it seems the latest trend in interior décor revolves more around how objects feel than how they look. Clearly, aesthetics continues to be extremely important; however, designers' love for the tactile is leading to new indulgences, and an upswing in stone tile purchases is one of the results. In addition to the new appreciation for texture, factors such as affordable prices, concerns about hygiene, increases in environmental awareness, and the trend toward smaller living spaces are all playing a role in the surging popularity of stone.

Luciano Zago, director of Bing Thom Architects, says that one trend in realestate development is drawing people to be more innovative with their living areas. "Because we live in smaller spaces, we take the quality more seriously. We are now intimate with the products…and we appreciate them much more. We are trading more space for quality of space." And the quality isn't costing as much as it once did. Ryan Euverman of Adera Natural Stone Supply (4736 Byrne Road) points out that his stones run from $8 to $30 per square foot. Add to that the multigenerational value of stone, and the value per dollar spent just rises. Sylvia Benchimol, president of Stone Tile International (1775 Pine Street), feels that along with catching up with European and South American fashions, North Americans are increasingly concerned about allergens associated with carpet and with the pressure that wood floors put on resources.

Benchimol sat down with the Straight to help us decipher the world of tiles. The versatility is extensive-and the following list is merely an introduction into how to navigate the variations.

LIMESTONE Pros: Available in a large variety of sizes, textures, and soft colours, limestone offers warm, subtle veining and obtains a beautiful patina as time goes on. (Think European castles.) Cons: It must be sealed at the time of installation. Uses: Limestone fits in with both contemporary and traditional décors, and can be used for flooring, backsplashes, walls, showers, vanities, mantles, fireplaces, and stairs. Some brave souls use it for countertops but that requires a lot of extra care and maintenance. Origin: Quarries around the world including in Portugal, France, Spain, and Italy.

SLATE Pros: Slate is durable and waterproof, and may be colourful (like the slate from Asia) or monochromatic (South American). Cons: The layers in the colourful styles may separate if they're used outside in freezing weather. Also, sealant must be applied regularly, and spills cleaned up quickly to avoid staining. Uses: Any type of slate can be used for interiors, but only dense slates should be used outside. It's good for floors and walls, pool and spa areas, patios, driveways, and roofs-just not for countertops and sinks. Origin: India, China, and Brazil.

SANDSTONE Pros: This stone is both simple and elegant, and works perfectly in contemporary settings where less is more. Also, because it's made mostly of quartz, it provides a very hard surface. Cons: It can be absorbent, so it requires a sealer application before it can be used. Uses: Sandstone is often seen in interior and exterior cladding, floors, and walls, but can be adopted for nearly all applications-again, with the exception of sinks and countertops. See limestone for details. Origin: USA, India, and Spain.

GRANITE Pros: This is the hardest of the stones and it's nonporous, so it's great for kitchen countertops. Cons: Spattered and swirled, it's not the best-looking stone. Also, it makes for cold tootsies when used as flooring material, and can be very slippery when wet. Uses: Granite is best for kitchen countertops. Origin: Quarries around the world, including in Canada (Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia), China, and India.

MARBLE Pros: Marble comes in a wide range of colours, textures, sizes, and finishes, and it's great for all sorts of applications. (See limestone.) Because it can be polished to a brilliant shine, it's perfect for people who prefer a high-gloss look. Cons: As is the case with limestone, it's porous and easily stained. Uses: Marble is ideally used for baths and statues. Origin: Quarries around the world, including in Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, China, India, and Mexico.

TRAVERTINE Pros: Travertine is marble, except it may have a intrusions and holes that give the stone a little more personality. (The holes are filled with grout during installation.) It works well in both modern and "old world" décors. Cons: Holes may appear if the stone is used in high-traffic areas, and spills must be wiped up immediately. (See limestone.) Uses: Travertine is only suited for interiors, and is most often used on walls and floors, but can be used in a wide variety of ways. (See limestone.) Origin: Italy, Turkey, Mexico, and the Middle East.

QUARTZITE Pros: This is a very hard stone with a unique look, because its quartz content gives it an attractive glitter. Cons: none. Uses: Quartzite can be used inside and out, and is usually seen on floors and walls. As with slate, it's also good for pool areas, patios, driveways, and roofs-but not for countertops and sinks. Origin: Brazil, Germany, and China.

GLAZED CERAMIC Pros: Because vibrant colours and graphics can be easily applied to the ceramic, its look is very malleable. It's also extremely durable (it can even withstand water and extreme heat) and is easy to maintain. Cons: It can break or scratch. Uses: Most ceramics are only for interior use-in walls, backsplashes, and light- to medium-traffic floors. It's not good for stairs, though, because it can be slippery. Origin: Several areas, including Europe, South America, and China.

GLASS Pros: Glass is very durable, comes in vibrant colours, and works well for feature areas and accents. Cons: It can be expensive. Uses: These days, it's common to find glass in kitchens and bathrooms. Origin: Italy and China.

PORCELAIN Pros: Porcelain has an extremely hard surface and is good for all applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial. It's a denser, less porous alternative to ceramic, and resists stains, moisture, bacteria, odours, scratches, and fading. Technological advances have also led to more flexibility in its design. Cons: Porcelain chips easily and may become dull with the frequent washing it requires. Uses: Porcelain can be used in a variety of ways, but it's for entryways, corridors, or high-traffic areas. Origin: The best comes from Italy and is made of very fine clay.