Roman Bathroom Mosaic in Boston: Marble Figures and Borders
“Each curve, figure, and pattern were just as we envisioned it. Thank you MEC Artworks.”
— Our Client
Mosaics fashioned in natural stone to add that earthy, organic feel to your decor. Polished marble mosaics fashioned by waterjet for smooth curves and precise corners.
Designed in light, natural colours for a soft look to the space’s decor. Our collection sports a wide range of designs from figure mosaics to geometric and floral patterning.
Client Brief for This Marble Mosaic
This client of MEC Artworks wanted a marble mosaic for a bathroom in their palatial residence in Boston, United States.
They communicated to our design team that they would like an ancient Rome-inspired mosaic motif style. They provided our design team with a picture of a Roman-inspired mosaic-decorated bathroom.
As quite a large area of their bathroom walls and fixtures is to be covered, MEC Artworks gave them a longer lead time for this mosaic’s completion.
They chose natural stone for a classical feel. Most Roman mosaics were styled in stone back in that era, and even now, stone mosaics are quite popular in that area.
Our client chose a combination of figure motifs and patterning to recreate a look in an ancient Roman bath in a villa in Pompeii, Rome.
Inspiration Moodboard for This Bathroom Mosaic
The inspiration mood board for this mosaic revolved around the image provided by our client.
The feelings the mosaic was supposed to give included calm, spa, an old feel and Roman.
Natural stone colours made up the main colour palette, such as White, Powder Blue, Blush, Latte, Stone, and Espresso. Shades in between them were also to be used to create smooth transitioning of colours in the mosaic.
Several different Roman-inspired motifs were developed for this project. Image motifs and both geometric and floral patterns of that era.
The overall texture of the mosaic was supposed to be smooth, with just the graininess that is found in natural stone.
The mosaic couldn’t afford to be too rough, as it was an indoor bathroom mosaic.
Stone provided just the required texture. Smooth for a clean finished look but rough enough to be anti-slip in wet areas.
Design Development
Colour Palettes
The colour range for this mosaic was shades usually found in natural stone. The main shades were White, Powder Blue, Blush, Latte, Stone, and Espresso. Shades in between these colours were also used to make the patterns look like they blended into one another.
The Design Pattern
The design pattern was quite diverse, encompassing figures, line patterns and floral art all at once. One wall was dedicated completely to small-sized figure mosaics. The rest of the space had borders with geometrical patterns and other floral and plant motifs.
Materials
The material used was natural stone. This seemed to be a natural choice while recreating ancient Roman-era mosaic artistry. The waterjet technique was used to cut the material. This technique helps cut the stone very neatly. Smooth curves and scallops, not easily attainable by hand chisels and instruments, are achieved with minimal effort by this style of cutting.
The Crafting Process of This Mosaic
Behind the scenes of artisan craftsmanship:
“We are glad to say that our client approved of every separate mosaic motif whose pictures we shared”
— Mosaic Consultant
The lead time for the fabrication of this mosaic was quite long due to the complexity and size of the artwork.
Atleast four to five surfaces were to be covered with mosaic artwork. The borders of these surfaces were to be a separate design.
Acquisition of natural stone for the artwork was also a challenge, as quite a wide range of colours were needed. Apart from the main hues mentioned, Ivory white, deeper shades of blue and shades of red also made their way into this mosaic.
The waterjet method was used for cutting tesserae for this mosaic. Quite many irregularly shaped tiles were required for this artwork.
Our mosaic consultant worked closely with the client, keeping them informed about the progress of the crafting process.
The mosaic artwork was divided into parts, and our artisans formed teams, each crafting a different part.
One team focused on crafting the feature wall, which displayed figures in Roman-style dress. Each motif was crafted separately on a rectangular tiled background. These rectangular creations were then assembled on sections of mesh sheet.
The bathtub ceiling mosaic was crafted in one continuous motif divided into sections on a mesh sheet.
The ceiling borders were created in long, narrow sections to be assembled at installation.
Each section was numbered, and separate maps were provided for installation of the mosaic on each designated surface.
We are glad to say that our client was very satisfied with the result after their mosaic was installed.
Discover Ancient Roman-Inspired Mosaic Art
“An absolutely beautiful depiction of the picture I shared”
— Our Client, Boston
MEC Artworks has created other Roman-inspired mosaic artworks. Each piece is in a class of its own.
Roman-style motif bordering is also quite popular around windows and wall ends in high-end luxury spaces.
Clients with a taste for classical art request Roman-inspired patterns like their signature wave scroll and scallops in bathroom and other living space walls and borders.
This project was another test for our Italian-trained artisans in the art of Roman-style mosaic making. The project was an extensive one and required timely coordination on both ends.
True to our word, we were able to ship the whole mosaic consignment within the stated lead time.
FAQs
Can MEC Artworks recreate an Ancient Roman mosaic motif while customising it for my space?
Yes. MEC Artworks can create a bespoke Roman-inspired mosaic based on classical motifs such as the signature Roman laurel wreaths, geometric pattern borders, medallions, mythological and regular figures, scallops, flower patterns and other imagery requested by the client. Designs can be customised to dimensions, colours, materials, and architectural setting that is preferred.
What materials can be used for an Ancient Roman-style mosaic?
Roman-inspired mosaics can be crafted using materials such as natural marble, glass, Venetian Smalti, or combinations of different mosaic materials. Marble and stone provide classical depth and natural tonal variation. These are the more frequently requested materials for Roman-style mosaics.
For contemporary spaces, hand-cut marble, Murano, Venetian glass and smalti are preferred. Glass emanates a stronger colour and luminosity. Our mosaic consultants can recommend materials based on the desired look, intricacy and durability requirements of the intended artwork.
Can an Ancient Roman mosaic be made to look authentic while still meeting modern standards?
Certainly! The composition, arrangement of tiles, hues, and decorative details can be inspired by historical Roman mosaic techniques, while modern fabrication methods help achieve the required precision, durability, and installation performance.
Can MEC Artworks create a Roman mosaic based on a specific historical artwork or motif?
Yes. This is what we precisely did in the above-displayed project. Clients provide a reference image, archaeological motif, historical pattern, or existing artwork as inspiration. We then develop the reference into a custom mosaic while adapting its scale, colours, composition, and material selection to gel in with its destined space.
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