Custom Chinoiserie Backsplash - A Handcrafted Kitchen Story in Texas
“Clients don’t need to arrive with a finished design. Sometimes the best starting point is simply pointing at a few things you love.”
— Nada from MEC Artworks
Showcasing a lovely blend of soft sage greens, light peach tones, and intricate botanical elements, step behind the scenes to look at the creative process involved in this custom mural for Kaleigh C.’s kitchen. For this project, MEC Artworks closely worked with Kaleigh, and designed a unique and completely authentic backsplash for her cooking space.
Client Brief
When Kaleigh initially approached our team to share her ideas regarding a backsplash for her cooking space, she had a very elegant vision in mind. This concept included the installation of a custom Chinoiserie mosaic against a crisp white or creamy background. The artwork would feature soft florals, delicate branches, birds, butterflies, and a few lemons.
Regarding the color palette, Kaleigh told us that she wanted the final artwork to come off as light and breezy. The goal was to go for pale sage greens followed by soft peach and coral touches. Corresponding, we had to avoid any overdoing and ensure that the kitchen backsplash looked neat, graceful and tasteful. Moreover, Kaleigh wanted the mosaic artwork to naturally and nicely balance her rustic floating shelves, the bold custom brass range hood, and the bright and the bright, airy feel of the room.
The Existing Space
Before going into the sketching phase, we had to properly understand the space we were designing for. At MEC Artworks , our team evaluated the physical dimensions and complete layout of Kaleigh’s kitchen. During this process, we also took on site pictures and measurements, to attain a better picture of how everything would fit together. After that, the team reviewed the CAD files for Kaleigh’s custom brass hood in detail. This initial planning was vital; it allowed us to efficiently map out the placements of Kaleigh’s shelves and hood opening. We wanted to make sure that no important elements of the final artwork would be hidden from view.
Inspiration Moodboard
We were not given a finalised drawing in hand, which is an interesting way to begin the project and always a good way to start. Kaleigh knew her preferences, she had a good sense of what she liked and wanted however, she was quite open to creative guidance from our end as well.
To start off, we decided to put forth a collection of Chinoiserie style mosaics from our design library, which had multiple compositions and color schemes. Two specific designs caught Kaleigh’s attention and rather than settling down with one, she chose her favorite details from both. From the first option that she liked, she selected delicate branches and butterflies. She combined that with elegant flowers, birds, and lemons, which she opted for, from the second option. It was then decided that all of these would have a lighter background.
Design Development
Initial Sketches
Through this creative mix-and-match approach, we achieved the perfect foundation for custom artwork. Our design team took Kaleigh’s handpicked designs and worked on the very first layout. This initial sketch provided us a solid visual baseline, syncing all her favorite botanical details onto a single canvas so we could analyse exactly how they would flow together across her cooking space.
2D & 3D Visualizations
Seeing the flat 2D designs turn into very realistic 3D models allowed Kaleigh to have a clear vision of her new backsplash way before we proceeded with cutting the first piece of glass. These 3D renders were provided to make it easier for her to see the exact way the light would interact with the glass and how the flowers and delicate branches would look in her particular kitchen layout. By doing so, the client can get a certain level of satisfaction, as any guesswork is removed and Kaleigh knew that the proportions perfectly aligned with her actual existing cabinets.
Color Palette & Materials
This custom backsplash was created through our handcrafted glass mosaic tiles, to ensure that the texture of every motif was on point. We went with a color scheme that felt soft and welcoming. The cream background would evoke a sense of warmth and comfort, with bright lemons and light floral shades complementing the overall look. In addition to this, the delicate branches, butterflies and birds were carefully chosen by Kaleigh, adding a touch of whimsy to the understated and minimalist look. By ensuring that the elegant design was blending well with Kaleigh’s custom brass range hood and floating shelves, we knew we would get a unified look that would feel right at home in Kaleigh’s kitchen.
Refining the Details and Fabrication Photos
Behind the scenes of artisan craftsmanship:
“The final layout often looks effortless, but people rarely see the hours spent nudging a single branch or removing a bird to balance the space.”
— Design Team
Once our main idea was locked, the project underwent a series of careful tweaks. When people look at the final artwork, they often do not recognise the amount of back and forth involved in custom designs. Those small changes are usually a game changer, they essentially make the project so meaningful.
We arranged together the parts that Kaleigh liked most and then assembled everything in a way that accurately aligned around her floating shelves. The exact measurements of her brass hood were incorporated, and the branches were moved a few inches to improve balance. Sequentially, our team changed the position of the butterflies, tweaked the shades of the flowers and went further to remove a bird, in order to maintain the elegance and harmony of the overall layout. One of core priorities was to deliberately balance the negative space, instead of packing every inch of the cream background with details.
Kaleigh had a very good eye for detail. During a certain point, she was concerned that the important details would get hidden by the shelves and as a result, we happily shifted the layout in a way that gave the focal elements more breathing space. She requested for “just one last revision” a couple of times, and the team remained fully committed and invested until each detail felt absolutely right.
Our team at MEC Artworks immediately got to work after receiving approval for the final digital design from Kaleigh. The entire 60-square-foot artwork was crafted completely by hand, with every glass piece placed onto a flexible mesh backing. Moving forward, the mural was then divided into manageable sections, which would make installation easier. Once everything was safely packed into a custom wooden crate, we shipped it to Texas.
Installation & Post-Delivery Support
“Even with careful planning, installation day can require a quick adjustment. When Kaleigh needed an extra section, our team immediately shipped the extra strip to Texas, to keep the project moving smoothly.”
— MEC Artworks
Despite planning a project with utmost care and attention to detail, it is still normal to come across certain surprises during the installation phase. In this case, when the artwork was being fitted around the cabinets and custom brass hood, we learnt that we would be needing more pieces. The artwork had to be extended by a few more inches at the top, to create a more polished and refined final look.
During that period, Kaleigh contacted us right away. The design team at MEC Artworks carefully and efficiently created a matching extension strip, which could perfectly blend with the existing branches and background. This handcrafted piece was dispatched timely, which made the project move forward with minimal delay. The goal is to always stick by our clients until the very last piece is perfectly in place.
Client Feedback
Kaleigh seemed to really like the final result. In her video review, she shared her experience in terms of participating in the design process, the numerous tweaks that had to be made during the project, and how the final mosaic artwork looked beautiful now that she was seeing her original vision being translated to reality. As she expressed: “I absolutely loved working with MEC Artworks…”
Upon looking at the final look of the mosaic backsplash in Kaleigh’s cooking space, something that we worked on together for so long, we are so pleased to see the beginning of the artwork in its new home now.
FAQs
Do I need a complete design idea before contacting you?
No, not at all. We have many clients who start by simply choosing some of their favourite elements from our design library. After that, the team at MEC blends those favorite details, and designs a beautiful, fully authentic custom mosaic artwork from scratch.
How can I be sure the artwork won't be hidden behind my kitchen shelves or range hood?
For this very purpose, we request for on-site pictures and then thoroughly assess the structural dimensions of your space. Our team also carefully goes through the CAD files of your surrounding fittings (such as Kaleigh’s custom brass hood). Our design team carefully measures your cabinets, range hoods, and floating shelves. All of this early planning helps us make informed decisions regarding your mosaic artwork and its ideal placement.
Is a glass mosaic practical for a kitchen backsplash behind a stove?
Absolutely. Handcrafted glass mosaic is naturally resistant to heat and moisture, making it a very durable option for a space behind your stove. In this case, cleaning is also very easy.
What if my installer realizes we need a little more mosaic to finish the wall?
It happens! Even when you have been very careful with the planning, you can still face these hurdles, it is just a part of the process. Sometimes, the wall needs a minor adjustment during installation. If you need a few extra mosaic strips during the installation phase, our design and production teams can quickly craft a matching extension strip. We will make sure we efficiently move forward with minimal delays.
Verified Client Reviews & Experiences
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