On Monday, September 21, 2026, during EmilDays-Etherea, the awards ceremony for the fifth edition of the Emilgroup Project Awards took place. An event that each year celebrates the best international projects created using Emilgroup collections, recognizing works that stand out for architectural quality, design vision, and the ability to interpret materials in innovative ways.

After evaluating entries from around the world, the jury selected the winners in the four competition categories and awarded two honorable mentions to projects distinguished by the quality of their design vision.

&nbsp;

Inspiration Category

<a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/projects/olinda_a_restaurant_with_a_distinctive_design/" target="_blank">OLINDA</a>, the new restaurant created by Gervasi Destinations in collaboration with Morris Flooring &amp; Design, won the award in the Inspiration category. Located in Ohio, USA, the project stands out for its ability to create an immersive experience where design, hospitality, and materials interact harmoniously, giving life to a space with a strong and distinctive identity.

Creativity Category

In the Creativity category, the award was presented to <a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/projects/villa_padova_the_creativity_of_materials_as_a_design_language/" target="_blank">Villa Padova</a>, a private residence designed by Arch. Maila Borile. The project distinguishes itself through an innovative and creative use of materials, which go beyond their traditional role as surface coverings to become an integral part of the architecture and spatial identity.

Prestige Category

The award in the Prestige category was presented to <a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/projects/palazzo_san_gottardo_elegance_and_hospitality_on_lake_como/" target="_blank">Palazzo San Gottardo Lake Como, A Radisson Collection Hotel</a>, a project designed by Ultrapresent Studio. Overlooking Lake Como, the intervention enhances a historic hospitality property through a refined balance of architectural heritage, contemporary design, and meticulous attention to detail.

Emilgroup Project Awards 2026: winners of the fifth edition

New inspirations take shape in surfaces that redefine the language of matter. Emilgroup&rsquo;s new collections emerge from the meeting of research, innovation and attention to detail, where textures and finishes become new design opportunities, inspiring architects, designers and specifiers to create spaces with an elegant and distinctive character.

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👉 What&#39;s new:

Emilceramica

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/essenza-frammenti/" target="_blank">Essenza Frammenti</a> combines the compact foundations of Pietra Essenza with the expressive richness of marble fragments</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/pietra-essenza/" target="_blank">Pietra Essenza New Dimensions</a> expands the collection&rsquo;s design possibilities with the new 160&times;160 cm and 120&times;278 cm formats</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/n0rdea/" target="_blank">N&oslash;rdea</a> combines the natural strength of wood with the essential character of Nordic design.</li>
	<li>Tele di Marmo New Expressions enriches the <a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/tele-di-marmo/" target="_blank">Tele di Marmo</a> project with the new Rosso Levanto shade and expands <a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/tele-di-marmo-onyx/" target="_blank">Tele di Marmo Onyx</a> with the new Stormy Day and Stormy Night shades</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/dual-travertine/" target="_blank">Dual Travertine Expanded</a> introduces the Poro Chiuso finish in the 120&times;278 cm and 120&times;120 cm formats</li>
</ul>

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Ergon

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/collections/brand/ergon/conceptstone/" target="_blank">ConceptStone</a> brings stone craftsmanship to the forefront, transforming it into a contemporary language for architecture</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/collections/brand/ergon/matera-stone/" target="_blank">Matera Stone New Dimension</a> introduces the Neutra finish in the innovative 160&times;160 cm format</li>
</ul>

New expressions of matter: discover Emilgroup's new products for 2026

A guest bathroom is a small space with an outsized job: it shapes how welcome your visitors feel and how polished your home looks. Whether you&#39;re working with a compact powder room or a full secondary bath, the right surfaces, colors, and proportions can turn an afterthought into one of the most memorable rooms in the house.

This guide covers how to design one that works &mdash; with porcelain stoneware at the center of every durable, easy-care choice.

<h2 class="heading2">What should a guest bathroom look like?</h2>

A guest bathroom should feel welcoming, organized, and easy to use, with a thoughtful layout, good lighting, easy-care surfaces, and essential elements that help visitors feel comfortable. 
Here, style and practicality work together. The room should reflect the character of the home and allow anyone to immediately find everything they need.

As with all bathrooms, durable, hygienic, and easy-to-maintain materials are particularly important. Porcelain stoneware is well suited to this setting thanks to its low water absorption, technical performance, and wide range of finishes and effects.

Most guest bathrooms fall into two types. A powder room &mdash; just a toilet and sink &mdash; invites more freedom with color and pattern, because visits are short. 
A full guest bath, which adds a shower or tub for overnight stays, needs comfortable circulation and room for personal belongings. 
Either way, aim for tidy but not impersonal: connect it to the rest of the home through materials and color, and keep clutter to a minimum.

<h2 class="heading2">Designing a guest bathroom: size and proportions</h2>

A comfortable guest bathroom comes down to proportion, not just square footage. Fixture size, vanity depth, the way the door swings, clearance in front of each fixture, and the presence of a shower or tub all shape how usable the room feels. 
An oversized vanity, a badly placed door, or a shower that eats the floor plan can make even a large bathroom feel cramped &mdash; while smart proportions make a small one feel generous.

<h3 class="heading3">Small guest bathroom ideas</h3>

In a small guest bathroom, larger tiles do the heavy lifting: fewer grout lines mean fewer visual breaks and a cleaner, more continuous surface. 
The format should still match the room&#39;s proportions to avoid awkward cuts at the edges. A few choices compound the effect:

<ul>
	<li>Run larger formats on the walls, especially inside the shower, for a seamless look.</li>
	<li>Keep mosaics or small formats for the shower floor, where they follow the slope to the drain &mdash; with a suitable slip-resistance rating.</li>
	<li>Continue the same flooring into the shower to reduce visual breaks and stretch the space.</li>
	<li>Choose one focal point &mdash; a feature wall, niche, or backsplash &mdash; rather than several competing patterns.</li>
	<li>Use light deliberately: mirrors, diffused lighting, and pale surfaces brighten the room without making it clinically white.</li>
</ul>

<h3 class="heading3">A shower or a bath in your guest bathroom?</h3>

The choice between a shower and a bathtub is more practical than aesthetic. 
A shower usually takes less room and fits a narrow layout more easily; a curbless one is also gentler for older guests or anyone with limited mobility. 
A tub earns its place if young families visit often, or as a complement when the primary bathroom already has a shower. 
For occasional weekend guests, a well-designed shower is usually enough. 
A <a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/magazine/walk-in-showers-what-are-the-best-tiles/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">walk-in shower</a> creates an open, contemporary look and can make a small bathroom feel larger by removing visual barriers. It does need careful planning &mdash; correct slope, water containment, and proper waterproofing beneath the tiles &mdash; after which a suitable slip-resistant surface becomes the priority.

<h2 class="heading2">Guest bathroom tile ideas in porcelain stoneware</h2>

Tiles do more than protect bathroom surfaces. They can also help define different areas and create a clear visual structure.

Porcelain stoneware can be used to:

<ul>
	<li>cover the shower walls;</li>
	<li>create a backsplash behind the sink;</li>
	<li>design a feature wall;</li>
	<li>finish niches and decorative details;</li>
	<li>create a continuous floor;</li>
	<li>clad the bathtub surrounding.</li>
</ul>

In a small room, using fewer materials keeps the space calm; in a larger one, shifts in format, finish, or effect can separate functions without adding partitions.

<h3 class="heading3">Why porcelain stoneware</h3>

Porcelain stoneware is a compact ceramic material that pairs durability with easy maintenance and design flexibility:

<ul>
	<li>Low water absorption: very little water penetrates the body of the tile.</li>
	<li>Easy cleaning: the compact surface responds to a simple routine.</li>
	<li>Durability: it stands up to regular use, stains, and frequent cleaning.</li>
	<li>Design flexibility: it can reproduce a wide range of looks and material effects.</li>
	<li>Format range: large tiles create continuous surfaces; mosaics and small pieces add detail.</li>
</ul>

Selected Emilamerica collections feature <a href="https://www.emilamerica.com/company/technologies/silktech-anti-slip-technology-and-silky-surface/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">SilkTech</a>, which improves grip while keeping a smooth, pleasant feel. Because performance ratings vary by product, format, and finish, always check the technical data sheet before choosing tiles for wet areas.

It&#39;s worth being precise about maintenance. The low porosity of porcelain stoneware means limescale sits on the surface rather than penetrating it, so deposits lift away with regular cleaning and the right products. Moisture problems, likewise, come from the room rather than the tile: poor ventilation, standing water, damaged grout, or inadequate waterproofing are all issues of the space and its construction &mdash; not the material.

Guest bathroom ideas: a porcelain stoneware design guide

Design and haute cuisine share an essential element: the ability to transform matter through research, experimentation, and creativity.

This shared vision is at the heart of a project that brings together Emilgroup and Francesco Vincenzi, Head Chef of Franceschetta58, Massimo Bottura&#39;s bistro in Modena, in a dialogue between two worlds driven by the same creative approach.

On one side are Emilgroup&#39;s surfaces, where design takes shape through continuous innovation and research; on the other, the chef&#39;s cuisine, where ingredients, technique, and intuition are transformed into experiences that engage and inspire.

Two creative expressions, two distinct languages, united by a shared commitment to exploring, interpreting, and transforming matter.

Discover the collaboration on the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DauhGj4FVJU/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Instagram profile</a>!

Emilgroup and Franceschetta58, a dialogue shaped by matter

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Emilgroup Project Awards 2026: winners of the fifth edition

New expressions of matter: discover Emilgroup's new products for 2026

Guest bathroom ideas: a porcelain stoneware design guide

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