A Coastal-Themed Mosaic for William Cook: Turtles, Foliage & the Ocean
“We wanted the turtle to feel like it was gently gliding across the floor. It was exciting to bring Will’s AI sketches to life in real tile.”
— Design Team
One of the most interesting parts of this design was translating a layered tropical scene into mosaic while keeping it clear, balanced, and durable enough for a floor.
The composition works from top to bottom like a landscape painting: sky, ocean, shoreline, and then the detailed beach elements. We had done a similar piece, Artisan’s Reef, prior to this, for a special client in the UAE.
To make that readable in mosaic, we relied on subtle color shifts rather than heavy outlines.
Client Brief
William Cook came back to MEC after we worked together on a custom turtle mosaic for his swimming pool, which quickly became one of the most-loved features of his home, everyone who saw it couldn’t stop complimenting it.
Naturally, we were excited to team up with him again, this time to create beautiful floor mosaics that would bring the same charm and craftsmanship to another part of his home.
For this project, William wanted custom mosaics for a floor area, including three unique pieces,
- a 5′ x 10′ turtle on a beach,
- a tropical leaves design, Tropical Foliage mosaic for floor 4’ x 6’
- and a long blue and gold Greek meander border.
To kick things off, he shared some AI-generated concepts to show us the ideas he had in mind, giving us a starting point to turn his vision into handcrafted mosaics.
Inspiration Moodboard
When it came to design, our team worked closely with Will to turn his AI concepts into mosaics that would actually work on the floor. We took a careful look at the tile scale, since his ideas used larger tiles, we suggested smaller ones to capture more intricate detail.
For the turtle on the beach, Will shared a concept, and we presented several realistic options based on what’s possible in mosaic production, he gravitated towards Option B.
For the tropical leaves design, we came up with multiple proposals, and Will went with Option A.
And for the Greek meander border, the colors and design were meant to complement the first mosaic’s border, with a discussion about adding an extra row of blue tiles on the outside to create a balanced, finished look.
Design Development
Initial Sketches
Early sketches mapped how the gliding sea-turtle would show across the floor surface.
2D & 3D Visualizations
High-resolution tile layouts and 3D renderings illustrated how the mosaic would look once installed.
Color Palette & Materials
Combination of marble and glass tiles for durability and visual depth. Smaller format tiles enabled intricate designs not possible in the AI concept
Design Options
Behind the scenes of artisan craftsmanship:
“From the start, we imagined this mosaic as a mini landscape underfoot, where every tile adds depth and movement.”
— Design Team
Overall, the challenge—anthe success—was turning a vibrant, illustrated concept into something that works beautifully in stone and glass, where every small tile contributes to the bigger picture.
Once completed, the mosaics were carefully mesh-backed, packed, and shipped together, ready for installation. Every step of the process highlighted our focus on handcrafted quality, attention to detail, and choosing the best materials to bring Will’s vision to life.
Installed Photos
“We (and the grandkids) love it! Thanks!””
— William Cook
Translating Will’s AI-generated ideas into handcrafted mosaics shows how we combine new technology with traditional mosaic artistry to create something truly unique.
Through our exclusive design consultancy, clients collaborate directly with our designers and master artisans to adapt concepts into mosaics that work at the right scale, materials, and level of detail for real spaces.
William Cook wanted a design that would delight not just him, but also his grandkids — something playful, engaging, and full of life. At MEC Artworks, we love being storytellers, and translating joy and narrative into mosaic form is exactly the kind of challenge we thrive on.
FAQs
What materials are best for floor mosaics that need to be both durable and visually striking?
A combination of marble and glass tiles is often ideal. Marble adds weight and longevity, while glass can provide depth, shimmer, and vivid color variations that make the design come alive.
How do you ensure a mosaic’s colors remain vibrant over time?
We carefully select high-quality, durable tiles and use professional installation techniques to protect color integrity. Strategic use of gradients and complementary hues also helps designs maintain visual impact for years.
How do you translate an artistic concept, like an AI-generated design, into a mosaic?
We start by analyzing the concept and considering scale, detail, and material limitations. Then, through our design consultancy process, we adapt the imagery to work in stone and glass while keeping the original vision intact.
What makes a custom mosaic different from standard tile work?
Custom mosaics are handcrafted narratives — every tile is placed with intention to tell a story, reflect a theme, or create a dynamic visual experience. Unlike standard tiles, they combine artistry, technical expertise, and tailored materials to create one-of-a-kind installations. Explore some of our narrative mosaics collection to find inspiration for your own home.
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