Dorset by Italgraniti

Dorset is Italgraniti’s new collection of ceramic inspired by a rare and elegant variety of limestone whose appeal originates from thousands of years of history.

This new interpretation represents two spirits that complement each other perfectly – Cross and Vein Cut – and correspond to the two directions in which quarry blocks are cut. The Cross Cut look reproduces the cloudy aesthetic that derives from cutting the stone along the direction of its component layers.

Visually, it reflects the colour variations and soft contrasts that arise from the sedimentation process, creating a balanced appearance. The Vein Cut version reveals delicate, longitudinally veined surfaces, which are showcased to best effect in rectangular formats.

Dorset is available in four colours with a natural finish, in line with the

current trend for matt, textured materials. The result is a collection that is easy to interpret, because it is colour-neutral, and can be paired with a wide range of materials, such as the pigmented concrete of the Nuances collection, which revolves around the expressive power of colour.

As well as the natural finish, there’s also the Ribbed version, which replicates the machining process used to create the strongest natural stone products. The distinctly three-dimensional appearance of this surface structure emphasises the strong mineral appeal of the collection and generates a simple, refined decorative motif based on an exquisitely textural point of view.

Rilievo 3D is a decoration designed by the architects and art director Andrea Parisio and Giuseppe Pezzano, inspired by the plasticity of the stone coverings that characterise the architecture of Italian buildings. The decoration combines a listello laid planar to another listello whose longer side is laid overlapping. This creates a module with an original three-dimensional effect. The listello can be laid overlapping because of the incision in the back of it, which generates a 3D effect once installed.

Dorset is based on the use of two innovative technologies developed by Italgraniti Group, called RealUp and StrideUp. With RealUp, graphics and three-dimensional effects achieve an unprecedented synergy: the overall design of the ceramic surface assumes a unique level of depth and detail. Colour and structure coincide with no margin of error, giving the ceramic surface an outstandingly rich texture. StrideUp extends the versatility and functionality of porcelain stoneware to create a new type of covering that has high slip-resistance, while remaining soft to the touch and easy to clean. This combination is made possible by nanotechnology, involving nanoparticles of the raw materials of which the surface is made.

In addition to the formats with a thickness of 9mm, there is also the slim-gauge Mega large-format panel measuring 120x280x0.6cm, and the OPEN version for outdoor applications, both of which are available

in the Cross Cut version. The series is complemented by mosaics in various geometries, available in thicknesses of both 9 and 6mm, making them ideal for covering curved surfaces.