In ceramic mosaic, the joint is an integral part of the surface. The smaller the tile format, the greater its visual impact: grout therefore directly affects the perception of colour, rhythm and continuity.
For Pastelli by Appiani, Gruppo Bardelli has selected specific tone-on-tone combinations between the ceramic shades and three different grouting technologies: Litokol Starlike Pro, Kerakoll Fugabella Color and Mapei Ultracolor Plus. The aim is to provide architects, retailers and installers with a useful colour reference while keeping the aesthetic choice separate from the technical choice of grout.
In mosaic, the final colour comes from tile and joint together
Pastelli is an Appiani full-body porcelain stoneware collection developed around material, colour, modularity and performance. In mosaic formats, joints occupy a significant proportion of the visible surface. A tone-on-tone grout can therefore create a more compact and continuous effect, reducing the visual grid and enhancing the overall colour.
A contrasting grout is not a wrong choice: it simply creates a more graphic and geometric language. When a soft, monochromatic and uniform surface is desired, tone-on-tone grouting becomes an especially effective design tool.
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Three grouting technologies to distinguish
Colour matching does not make the three products technically equivalent. Litokol, Kerakoll and Mapei use different technologies, to be selected according to intended use and performance requirements.
Litokol Starlike Pro: epoxy grout
Starlike Pro is a decorative epoxy gel classified RG according to EN 13888. Epoxy technology is particularly relevant when colour continuity is combined with demanding requirements for stain, water, UV and chemical resistance.
Kerakoll Fugabella Color: resin-cement hybrid technology
Fugabella Color uses a hybrid resin-cement technology. It is neither an epoxy grout nor a traditional cementitious grout: it was developed to combine colour uniformity and stability with workability close to that of cementitious grouts.
Mapei Ultracolor Plus: high-performance cementitious grout
Ultracolor Plus is an improved cementitious mortar classified CG2FWA according to EN 13888-1, with fast setting and drying, reduced water absorption and high abrasion resistance.
The final specification should therefore consider two separate aspects: colour matching with the Pastelli tile and the most suitable technology for the conditions of use.
The 16 Pastelli shades and recommended tone-on-tone combinations
Neutrals
Neve
Litokol Starlike Pro 04 Pomice di Lipari · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 4 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 111 Grigio Argento
Osso
Litokol Starlike Pro 13 Argilla Bianca · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 64 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 123 Bianco Antico
Ostrica
Litokol Starlike Pro 18 Grigio Calcare · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 68 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 125 Grigio Castello
Cenere
Litokol Starlike Pro 11 Terra di Lanzarote · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 10 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 114 Antracite
Antracite
Litokol Starlike Pro 12 Nero Antico · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 12 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 120 Nero
Earths and warm shades
Burro
Litokol Starlike Pro 27 Caolino · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 76 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 131 Vaniglia
Corda
Litokol Starlike Pro 30 Argilla di Cipro · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 81 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 136 Fango
Conchiglia
Litokol Starlike Pro 35 Arenaria · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 129 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 138 Mandorla
Nocciola
Litokol Starlike Pro 40 Terra Bruciata · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 156 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 145 Terra di Siena
Miele
Litokol Starlike Pro 49 Terra di Siena · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 102 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 135 Polvere Dorata
Greens and natural shades
Salvia
Litokol Starlike Pro 71 Argilla Verde · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 55 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 177 Salvia
Ruscello
Litokol Starlike Pro 70 Cenere Verde · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 47 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 176 Grigioverde
Muschio
Litokol Starlike Pro 73 Guatemala · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 50
Blues and water-inspired shades
Ottanio
Litokol Starlike Pro 69 Blu Atelier · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 30
Oceano
Litokol Starlike Pro 61 Ardesia Blu · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 29 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 172 Blu Spazio
Aurora
Litokol Starlike Pro 60 Cenere Blu · Kerakoll Fugabella Color KK 27 · Mapei Ultracolor Plus 167 Avio
Why no Mapei match is listed for Muschio and Ottanio
The selection was not created simply to assign three codes to every colour. For Muschio and Ottanio, no shade in the Mapei range considered was found sufficiently close to be recommended as a true tone-on-tone match.
This is intentional: the aim is to provide a credible design reference, not to force a commercial equivalence between colour charts.
How to test grout on mosaic before installation
With mosaic, even small colour differences become visible because the joint repeats across the entire surface. We therefore recommend a real sample test before final installation, allowing the grout to dry completely.
- Evaluate tile and joint together: the final surface colour results from their interaction.
- View the sample from different distances: close up you read the individual joint; from farther away you perceive the overall colour.
- Check under the actual lighting: natural and artificial light can substantially change colour perception.
- Fill joints correctly: mosaic requires uniform and complete joint filling.
- Clean carefully: grout residues can alter the perception of colour and material.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions: mixing, working time and cleaning differ between epoxy, resin-cement and cementitious technologies.
Standard joint width in the Appiani mosaic system
Appiani technical documentation indicates a standard joint of approximately 1.6 mm for pre-mounted sheets and approximately 1.1 mm for the 1.2×1.2 cm format. Regular spacing helps achieve complete joint filling and visual continuity.
Learn more about Appiani ceramic mosaic technology →
Read the Appiani mosaic installation, grouting, cleaning and maintenance guide →
Tone on tone as a design choice
With Pastelli, colour belongs to the ceramic material and continues through the mosaic composition. Tone-on-tone grout extends this continuity across the whole surface, allowing modularity, texture and light to emerge.
View all recommended combinations and discover Pastelli →
The combinations shown are intended as a colour guide. The technical suitability of the grouting product must be verified according to intended use, substrate, environmental conditions and the relevant manufacturer's instructions.
