The Golden Crane – A Wall Mosaic for a San Diego Home
“I wanted the crane to feel like it was actually moving across the wal. The entryway gets a lot of natural light during the day, so I imagined the gold elements catching that light while the wings stretch across the surface.”
— Client
Golden Crane is a custom mosaic created for a residential entryway in San Diego, designed to bring a sense of movement into the space. The piece combines flowing composition, rich color, and detailed craftsmanship to create a feature that works with the architecture of the room.
Client Brief
The Golden Crane mosaic started with an enquiry from a homeowner in San Diego who was redesigning part of her home.
She contacted MEC looking for a custom mosaic that would sit near the entrance and become part of how the space felt when people first walked in. One of our design consultants spoke with her to understand the kind of imagery she was interested in.
During that conversation, she mentioned cranes and the concept of a bird in motion, an idea that immediately caught our attention, especially as we had just debuted our bird mosaics catalog.
Because the client was based in the US, the consultation took place remotely. This is a common part of our process, as many of our projects are developed with homeowners, architects, and designers in different locations.
Inspiration Moodboard
Collaboration is a key part of developing a custom mosaic, especially when the artwork becomes a permanent architectural feature. After the initial consultation, our team prepared early sketches and digital layouts to study how the crane would move across the composition.
During this stage, several aspects of the design were refined:
- Wing curvature was adjusted to guide the eye naturally across the mosaic and support the overall flow of the wall.
- Feather placement was carefully studied so the movement of the bird would translate accurately when built in stone.
- Overall composition was reviewed to ensure the scale and direction of the artwork worked with the architecture of the space.
This stage often draws on the long tradition of bird mosaic design, and for a deeper look at how the craft evolved and continues to influence modern interiors, you can explore our feature on bird mosaic art in interior design.
Color development was guided by color psychology and the interior palette discussed earlier in the project. We worked with richer tones that could add warmth, depth, and visual presence to the mosaic.
Design Development
Initial Sketches
During the pre-production phase, MEC Artworks creates initial sketches and digital layouts to explore composition, scale, and movement within the mosaic design.
2D & 3D Visualizations
High-resolution tile layouts and 3D renderings by our team illustrated how the wall area mosaic would move across the space.
Color Palette & Materials
The mosaic uses a deep red background that creates warmth and movement across the wall while helping the composition stand out within the space. Gold accents added to introduce light to the overall palette.
Our Approach to Custom Mosaic Projects
The Golden Crane project reflects how we typically work with homeowners, architects, and interior designers from concept through installation. Each stage of the process is structured to support both design intent and practical execution.
Our approach includes:
- Early-stage design consultation to understand the space and project goals
- Collaborative design development with sketches and digital layouts
- Material sampling delivered worldwide for accurate decision-making
- Detailed planning before fabrication begins
- Craftsmanship focused on movement, scale, and durability
- Coordinated delivery for projects in different locations
The result is a piece that now forms part of the daily experience of the home.
Explore our full range of bird mosaics, from herons to songbirds, all fully customizable to bring your vision to life.
“We hand-cut every tessera to ensure the abstract geometry flowed seamlessly across complex steps and seating ledges without breaking continuity.”
— Design Team
A deep red background was introduced to create depth and movement behind the crane, while gold elements were added to bring warmth and reflect light across the surface. These choices also help frame the white body of the bird and maintain clarity in the composition.
To support the decision-making process, we arranged for material samples to be sent directly to the client in the US. Reviewing the stones and glass pieces in person allowed her to evaluate texture, scale, and color under the lighting conditions of her home.
This step is especially valuable for design professionals who need to ensure that a mosaic works cohesively with surrounding finishes.
FAQs
What materials are best for creating a custom mosaic?
MEC Artworks typically uses a combination of glass, natural stone, marble, and metallic tesserae for their mosaics. These materials allow for rich color variation, texture, and reflective qualities, which are especially effective in designs that show movement or depth, such as bird or nature-inspired mosaics.
How can I design a mosaic that conveys motion or flow?
Movement is achieved through careful tile placement, curved lines, tonal shifts, and layering. Whether it’s a flying bird or a flowing abstract pattern, their designers plan each element to guide the eye and create the illusion of motion across the mosaic surface.
How do I choose the right colors and tile sizes for a mosaic?
We help clients select colors and tile sizes based on the scale of the space, lighting, and desired visual impact. Small tesserae allow for intricate detail, while larger tiles work well for backgrounds or simpler shapes. They also provide material samples so you can see how colors and textures will appear in your actual space.
What is the process for creating a custom mosaic with MEC Artworks?
The process begins with an initial consultation, where MEC Artworks learns about your space, style, and goals. They then create sketches or digital layouts, guide you through material selection, and carefully plan tile placement before crafting the mosaic. Regular updates ensure that the final installation aligns perfectly with the original design.
Verified Client Reviews & Experiences
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Inspired by this transformation? Share your vision with our studio — and let MEC Artworks craft a bespoke mosaic that reflects your style, space, and story.
