Once Upon a Tile: "Lakeside Whimsy" Collaborative Creativity Journey
When Mira Lynn* first approached us, she had a clear vision for her mosaic mural. Living by a serene lake, Mira wanted to capture the vibrant beauty of her surroundings and incorporate elements that were meaningful to her and her daughter. Her request was to blend natural elements with a touch of fantasy, creating a mural that would be the centerpiece of her living room.
Caption: Photo of the view from the client’s lakeside residence
Mira’s love for the golden hour over her lake was the starting point. She provided us with art references and detailed description of a sunset, with the sky ablaze in hues of yellow, orange, pink, and purple. This vivid scene was to be the backdrop of the mural.
Collaborating on Design Elements
Colors of the Sky and Water
Mira’s vision for the mural began with the breathtaking colors of the sky and water. She wanted the sky to be full of vibrant yellows, oranges, and pinks, reflecting the golden hour she cherished. The water was to mirror this stunning palette, with a glowing reflection of the sun adding to the overall warmth and serenity of the scene.
Additionally, Mira was captivated by the idea of incorporating swirls into the tile arrangement pattern, creating a dynamic and fluid motion that would enhance the beauty of the sky and water, making the mural come alive with movement and energy.
Caption: Reference artworks shared by the client. Color palette and pattern inspiration.
Caption: Pre-renovation photos from the space where the mosaic is to be installed.
Mosaic Birds: Swans and Heron
Mira’s love for the natural beauty surrounding her home was evident in her desire to include specific animals from her daily life by the lake. She requested the inclusion of three white mute swans – a family with two adults and a cygnet – which often graced her lake view. Additionally, a majestic Great Blue Heron, a frequent visitor to her lakeshore, was to be prominently featured. Mira was particular about the type of heron, ensuring it was depicted accurately, as it held personal significance for her.
Caption: Swan, dragon silhouette and heron references.
Fantasy and Mythical Elements
The mural also needed a touch of whimsy. Mira and her daughter loved mythical creatures and wanted subtle hints of fantasy woven into the design. Mira suggested a small mermaid’s tail peeking from the water and a dragon silhouette soaring high in the sky, inspired by their favourite movie, “How to Train Your Dragon.” These elements added a layer of enchantment and magic to the mural, making it not only a representation of her home but also a canvas of dreams and imagination.
Caption: a quick collage of scene idea and placement of birds and other elements.
Design Evolution: Refining the Details
With Mira’s detailed input, we set to work on the initial design. The first draft included all the elements she desired, but Mira’s keen eye for detail led to several revisions:
- Mermaid Tail: Mira asked for the mermaid tail to be reduced by 25% and placed further in the distance to blend subtly into the scene.
- Dragon Silhouette: The dragon in the sky was perfect as it was, small yet noticeable, flying into the glowing sunset.
- Swan Family: The swan family was positioned just below the horizon, adding a serene touch to the mural.
- Great Blue Heron: Initially depicted as a White Egret, Mira requested it be changed to a Great Blue Heron and partly obscured by cattails and leaves to create a more natural setting.
- Sky and Sun: Mira desired a more vibrant sky filled with yellow and orange, and a more pronounced sun with a glowing reflection on the water.
- Rock Removal: She asked for the removal of a rock from the lower water area to keep the scene clean and uncluttered.
Further Revisions & Rearrangement
Mira’s feedback was invaluable in refining the design. We incorporated a spiral tile pattern into the water and sky, adding a dynamic flow to the mural. The spiral shapes, which Mira loved, brought a sense of movement and life, making the sunset and water interplay even more enchanting.
We provided Mira with a detailed rendering of the mural, showing how each element would fit together. This included precise measurements to ensure the mural fit perfectly in her living room, accommodating the floating shelves she wanted to integrate.
After reviewing the second version, Mira provided further adjustments:
- Sun Placement: She requested that the sun be positioned 62.5” from the left wall and 33” from the bottom.
- Great Blue Heron: The heron and cattails needed to be moved to the right to make room for the shelves.
- Dragon Position: The dragon silhouette was moved slightly up and to the right.
- Extend Right Side: The right side of the mural design was extended by 12.5” to balance the composition.
Final Approval and Production
After a few rounds of revisions, we finalized the design. The sun was positioned precisely, and the Great Blue Heron and cattails were adjusted to ensure functionality without compromising the artistic integrity.
To keep Mira involved and excited, we shared behind-the-scenes photos from our workshop. She saw the meticulous craftsmanship that went into each tile and appreciated the effort that brought her vision to life.
Caption: Production photos from the MEC workshop
Given the large size of the mural, we had to consider the practicality of shipping and installation. The mural would be split into approximately 10 sections, each clearly labeled. This method ensured that once the sections arrived at Mira’s home, they could be easily assembled to form the complete mural. We recommended using Laticrete 254 Platinum adhesive, which could be sourced locally, to ensure a secure installation.
Caption: Completed non grouted Lakeside Whimsy wall mosaic photos
A Creative Journey Fulfilled
Throughout this process, Mira was not just a client but a collaborator. Her insights and personal stories shaped the mural, making it a true reflection of her love for nature and fantasy. The final piece, named “Lakeside Whimsy,” is a testament to the beauty of collaboration and the power of art to capture cherished moments and dreams.
This project was creatively challenging and deeply fulfilling for our team. Projects like these remind us why we do what we do – creating beautiful, meaningful, one-of-a-kind art that will be cherished for decades to come. The joy of transforming Mira’s vision into a stunning mosaic mural was an experience we will always treasure.
Fascinated by this beautiful little mosaic project? You too can transform your space with a unique mosaic design, created from scratch or customized to your liking. Reach out to us, and let’s make your mosaic dream a reality!
If you like outdoor mosaics we have a blog on outdoor mosaics called From Patio to Backyard and Poolside: Outdoor Wall Mosaic Design Inspirations, The blog post is about how outdoor wall tiles can change the way a place looks, focusing on how they can add style, artwork, and individuality. It talks about how durable, weatherproof, and bendable mosaic tiles are and gives you ideas for how to use them outside on patios, around pools, and in other places.