at Nature’s Edge are in high demand from both the local area and

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Ingenia Lifestyle’s Nature’s Edge on the Sunshine Coast is about to welcome residents to the first new homes built since the site’s 2021 acquisition.

So far, we’ve donated more than $65k and counting to charities including the Starlight Foundation to bring joy to sick kids, The Australian Childhood Foundation to support the recovery of children who have experienced trauma and Women’s Community Shelters to support survivors of domestic violence.

Nature’s Edge residents enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, close to beaches and the hinterland, and just an hour and 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD.

39EACH Penny Round Honed Mosaic 288x305mm

NATIONAL TILES 3 Available in 7 colours: PennyRoundMosaic MingGreen PennyRoundMosaic Basalt PennyRoundMosaic eWoodenBlu PennyRoundMosaic etihCarraraW PennyRoundMosaic hBlus PennyRoundMosaic ThalaGrey PennyRoundMosaic PietraGrey

Our CEO, Campbell Stott gave Brie an overview of the National Tiles story and chatted about our history, the family-oriented nature of the business and the opening of the flagships stores in Alexandria and Hobart. Then it was Amy Spasojevic’s turn to talk all things visual merchandising, describing how she and her team create a seamless and inspiring in store experience for our Naturalscustomers.in

Another star on camera was Business Development Manager Liliana Cervantes, who showed Brie through the Sample Room in Alexandria which is an amazing space for architects and designers, and the talented Jessica Delacorn (State Design Centre Manager VIC, SA and TAS), gave Brie a fascinating insight into the specialised interior design offering available at National Tiles.

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National Tiles is proud to be a sponsor of this Australian TV series and were excited to film a series of ten advertorials with host and interior designer Briellyn Turton. It was a fabulous and fun day of filming held earlier this year in our Alexandria showroom. Brie chatted to some of our talented team members, some of whom were making their TV debut!

To complete the National Tiles story, Camron Whittaker, Head of Product and Procurement, showed Brie some of his favourite tile collections on display in Alexandria along with the beautiful quality timber flooring ranges. It was so valuable for Brie to get an understanding of the incredible diversity of flooring, everyday value and designer tiles on offer to our residential and commercial clients.

Experts in their field, they assess the properties in each episode and name the winner for each category. The winner of each category appears in the final episode with a recap of all the properties and the hosts’ commentary, and the series will culminate in one home being crowned with the title of Australia’s best house.

roudly hosted by Australian style icon Megan Gale, the second series of Australia’s Best House’ will air soon on Channel 9Life. Produced by Eye Candy together with Nine Entertainment, the series reflects an Australian lifestyle and celebrates the built form of the way we live.

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Each episode takes the viewer on a journey through luxurious homesteads, stunning display homes, multiresidential projects, brand new builds and breathtaking renovations, giving a glimpse inside some of the best residential projects in Australia.

The presenters bring their knowledge and expertise to the show as they explore a wide variety of residences in this ten-episode series. Interior designer Briellyn Turton, architect Joe Snell and property developer Andrew Purdie each share their insights into the reasons why the properties they are showcasing could be deemed “Australia’s Best House’.

front of the camera, Alexandria’s Trade Manager Ben Wright and Store Manager Jacob Watmore took Brie on a tour of the Trade Centre and the stunning showroom to give viewers an idea of the scope of product, services and breadth of stock in-store.

Be sure to watch ‘Australia’s Best House’ on 9Life, and on the catch-up service, 9Now. Check out our Instagram pages for @nationaltilesau.updates GALKIN GISED TALKING DESIGN NATIONAL TILES 13

Twice Blessed sprung into being during our last semester of University. Our parents both having had several businesses of their own – so when our dad saw our passion for fashion and styling, alongside our newfound business and marketing knowledge, he challenged us to start an online shop. Now eight years on Twice Blessed has evolved to us travelling all over the world to attend International Fashion Weeks, purchasing our own homes with our husbands; renovations, interior design and lifestyle content.

You have a definite design aesthetic - can you describe your style and what influences your design choices?

Our style is chic comfort. Our personal fashion style as well as design style in our homes reflect that. Warm and inviting tones, textures, and shapes contrasted with bold blacks, and close attention to detail.

Tell me a bit about your background and how you got involved in styling and design?

What trends in design are you noticing at the moment? We’ve noticed that a lot of darker, moodier colours are being brought back into home design. Usually colours like blacks, deep greens and the like are frowned upon for spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms, as they are traditionally thought to ‘close in’ a space, but we’re just loving seeing it filter through into the everyday persons home design. Bec’s kitchen cabinetry is actually black, and we both have (several) black feature walls in our individual homes!

Bec and Marissa Karagiorgos are a formidable pair, siblings who share a love affair with fashion and styling. Along with their stylish and timeless clothing range, the TWICE BLESSED Fashion & Lifestyle blog has become a destination that hosts content on how to style, care and integrate their clothing into your lifestyle. When Bec undertook a renovation of her home, she selected some gorgeous tiles from National Tiles for her bathroom and laundry update.

(Marketing) however, we always saw ourselves as ‘creative’ Marketers. Alongside this, we were lucky enough to work for some iconic Australian Fashion Designers where our ‘passion for fashion’ so to speak, and love for styling really could be explored.

Creating a visually cohesive outfit or home or space just makes sense to us. When colours, tones and textures in a space or outfit balance out together it can create a sense of completeness.

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Some of our favourite designers are Leanne Ford, Kelly Wearstler and Steven Cordony. Some of our favourite stores to shop for key items that will really transform your space are National Tiles, Reece Bathrooms and Coco Republic. Just as we would pull together an outfit, our key items would be the ones we have invested the most into, and they’re usually the pieces that make the most impact. For example, plain white cabinetry almost become invisible when you have invested into striking, design focussed tiles. Like a plain white tee, it wouldn’t really matter if you got it from UNIQLO or Givenchy, it’s still a plain white tee! But when you style it with a beautifully tailored blazer, or handbag – it transforms itself to build a beautiful outfit.

Both Bec and I have always loved fashion and design – starting our studies in a double degree of Communication Design and Business at University. We eventually decided to just stick to a Degree in Business

How did ‘Twice Blessed’ come into being – what is the business founded on and how has it grown and evolved?

What drives your passion for styling and design?

Who are your go-to designers and what stores do you recommend for finding the best items that suit your design aesthetic for both budget and high-end renovations?

Tell me about your home renovation?

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My husband and I purchased our 2-brm unit several

What elements were important to you when designing this home for your family.

What styling advice would you offer to homeowners who are looking to update their home without a major renovation?

A neutral white paint to create a blank canvas and 3-4 key design elements to make it pop. But select one of those elements to be the hero in every room. For our bathroom, it was 100% our flooring tiles, and everything (door handles, benchtop, fixtures and fittings) else complements nicely.

twiceblessed.com.au

years ago, and as it was liveable we decided to pause any planned renovations until we were ready to start a family, which happened more quickly than expected! We wanted to keep the layout as similar to the original as possible, to avoid additional costs of moving pipes or adding too many additional walls. But we opened up two walls to create a simplicity and flow within the space. The kitchen and bathroom renovations took up 70%+ of our intended budgets in those spaces. We only have one room for our Bathoom and Laundry, so plan was to make it as chic and ‘Euro Laundry’ as possible. Our theme was light and bright – but still a little bougee and chic.

design tip

Before you start any renovation or demolition, it’s great to plan the theme of your design so that you have a clear vision. I created my own mood board from Pinterest, as well as products I liked from the stores I was planning to shop from to get a visual sense of how it would all work together. Another tip, if you’re pressed for time like I was – base your selections on product availability so that you’re not caught out in love with a style but having to wait more time than you can afford for it to become available.

Keeping things practical (like storage, cleaning friendly, etc) but with style and flair in the home. We opted for very large 600 x 600 tiles which both my husband and I are obsessed with. Having the gold and black elements from our floor tiles tie into the black and gold doorstoppers, black handles and tapware really made the design style seamless.

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The distinctive depth of colour and superior technical performance of Fragmenti Cotto is inherited from the unique clay used in its production.

impressive on both internal and external walls, Fragmenti Cotto allows designers to explore a traditional material as a new textural and chromatic element.

n collaboration with our friends at Fenton & Fenton, we’re presenting our latest Italian tile collection, the breathtaking Fragmenti Cotto series.

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A new interpretation of an age old material, Fragmenti Cotto was born from a thought - to incorporate Tuscan terracotta into living space applications beyond conventional flooring. The result is a coalescence of terracotta’s timeless warmth with a mosaic of dramatic rectangular forms to create stunning and sophisticated architectural effects.

NATIONAL TILES 17 COMING SOON

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Quarried from the valleys surrounding Florence, Galestro clay has been a key material used historically in Tuscan Equallydesign.

Says Lucy “Terracotta transports you back in history to faraway places, it’s always been such a popular material in both architecture & sculpture.”

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The importance of colour and texture in design is ever-present in Fenton and Fenton’s treasure trove. The same foundation is reflected in the artistry of Fragmenti Cotto which will blend perfectly into Fenton and Fenton’s idiosyncratic mix of intriguing Fentonobjects.and

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“

Fenton’s colourful, bold and adventurous style has become a mainstay in Australia’s interior design industry with a curated collection of alluring art, eclectic homewares and fun and funky furniture. This beautiful Italian-made series is offered in three rectangular formats and is 100% exclusive to National Tiles for the Australian market.

anyelevatesinstantlytextureporousbeautiful,colourItsisitsterracotta,lovedcharmtimeless.distinctandspace. “

Fragmenti’s rich organic hues together with its repetitive lines integrate perfectly with countless design settings. It’s unique burnt orange colour works perfectly as both a backdrop to embellish and vice-versa, an embellishment for a backdrop while its consecutive rectangles can be positioned either vertically or horizontally depending on how a space will flow.

NATIONAL TILES 19 NOW AVAILABLE

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StoneUnion

StoneUnion

Blending the textures and tones of natural stone and human-made concrete in six colour ways, this versatile series is offered in three different sizes, six different colours and a smooth-to-thetouch in-out finish which achieves a P4 slip rating when wet. This state-of-the-art finish allows for totally seamless transitions between internal and external spaces which has become increasingly valued by architects, designers, and homeowners alike, as patios and outdoor kitchens are viewed more and more as fully-integrated extensions to the Refihome.nedand

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esponding to the need for a style in complete harmony with contemporary design concepts, the Stone Union series celebrates the unique characteristics of stone and cement.

understated, Stone Union’s colour ways range from warm to cool, making it the perfect canvas for creative design or setting the mood. The six colours and three formats – 300 by 600mm, 600 by 600mm, and 600 by 1,200mm –offer great design flexibility.

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StoneUnion

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waswith any old house you never know what to expect until you open the home up... “ “ FEATURENATIONALARTICLETILES21

Explains Walt, “I saw a gap in the market for a show that wasn’t like The Block or Better Homes & Gardens, so I developed a series called Healthy Homes Australia. The show has now been running on Channel 10 on a Sunday afternoon for 11 seasons.”

alt Collins was born and grew up in England and was always destined to work in television. In fact, at the age of 14 he started a pirate TV station that used to broadcast to houses in his street, using his mother’s wok as a satellite dish! He used to produce a live two-hour TV show every Sunday (completely illegally of course), and the smooth operation caught the attention of a local media company who made a documentary about the TV station titled The‘Waltervision’.showaired in the northern part of England and resulted in Walt being offered a job by the BBC. He trained with them, living and working around the world, before moving on to advertising agencies and other TV stations. Eventually, he decided to step back into his role as a TV host, so around nine years ago he established his own production company called BSTV.

As a special three-part series spin-off, Walt has just finished filming Country Home Facelift which follows the journey of the renovation of Walt’s country farmstead. Located in regional Victoria, the renovation provided the perfect vehicle for showing viewers tips and tricks and hands-on advice about updating a property.

The whole process, from moving in and embarking on the renovation to handing over the series to Channel 10, took 11 months. And that was against all adversity - the pandemic, metro and regional lockdowns, trade bans, earthquakes and riots, and pretty much everything that could be thrown at the team.

“I worked closely with Dani Wales (now Reilly) who was on The Block. She is my co-host on Healthy Homes Australia and one of my best friends. Dani has an interior design company Manna Made, and she gifted me an interior design package. She and her team created the whole interior story based on my mood board, my wants, my needs and my lifestyle, and helped me create my dream property.”

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The house itself is massive, and the design style is modern country with a contemporary edge. The grey palette is highlighted with reclaimed timbers and original Baltic Pine timber flooring, contrasted with the striking black and white Penny Noir Revival tiles from National Tiles. The super modern lighting system helps to create a beautiful blend and delicate balance of modern Australia, country and a little dash of the

“There were lots of challenges and learnings, aside from the pandemic issues. As with any old house you never know what to expect until you open the home up. But I trusted my trades and my suppliers and ensured we all communicated open and honestly. There were of course frustrations along the way and any number of difficulties surrounding the demand on and short supply of trades. It was a real lesson in patience, and in learning to take control,” says Walt.

“The National Tiles Revival tiles were featured on the kitchen and laundry splashback, the bathroom floor and the fire hearth. As the hero tile they provided the continued theme throughout the home to striking effect. The French pattern Travertine was the big-ticket item for the flooring and it is so beautiful. I decided not to grout the tiles, so they look more like pavers, the look is so effective and adds a real European farmhouse vibe. The earthy tones are perfection, and the texture feels magical underfoot. They are a real

focal point for the home.”

living in inner city Melbourne for 12 years, Walt’s country property is now his family home. “Covid taught us that we don’t have to do what we have always done. I closed my office in Prahran and can now comfortably go to Melbourne a few days a week for filming and then come back to my beautiful oasis where I can work from my home office and do all my Waltpost-production.”iscurrentlyfilming one of BSTV’s other productions, Buy To Build, traveling to a different city every week for three days at a time until filming is complete. “The face of Australian television has of course changed over the years. Free-to-air TV and streaming services have opened up the market with a wide range of shows that expand the landscape of the design offering, and make it a little braver and more adventurous. Australia is slowly expanding its horizon, helped by companies like National Tiles who complement their everyday tile offering with really exciting designer tiles in patterns and textures that can really elevate a home.”

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On the bathroom walls Walt featured National Tiles’ Blanco Matt tiles. Walt decided to stack them vertically to work in with the really high ceilings. They bounce the light beautifully and warm, add a warm, country farmhouse feel. The lay pattern creates a striking compliment to the V-groove vanity, the colour of which matches the exterior colour of the Originallyhome.

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We chose these tiles as we were looking for something to add texture and movement. We believe good design doesn’t have to be over complicated and it’s the little details that count, so in both these projects, we’ve heroed the mosaic tiles as the key material in the palette. We love the Japanese mosaics as there’s the option of installing them either horizontal or vertical and playing with different grout colours to create a unique design. In the St Kilda Road Bathroom we chose to install these tiles above a new shower shelf and run up to the ceiling whereas for our Moonee Ponds Powder Room we chose to install these tiles from the middle of the wall to the floor, so in both projects we show how universal these tiles can be!

We’re pretty lucky with our clients, they come to us as they resonate with our contemporary style that transcends trends. Our focus is to create warm, layered and textured interiors. It’s really liberating to have clients that put that sort of trust in you.

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s part of our Women in Design series, we caught up with Silvia Roldan, the creative director and principal designer of Studio Esar.

After 20 years working of the fast-paced Corporate world, I made a career change into Interior Design. After being in a corporate job for so many years, taking the leap to start my own studio six years ago was exciting but also scary however, I recognised that in both careers, personal engagement, good listening skills and delivering outstanding results is important and that’s something our clients value.

studioesar.com.au

We always start with a neutral grey then added the mosaics for a colour pop. In our Bathroom we chose gunmetal grey tap ware and at Moonee Ponds we went with an organic brass, and the tiles work perfectly with both these finishes.

About Silvia and Studio Esar

Did your clients request anything specific for each project?

Our Studio is not led by trends but on how an interior can evoke emotion and mood.

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How do you decide and form the colour palette?

We love working with Australian brands so knowing that National Tiles is an Australian owned business is important to us.

What made you choose our Japanese Impression mosaics?

Studio Esar is a Melbourne interior design studio focused on creating warm and textured interiors by translating local and international trends into individually tailored Twodesigns.recent projects completed by Studio Esar are the stunning St Kilda Road and the Moonee Ponds projects. Each project showcases Studio Esar’s creative practice and eye for detail, combining modern accents with traditional elements along with perfect palettes of texture and Eachcolour.project demonstrates the versatility of our Japanese Impression mosaics and how they can easily add that textural element to interiors.

Our local experience and knowledge of current and relevant design ensures our eye for detail, product knowledge and what’s happening locally and internationally translates into relevant interiors. With work published in leading national and global publications; our interiors are becoming recognised as unique and highly tailored.

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and arguably the most successful. “My role was Guest VIP Customer Relations Manager, working as the first point of contact with extremely high-profile guests. My communication and relationship skills were honed by anticipating their needs.”

Briellyn decided to study Interior Designer at Billy Blue College of Design and during her second year secured a coveted internship at Vogue Living Magazine followed a second internship at design studio Interior Life. She graduated as a Junior Designer responsible for the design, project management and store rollout of a national food and beverage brand. Briellyn’s quiet confidence has been integral to her success. “I learnt early onto just say yes – and then scramble like mad to make it work.”

One of Briellyn’s current projects is on Stradbroke Island, and while the rest of the home will be quite neutral she really wants to play with colour and texture in the bathrooms. “I love the National Tiles Zellige range. The textural, handmade look tiles are perfectly imperfect and will be ideal for the coastal feel we want to create.”

She explains, “A natural inclination and deep curiosity to understand our clients lives and personalities allows us to have a bespoke approach to every project we undertake. An emotional connection comes first, and this effortlessly drives the aesthetic of the project.”

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Born and raised in Sydney, Brie grew up in a small town on the Hawkesbury River and spent her time balancing creative, dance and health pursuits. Working in hospitality for the majority of her 20s, her key role was with the Merivale Group’s restaurant, pub, bar and hotel empire – one of the largest of its kind in the country,

ne of Australia’s new brigade of entrepreneurial interior designers, Briellyn Turton is making a name for herself in the design and media industry. As the ‘interior’ judge on the second series of ‘Australia’s Best House’ (screening on 9Life) and launching her own design studio last year, Briellyn’s experience spans commercial, furniture and residential design.

Adds Briellyn, “Having filmed with members of the National Tiles team for their sponsorship of Australia’s Best House, I was able to explore the Alexandria showroom and get a great understanding of the offering. It’s really cool, fun and versatile with a broad range of styles and price points on offer. If you had a really high-end budget and wanted the very best in designer tiles, you would find everything you are looking for. And if you’re on a tight budget you can definitely find great quality tiles where you don’t have to compromise on the look you want to achieve.”

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When defining her own style preferences, Briellyn declares herself a ‘refined maximalist’. “I really love texture, I’m not scared of colour and I like interesting and unique pieces that represent our client’s individuality and Briellynpersonality.hasnoticed a few interesting movements that have evolved out of the pandemic. “Clients are gravitating towards the colour green. Nature really is making an impact and influencing colour choices. Importantly, clients also seem to be a lot more liberated in their design choices. They are taking risks and choosing designs, colours and decorator items that are really personal and reflect who they are, rather than just going with the most popular trends.”

With entrepreneurial parents, Briellyn’s decided it was time to embark on her own venture, Studio Brie. Over the last 18 months the trajectory has been encouraging, with five major projects already underway. When asked what design aesthetics Briellyn loves most, she explains that she is client focused rather than on a particular style.

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clients gravitatingare towards the colour green. nature really is making an impact and influencing colour choices. “ “

Photographer: Tanya Zouev

At National Tiles, we’ve got a wide range of mosaic tiles suited to any space, anywhere. Continuing traditions of finely cut decorative stone, enjoying the unusually textured glazes of raku, or simplifying the laying process with a herringbone mosaic, our diverse portfolio can match the requirements of any home.

mosaicsmarvellous

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The highly varied look offered by this versatile range allow homeowners to achieve distinctive wall décor in any room.

ImpressionJapanese

Inspired by the Japanese technique of Raku, these matchstick mosaics offer crackled colours and ethereal visuals. Five fabulous colours (Snow, Sky, Moon Light, Jade, and Denim) shift from calm neutrals to irresistible shades of blue. The tile shape features an antique edge with a soft curve that invites the light to play.

URBAN ARTILER DPS? *LETS DISCUSS

Pick from the minty greens of Ming Green, the peachy tones of Blush, or the gold and grey veins of White; and apply liberally to floors and/or walls.

Picket MosaicHoned

Slim MosaicChevrons

This highly sought-after look is made even more accessible with these beautifully elegant natural stone mosaics. In Carrara and Basalt skinny chevrons match up in a perfect herringbone, strongly angled for maximum impact. The variation within the material offers an organic gentleness that softens the harsh lines, creating a space that is endlessly Enjoysophisticated.thisfabulous pattern on both floors and walls, and play with grout colour to help the pattern to really stand out.

These gorgeous natural stone mosaics are available in three colours (White, Blush, and Ming Green). Their picket shape offers an intriguing flair that can serve to create unique, pointed splashbacks when laid both vertically and horizontally. Due to the natural material, no two tiles are alike. What’s more, organic shade variation is found throughout, softening the overall look.

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Mystone Travertino Navona

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The authentic appearance of Mystone Travertino is due to Marazzi’s skilful application of Sublime Sync digital printing. This is capable of reproducing all the subtle details and imperfections of the source material with great accuracy, while ensuring that the pattern connects with the structure.

Now this timeless material has been faithfully reproduced and refreshed in technical porcelain in the Italian-manufactured Mystone Travertino collection. This richly-detailed range offers the restful neutral tones and delicate surface figuring of the natural stone with the low maintenance, strength, and unsurpassed wear resistance one expects from the finest porcelain stoneware tiles.

Mystone Travertino Navona

ravertine has been a go to luxury architectural stone since ancient Rome, when it adorned the world-renowned Colosseum. It was also a favoured by 20th century modernists, such as Mies van der Rohe’s classic 1929 design for the Germany Pavilion at the International Exposition in Barcelona. This iconoclastic design continues to inspire designers today; from PTW Architect’s 2011 Art Gallery of New South Wales, to b e architects’ banded grey house façade in Melbourne in 2021.

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Mystone Travertino Navona Silver

Mystone Travertino is available in three colours. Classico delivers the typical pale beige of traditional travertine; while Navona is a slightly warmer neutral tone. The third option is Silver, a hugely popular hue for today’s modern minimalist look with a delicately striped Mystonevibe.Travertino comes in three finishes including a matt finish produced with Marazzi’s sector-defining ptv glaze. Home owners will really appreciate the market-leading StepWise surface finish which combines a soft touch with an impressive R10 slip resistance. This means that true inside-out design can be achieved with an identical tile adorning both internal and external spaces. Available in 600 x 1200mm, 600 x 600mm and 300 x 600mm.

29SQMPER Baseline Ivory Matt Tile 300x600mm

NATIONAL TILES 3 Available in 3 colours: B aselineIvoryMattTile B aselineNeroMattTile B aselineConcreteMattTile

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Ultraslim MK2 Amazzonitte PRODUCT FOCUS 32 NATIONAL TILES

Amazonite is one of the most versatile designs in National Tiles’ marble portfolio. The subtle mix of earth tones and mid greens will complement cool neutral tones, or soften the impact of bolder Dynamicallycolours.

erfect for seamless splash backs, beautiful bathroom features, facades and fireplace cladding, the stunning Ultraslim series is a range of super-sized porcelain panels in an array of colours and designs that perfectly represent marbles and natural stones along with neutral concretes in numerous shades. The latest additions to the range are three breathtaking on-trend greens inspired by natural materials from different areas around the globe.

coloured and graphically figured, Galway green was inspired by one of the rarest forms of natural stone: an iconic Irish marble that features greens of many different hues in arresting layers and patterns. This design faithfully recreates the beautiful banding of a natural marble formed by tiny crystals of green serpentine, diopside, and chlorite, alongside creamy white calcite and Withdolomite.acomprehensive

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Ultraslim MK2 Verde Alpi

Deep, dramatic and intense, Verde Alpi is a rich, opulent, and decadently dark green marble energised by light veins and markings of emerald, pistachio and pale bone china. It is a design that fully plays to the current interior trend for bold, colourful, marbles.

Ultraslim Galway Green

choice of colours and designs along with outstanding versatility and durability, Ultraslim not only outperforms splashback alternatives like glass or stone, it also offers endless design possibilities, indoors and out.

There are six new tones of green - Frosted Mint, Apple Green, Baby Mint, Kelp, Jade and Lime – and some emerging blue-yellow tones too - Spruce, Snow Pea, Chartreuse, Malachite and Jungle. These shades are being interpreted into tangible design pieces, from artwork and ceramics to paint colours, furniture – and tiles. The green movement, and more specifically, Biophilic Design, will continue to flourish for years to come and provide a transition between interior and exterior spaces.

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t National Tiles our procurement process is focused on ‘masstige’ - bringing prestigious designer tiles to the market at really affordable prices,” explains Camron Whittaker, General Manager of Product and Procurement. “Our role as one of Australia’s leading tile retailers is to know what tiles suit the local market and to buy those tiles for the best price so we can pass on the savings to our customers. Delivering the best possible range at the best possible value is our driver. And with our buying power, that’s exactly what we do.”

Says Michael, “We look at references at a global level, monitoring how lifestyles are shifting, what the movements are in colour and tone, what the key texture and shapes are influencing materiality. We present these findings in a highly targeted format so that National Tiles retail and commercial customers will benefit from and be inspired by these insights, resulting in a clear direction for product specification.”

Explains Michael, “It is exciting to work with a respected brand like National Tiles that is 100% customer-focused. They constantly push the boundaries in terms of quality and innovation so they continue to offer the best possible tiles and flooring solutions in line with emerging and dominant global styles and trends. We will be working closely with them to help determine the most relevant styles for their residential and commercial customers, and importantly, how they can best interpret and present these styles in a meaningful way.

So what is one of the key styles right now? MC&Co Trend has identified our need for our homes and workplaces to bring us closer to nature. We want to experience a connection to our environment and enhance our overall wellbeing, not just by simply adding a pot plant or two or incorporating a living wall, it’s an entire energetic tonal movement. ‘Biophilic Design’ not only creates a sense of harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces, it acknowledges that greenery in any form can feel both transformative and bring balance and a calm equilibrium to our lives.

Importantly, Camron and his team acknowledge the significance of not only working with the best tile manufacturers from around the world, it is vital to understand the styles and trends that are at play on a global scale in order to take the product offering to the next level.

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The goal is for our tile collections to be highly aligned way with key styles and trends so that our customers can immediately visualise them in their own home. By engaging MC&Co. Trend to work with our internal team, and with our key commercial partners, we are investing in a focused and targeted approach. These insights will influence not only the tile selections made at key trade fairs and from tile supply partners, they will inspire how our tile and flooring collections are styled, visually merchandised and marketed to our customers.

National Tiles has engaged the services of Michael Cleghorn, Managing Director of MC&Co. Trend, to work closely with our Procurement, Marketing and Visual Merchandising teams. By following, researching and analysing the global design space, MC&Co Trend interprets the key colours, shapes, textures and forms that will influence the consumer purchasing landscape. With his expertise, knowledge and experience, Michael will help to interpret the most relevant global design styles for the National Tiles customer, and apply them in ways that will excite and inspire.

mccotrend.com.au

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masstigebringing prestigious designer tiles to the market at really prices.affordable “ “

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heroeslocal Orion Light Grey PRODUCT FOCUS 36 NATIONAL TILES

The Orion range encapsulates the practicality and simplicity of contemporary living with its subtle stone design and colour palette made up five neutrals. It is available in matt and external finishes in three different sizes and can be laid continuously from indoors to out for a seamless finish and a fully coordinated design scheme.

For more stunning ranges tailor-made to theAustralian market, check out our Australian-made category online or ask in store.

series features a classic terrazzo design with a pressed edge for a fast installation. Chips of translucent white marble are lovingly replicated, achieving a stunning depth and contrast with either a light or dark grey base colour.

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t National Tiles, our procurement team are constantly on the look-out for the latest tile trends, innovative products and hard flooring solutions from around the world. Often those products and solutions are found right here at home in Australia.

The demand for locally produced products is growing and it isn’t hard to see why. Extensive research and stringent manufacturing processes mean Australian suppliers are second-to-none when it comes to producing beautiful ceramics.

From tiles and tools to consumables and fixtures, we proudly source many of our products from Australian suppliers. Let’s take a look at a few of our Australian-made tile ranges showcasing home-grown design excellence and manufacturing know-how.

The made-to-order Artisan series has the look and feel of a handmade product - each piece varying slightly in its tone and textures. This rectified-edge, 200x200mm series is produced in a non-slip R10 / P4 finish meaning it can be used with confidence in many areas needing extra slip resistance such as alfresco and external Theverandahs.Venice

Venice Dark Grey

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Artisan Poco Matt Black

Kimberly shown in Black Butt Light.

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AvailableSpottedGumin 6 colours:

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Along with the above contemporary collections, National Tiles also offer more traditional swimming pool mosaics ranging from Resort’s minimalist black, white and grey to Bayside’s six aquatic blues hues. Designing a deck? Check out the Maximus pedestal system. Maximus pedestals make installing raised flooring simple and fast and are suitable for use with 20mm porcelain pavers, natural stone, marble, granite and timber decking. National Tiles offer Maximus Senior and Junior pedestal units allowing elevations from 20mm up to 145mm with an optional 100mm extender for Maximus Senior units.

hether it’s tea in the garden, wines on the balcony or verandah beers and BBQs, one thing Australians have in common is our love for outdoor entertaining. We go so far as viewing our outdoor spaces as an extension of our homes; a trend underlined by the recent growth in remote working and the vogue for staying in rather than going out. As the nation’s need for practical, yet stylish, external spaces has boomed, so too has demand for hard surfaces that deliver both function and

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The use of porcelain pavers has really taken off since leading manufacturers started to produce them at a 20mm thickness. Today there is a vast selection of options available, combining outstanding looks with superb technical performance. National Tiles offer a broad range of practical and beautiful porcelain pavers including concrete and stone looks inspired by ceppo di gre, basalt and cobblestones.

For the more traditionally-minded, our travertine pavers are the go-to for creating classic spaces that exude warmth and sophistication. Two stunning shades are offered in square, rectangular or French pattern options, each available in both 12mm and 30mm thicknesses with an additional bullnose or drop edge option in 30mm.

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floors and landscape features to swimming pool surrounds and waterlines, the demand for specialised products has also hugely increased. At National Tiles, we offer a comprehensive collection of tiles, pavers and accessories that will help achieve the perfect patio, pathway or poolside design.

If your plans include an in-ground swimming pool, you can’t go past a decorative water line tile to top it all off. Some stand-outs from the National Tiles range include the artisanal-influenced Pottery Cosmic with its abstract patterns in contrasting colours, Bali Stone’s tropical tranquillity and the Moroccan-riadchic evoked by the Marrakech series.

For a refined finish to pathways and poolsides, we also, offer HIDE skimmer lids, drain and access covers designed to carry your selection of tiles, timber, pavers or concrete creating a luxurious, uninterrupted outdoor space.

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Italianinimitably

Unmistakably Italian, the De Vietri collection has instant appeal; combining an authentic artisanal finish, with a high performance gloss glaze that is easy to maintain. This design was inspired by surfaces shaped by the slow passage of time and evokes antique Vietri ceramics. Handdecorated by master potters, this distinctive majolica ware takes its name from Vietri sul Mare, a beautiful place on the Amalfi coast that provided added inspiration for the design of this new stoneware collection.

splashback, feature wall, or on the waterline. The plain tiles are resistant enough to be used on a light-duty domestic floor, but provide minimal slip resistance. The tiles have extremely straight edges and look rectified when installed on a floor, yet animate wall installations with their slight variations in thickness.

The versatile 150 x 150mm size, with traditional pressed edges, comes in three highly-liveable colours: Bianco, Verde, and Blu. The two darker accent colours are intense, but not overpowering, and will make a bold statement as a

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A build-up of glaze, interwoven with the pattern, accentuates the two subtle 3D relief effects: Piuma and Foglia. This glaze detail enhances the deliberately artisanal look. Each design features slight graphic variations to simulate a hand-made decoration and deliver very authentic spaces.

The five multi-coloured relief designs, which have a handpainted look, feature simple, almost naïve, geometric and nature-inspired designs that have a timeless appeal. The overall look is enhanced by the subtle yet clearly distinguishable differences in texture and pattern within the same production run. The five decors fully complement any of the three plain tiles.

This glazed porcelain range is energised by Mediterranean tones, with high gloss surfaces, bright colours, and lively decors. The collection also features the subtle imperfections of artisanal ceramics, such as irregular surfaces, and iridescent effects. These have been lovingly integrated into industrial production to create tiles that are tantalising, tactile, and deliver a warm interior atmosphere.

Di Vietri Struttura Piuma Blu

Di Vietri Struttura Foglia Bianco

Di Vietri Tappeto Collina NATIONAL TILES 43 NOW AVAILABLE

DiVietri TappetoFoglie DiVietri TappetoRete DiVietri Verde ONW AVAILABLE NOW AVAILABLE WONELBALIAVA DiVietri Blu DiVietri Bianco DiVietri edreVStrutturaPiuma DiVietri TappetoScala DiVietri ulStrutturaFogliaB

timberstimeless PRODUCT FOCUS 44 NATIONAL TILES

he perfect finish for any home, Project Oak engineered timber flooring showcases the timeless beauty of European Oak’s stunning natural aesthetics across four curated colourways. Stabilised with a multi-ply core hardwood core, Project Oak is manufactured with the latest technology, making it not only climate-stable and versatile, but also simple to install for trades. Featuring a wire-brushed matt finish that accentuates natural timber grains with a 2mm wear layer to protect against everyday use, Project Oak flooring will stay looking great for years to come.

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Project Oak Cooma

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ProjectOak

Featuring 12 colours in a traditional laying pattern and three in herringbone as well as a 3mm solid oak top layer, Concept Oak is a truly breathtaking timber floor that will be the talking point in any home. Wolgan and Wentworth make up the lightertoned variants while the mid-toned Glenbrook, Esperance, Leura and Cygnet offer a warmer aesthetic and the darker browns and grey tones of Bilpin, Blackheath, Katoomba, Tomah, Medlow and Lawson will instil a moodier or modern ambience.

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ConceptOak htahkBlace ConceptOak Tomah ConceptOak wldMeao ConceptOak iiBlpn ConceptOak noLaws ConceptOak nalWog ConceptOak teCygn ConceptOak htrowtWen ConceptOak aLeur ConceptOak ecnaEsper ConceptOak HerringboneWolgan ConceptOak kooHerringboneGlenbr ConceptOak Glenbrook ConceptOak abmKatoo ConceptOak ecnHerringboneEspera NOW AVAILABLE 46 NATIONAL TILES

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etricon has brought a new level design, style and innovation to Newcastle, with the opening of their brand-new Studio M customer selection centre. The customer experience facility represents a significant investment in the Hunter region and cements the company’s commitment to the area, which is Metricon’s second largest market in NSW. Explains Lisa Goodsall, National Display Home and Studio M Retail Manager, “Growth into regional areas like the Hunter has become very significant over the last few years, so we decided it was time to create a Studio to service our customers. Major undertakings like these of course take some time, to find the right location and to put everything in place. We were fortunate to find an amazing site in Donald Street in Hamilton, a really convenient access point in this busy commercial hub of StudioNewcastle.”MisMetricon’s inspiration and design centre – a state-of-the-art customer selection space that gives Metricon the means to deliver a seamless customer service experience in a world-class environment. The new studio in Newcastle will offer customers a highly personalised and interactive experience where they can select all of the inclusions for their new home - one of the most exciting stages of a build.

Customers spend two days with Metricon’s highly qualified and experienced interior designers who guide them through the entire process of customising their home, from the tile selection to the electrical works and

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“The Studio M floorplan features a range of gallery and showcase spaces plus private retreat and breakout zones

Personalisation is key. At Studio M Metricon customers can see, feel and touch a vast range of high-quality products and materials first-hand. From the bathroom to the kitchen and everything in between, customers get a clear understanding of how their home will function and what it’s going to look like when it’s built, from floor coverings, kitchen appliances and paint colours, right through to the tapware, power-points and door handles.

lighting specifications to the colour palette and the hard “Everythingfinishes. our customers need to select for their home is all under one roof,” says Lisa. “It’s really important to us that our customers have the opportunity to create their own unique home. They can add their own personality and individual design features, all in one beautiful space that offers an inviting and inspiring experience.

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for reflection and discussion,” adds Lisa. “Clients can expect an experience that is positive, memorable and engaging. It underpins an exceptional customer journey for the whole Metricon process.”

The Studio M floorplan features a range of gallery and showcase spaces plus private retreat and breakout zones for reflection and discussion.

PROFILEPARTNER

Studio M Newcastle is now open for clients to experience and enjoy in Donald Street, Hamilton. Check out the Metricon website for all the details: metricon.com.au

The Studio is open on weekends so that clients can visit prior to their appointments to get an understanding of the incredible array products on display. “We encourage as many pre-appointment viewings as possible,” says Lisa. “It’s hard to fathom the breadth of what is on offer until you actually walk into the space, so it’s a great idea to take your time, to take it all in. Clients can spend time viewing and researching everything that is available and do pre-selections if they choose to.”

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“The space is designed to simplify the selection process and ensure our clients walk away feeling completely comfortable and satisfied with all the choices they have made and feel confident about the design they will Withachieve.”three

Metricon’s key supply partners have fully integrated displays set up within the Studio, including National Tiles who have an impressive 100sqm of tiles to choose from. There is a mixture of large format, indoor and outdoor tiles to view in situ with full size samples. Customers can see the tonal variations, grouting options and variety of lay patterns, and feel the textural details. Says Lisa.

fully installed, working kitchens, clients can enjoy cooking demonstrations, see how tiles will look on the splashback and experience how the appliances will work in the space. The bathrooms even have working shower heads. Everything in the studio is as integrated, tactile and functional as possible to make the whole process simple, effective and enjoyable.

The ‘Hillside 45’ is designed with a large family in mind, this majestic home features a bedroom wing with a large master suite plus dual living spaces including a study and games room. As well as a stunning Hamptonsstyle interior, the exterior is carefully considered, with a swimming pool and alfresco area that makes the whole property ideal for an indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

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Interior designer, Chiara Portesi explains, “We are proud to have two of our most popular homes on display at Redstone. ‘Hillside’ is one of our largest houses, a ranchstyle property that is ideal for a larger block of land.”

Redstone

“We wanted to introduce arches and curves to the ‘Vermont 25’, which are becoming more and more popular for Australian homes. Detailed with arched mirrors, feature walls and lighting, to complement the structural arched façade and internal hallways,” says Chiara. The design team featured National Tile’s subway Whoosh tile in ‘Forest Green’ in the master ensuite and laundry to add a bold pop of colour. The palette was complemented and toned down with the kitchen splashback where they featured the Whoosh ‘Matt White’.

edstone in Sunbury is a fabulous display home destination located just 35 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD and 10kms from Melbourne Airport. More than just bricks and mortar, Redstone offers convenience and connectivity with a focus on utilising and enhancing the stunning landscape. Residents can expect an exclusive master-planned community that they can call home.

The setting provides the ideal way to view two stunning single storey Porter Davis display homes. Porter Davis is currently celebrating its 22nd year of operation, continuing the tradition of the founder’s original vision – to build homes that deliver not just on substance but also on style. While today’s Porter Davis homes still carry all the emblems of excellence, they have evolved to reflect how families aspire to live in Australia today, and tomorrow. With an emphasis on innovative lightfilled open plan designs, the Porter Davis team is focused on creating homes that fulfil their customer’s physical and emotional needs.

Next door to the ‘Hillside 45’ is our popular ‘Vermont 25’. Designed with first home buyers in mind, ‘Vermont 25’ is a single storey home that is smaller, but no less beautiful, than the more spacious homes, and offers a more contemporary aesthetic.

Adds Chiara, “We freshened up the traditional Hamptonsstyle colour palette in the ‘Hillside 45’ moving away from greys and beiges.” National Tile’s Anglesea ‘Shell’ and Marrakech ‘White Gloss’ provide a neutral palette and perfect backdrop for the rest of the design features throughout. Adding Materia in ‘North Pole’ to the powder room and bar splashback added a special touch of colour, complemented by Materia in ‘Cloud’ on the kitchen splashback.

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Porter Davis’s ‘Hillside 45’ and ‘Vermont 25’ display homes are now ready to view at Redstone, open Saturday to Wednesday from 11am to 5pm. Visit the Sales Office: Lot 106 Origin Drive, Sunbury. porterdavis.com.au

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Adds Chiara, “For the exterior, we used the Maximus pedestal system from National Tiles which is an incredible floor levelling technique. The ‘Ceppo Bianco’ pavers provided the most beautiful look outdoors for the porch, alfresco area and pool coping.”

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We wanted to introduce arches and curves to the ‘Vermont 25’, which are becoming more and more popular for Australian homes

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considered range developed to complement current and emerging tile trends.

your trim, silicone, and grout when choosing your tiles will eliminate any surprises down the track. Finding the perfect coloured trim that complements your tile choice will create a beautiful and seamless result.

TALKINGTRIM

AvailableDirector in stainless steel, brass, and aluminium, and in an extensive colour range, including black, white, silver, gold and brass, plus matte finish colours.

This year has seen the release of seven brand new colours in a carefully

Roberts Designs has been developing quality trim for the Australian tiling market since the early 2000s. With trim to suit all profiles and jobs, including; cove, retro-fit, ramp, stair and balcony, square and round edge, expansion trim and the most popular L-shaped “Investingtrim. in quality materials and refining the manufacturing process has allowed us to grow our offering”. Said Paul Hayes, Roberts Designs Managing

“We have developed trim in the most popular shades of our Maxisil silicone. Using our perfect match technology, we are proud to deliver a seamless system for consumers,” Paul Specifyingcontinued.

robertsdesigns.com.au

EXPANSION TRIM

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It’s not unknown that the sizes of tiles are getting bigger every year and with the predominant colour of tiles ranging from mid to darker greys, advice if often requested when bonding tiles to difficult substrates, in areas that are receiving prolonged hours of direct sunlight and in heated floor Asscenarios.thistrend continues, we are making the market more aware of the greater stress for higher bond strengths of adhesives. Thus, Mapei are directing installers towards using S2 investmentaparts,wasPreviously,adhesives.anS2adhesiveonlyachievedwithtwoapowdermixedwithlatexadditive.Withourintoresearch

evolutionnewclipit.com.au

CLIP-IT is Australian-made from start to finish. Every CLIP-IT product is designed and manufactured in TheAustralia.CLIP-IT covers all your tiling needs with an extensive range. The range includes a variety of tile clip sizes. The range comprises 1.5mm, 3mm, 14-20mm Stone clips, 30-40mm Paver clips, Stone Wedges, Corner Brackets, Tile Pliers, DIY/Starter kit and our brand new DE-CLIP-IT hammer. The DE-CLIP-IT hammer is used when removing clips and removing clips from corners of walls and those awkward places so that there is no damage to tiles.

CLIP-IT is the tile levelling system that professionals use. CLIP-IT is a uniquely designed tile clip system that makes tiling easier. Not only is it used by the best tilers, but it is also easy enough for the DIY tiler to achieve a flawless finish.

The 14-20mm Stone and 30-40mm Paver clips have been designed by our team of qualified toolmakers, designers and injection moulders to ensure a clean break every time.

mapei.com/au level up

and development, Mapei have produced a product with this same characteristic in a single-part product, a powder mixed with water, creating Ultralite S2.

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The Ultralite S2 adhesive has a greater bond strength and a greater ability to handle the thermal and structural movement that is expected in construction and in areas subjective to heat-related Installersstresses. are becoming more aware that a higher quality adhesive is paramount in order to preserve their industry. Reach for Mapei’s Ultralite S2 adhesive at National Tiles for your next project!

TALKING TRADE NATIONAL TILES 53

The redesigned cleaning cartridges feature sturdy bag-inbottle technology to prevent pressure loss and an audible click to indicate the cartridge is engaged.

The actual Bona cleaning solution is pH neutral to prevent damage to surfaces and is also Greenguard indoor air quality certified, which means it is environmentally responsible and contains no harmful chemicals, safe for use around your home, your family and your pets. The cleaning solution comes premixed, so it’s always ready to use with no messy mixing of concentrates and water required.

The new Premium Spray Mops have a revised design which is lighter for ease of cleaning and has extra padding on the handle for more comfort. The mop heads also feature a larger surface area for quicker cleaning and a quick cartridge release system to make refilling empty cartridges fast and easy whilst effectively stopping any spillage.

bona.com

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Based in Sweden, Bona is the world leader in non-toxic floor finishes and care products for timber and hard surface floors. Flooring professionals and homeowners in more than 90 countries have relied on Bona since 1919, with Bona products now protecting millions of square metres of distinguished floors in palaces, museums, sporting arenas, art galleries and homes worldwide.

In Australia, Bona has released 2 new Premium Spray Mops and 2 new Cleaning Solution Cartridges, adding even greater ease of use and effectiveness to its renown floor maintenance system. Wood floor versions are designed for homeowners with predominantly timber floors, whilst hard surface versions suit homeowners with mostly hard surfaces including stone, tile, laminate, hybrid floors and vinyl.

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With the mantra ‘Less is more’, Maximus Junior 20-45mm and Maximus Senior 45-145mm with 100mm extenders, complete an adjustable system up to 1,000mm high.

As commercial tilers, we grew tired of multiple sized pedestals and having to rely on our tiling crew to use the correct ones. This became problematic with tilers grabbing whatever they had available in arms reach, stacking foreign objects under the pedestals to achieve a certain height.

The Maximus triple screw thread technology outperforms most other products on the market. Maximus boasts the smallest range of products with the greatest adjustment, replacing up to a dozen products of its competitors.

maximuspedestalsystems.com

A stylish alternative to traditional centre drains, linear drains enable rapid water release while offering greater design flexibility and a contemporary feel to the bathroom.

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Designed in Melbourne by tilers for tilers. The Maximus pedestal system provides a single solution for exterior elevated floors. It’s the most innovative pedestal that can be used on all external installations. The simplicity and functionality of this system is to make the job easier and more efficient.

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This can ultimately compromise the waterproof membrane installed underneath and cause instability. Hence, we developed our Maximus range with its unique ability to adjust up to three times its original size to overcome these issues.

The new range of Monopoly Tapware slimline linear drains from Austworld Plumbing are the ideal product for a seamless finish to shower recesses.

Featuring two rustproof anodised finishes in matt black and aluminium, along with a low-rise profile, Monopoly linear drains will perfectly integrate with tiled surfaces and design Austworld’sschemes.range

of Monopoly linear drains are extremely versatile. Available in three standard length configurations including 1200mm, 2800mm and 5600mm and two widths, 70mm and 100mm, they can be cut on-site to custom sizes with end caps, corners and joiners all available to order.

Monopoly Tapware has been servicing the Australian market for over 30 years sourcing the latest in bathroom fittings to meet changing trends in design and finishes. All Monopoly Tapware is Watermark Certified, guaranteeing quality, safety and regulatory compliance

“When my stepfather decided to get back into the flooring trade in the mid 1990s I joined forces with him, and in the transition, we added tiles to our offering at Border Carpet and Tiles. Frank Walker visited our showroom in 1996 and encouraged us to take on the National Tiles franchise. He was very invested in the franchise from the very beginning, helping us to update the store which we are very grateful for We launched the franchise in 1998.”

Now 14 years later there has been a significant change in the local building landscape. “Back then there were a lot of small builders in Albury & Wodonga. Then the larger building groups started setting up in the area which proved to be perfect timing for our National Tiles franchise. It made all the difference the width, breadth and depth of the tile ranges we had to offer. It was certainly the right decision for us ”

Martin has eight members in his team in the retail and warehouse space, servicing the local area and helping to make homeowners’ dreams come true “My favourite part of what I do is watching the joy my team members get from clinching a sale. They get such a buzz from working closely with their customers and delivering them tiles and flooring that they love.”

artin Coates grew up with a strong foundation of entrepreneurship. His stepfather operated a diverse range of businesses over the years in Wodonga, so when Martin left school he joined the family businesses which provided him with a really strong grounding in business practice

The building trade continues to prosper in Wodonga, even though there has been a shift in the types of flooring that are popular for the local market. “Whilst functional and designer tiles are sought after for bathrooms, laundries and kitchen splashbacks, there has been a move away from tiled floors throughout the home. There has been a big increase in orders for the Vinyl and Laminate flooring

“The outdoor pavers, pool coping tiles and pool tiles are a great addition to our business too, and over the last five years the technological advancements with porcelain tiles have taken over the natural stone because they are so easy to maintain and look so effective. They help to create that indoor/outdoor look that is so popular for our Australian way of life ”

wodonga

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FRANCHISE FOCUS 56 NATIONAL TILES Martin Coates reOwn

that National Tiles introduced a few years ago. Tiles used to be around 80% of the flooring area, and now that percentage is around 50/50. Some builders of course love the natural timber range, but for price-sensitive homes you can’t beat the quality and affordability of the Vinyl and Laminate ranges ”

Whilst the team at Border Carpet works closely with residential homeowners for their renovations, the bulk of their supply is to the multi house builders. “We present them with a range of tiles for their buyers to select from within a certain price structure, and then their clients can upgrade their tile and timber flooring selections if they choose to Subway tiles and the Whoosh range are the everlasting choices, and then they get a bit more daring with tiles for splashbacks to make more of a feature ”

hane and Shiree Meade were first introduced to the concept of a National Tiles franchise via their good friend Terry Beks, who founded the very first franchise store in Warrnambool. Shane and Terry had previously worked together at Powercor, so when Frank Walker told Terry that he was looking to open a store in Bendigo, Terry put them in touch. Shane and Shiree decided to launch the Bendigo franchise with the store officially opening a year later, in “I2003.have a Graduate Diploma in Business so I had the a strong understanding of business, so we learnt the tile trade from the ground up. It was a steep learning curve starting from scratch, but we were really supported by Frank and the National Tiles team. The first day we opened was Grand Final Day, and we had zero sales for the day. That was a good lesson, and from that day on the sales have increased in line with our knowledge of the Theindustry.”National Tiles Bendigo store’s customer base is now made up of retail residential customers who are

building and renovating, and local project builders and developers. “Our team has grown to around 12, including three of our four children – Nathan, Sophie and Elle. The style of property that is increasingly inpopularBendigo is the high-end luxury home, and as a result we find that the designer and imported tiles are the most sought after. It is quite extraordinary how much the National Tiles offering has grown over the last 20 years and the standard, quality and range is Theexceptional.”timbercollection is also ideal for the Bendigo market, with the Vinyl Plank range being the most sought after because of its cost-effective pricing and low maintenance properties. “We find that in regional areas Vinyl Planks are most common for flooring, and tiles are used for wet areas, splashbacks and outdoor. We are fortunate that the Bendigo housing market is booming, we have experienced three record years in a row so business continues to grow.”

Sbendigo

NATIONAL TILES 57 FRANCHISE FOCUS

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SOCIAL SNAPSHOT 64 NATIONAL TILES

nationaltilesau We love coloured grout and how it elevates white tiles! This bathroom by @mjharrisgroup and photographed by @joel.noon shows us exactly why! Get creative with grout and see how it changes a design!

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We love seeing creativity through our customer’s projects and this last year has brought us some beautiful ones that we are so proud to show off. We have seen marble mosaics be more popular than ever, coloured grout being used to elevate a white tile and patterned tiles being embraced in large spaces. If you want inspiration for your next project, then look no further! We always welcome images of you project, so send them in! We cannot wait to see what the next year brings.

twinpeaksmelbourne

nationaltilesau Consider us stunned! How incredible is this fireplace by @twinpeaksmelbourne using our stunning Colosseum marble mosaic in Ming Green

nationaltilesau These Artisan Poco Black Matt tiles have always been a love of ours, they create such a dramatic and exciting space. Thank you for sharing this stunning image @southern_cross_ceramics southern_cross_ceramics

to move to the

us

nationaltilesau @the_house_on_the_farm

nationaltilesau The marrakech range look perfect in this bathroom, created by @maria_georgio - it creates a beautiful serene space that you can unwind in

house_on_the_farm nationaltilesau How incredible is this deep green powder rooms? Thank you, Anna for sharinf this with us. We love how well the colour of our Japanese Mosaics in Jade pair with the concrete sink from @nood_co nood_co blackburnbathroomskitchensmaria_georgio NATIONAL TILES 65 SOCIAL SNAPSHOT

nationaltilesau @blackburnbathroomskitchens used our incredible Travertine for this gorgeous bathroom. We love that we are seeing more people use this beautiful tile in their spaces, the look and feel is unmatched. makes want countryside! Look at these gorgeous Pietra Di Ostuni French pattern set tiles!

What I am loving from National Tiles at the moment is… Concept Oak timber flooring and the Glocal and Stucco tile ranges.

I am inspired by…

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MICHAEL DELSHAB NATIONAL MANAGER, TIMBER

My father. He always worked hard and finished every task that he started. He truly enjoyed the work that he did. I want to work just as hard as he did, love the work that I do and progress in my career

The best advice I have been given is… Change your thinking, change your life.

the catch-up

I’m passionate about is self-development and selfimprovement in my personal life. I’m always looking to challenge myself and learn new things. On the weekend you will find me… Playing tennis in the morning and relaxing in restaurants for the rest of the day.

Originally from Persia, now known as Iran, Michael grew up in an environment that is very different to the Australian way of life. When Michael’s wife decided to complete her PhD at Melbourne University, the couple moved to Melbourne and made Australia their home. Explains Michael, “Life in Iran is actually a fair bit more lively really than Melbourne! Shops are open until late, and we would go to restaurants at 9pm or 10pm and stay there until the early hours of the morning. There are many differences, but similarities as well of course. We all enjoy spending time with family and friends. We have grown to love the relaxing, more laid-back way of life here. It’s a beautiful place to call home.

My favourite childhood memory is… Summer trips with my uncles, aunts and cousins to our beach house, where we used to stay for two or three weeks during the summer and just had fun.

My ideal dinner menu is… Oyster with burnt butter dressing, eye fillet steak with red wine jus and truffle caramel.

I am passionate about…

My favourite home design style is… I like the Mid-Century Modern design aesthetic more than other styles and also a rustic design that is comfortable, warm, and inviting.

One thing most people don’t know about me is… I’ve got black belt in Taekwondo

What I love most about working at National Tiles is… Having a sense of purpose and being able to learn new things and develop my skills, the availability of wellness programs, working in a collaborative environment and being in positive workplace culture.

66INTERVIEWNATIONAL

ichael Delshab joined National Tiles eight years ago, working his way up in the business from a part-time salesperson in the Sunshine store to being an integral part of the Victorian Business Development Team. Michael was recently promoted to the role of National Manager for Timber and Resilient Flooring.“National Tiles is a fantastic company to work, with such a positive culture. There are so many opportunities to learn and grow. I am really looking forward to giving 100% effort to my new role.”

TILES

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Hobart Store 66 Kennedy Drive, Cambridge TAS Alexandria Store 55 Bourke Rd, Alexandria Sydney NSW 38 stores australia wide call 1300 733 000 nationaltiles.com.au