TileLetter

The construction industry added 11,000 jobs on net in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data released this week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has expanded by 64,000 jobs, an increase of 0.8%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 19,900 positions, with gains in all three subcategories. Nonresidential specialty traded added the most jobs, increasing by 14,100 net positions.

Houzz, Inc., a leading AI-driven platform for construction and design, has announced a new suite of mobile documentation and communication tools within Houzz Pro, an all-in-one project management and design software that helps professionals win projects, collaborate with clients and teams, and run more efficient and profitable businesses.

For centuries, lattice screens have been part of the Mediterranean building language as a resource capable of regulating the relationship between interior and exterior. With Lumina, Durstone revives this element and reinterprets it through a collection of extruded stoneware designed to respond to the needs of contemporary architecture.

GRABO, a leader in professional-grade premium power tools, is expanding its accessories ecosystem with two new products built to work in tandem with its electric vacuum lifters: the TILE VIBRATION attachment and the BORE MOUNT. Designed to improve speed, precision, and control on the jobsite, both additions help trade professionals tackle demanding applications with greater efficiency and confidence, from smoother tile installations to stable, hands-free drilling.

Arto plans to expand manufacturing of its Roman and Brick Collections at the showroom/warehouse site that previously served Tucson as Sam Levitz Furniture. About the size of Arto’s Gardena, Calif. facility, the large Tucson site consists of three attached buildings of varying heights. The company also plans an expanded, deep collection of curated hard surfaces at this location.

E by Emser Tile, a luxury tile brand recognized for its curated collections, craftsmanship, and elevated approach to interior design, has unveiled its 2026/27 interior design trend forecast, which highlights a shift toward emotionally driven spaces, expressive surfaces, and intentional luxury. “We’re seeing a shift away from interiors that simply look beautiful and toward spaces that create a feeling,” said Carly Ghodsian, Product Design & Curator of E by Emser Tile.

Through this project, we are reminded that mosaic-making is a metaphor for healing itself—slow, deliberate, and rooted in connection. Lead Artist Wanda Montemayor As the nation prepares to honor 250 years of freedom this July 4, the community of Kerr County, Texas, is preparing a tribute of its own. On July 4, 2025, the area was engulfed in torrential flooding as the equivalent of more than a month’s worth of rain was dumped on the region.

On July 6, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) will participate in the public hearing organized by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to discuss the proposed tariff measures currently under review under Section 301. The association will be represented by its Vice President, Fábio Cruz, in Washington, D.C. The hearing is part of the Section 301 investigation conducted by the USTR under U.S. trade law.

Inspired by the artisanal richness of zellige, TALYA Decocer’s latest collection, brings the beauty of imperfect surfaces into contemporary architecture through deep glazes, shifting reflections, and a carefully curated color palette designed to interact with light. The collection reclaims the authenticity and expressiveness of traditional ceramics through a contemporary lens.

National nonresidential construction spending slid 1.5% in May, according to a new analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.267 trillion. “Private nonresidential construction spending shrank for the seventh consecutive month in May and is now down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.