An Entry Apron for a New Orleans’ Restaurant: Black & White Logo
On New Orleans’ jazzy streets, our black-and-white marble mosaic leads the entrance to a local neighborhood restaurant.
An entry apron that reads out Charmant, a newly-opened bistro by Bonnie and Chris Borges. Bonnie reached out to us with a logo file, wanting to translate it onto a black and white mosaic. After brief email exchanges, a few digital mock-ups, and a creative design presentation, we got the go-ahead from Bonnie to begin production.
Typography art is one of our specialties, having done a similar project for Juniper Table at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, an eatery located inside a IHG hotel. We wanted to bring the same expertise to this project and affirm the eatery’s logo onto a marble mosaic.
The MEC design team is expertly trained in lettering, layout design, and color strategy. We were able to design and deliver a simple yet charming entry apron mosaic for the Charmant restaurant, a proud New Orleans project of MEC, in a way that matched the bistro’s theme.
The First Steps
Full disclosure, the initial plan was to translate the logo onto black and white porcelain tile. Towards the end of production, the design team proposed the use of handcut marble, sturdy enough for the high-traffic area where it was to be located.
The choice of material was also an aesthetic consideration. Bonnie preferred hexagonal tiles for their look, but their shape didn’t align well with the proportions of the installation space. Tiles are placed as-is, unlike hand-cut marble, which can be shaped to fit any space, especially small entryways.
The use of porcelain tiles would have interfered with the text translation, so after some back-and-forth, we decided to move forward with marble. Throughout this process, we provided our client with visual media so she could better understand what the final product would look like. We also presented three different types of borders for her to choose from. With the help of digital renders, we are able to propose a variety of options to clients.
The black frame of the entry apron gave it structure and definition. Bonnie wanted the border tiles to be more pronounced so we went for hand-cut marble borders. To give her some options, we shared a design presentation featuring two choices:
Option A: A slightly modified version with adjusted borders to reduce the empty white space at the top and bottom of the 6×4 ft layout.
Option B: The original design she submitted, exactly as-is.
After reviewing the options, she chose her preferred design, allowing us to prepare the final production file and schedule the mosaic for fabrication.
Production Process
It is important for us to loop in the client throughout the whole mosaic making process, from live workshop updates to post-production changes.
These design tweaks, like change of material and design layout were made at no additional cost. The production process went smoothly and we were able to materialize Bonnie’s vision within a tight timeline.
Delivery and Installation
This entry apron had to be dispatched and installed before the restaurant’s opening day, we were happy to accommodate this and managed to have the mosaic prepared at the given timeline.
The typical time frame to design, produce and deliver a mosaic piece is 6 weeks but we offer expedited services if needed.
We followed our standard MEC practice, mounting the mosaic sheets on mesh backing to make installation easy. The packaging was also done according to our usual procedures, ensuring the mosaic would be safe and secure during transport. We also offer mosaic installation services, ensuring each piece is fitted with care.
Logo Mosaics: Branding Through Design
A well-made logo mosaic reinforces your brand every time someone walks through the door. Logo mosaics work on multiple levels. People naturally respond to visually rich surfaces, which make spaces feel more inviting.
We’ve also created typography mosaics for clients around the world, building a diverse catalog of styles and applications.
A logo mosaic acts as a mental anchor, something people remember and associate with your business long after they leave. The Charmant’s black and white logo communicates credibility and mystique. This restaurant’s owner made an informed choice with the colors, ensuring that the entry apron fits into the context of its location and the theme of their eatery.
Branding through art has been practiced through the ages. In 2026, logo art is more important than ever. It shapes how people see a business, communicates its values instantly, and can even have a real impact on revenue and growth.
The above image is taken from Food&Beverage’s feature of Bonnie and Chris Borges new restaurant Charmant.
