Once a year the Italian city of Bologna becomes the epicentre of the bathing world.

Officially titled: ’The International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings’, Cersaie (pron. Churr-sigh) is where the bathroom door is quite literally unlocked, flung open and the best in bathrooms and bathware are well and truly on show.

Here we present Nicky Lobo’s picks from day two of the fair.

What is it? Artist influence.

What we liked about it: Cross-pollination can be only a good thing – especially in a creative sense. Florim asked artists to express various looks, which were then developed into their new ranges, entitled ’Materia Project’. 

What is it? International flavor.

What we liked about it: Devon & Devon took cues from Paris and New York for their new looks, including a surprising ’bath lounge’ – literally a chaise seat cut out from a bath shell, inspired specifically by the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

What is it? Education

What we liked about it: Simas dedicated valuable exhibition space on a display that educated visitors on their stringent manufacturing process to ensure quality, which also qualifies them for a ’Made in Italy’ certification. 

What is it? Options

What we liked about it: There are colour ranges and then there are colour ranges. Like Sicis’ new stone range, inlaid with the glass mosaics for which they’re known. With an extensive 114 hues, that’s almost 5 colours for each of the 25 years they’ve been going. 

What is it? Patricia Urquiola

What we liked about it: Yes, she’s everywhere, but so she should be if she can continue to produce looks like this. Last year’s range for Mutina was hard to top, but an injection of pattern and colour managed to do it in style. 

What is it? Maxi.

What we liked about it: Livin’ large has never looked so good. Iris Ceramica’s Maxifine 300x150cm format is a sight to behold (especially displayed against the silhouette of naked mannequins – hey it sells!).