Archive for April, 2009

Learn About The History of Mosaic Art

Apr 11, 2009 in History of Mosaic Art

History of Mosaic Art

Mosaic art is one of the many beautiful forms of art that has made its presence felt throughout the years. Read this brief history of mosaic art to know many interesting facts and details.

History of Mosaic Art

Beautiful and colorful, mosaic art is certainly eye-catching on any surface. The popularity of modern mosaic designs and patterns is such that it has become a part of interior design. Artistic forms of mosaic art can be found on walls and even furniture.

So, what is mosaic art and how did it gain importance? Mosaic art is all about the creativity of an artist and how he/she makes beautiful artwork with small pieces of colored stones or even glass and other such materials. This form of art has been seen for year’s altogether. This technique is one of the widely used forms from the olden days. The history of mosaic art reveals details about this technique. Let’s take a look at the beautiful and colorful history of mosaic art.

History of mosaic art

Thousands of years ago, mosaic art was created with the help of basic tools combined with creativity. Splendid works of mosaic art have been found in various periods of different civilizations. The accurate origins of mosaic art have been difficult to trace. In the earliest seen examples, historians mention about pavements that made the use of mosaic art. This design was created with the technique of raised pebbles. The pebbles were placed in a particular manner to create geometrical patterns and shapes. The Greeks particularly used this technique in 4th century BC.

During the later period of the 4th century, mosaic art was used in early Christian art. Mosaic art was seen on the walls and ceilings of many Christian basilicas. However, not all the works have survived. (There are some that have been restored.) These mosaic art patterns depict religious themes. They are outstanding because of the colors used and the compositions as well. The mosaics at the St Aquilinus Chapel of the Basilica of San Lorenzo need to be mentioned particularly due to the beauty of the mosaics.

By 5th century, mosaic art gained the interest of the Romans. This was evident with the beautiful designs seen in Ravenna. This city was the last capital of the Western Roman Empire. The beautiful mosaic art designs can be seen in many areas in Ravenna. It is therefore known as the ‘Capital of mosaics’.

Ravenna was later conquered by the Byzantine Empire. The development of Christian mosaics happened during the 6th century. New ideas and techniques were introduced during the Byzantine Empire. Artists used ’smalti’, which is special type of glass. The effects of this glass were simply beautiful as the pieces had tiny air bubbles, which added to the beauty of mosaic art. There is also a difference in the mosaic styles of the Roman and the Byzantine period. During the Roman period, mosaics were used to decorate the floors where as during the Byzantine period, these were used to add beauty to the walls and ceilings. The mosaics of the Byzantine period were based mainly on figurative elements.

The use of mosaic art can be seen in Islamic art as well. Islamic mosaic art was all about the use of geometric shapes. The Great Mosque at Cordoba and the Dome of the Rock located in Jerusalem is a perfect example. Mosaics were used to decorate buildings of religious significance.

Meanwhile, in Rome, it was between the 12th and the 13th century where artists developed their own distinct style. The themes were religious and also incorporated geometric designs. The scenes from the life of Mary in Santa Maria completed during this period show great angles of perspective with a touch of realism. This is one of the finest forms of mosaic art of this period.

During the Middle Ages, mosaic art continued to make a mark in various parts of Italy. Some of the best mosaics were seen in Sicily and Venice. The earliest designs have their origins back in 1225. The interiors and the facades of churches in Italy showcase some of the best designs of that period. During the latter period of the Middle Ages, frescoes were used as decoration instead of mosaics. Yet, there were many artists of the Renaissance period that preferred to stick to the mosaic technique. Great artist, Raffaello was recognized for his creation on the dome of the Chigi Chapel.

Jerusalem also had some of the finest creations of mosaic art in many holy places. These however, did not survive destruction that happened over a period of time. The Jews also incorporated this art in their synagogues. The remains of certain mosaics found by historians reveal many interesting examples of mosaic art. However, with time, churches and other religious monuments used other forms of art as a decorative element.

In the modern times, mosaic art continues to make waves and is used in many interesting ways for decoration and interiors. Artists can create creative designs with the help of the modern techniques available. Surely, the beauty of mosaic art is eternal!

By Kashmira Lad
Published: 1/8/2009

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History Of Mosaic Art

Mosaic is a wonderful decorative motif art used on floors, walls and several other materials. Let’s explore some interesting information on the background, history and origin of Mosaic Art.


The History of Mosaic Art

A small article on mosaic art and it’s history.  


The History of Mosaic Tile

Shard Art also took on the name “Memory Ware” because the shards often carried sentimental value or family history.


Mosaic Basics: 5 Great Projects

The video begins with a thorough introduction and overview that includes explanations about both the materials and tools needed to work in the mosaic medium. 


Spectacular Mosaic Floor Revealed in Ancient  Synagogue


Mosaic Tabernacle as an Aaronic Temple

For the rest of Israelite history until the coming of Jesus Christ, the temple performed its functions primarily through the Aaronic priesthood, the authority to perform outward and carnal ordinances, but not the authority to bring.


Mosaics and Architecture

Throughout recorded history, the ancient people have already used mosaic in architecture. For example, the Roman Empire was quite known for mosaics. Roman structures boast of mosaic floors with various patterns and designs.

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Finding Mosaic Designs and Patterns

Apr 05, 2009 in Mosaic Tile Art

Mosaic Designs and Patterns

Mosaic art is a beautiful form of art and forms an important part of interior decoration. Read all about the beauty of mosaic art and the various kinds of designs and patterns that mesmerize people.

Mosaic Designs and Patterns

Mosaic art is very much in demand particularly for interior design. The beauty of mosaic art lies in the creativity of the artist wherein the artist has to decide placement of the shapes (small pieces of materials such as glass or stone) to create beautiful and intricate mosaic designs and patterns. Mosaic forms and designs have been in use for a great number of years. The term, mosaic, is derived from a Greek word. The Greek meaning is ‘patient work.’ Truly, mosaic art is like a tradition that is passed down from generations wherein the artist requires ample patience to create such a work of art.

The most famous mosaic designs and patterns from the olden days date back to the 6th century. The mosaics of Ravenna in Italy, created by little pieces of glass continue to mesmerize people. Since then, mosaic art has been considered to be the most versatile kind of art form. Whether they are used on walls, ceilings, and floor panels or even on furniture, mosaic art has uniqueness in its entire layout and design.

Mosaic designs and patterns

Mosaic designs can range from the simple to the complex kinds. In the olden days, mosaic designs and patterns were used to depict stories from the Bible. Thus, many mosaic patterns were based on religious themes. The creativity of this art form is visible throughout history. The beautiful mosaic patterns can be seen on the walls and floors of spectacular cathedrals and public buildings from the olden era. These religious designs were done on various surfaces and mosaics soon became a part of Christian art. From marble to glass, the artists worked endlessly to perfect such paintings.

Today, mosaic designs are used to accentuate interiors. This can be in the form of a painting or even as a design upon tabletop. There are many modern techniques that are used to make the creation of mosaic design an easy process. These modern methods of production make it possible to achieve effects such as gradation within a particular tile. (This was a tedious process in the ancient days when glass was used although it is considered to be very durable.)

An artist can create numerous designs and patterns in mosaic art. From various colors and shapes, an artist can work using ceramic tiles, pieces of glass, natural clay or even colored glaze. An artist can create geometrical patterns or even depict humans through mosaic art. It all depends upon the mood an artist wants to create or the kind of theme he/she is working upon.

There are two basic steps in the application of mosaic designs and patterns:

Indirect method: The indirect method is used to cover larger areas wherein the artist cannot physically stand and create the pattern. The mosaic design is created and placed on a sheet of paper that has adhesive on one side. This is then flipped and pasted over the required surface.

Direct method: With this technique, the mosaic patterns are created directly onto the required surface. This is useful to create smaller designs.

In the recent times, many more techniques are being developed which incorporate these basic methods. The patterns and designs that can be created are limitless. The beauty and intricacy of mosaic art is what makes it one of the most favorite decorative styles today.

By Kashmira Lad
Published: 1/3/2009

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Mosaic Patterns

Ideas for mosaic patterns can be found in abundance in children’s coloring books. These pictures make excellent patterns for mosaic art. The main reason these are the best sources of inspiration for mosaic patterns is because the images … Read more…

Pat’s Knitting and Quilting:Curlicue

It wasn’t fast, but what fun it was watching this tessellating mosaic pattern develop! The yarn – Lana Grossa Seta Cashmere is possibly the softest sock yarn I have ever used – wool, silk, cashmere and that very important polyamide! … Read more…

Cat Color and Patterns

Mosaic of color pigment; eumelanin and phaeomelanin. The amounts are determined at the embryo stage. Colors: chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lilac or fawn tortie (the last 3 are diluted). The preferred pattern is evenly distributed with good … Read more…

Mosaic Rocks!: More Progress on the Mosaic Kits

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Gaudi and tile patterns from the Parc Guell Bench « Make Mine Mosaic

Gaudi and tile patterns from the Parc Guell Bench Mosaic Tiles, originally uploaded by trunko. Got to get a bit of Gaudi in every now and then… ~ by mosaik on June 24, 2007. Posted in Architecture, Benches, Europe, Garden Mosaics, … Read more…

Tile Mosaic Rug from Sicis – new glass tile rugs Bisanzio

The small, perfectly formed and vividly colored glass tiles that make up the mosaic patterns are luxurious, yet hardwearing. At first glance the glass tile rugs look like traditional rugs, offering smart, classic patterns especially … Read more…

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Bathroom Wall Paneling: Alternative for Mosaic Wall Tiles

Apr 04, 2009 in Mosaics Around the House

bathroom wall tile panels

Bathroom Wall Paneling – A Fresh New Look

The room that is most often used in my house especially when company arrives is the basement. There is a large flat screen television, pool table and pin ball machines. It has one gigantically enormous flaw and that is the bathroom. Remember the bathroom is constantly visited by my guests. The privacy afforded there allows my guests to have close examination of the room. Keep in mind I have a beautiful vanity and wall mirror, but the problem is my walls. They are in disastrous condition. Parts are peeling and some of the tile is cracking. It gives the entire bathroom a drab and unappealing vision. I need a type of wall covering that will change the entire look and feel of the room.

I started searching for a fresh new look that would infuse my select tastes and personality while still remaining functional. I first started looking at all the different wall tiles available. I was unhappy with what I found since the tiles in my present room were cracking. I also wanted something that was easy to maintain. I had images of myself scrubbing the mould that had accumulated between the grout and the excising tiles.

There must be other options that I had not come across. To my delight there is an option which offers everything that I imagined. Through my search I had discovered waterproof bathroom wall paneling. It comes in a variety of designs, materials, styles and formats. It is quite easy to install there is no grouting needed and once installed you can use the room immediately. This paneling can be purchased as a complete kit. These panels come with all the necessary installation supplies. Some of the items included in these kits are side and back wall paneling, corner molding strips, corner soap dishes, adhesive caulk, pressure tape and accessories. Kits come cut to size so no trimming is necessary.

Bathroom wall paneling can be fitted over most walls. This includes brick, concrete, plaster board and ceramic tiles. It is a must that the walls are even and provide a suitable fixing for screws, plugs and adhesive. All are made by bonding a decorative high performance laminate to them. This makes the surface one hundred percent water proof. There are some panels that clip together tightly allowing no water through. This creates a seamless water tight joint.

The moist and humid conditions of the bathroom produce ideal atmosphere for mould and mildew to grow. The wall paneling solution has overcome this problem for all of us. We need never again to be bending over the walls scrubbing and almost passing out from the harsh odors of the detergents needed to get them clean. Wall paneling adds character to the room while protecting the walls from moisture.

These panels are made to withstand the rigorous demands of a busy household while maintaining its finish. It is very durable and is unlikely to suffer any damage. Also, after several years it will still look like new. You can use your typical cleaning products that you have around the house. You will not need to purchase anything special to keep its beauty.

You can find bathroom wall paneling in many different materials. I chose a PVC material with a mosaic tile effect. Another good choice would be bead boarding or wainscoting. This is excellent for the bathroom and runs vertically from the floor to one third or one half the height of the wall. This adds texture to the wall and makes it become the focal point of the room. This texture adds a rich vitality and vibrancy to the room.

In general when you add a new look or change the decor to a room it becomes a great mood enhancer. I know your bathroom may be small, but take a look around. It may be screaming for a design make over.

By: Barbara Tobiasz

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Author Bio: Barbara Tobiasz resides with her husband (Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: www.wall-decor-concepts.com) in the Chicago area, studied at the Art Institute and taught for the Chicago Public Schools. She has volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art.

Great bathroom tile maintenance advice from House Master!


Tile Effect Wall Panels

Mineral Beige Tile Marble has long been a popular panel with our customers that provides the best of both worlds, the look of tiles with the benefit of wall panels – no grout, no maintenance, wipe over surface, easy installation. 


Fun Bathroom Shower Panels

Bathroom panels as a bathroom design idea serve many uses, but often they are stood away from the wall to mask pipes and wiring in things like showers and shower controls, or as decoration on the walls themselves.


Where To Begin With Bathroom Design

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Artistic Shower Panels

If you are remodeling your bathroom or just want to give it a new edge perhaps you should look into etched glass designs and panels for your shower door. 


Bath Panels Are New Styles in Bathroom Design

Bath panels are quicker and easier to install than wall tiles, which can be tricky. It can take several days for the adhesive and grout to dry with tiles, bath panel installation is much simpler. 

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Glass Mosaic Tile Art: Reviewing Weldbond

Apr 02, 2009 in How To Make Mosaic Tile Art

Glass Mosaic Tile Art: Is Weldbond Really The Best Adhesive For Mosaics?

Making wonderful glass mosaic tile art is easy! Let me show you how.

Which type of adhesive is best for mosaics? It depends on your base material, mosaic method, whether you’re working horizontally on a table or vertically on a wall, whether your mosaic is exposed to moisture, and personal preference.

Many websites and articles say Weldbond is the best adhesive for indoor mosaics and that it’s the preferred glue of professional mosaic artists worldwide. I’m the kind of guy who likes to ask, ‘Why?’ I’m compelled to dig deeper, so my question is: What makes Weldbond so much better than other polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glues (commonly known as white glue), such as Elmer’s Glue All? If you’re like me, you wonder, ‘Why do so many mosaic websites say Weldbond is the best mosaic glue, but none of them fully explain what makes it better or why it’s better?’ I don’t know, maybe one mosaic artist heard something about Weldbond and regurgitated it to another artist without knowing the chemical facts. Maybe a mosaic supply salesman makes a bigger profit selling a 4-ounce bottle of Weldbond for $4.50 than a 7.5-ounce bottle of Elmer’s for only $1.50.

Let’s think about it. White glues are made from PVA emulsions. All basic PVA emulsions have the same properties: water-based, odorless, easy clean-up, colorless, relatively non-toxic, water resistant (not waterproof), and not too heat resistant compared to other adhesives.

Varieties of PVA glues can be developed by adding small amounts of materials to improve specific characteristics. For example, simple clay can improve the glue’s high temperature strength. However, the differences in varieties aren’t that great because if too much extra material is added, the glue’s adhering properties unacceptably weaken.

I tried to determine the chemical properties of Weldbond and Elmer’s, but I couldn’t find anything that fully defines the ingredients. The Elmer’s website says their ingredients are proprietary, so I assume Weldbond’s ingredients are also proprietary. I also couldn’t find independent laboratory test results that define Weldbond’s shear strength, adhesion strength, and cohesion strength. (The key word is ‘independent.’) Same for Elmer’s. Therefore, I couldn’t compare the two to determine if one truly is stronger than the other in shear, adhesion, and cohesion strength.

For our indoor mosaic applications, do we really care if one brand is stronger than the other by a ga-zillion Pascals? (A Pascal is a unit of pressure equivalent to one Newton per square-meter.) I don’t think so. For example, do we care that one brand might support the weight of two elephants while the other brand might support only one? Of course not. All we care about is if the glue can effectively hold a small piece of glass tessera that weighs less than an ounce to our base material without extreme external forces acting on it (e.g., forces such as walking on it or beating it with a hammer). So, in terms of strength, how do we choose whether to use Weldbond or Elmer’s for our simple, light-duty, indoor, mosaic art application? The answer is easy–perform our own unscientific experiment.

Read the eBook to see the details and results of my experiment and learn which brand performed better. You’ll be surprised at the results. The eBook also explains more about PVA glue, so you’ll understand whether it’s possible to manufacture one brand significantly better than another brand. So, the question still remains: For our indoor glass mosaic art, is it worth it to spend $4.50 for a 4-ounce bottle of Weldbond instead of $1.50 for a 7.5-ounce bottle of Elmer’s? Read the eBook!

Remember, making mosaic art is easy. You can do it. Yes, you can!

By: Bill Enslen

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Bill Enslen has created lovely mosaic art for 30 years. His new eBook, Mosaic Pieces: Essentials for Beginner and Professional Mosaic Artists, gives you step-by-step details for creating your own mosaic masterpieces. Visit his website and read the free sample chapters at Glass Mosaic Tile Art. Let him show you just how easy it is. With Bill’s help, you can do it. Yes, you can!

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Tips on Choosing Bathroom Wall Tile Design

Apr 02, 2009 in Uncategorized

  bathroom wall tile designs

Bathroom Wall Tile Design – Exquisite Sanctuary

 Once upon a bathroom wall a unique, refreshing, miracle took place. With some adhesive, grout, ceramic tile and a little love, an undesirable wall turned into a masterpiece. In fact the entire room was a place where one could retreat and be surrounded in beauty.

The bathroom has become more of a sanctuary for most to either become refreshed for the day ahead or the final place where we relax before we hit the pillow. This room can have a calming effect or can produce an energizing atmosphere.

It can be a mood enhancer. Just by the tile design, textures, shapes and colors that you choose for the overall effect. It sets the tone for the entire space.

There are two varieties of tiles. They are porous and non porous tiles. It is best to use non porous tile for the bathroom. Bathroom wall tile serves a functional purpose as well as an aesthetic one. Wall tiles protect your walls from damage. You can place the tile almost everywhere in the room. Over bathroom vanities, shower, shower stalls and also on countertops.

The fun part of bathroom tiling is choosing the tile design. Here is a list of the most popular materials for bathroom wall tile:

1. Ceramic tile is the most popular choice it can be glazed and fired in any color or design imaginable. It is very easy to clean and is water resistant. Its one downfall is that it can chip or break easily.

2. Stone tile can be the most expensive and difficult to install. It is water resistant and durable. You can find this in marble, granite, travertine or any other stone option.

3. Glass tile has become the next in popularity after ceramic tile. Most glass tiles come from recycled materials making this tile eco friendly. It comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors so working with it can be a design treat.

4. Mosaic tiles are the most elaborate, stunning and innovative designs whether it be of glass, ceramic, metal or a combination of all three.

5. Subway Tile is vintage imitation but simple and utilitarian and the perfect look for a contemporary design.

Once you have decided on which tile you will use, the next step is to choose the color, pattern, size and texture. Some textures they come in are matt, glossy, bumpy or un-filled travertine. For bathroom walls a glossy finish is preferred.

Keep in mind that the bathroom need not be tiled from the top to the bottom. You may wish for a subtle change with trims or boarders. There are also bathroom wall murals that make an attractive focal point for the room. For a dramatic touch use accent tiles between plain ceramic tiles for a fashionable statement. You may decide to have tiles custom made from digital designs you create.

Always in style are earth tones and classic white. Either of these will give you an elegant appearance and reflects natural light. If your aim is for a Mediterranean or country dcor, choose colors like peach and yellow that are lively and will give you that cozier feel. Blue, green and violet give you a tranquil or cool feel and reflect the shades of the ocean. Bold colors like red and black add intense drama and should be brought in through accent pieces. For a romantic look use a floral pattern in soft colors. For another approach place some tiles vertically and diagonally. You may also choose a grout color that contracts with the tile. If you wish to use the same color for the walls and floors use larger tiles for the floor and smaller tiles for the walls or visa versa. There are so many options it is literally endless.

In years back it was said that you should use smaller tiles for a small space. We now know that you can use large tiles since you use less grout it makes the walls look less busy and adds space.

You must use a backing on the tile that will hold up to water and moisture. You should use a green drywall or cement backerboard for all wall tile design projects. My suggestion is if you do not feel completely confident doing this job yourself, call on a professional. What you do not want to happen is the risk of water damage down the road.

So keep in mind that you spend a lot of time in this room and what you need to do is make it your own. Your imagination and creativity will flourish as soon as you get started. Before you know it you will have a sanctuary of your own.

Barbara Tobiasz resides in the Chicago area and studied at the Art Institute. She has consulted and volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art. For more information on Bathroom Wall Tile Design, go to: Wall Decor Concepts.

   By Barbara Tobiasz
Published: 9/17/2008


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