The Classics: Heritage and Timelessness
The Classics collection is the foundation of our company. It was this collection that, starting in the 1980s, contributed to the great resurgence of cement tiles in French interiors. It draws its inspiration from the golden age of this decorative art, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Here, we celebrate heritage. The patterns are faithful re-editions or respectful interpretations of historical designs. You'll find the plant motifs of Art Nouveau, the geometric rigor of Art Deco, traditional rosettes, and the intricate friezes that adorned the lobbies of Haussmannian buildings or Provençal country houses. Choosing a design from the Carocim Classics collection means choosing timelessness. These designs have stood the test of time. They bring immediate elegance, an architectural "nobility" to an entrance hall, corridor, or kitchen. It's a sure value, a historical anchor that provides reassurance and enhances spaces imbued with character.
(RE).visits: Heritage under Chromatic Tensions
What if we shook things up? The (RE).visités collection was born from a desire for freedom. We took our most iconic patterns, those that are part of the very DNA of cement tiles, and gave them a radical makeover. The design remains traditional, but the color changes everything. With two possible options:
- On one hand, a clash of cultures: the elegance of a 19th-century floral motif meets the energy of neon pink, acid yellow, or electric blue. This collection is for the bold. It preserves the "retro" charm of the pattern while injecting a dose of modernity and vitality. It's the perfect twist for a renovation that doesn't want to be museum-like. In a contemporary bathroom or kitchen, these reimagined tiles create a striking effect and assert a strong personality, proving that heritage can be rock 'n' roll.
- On the other hand, there are iconic 19th-century patterns with sometimes vibrant colors, which we have softened by working with pastel palettes for a modern, elegant, and calming result. While retaining the historical pattern of the cement tile, these softened colors blend perfectly into a Scandinavian-style decor with white and beige tones.
Cézanne at Home: A Tribute in Aix-en-Provence
Carocim is an Aix-en-Provence-based company. Our roots are here, at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire mountain. The Cézanne collection at Lui is our tribute to the master of modern painting, Paul Cézanne, the local boy who captured the light of Provence better than anyone. But make no mistake, this is not a pictorial reproduction. Our Design Studio, under the direction of Marta Pignol, has worked to "deconstruct" Cézanne's work to extract its geometric and colorful essence.
- The Palette: We worked on our pigments to recreate the ochres, pine greens, and blues of the Provençal sky so dear to the painter.
- The Forms: The motifs evoke in an abstract way the apples of still lifes, the lines of force of the Sainte-Victoire mountain or the vibrations of the Cézanne touch.
This collection is an ode to nature and art. It is ideal for those looking to bring the light of the South and a cultural dimension into their interior, with subtlety and elegance.
Sim.pl: The Geometric Purity
With Sim.pl, Carocim explores minimalism and simplicity, as its name suggests. This collection was born from a desire to return to the essentials: form and color, without embellishment. Here, the cement tile becomes an architect. The patterns are based on elementary geometric shapes: the triangle, the circle, the line, the hexagon. The design is extremely refined to let the composition speak for itself. It's a collection that invites playfulness. The tiles are often designed to be assembled in multiple ways, allowing for the creation of graphic patterns, 3D effects, or soothing visual rhythms. The colors in the Sim.pl range are soft, mineral, often used in two-tone or monochromatic schemes. It's the perfect collection for contemporary interiors, lofts, or Zen spaces, where the flooring needs to structure the space without overwhelming it.
Sur.real: An Invitation to Dream
The latest in our collection of inspirations, Sur.real, opens the door to the imagination. Driven by a more dreamlike and narrative vision of décor, it draws inspiration from the Surrealist movement and the poetry of objects. In this range, cement tiles become a medium for storytelling. Stylized figurative motifs are featured, such as the Elephant (a nod to Dali), the Hand, and celestial elements. These designs are not mere illustrations; they are graphically treated to work in repetition or as a rug. Sur.real is an "emotional" collection. It brings a touch of mystery, softness, and benevolent strangeness. It naturally finds its place in bedrooms, boudoirs, or bathrooms, transforming these spaces into protective and inspiring cocoons.
The Common Thread: Carocim Quality
While these five Carocim collections explore very different aesthetic universes, they all share the same technical requirements. Each tile is handcrafted in our partner workshops, according to our rigorous specifications.
- The Divider: Whether it is an Art Nouveau volute or a minimalist Sim.pl triangle, the pattern is created using a custom-made brass mold.
- The Material: All our collections benefit from the same quality of natural pigments and the same wear layer thickness (approximately 4 mm), guaranteeing that the pattern will never fade.
Explore our Creative Studio
We invite you to click on each collection to discover the full range of patterns and colors. Whether you are guided by the nostalgia of family homes, the energy of color, or the purity of line, there is a Carocim creation that resonates with your story. Our Studio continues, day after day, to design tomorrow while cherishing yesterday.
