Sponsored by Di Lorenzo Tiles
Despite challenging economic times and plenty of larger competitors, boutique tile retailer and family business Di Lorenzo Tiles is going well thanks to its strong reputation and relationships. They just opened a stunning new showroom in Sydney’s Northmead, and they’re well placed to cater to the public’s renewed love of colour and warmth in bathrooms.
As a family business which started in 1983, they’ve been through their share of economic highs and lows, adapting to changing market conditions. “While we have felt the impact of economic challenges over the years, our strong brand reputation, built on trust and quality, has helped us maintain customer loyalty. We continue to import the latest collections from Italy and Spain, ensuring our product ranges remain aligned to current design trends,” says director Tina Di Lorenzo.
The luxury tile suppliers have five retail showrooms across NSW, recently relocating from Castle Hill to a new space in Northmead (their biggest yet) with greater visibility, better parking and easy access on foot. “Our showrooms allow us to serve customers across various regions, building strong relationships with local builders and customers. Having physical showrooms is crucial for us. It enables our customers to experience our products first hand, seeing the textures, the quality and colours and finishes in real-life settings,” Tina says.
“Our showrooms are thoughtfully designed to inspire creativity, and our staff are able to assist and educate our customers on our products which is so important when buying tiles. Many of our customers come back multiple times before making a decision, and this helps them feel comfortable about their decisions.”
Di Lorenzo’s showrooms are carefully curated, with beautiful displays and exclusive collections, not to mention in-person advice on hand. “We focus on quality premium tiles in a space that is calm, welcoming and professional.”
The new Northmead showroom, on Windsor Road, is their largest space, which has allowed them to create 20 bathroom displays showcasing the latest and most popular bathroom tiles. There’s also a large decorative tile and mosaic area, as well as an outdoor section, and extra large format porcelain slabs on display. In addition, there’s even carpet and timber flooring options.
The most exciting addition to this showroom is a full kitchen display, showcasing a 12mm Italian porcelain benchtop. “This is new for us, and we already have a few options in stock,” Tina says. “We’re very excited about it and we are looking to expand our collection over time.”
The business is constantly evolving and looking for new opportunities and all showrooms have just been updated with the latest collections, purchased at the last trade show in Italy. They’re looking forward to the next one in September, where they can expect to see what’s in store for the next 12 months .
Tina’s seeing a strong preference towards natural-looking, textured tiles that bring warmth and character to a space. “Venetian plaster, or resin-like finishes are extremely popular, and these tiles offer a handcrafted, organic appearance. Our Materia and Resin collections are popular options. Terracotta tones continue to be on trend; earthy hues again offer warmth to any space. Travertine-inspired porcelain is also having a moment!”
She is loving the shift away from grey and towards more colour and warmth in bathrooms and kitchens. “Consumers are also looking to add a gorgeous handmade tile or a decorative mosaic; something which will personalise their space and enhance their overall look.”
