Fioranese Kintsugi Hibi Metallic-Vein Porcelain Tiles

Hibi takes its name from the fine cracks that open in a fired glaze. Across the Kintsugi concrete ground it draws bright metallic seams — genuinely raised, not printed, so they catch light at an angle and disappear head-on.

Kintsugi is the Japanese practice of repairing broken ceramics with molten gold so the join becomes the most valuable part of the object. Fioranese have taken that idea onto porcelain — a soft, hand-worked concrete ground crossed by raised metallic seams that catch the light. The collection won the ADI Ceramics & Bathroom Design Award and was selected for the ADI Design Index, which for a tile range is unusual.

The faces are supplied assorted: 15 different subjects in the 60.4x120.8 and 24 in the 60.4x60.4. A laid floor therefore reads as one continuous repair running through the room, rather than a pattern repeating every few tiles.

Colours

The same four tones as the plain range, with the seams reading differently against each. Hibi Moonlight is the subtlest, gold on warm off-white. Hibi Fog gives the cleanest contrast on cool mid grey. Hibi Storm is the one most people pick — enough depth behind the metal to make it glow. Hibi Darkness is the most dramatic, near-black with the seams doing all the work.

Specification

• Material: Porcelain stoneware, body-coloured (EN 14411:2012 Annex G Group BIa GL)
• Thickness: 9mm
• Shade variation: V3, moderate variation in shade and pattern — mix from several boxes when laying
• Finish: Naturale Rettificato (matt rectified)
• Sizes: 60.4x120.8 and 60.4x60.4 rectified
• Application: Indoor floors and walls; suitable for underfloor heating
• Slip resistance: R9. DCOF wet ≥ 0.42, BCRA dry and wet > 0.40 (plain base tiles)
• Health: hypoallergenic surface, non-porous and free of harmful emissions
• Durability: fireproof, colourfast and unaffected by UV
• Sustainability: LEED® compliant, made in Italy

Laying Hibi

Because no two faces are alike, Hibi wants to be dry-laid before fixing — the seams should be read across the whole floor, not tile by tile. Order the full quantity in one delivery so the assortment stays complete, and open several boxes at once when setting out. It also works well as a partial field: a Hibi run through a hallway or under an island, with the plain tone either side.

Packaging & weights

Delivery is calculated on these weights. Packaging figures are indicative and may vary.

Special trims

The matching 7.5x60.4 battiscopa is listed with the plain Kintsugi tiles in Moonlight, Fog, Storm and Darkness, and works alongside this decor wherever the two are laid together.

Ordering & delivery

• Minimum order: 5m²
• Sold by: the m² for field tiles and decors; per piece for battiscopa
• Prices: inclusive of VAT
• Full pallet: reduced rate applied automatically on m² lines — battiscopa is a special piece and is not eligible
• Delivery: 4–6 weeks, ordered from Italy. Delivery is charged after purchase, calculated on the weight of your order — we will confirm the cost with you before despatch
• Allow 10% over your measured area for cuts and future repairs

See it before you buy

A raised metallic seam is the single hardest thing to photograph — the gold catches light in a way a screen flattens completely, so Hibi almost always looks better in person than online. Samples are available to order, and the range is on display at our luxury interiors showroom in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Our team can help with quantities, trims and adhesive specification. Call 01782 617517 or email sales@homeofclay.co.uk for a quotation or to arrange a visit.