Whether thumbing through design, architecture magazines or watching HGTV, it is difficult to miss the abundant use of mosaic tile. Chosen by architects, designers and homeowners, mosaic tile-particularly glass-has become popular and affordable.  Installations include bathrooms, kitchens, swimming pools, spas, backsplashes, murals and much more.
Often thought to be fragile, the various mosaic styles ranging from ceramic and glass to stone and metal, are anything but fragile. Mosaic tile is durable enough for many exterior and wet area installations, while still displaying a glamorous and delicate feel.  Being highly resistant to color fading and cracking, the use of mosaic tile in the hospitality industry has grown rapidly. A recent illustration of this is the Peppermill Casino & Resort (Reno, NV) expansion, involving the installation of glass mosaic murals at the bottom of two new pools.

Used in ancient art forms, mosaic tile can also be used to create custom installations for the home or office. With some quick instruction, the novice mosaic artist can craft a beautiful inlay for their home that will be cherished for years to come. Conversely, a designer or homeowner may opt to commission an artist to create custom mosaic artwork. The inlays vary from medallions set into floors, to scenes of the Italian Riviera set into a backsplash behind the stove. With endless possibilities, the use of mosaic tile is only limited by the imagination.

Spanning the spectrum of colors and textures from pitted and tumbled neutral browns to iridescent, glossy or translucent blues, the eye-catching good looks of glass mosaic tile makes it a natural choice. Used as accent tile with natural stone or ceramic tile, breathing new life into a patio table or adding interest to an otherwise dull backsplash or floor design, glass mosaic tile makes each installation inherently unique to the inspired homeowner, designer or artist.

A growing trend in mosaic tile is the use of tiny porcelain ceramic tiles. These tiles are 3/8” square and about 1/6” thick. Depending on the application and the home, the tiles can offer a look from retro to contemporary. In older homes, tiny ceramics give a wonderful retro look, especially with the use of color blends. In newer remodels or construction a dramatic statement can be made by installing these tiles in a monochromatic scheme. Recently an architect in New York used a 100 square foot of a bright lemon color to cover a wall in a penthouse remodel. The domed, or pillow top, surface to the tiny ceramics not only creates a playful color scheme, but adds a much desired tactile/textural component to any surface. The source of the tiny ceramics is a small, multi-generation factory in Japan which has been producing porcelain ceramics for more than 75 years.

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