Stiles: Tuscania Cortina: A Stone-Cold Stunner

Say the words “Tuscan stone” and we’re transported.

It might be expecting a lot to say I want the floor to bring me to Tuscany… but yes, that’s exactly what I want. I want to feel like I’ve just ridden a Vespa to an Italian villa with views of sun-drenched fields, cypress groves, ancient stone walls and shuttered windows. There might even be an al fresco table laid with Chianti, antipasti boards, and some handmade pasta. And if it’s not too much to ask, I’d also like a few friendly goats with bells on them. Be inspired with Stiles.

Let’s face it, we are sensory creatures. We experience the world with our eyes, ears, skin and sometimes our imagination too. Tuscan stone is nothing less than a love letter to classic Italian design. It’s the epitome of refinement, elegance and timeless style.

Of course, real Italian stone is a specialist material. It’s difficult to source, its porous, stain-prone, expensive to install and repair — and freezing cold in winter.

However, you can have all the style with none of the stress.

The Tuscania Ceramiche Cortina range is a complete range of imported Italian porcelain stoneware, exclusive to Stiles.

“What makes this range unique,” explains Mandy Wallace, Import Buyer for Stiles, “is that it includes multiple sizes, different finishes and coordinating pieces. The collection features a natural stone-look and a subtle, understated character. This is a tile that certainly fits the category of quiet luxury.”

With 17 years of experience in the tile industry, Mandy says identifying quality tiles has become second nature. “The Cortina range has a hardwearing body, it doesn’t chip easily and it has a realistic stone-look with many faces. It fits perfectly with the current trend towards a natural, neutral and grounded aesthetic.”

The Cortina range was inspired by the natural beauty of the stone formations of the Southern Alps at Cortina d’Ampezzo, in Italy. Lightly veined, with a simple, elemental beauty, the Cortina palette features neutral colours in both warm and cool tones.

Colour lines include:

These four colours complement one another when used together and work equally beautifully on their own.

The range is described by Johan Drom van Tonder, Chief Operations Officer of Stiles, as “a happy family made up of relatives who look similar but not entirely the same.”

“The Tuscania Cortina series is cleverly designed as a complete range,” he adds. “The entire collection works holistically. The tiles are visually compatible in terms of colour and pattern but come in different finishes for interior, exterior and decorative applications.” He notes that the tile sizes are designed to align seamlessly across surfaces, producing grout-line continuity from floor to wall and even across patios and terraces.

A Tile for Every Surface

The Tuscania Cortina range includes:

9mm thick matt rectified tiles for interiors
→ View Avorio Matt Rectified Tile
Slip-resistant finish for exteriors
→ View Slip-Resistant Tile
Paver tiles for patios, walkways, pool surrounds and terraces
→ View Paver Tile

In addition, the range includes a decorative tile for feature walls, chimney breasts, backsplashes and bathroom accents.

Millerighe: A Thousand Lines of Texture

The decorative tile is called Millerighe
→ View Millerighe Tile

Millerighe is an Italian term meaning “a thousand lines” — often used to describe pasta with ridged surfaces. These tiles feature densely packed parallel lines, creating a tactile surface reminiscent of braille writing embossed on stone.

The Cortina collection can be used in inventive combinations to create subtle but visually interesting compositions. Mandy Wallace concludes: “The overall effect feels harmonious and honest… like you’re looking at authentic natural stone with true depth and integrity.”