Kaolin Porcelain Surfaces, together with globally acclaimed Sydney designer Greg Natale, have launched the Dimora Series, hailing it the world’s first Australian-born collaboration of its kind in porcelain tile design. All we can say is the photographs speak for themselves!
Dimora, meaning dwelling in Italian, is a testament to the union of unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design, featuring three distinct collections: Villa, Grotta and Casa.
COLLECTION 1 – VILLA (Inspired by Greg’s Mosman House project)
Villa is Greg’s signature style brought to life through four brass and black coloured geometric designs over four striking porcelain marble-look slabs, expertly developed by the artisans at Kaolin. A key advantage of these designs is their porcelain composition with lacquered finish, allowing for floor and wet area use without maintenance concerns. This means the luxurious appearance of these patterns can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of real marble, without the need for waterjet cutting.
Each stone features a slightly leathered, honed finish that mirrors the authentic look and feel of real stone. Rosa Levanto showcases Kaolin’s patented Endless Vein 2.0 technology for seamless transitions. The Villa Collection introduces a groundbreaking technique for achieving brass and metallic inlays without traditional labour-intensive processes, enhancing durability and reducing costs.
COLLECTION 2 – GROTTA (Inspired by Greg Natale’s Kyle Bay House project)
The Grotta collection comprises four tiles featuring modernist, simplified designs that echo the 1970s s Brutalist movement. This exploration of natural forms through industrial materials like concrete, brick and bronze, alongside reduced shapes, neutral tones, and decorative textures, emphasises the raw beauty of urban design. The collection represents abstract constructivism, blending the innovations of industrial design with architecture.
It highlights Kaolin’s craftsmanship, praised within the industry for achieving some of the most technically complex and intricate textures. Textures such as plaster, cardboard, burnt wood and copper have never before been realised in porcelain tile manufacturing and stand out for their uniqueness. The applications for these tiles are vast, suitable not only for residential spaces but also for commercial settings that favour a Brutalist and industrial design approach.
COLLECTION 3 – CASA (Inspired by Greg’s family home where he grew up)
Casa is comprised of two geometric tiles synonymous with the high-end, maximalist qualities and eclecticism present within Milanese design. By exploring elements of sophisticated Italian aesthetics through muted, tonal pallets, these tiles are versatile, design-forward creations suited to any modern interior. This collection has a soft and warm woven look finish with playful colours.
The Dimora Series not only pushes design boundaries but also emphasises sustainability. Kaolin Surfaces, recognised as one of the only Green Certified tile manufacturers in world with a Level A GreenRate certification by Global GreenTag, ensures each tile is crafted with the highest environmental stewardship standards. The Grotta and Villa collections are produced in state-of-the-art facilities in Foshan, China, usiing sustainable practices such as recycling materials and water, and sourcing raw materials within a 300km radius to minimise environmental impact.
