The art of marquetry, which holds a prestigious place among classic parquet flooring techniques, comes to life in porcelain and ceramic tiles with all its textural unity and harmonious patterns.
Marquetry is one of the rare craft techniques to have survived from ancient Egypt to the present day without losing its status or beauty. Combining and interlocking different woods in a harmonious arrangement of motifs and patterns, this technique has been practised by skilled craftspeople throughout the ages and has found its greatest expression in flooring.
With a distinguished heritage in the world of parquet flooring, marquetry spread from Europe to Asia, its unique and inimitable character setting it apart. Creating a coherent pattern from different woods requires concentration, creativity and fine craftsmanship. Its complexity has made it the preserve of craftspeople with the greatest mastery of working by hand.
Since its earliest applications, marquetry has brought a decorative dimension to traditional woodworking. It remains a sought-after technique for highlighting a particular area in modern interiors. Today, thanks to the expertise made possible by technology, it can be recreated not only in real wood but also in porcelain and ceramic tiles.
Offering greater ease of use, cleaning, durability and maintenance than real wood, wood-effect ceramic and porcelain tiles have become some of the most popular materials in recent years for environmentally conscious homes that use water and energy resources efficiently.
Offering lasting performance particularly in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and pool surrounds, these products have also become popular in main living spaces such as sitting rooms in recent years. Decorative appeal, the ability to bring style to a space and the potential to create a focal point are therefore all qualities expected of today’s wood-effect ceramic and porcelain tiles.
As a result, surfaces in classic interiors also call for decorative accents that complement the overall atmosphere. Marquetry-effect options are among the solutions best suited to this demand. When combined with other natural textures such as marble or stone, these tiles become a captivating focal point. They capture nature’s refined nuances of colour and texture, evoke a sense of nostalgia and history, and add an artistic dimension to a living space.
Today’s interiors offer a wide variety of wood-effect ceramic and porcelain tiles with marquetry-inspired details. The Wooden Chest collection by Kalebodur is one example. Interpreting wood textures in a distinct geometric arrangement, Wooden Chest achieves its marquetry composition with matt porcelain tiles measuring 60 x 60 cm.
Another Kalebodur design, the Artwood series, brings herringbone—one of the most admired marquetry patterns—to tiles with its 20 x 120 cm glazed granite decorative pieces. The Fishwood collection by Kalebodur carries this pattern onto matt porcelain tiles measuring 60 x 120 cm.
