rug” with border. (NAPSA)—Poreelain stonetile, once earmarked for kitchens and baths, is producing exciting “floor shows” in the main living areas of today’s homes. Turning the design community upside down,tile is running inside and out—of homes,that is—showing up in entrance halls, living rooms and dining rooms, and outside on patios and walkways. Thanks to modern technology, manufacturers can replieate virtually any natural stone look, including polished New Aurora tilemim- and unpolished mar(Gssateforuse out ble, terra cotta, terrazzo andslate. Such porcelain stone lookalikes, which are 30 percent tougher than granite, easier to maintain and less costly, have become a popular choice among homeowners. In fact, man-made porcelain stone tile is the country’s fastest-growing floor covering—jumping from 4 percent of the total floor tile market in 1997 to a projected 10 percent in 2003. Onetile, called Manor Stone, is designed to resemble tumbled marble and is increasingly being used to decorate entire rooms, from floorto fireplace. Manor Stone is manufactured by Crossville Porcelain Stone/USA, the largest. manufacturer of porcelain tile in the U.S. The companyalso offers tile called Aurora, a product that mimies randomly colored slate. Offered in two different finishes—a tough,frost/slipresistant outdoor surface and a smoother, easy-to-clean indoor surface—Aurora’s colorful slate-like look ean start in the kitchenor family room and runright out to the patio or pool. For more information, visit www.crossville-ceramics.com or call (800) 221-9093.
