Designing a Custom North Carolina Pool Mosaic with 24k Gold Glass Tiles
What happens when a creative and detail-oriented client meets MEC’s custom design expertise? You get a one-of-a-kind custom pool mosaic! This North Carolina project with Genevieve is all about blending her vision with our expertise.
It started with a reference to one of our favorite designs—the Greek Gold Pool Mosaic—but Genevieve had something different in mind. She loved certain elements but was looking for a more personalized touch. That’s where our journey began.
No design experience? Don’t worry. Here at MEC, we strive to make the customization process as simple as possible. So much so, that a person with little or no design experience can collaborate with us to create custom pool mosaics as well. So don’t fret if all of this is new and overwhelming to you, our amazing design team will be there for you every step of the way.
From Greek Gold & Decorative Molding to Something New
Genevieve spotted the Greek Gold Pool Mosaic design on our website and was immediately drawn to the intricate patterns. She liked the wave borders, acanthus leaves, and the overall timeless feel, but she also had her own ideas. Her vision? To incorporate details inspired by decorative plaster panels, wooden design elements, and, of course, a healthy dose of her own sketches. She wasn’t shy about sharing what she had in mind, and our team got to work, translating her ideas into mosaic-ready designs.
Here’s a sneak peek at how design ideas from different sources are incorporated into a mosaic design draft.
Caption:A collection of inspiration: MEC’s Greek Gold pool mosaic alongside the client’s chosen decorative ceiling plaster molding and intricate wooden ornamental designs, all influencing the final mosaic concept.
Genevieve also wanted to explore the option of adding a vitruvian wave (also known as Greek wave) glass mosaic as the outline of the pool floor which we thought was a great idea. In addition to the pool design already under discussion, Genevieve wanted a cost estimate and feasibility for another design concept. The design was inspired by an decorative plaster panel (as shown above).
Initial Mosaic Line Drawings
We started by sending Genevieve a few line-drawing design options to kick things off. These included some elements from the original Greek Gold design, combined with her plaster panel-inspired details. We knew she wanted something unique, so we collaborated back and forth, tweaking the designs and revising the layout. After narrowing down the options, we decided to build on one of the initial patterns and make it her own.
Caption: (left) Architectural drawing of the pool with precise dimensions provided by the client, (right) Preliminary line drawings offering a glimpse into the early creative process behind the mosaic.
The client’s designers preferred Option A and just wanted to swap out the mosaic pool border design with the one featured in Option B. “We will be going with Option A, but can you please change the greek key to the lambs tongue design?”. Of course, we could. Here is how it turned out:
Caption: An evolution of the design—this updated line drawing integrates earlier sketches with new inspirations.
Selecting the Mosaic Tile Art Color Palette
Now came one of the most exciting stages—choosing the color palette for the mosaic. Genevieve, always detail-oriented, shared a few notes about the client’s space and some specific color preferences.
“The clients don’t like orange, red, olive, or burgundy,” she explained. “I’d love to add a touch of metallic gold, but I’m not sure if that’s possible within the budget.”
Caption: Exploring hues and possibilities with a digital moodboard that highlights key color suggestions for the project.
Shortly after our initial conversation, Genevieve sent over more detailed notes. “The colors have been light so far,” she said, “but given the depth of the pool, we’ll need stronger hues to make sure they’re visible underwater. Maybe we could mix a lighter shade with the navy blue I sent? Darker greens could also work, as long as they lean toward blue-green and don’t have too much brown.”
With this direction in mind, we adjusted the palette and reassured her that we understood the subtle balance she was after. The next step was to incorporate these colors into the final design, ensuring everything aligned perfectly with her vision.
Caption: From concept to color, a detailed line drawing with custom shades.
“Gorgeous,” Genevieve exclaimed, delighted with how the design was coming together (her words, not ours!). We prepared detailed renders showing the full layout in the swimming pool space, incorporating her feedback for a “combination of cobalt blue… and more of the green-blue” for the Greek wave mosaic border. Josephine even pointed out how the patina on the home’s copper details would beautifully complement the blue-green tones.
Caption: Design in progress with a custom line drawing bringing the vision to life through tailored colors.
The Gold Element: 24k Gold Glass Tile Magic
We then put together a color scheme that aligned with her vision. As a little surprise, we decided to include a small amount of 24k Venetian gold-foiled Oro tiles at no extra cost. After all, how could we say no to a little sparkle?
Here’s where things get really interesting. While the budget didn’t initially allow for a lot of gold, we surprised Genevieve by adding a small quantity of 24k Venetian gold-foiled tiles—free of charge! After all, how could we say no to a little sparkle? We couldn’t resist including this luxurious touch, especially since it blended so beautifully with the design and had been a favorite of hers from the start.
These stunning gold glass tiles, with their warm glow, paired beautifully with the rich cobalt blues and green-blue tones she selected for the pool’s main mosaic design. Genevieve was thrilled with how the gold added just the right amount of shine without being overpowering.
Samples and Moodboards
Once we settled on the direction of the design, it was time to bring it to life. We created digital mood boards to showcase the color palette and overall aesthetic. But digital images can only do so much—Genevieve wanted to see the tiles in person. We get it, screens can be tricky when it comes to color accuracy. So, we shipped over physical sample boards with the selected tiles and designs. It gave Genevieve a hands-on feel for what her pool would look like and added that extra layer of confidence in the design process.
While we were busy behind the scenes in our production workshop, we also sent her some behind-the-scenes photos to keep her involved and excited. Seeing the artistry in action made the whole experience even more special for her.
Caption: Behind the scenes: A glimpse into the making of Genevieve’s custom glass mosaic, featuring detailed craftsmanship and Oro 24k gold glass tiles.
Installation in Progress: Bringing Genevieve’s Pool Mosaic to Life
Transformation in action! The installation of Genevieve’s custom pool mosaic is in full swing, and it was thrilling to see the design come to life. As the easy-to-install mosaic sheets are carefully laid, a dazzling masterpiece is emerging, masterpiece that is ready to sparkle under the North Carolina sun.
Could Your Next Mosaic Start Here?
If Genevieve’s story has inspired you, it’s your turn! Whether you have a clear vision or need some help figuring it out, we’ll work with you to create a custom mosaic artwork that reflects your style and space. Let’s make something beautiful together!