Golden Sands of Tarzana: A Luxurious Mosaic Oasis
A fusion of Moroccan-inspired arabesque patterns and 24k gold tiles brought Daniel’s pool to life. In Tarzana, California, the custom Baja bench mosaic added a distinct touch to the pool, combining timeless patterns with a subtle, modern twist.
The Concept Behind the Baja Bench
The Baja bench, also known as a tanning ledge, is a shallow section of a pool, ideal for lounging while being partly submerged in water. It’s a perfect spot to relax and unwind. When Daniel reached out to us for a custom mosaic design for his new pool’s Baja bench, we knew we had the opportunity to create something truly unique. His preference for dark tones—deep blues and blacks—paired with a touch of gold grout immediately caught our attention. It set the stage for a sleek, sophisticated design that would complement the rest of his modern pool.
Crafting a Vision Together
Daniel came to us with some clear ideas in mind but was also open to suggestions, making this project a collaborative journey. He shared pool measurements and inspiration from our online catalog, expressing his admiration for our mosaic work.
“Your work is absolutely beautiful,” he wrote, which gave us the confidence that we were aligned with his vision from the start. Using this foundation, our design team crafted several options, including patterns selected by Daniel and new ones that we thought would bring an extra touch of elegance to his pool’s Baja bench.
Assorted images from out initial meetings with the client. Pool measurement sketch, design inspiration and color palette inspiration based on—Blue Haven—an abstract PIXL mosaic by MEC.
Designing with Flexibility in Mind
One of the great things about our process is the flexibility we offer throughout the design phase. We presented Daniel with a range of ideas, from bold geometric patterns to more fluid, organic shapes, allowing him to choose what resonated most. Alongside the design concepts, we provided complimentary 3D renders. These helped Daniel visualize how each mosaic pattern would look within the context of his pool and landscaping.
Complimentary 3D renders of Daniel’s Baja bench and pool showing different proposed mosaic patterns.
“I’d like something modern and elegant,” Daniel told us. “But I’m open to any suggestions your team might have.”
With his input, we refined the designs, keeping the black and deep blue tones while ensuring that the gold grout would add a luxurious yet subtle highlight. The combination of Daniel’s preferences and our expertise led to a set of patterns that struck the perfect balance between modern minimalism and artistic flair.
Moroccan tile themed Blue Tile Design based on the clients’s preferred color theme
Navigating Changes and Design Revisions
As the project moved forward, Daniel expressed interest in exploring additional mosaic designs for his Baja bench. He found another pattern that intrigued him and asked us to quote for a new 16′ x 8′ design.
Daniel: “There’s one more mosaic design I’m considering. Could you quote me the price using this pattern for my 16 x 8 ft Baja bench?”
MEC: “The total cost for this design will be USD xx, which includes custom wooden packaging and door-to-door delivery.”
We pride ourselves on offering complete customization, even as projects progress, and Daniel appreciated the flexibility. The ability to adapt and make changes, even during the fabrication stage, allowed us to accommodate his evolving ideas without compromising on the timeline or quality.
Moroccan tile themed Blue & Gold Design – Moodboard with suggested color palette and pattern
Adjusting to New Ideas
As the design phase continued, Daniel’s project took a new turn. After discussing with his tile contractor, he decided to shift from the Baja bench concept to a repeating floral pattern for the pool floor. The deep blues and gold grout would remain, but now the focus was on creating a bold, eye-catching mosaic that would cover a larger surface area.
Despite the change in scope, we seamlessly transitioned into this new phase of the project. Our team worked closely with Daniel through instant messaging and phone calls, ensuring that every detail of the new design was perfectly tailored to his vision.
Daniel: “Please see the pictures and let me know if you can produce this pattern from shiny glass. I think gold grout, but no gold tile, would be ideal.”
Harris (MEC Consultant): “I agree—gold grout will be a subtle yet striking touch. We’ll make the adjustments and get this design ready for you.”
This open communication allowed us to quickly finalize the changes and begin production on the new design.
Scenes from the MEC workshop where craftsmen and artisans handcrafted the pool sun shelf mosaic using beautiful shades of blue and 24K Gold-foiled Oro tiles.
Production and Final Touches
Once the design was confirmed, our team got to work crafting the mosaic by hand, ensuring every detail reflected the high standard Daniel expected. The project was completed on schedule, and the mosaic was shipped directly to his residence, packaged securely for safe delivery. The custom mosaic tiles are now ready to be installed, adding a distinct, artistic element to Daniel’s pool.
Freshly completed Moroccan arabesque blue glass tile mosaic artwork.
Closing Thoughts — Daniel’s Baja Bench Mosaic, From Vision to Reality
In the end, Daniel’s Baja bench mosaic was more than just a beautiful addition to his pool—it was a creative journey. From intricate Moroccan-inspired tiles to the glow of 24k gold grout, the design came together with care and attention to every detail. It’s a reminder that even the smallest elements of a space can carry a lot of character when thoughtful design meets craftsmanship.
Interested in creating something unique for your space? We’re just a message away, ready to help bring your ideas to life—let’s make the process simple and enjoyable.
Blue & Gold Moroccan Mosaic Magic
Personalized Pool Design: How a Baja Bench Mosaic Became a Statement Piece