| It is said that history repeats itself--A truism from | | | | Canada, points out that mosaic can find their way |
| fashion to auto design. It seems that what was once | | | | into almost every room of your home, as floor or |
| in vogue will eventually return to popularity. How | | | | wall coverings. His gallery displays a wide variety of |
| many times have you heard someone say "Don't | | | | mosaics, in various sizes and shapes. "All made |
| throw that out, it will be 'in' again in ten years." Admit | | | | meticulously by hand," boasts Avey. Artisan carries a |
| it most of you have a few choice items hanging in | | | | wide range of mosaic sizes that can be used in small |
| your closet, with the faint hope that the Dynasty or | | | | applications such as the centrepiece of a kitchen |
| Miami Vice look will meander its way back into the | | | | backsplash on up to mammoth mosaic carpets with |
| mainstream. | | | | the look and feel of an Oriental rug. Most of Artisan's |
| We see the same trends in commercial and | | | | mosaics are made from tiny, hand-cut pieces of |
| residential architecture and décor. Arched | | | | marble, in a variety of textures. According to Avey, |
| facades, tapestries, pillars and columns, are all | | | | tumbled marble and slate mosaics are currently in |
| reminiscent of styles that have repeated themselves | | | | vogue, as well as highly polished almost seamless |
| from times of antiquity. | | | | patterns that are reminiscent of Italian wood inlay. |
| So what's next? Perhaps we need look no further | | | | The practicality of ceramic tile, and its ever-increasing |
| for inspiration than, say, the 4th century BC-and the | | | | array of colour and texture choices, makes it popular |
| advent of mosaic art. When we hear the word | | | | with home and business owners. The status of |
| mosaic, many of us think of small square tiles, often | | | | hardwood flooring, for its warmth and richness, is |
| used in bathrooms and typically installed in | | | | also at a peak. Setting mosaic medallions or |
| monochromatic sheets. True mosaic art couldn't be | | | | 'emblemata' within your tiles or hardwood is certain to |
| more different. | | | | set your choice of floor covering apart. |
| Originally ancient artists formed their mosaics from | | | | Mosaic carpets offer the rich beauty of a Persian rug |
| water-smoothed pebbles, then from non-symmetrical | | | | in formal areas and foyers, with the practicality of |
| pieces such as broken pottery and other scrap | | | | stone for durability and ease of cleaning. The mosaic |
| material. The mosaic would be a picture, perhaps a | | | | carpet has the added safety benefit of being set |
| landscape, or mythological event. Churches | | | | flush with the floor-particularly valuable in high traffic |
| throughout Europe incorporate intricate mosaics in | | | | areas, and in spaces where accessibility is important. |
| their ceilings, walls, columns and floors depicting biblical | | | | Beautiful and practical, the mosaic is ideal for walls in |
| events. | | | | kitchens and baths. No need for rooms that require |
| No one can say exactly when or precisely where the | | | | frequent clean-ups to look clinical or utilitarian. Mosaics |
| art of mosaic was born, but there is evidence of this | | | | will add warmth and charm to these spaces where |
| form regaining popularity throughout the ages by | | | | typically little art is found. Outdoors mosaics can be |
| various civilizations. The Greeks developed the first | | | | used in swimming pools and fountains, or as the |
| school for mosaic artisans. Originally created to | | | | centrepiece of a porch or patio. |
| decorate floors, the Romans took the popularity of | | | | Commercial applications are limitless. Restaurants and |
| the art to new heights using mosaics to decorate | | | | hotels, business foyers, and elegant restrooms; all will |
| their walls. Archaeological evidence in Pompeii | | | | welcome the air of distinction mosaic art can bring to |
| suggests that even common people would have | | | | their décor. "Custom insignias will be popular |
| simple mosaics adorning the walls of their homes. | | | | with businesses, clubs and institutions," says Avey, |
| Over the centuries mosaics have experienced | | | | whose company will custom order a mosaic of your |
| renewed popularity time and time again. | | | | crest, coat of arms, or business logo. |
| Far from little bathroom tiles, today's incarnation of | | | | The revival of mosaics means authentic art will find |
| mosaics are the works of art so valued in previous | | | | its way into less conventional spaces, like floors and |
| ages. Intricate pictures and designs in motifs from | | | | patios, bathrooms and kitchens, as well as in |
| ancient to contemporary genres, the mosaic can | | | | commercial applications; a welcome opportunity for |
| make a unique addition to almost any décor. | | | | professional decorators, home and business owners. |
| Dean Avey, owner of Artisan Mosaics in Toronto, | | | | |