Melange is the latest collection from Spanish brand WOW Design, a line of ceramic tiles that can be paired together to create striking representations of painterly ombré effects. While high-gloss tiles remain a staple, there’s a renewed interest in more muted looks. Yet rather than pull from the archives to reference previous offerings, the designers turned to another form of adornment for inspiration. “We wanted to bring the essence of textiles to the walls,” the studio shares, “A big tapestry in the style of a work of art that encircles our living spaces.”

The designers were captivated by the different types of yarns and dyes of tapestries that blend in gentle progressions from one hue to another. Melange fuses art and technology to bring similar variations indoors. Each piece is made of white body ceramic that allows the lighter glazes to pop. The durable tiles are also suitable for commercial interiors because they are stain- and UV-resistant.

Standard square tiles are perennial favorites, used for almost every application. Yet specifiers are now requesting options that they can use in different sequences, and Melange offers an alternative. The 4.2- by 21.3-inch rectangular wall tiles have a matte finish, a seamless canvas for users to experiment with.

The color transitions change the appearance of walls and make spaces appear higher, narrower, or wider. The size was selected so that a standard room can be tiled with the fewest possible pieces, a bonus for those looking to reduce waste and lower project costs.

The vertical orientation echoes the subtle movement of drapery or a wall hanging, and provides visual interest, a welcome shift from the everyday horizontal arrangements. Combined with the array of powdery tints available gives tiles a sophisticated update.

The tonal Melange tiles are ideal for framing, using the ceramic pieces to highlight a feature like a window frame or doorway, for example. This technique works well in retail environments to accentuate niches. The tiles, with light layers of color, have added depth, eliminating the need for too-busy motifs that may clash with the merchandise on display.

WOW Design is known for the sophisticated signature hues introduced each season, yet Melange includes coordinating groupings rather than a few trendy shades. Whether on the cool or warm end of the spectrum, the curated colors tap into emotion and evoke memories, just as a scent or taste can.

There are 15 tiles in the collection, presented in three sets of five. Solids like Earth, Lake, and Cream can be applied to form a clean, monochromatic backdrop. Two-tone combos like Talc-Rose or Sea-Cloud replicate pastel chalk shadings that enliven walls so that clients can customize their spaces and make them truly unique.

For more information on the Melange tile collection, which goes on sale in the United States this fall, head to wowdesign.eu.

Anna Zappia is a New York City-based writer and editor with a passion for textiles, and she can often be found at a fashion exhibit or shopping for more books. Anna writes the Friday Five column, as well as commercial content.