While visiting several Italian kitchen and bath factories this September, Snyder Diamond owner Russ Diamond stopped in at Cersaie, the annual tile and plumbing exhibition in Bologna, to see what’s new. This week, we’re taking a look at some of the vendors he met and some of the exciting products that will soon be en route to our showrooms. 

“It’s a really good tile show,” Russ said of the event, “but they also had some great new bathroom furniture this year.” Walking through the fair, which included 872 exhibitors, demonstrations and talks, he spotted a number of innovative mirror and accessory designs incorporating LED lights, but what made the biggest impression on him was the boom in the wellness category. One of the most notable discoveries was Treesse, a company that has developed indoor and outdoor spas that incorporate chromo therapy, the use of color to treat illness and rebalance energies. The line caught Russ’ eye and he’s now working with a Southern California manufacturer to iron out all the U.S. approvals so that Treese can make its American debut at Snyder Diamond. Another item from the wellness group that may soon be making an appearance at Snyder Diamond are the sleek new combo steam-sauna rooms from Effegibi, a company renowned for its Finnish saunas and Turkish hammams.

One of Russ’ other favorite finds was tile company Made a Mano. “It’s a really unique line—a very custom product,” he explains. The company’s proprietary technique includes lava stone from Mt. Vesuvius. Yes, that Vesuvius—the volcano that obliterated Pompeii in 79AD.

“It was also just great to see old acquaintances and renew relationships with so many factories,” noted Russ, who stayed in the center of the historic capital city. “Plus, well, Bologna’s known for its restaurants and great food!” Traveling through Italy is hard work but someone’s got to do it. (Next he’s off to Maison & Objet in Paris in January, then Salone del Mobile/EuroCucina in Milan in April.)

Keep an eye on our blog, where we’ll be announcing all the latest Italian arrivals. 

And we’d like to say a very special thanks to London- and Florence-based photographer Roberto Leoni, who accompanied Russ at the fair and provided so many of the images in the above slideshow.