From September 22 to 26, Cersaie – Bologna’s renowned tile and bathroom show – will feature the latest from brands like Zucchetti, Bisazza and Antonio Lupi. This year, look for new twists on traditional, even centuries-old offerings. Here’s a sneak peek.

1 Amazing tiles, including Bisazza and Lea Ceramiche
Cersaie isn’t just about tiles, but ceramic mosaics, panels and planks – by such brands as Refin, Marazzi and Mutina – are indeed the main event. Designed by a roster of design stars, including Paola Navone, Jaime Hayon, Carlo Dal Bianco, Bisazza’s Contemporary Cement Tiles (shown at top) are a trendy spin on a normally traditional-looking offering (à la Florida in the 1930s). The Italian brand will also be previewing new mosaics.

For its part, Lea Ceramiche – often a highlight of the fair – is showcasing new developments in its Slimtech line of laminated stoneware. These include Slimtech Absolute’s glossy and matte surfaces, and Slimtech Nest’s hexagonal modules (shown above) in a variety of colours by HOK, all in a Slimtech-clad space designed by architect and designer Diego Grandi.

2 Great bathroom fixtures, including at Gattoni and Caleido
Italian bathroom fixture Gattoni’s booth will see the launch of Intersezione, a bathroom tap with both sharp angular edges and a bulbous, more classically shaped base – an example of what Milan designer Luca Scacchetti refers to as cultural sustainability, which is a win-win-win approach merging modern elements with warm, timeless stylings, and adding in eco-friendly low-flow features.

Veering in two very different directions, Caleido is launching two towel warmers. The first, Caesar has a distinctly Downton Abbey feel; Caleido’s first brass design, the retro-styled, modular warmer can be finished in chrome, bronze, gold or copper. The ultra-thin ICE Bagno, on the other hand, is described as a “modern interpretation of towel warmers”; the ultra-minimalist design comes in a range of sizes and finishes.

3 Material magic: TheSize
In addition to showcasing its Neolith surfacing material in several jaw-dropping settings – including two bathrooms and a kitchen – TheSize is launching several new products, including Onyx, a surfacing material made of semi-translucent clays that can be backlit.

4 Poetic installations: Bologna Water Design
Granted, it’s a little off campus, but this three-year-old offsite event (located in a former hospital) has already become a well-established must-see. This year it includes the installation “Once Upon a Water,” by Italian design studio Alhambretto; and Piero Lissoni’s new Open outdoor kitchen for Boffi, a freestanding stainless steel volume with hidden water, gas, and electrical elements.