A Westerville Bookstore’s Mosaic Address Sign Worth Stopping For

Some stories start at the first page. This one starts at the doorstep. Discover how a custom marble mosaic address sign transformed the entrance of Birdie Books.

Every great bookstore has its own character, and sometimes, that character starts right at the doorstep. Birdie Books in Westerville, Ohio, wanted a custom marble mosaic address sign medallion that would both define their entrance and honor their unique space. Now, at 74 N State St., visitors are greeted by a beautifully designed tile piece that reflects the same care and thoughtfulness that goes into every book on their shelves.

The Inquiry: A Unique Address Sign in Mosaic

Shari Russell from Birdie Books first reached out to us with an idea—an entrance medallion that would seamlessly blend with the bookstore’s warm, inviting atmosphere while adding a timeless and sophisticated touch. The design was already in place: a round emblem featuring the number “74”, encircled by a laurel wreath, a Roman numeral border, and a subtle “EST 1913” inscription. Later, Kenny from Birdie Books joined in the discussions, helping fine-tune the project’s details.

One of the early discussions revolved around the dimensions—Shari initially provided a reference image with measurements, and we worked together to ensure that the proportions would be just right. She also asked whether we provided a mock-up of how the tiles would be laid out and whether the colors would match the digital design. We assured her that the mosaic would stay true to the original concept and shared proposed marble tile samples for approval.

Material Matters: Choosing the Right Tile for High Traffic

With a bookstore entrance seeing constant foot traffic, durability was key. After discussing options, we settled on marble mosaic tiles, known for their resilience and ability to age gracefully while retaining their elegance. We also walked Shari through the installation process, explaining that the mosaic would arrive in mesh-backed sheets that could be arranged and installed with ease. We recommended using translucent epoxy grout from trusted brands like MAPEI or Laticrete to ensure longevity and aesthetic consistency.

Getting the Details Right: Dimensions & Installation Considerations

As with any custom project, precision was everything. The initial request was for a 36-inch diameter mosaic with additional surrounding white tiles. But as the project progressed, Kenny stepped in with some important notes about the curves and slopes of the entrance space. He pointed out that the sides of the layout tapered down from 4 inches to 2.25 inches in certain spots, and the surface itself was not entirely flat. He even provided side-angle photos to illustrate the challenge.

This was a critical moment in the project. We immediately revised our design to take these variations into account, ensuring that the final mosaic would fit seamlessly into the space. Since the area had some irregularities, we decided to include extra plain field tiles to allow the tile contractor some flexibility in making final on-site adjustments. Shari and Kenny’s keen attention to detail made this collaboration incredibly rewarding.

From Production to Completion: A Smooth Process

Once the design was finalized, we moved into production, keeping Shari and Kenny updated every step of the way. We sent them photos from the fabrication process, showing the mosaic taking shape, piece by piece. Their excitement was contagious:

“We love it so much!! We are so very excited to see it in person.”

Shari R.

Birdie Books

She wrote after seeing the final production images.

“It is so beautiful! Amazing job! Thank you!!”

Kenny G.

Birdie Books

After receiving their enthusiastic approval, we carefully packed the mosaic, ensuring that it would arrive in pristine condition. Given the unique entrance layout, we also included extra material to provide leeway for adjustments during installation.

One More Touch - Extending the Design to the Columns

Projects like this remind us why we do what we do. It’s not just about tile—it’s about helping people create places that feel personal, thoughtful, and built to last. We’re proud that our work will now greet customers at Birdie Books for years to come, holding up to thousands of footsteps, Ohio weather, and everything in between—while still looking as timeless as the day it was installed.

And the best part? It’s not often a bookstore gets a floor feature that could double as a talking point, a photo op, or even a mini landmark. But Birdie Books does now. That marble medallion isn’t just doing its job—it’s quietly stealing the show.

Thinking about your own mosaic project? Whether you know exactly what you want or need help finding the right design, we’re here to guide you through every step. Let’s create something you’ll love for years to come.