This year’s Coverings began with bleak news, as the Tile Council of North America reported that 2008 sales totaled only 2.1 billion square feet of surfaces, a 21.5 percent — and $2.4 billion — decline from 2006 highs.

Tiles rule at Cevisama, which celebrated its 25th year in 2007.

From panels to whole systems, these recent products enhance function or aesthetics for interior or exterior walls.

The ancient and the high-tech met last October at Marmomacc, the 42nd International Exhibition of Stone Design and Technology in Verona, Italy, featuring innovative material applications alongside classic stones, some quarried since antiquity.

The Stockholm Furniture Fair is gaining international prominence.

The Stockholm Furniture Fair is gaining international prominence.

The 42-year-old German designer Konstantin Grcic was feted as the Stockholm Furniture Fair’s guest of honor this year, following on the heels of past years’ celebrity choices like the Bouroullec brothers, Patricia Urquiola, and Naoto Fukasawa.

It has been over a quarter of a century since Philippe Starck designed his first fixture for Duravit.

Bathing Beauties Designer Philippe Starck and Duravit re-team to present two new bathroom collections.