Gnosis Custom Mosaics

Custom Mosaics: How Much Do They Cost?

Sandra — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:00:42 +0000

Price is undoubtedly a factor to consider when you’re choosing tile for your next project, however we have some news for you: if you think about your design in terms of price per square foot in most cases you will discard custom mosaics. It’s like if you were to sit and evaluate a 17th century old masters painting and decide if you will buy it based on its price per square foot. You would just never do it!

If you think in terms of overall look and consider the total cost of that look, the perspective is completely different. For instance a mere $800 may be the difference between a plain looking, ordinary ceramic backsplash, and a custom made focal accent mosaic surrounded with hand-cut tiles. When you consider this cost relative to the overall cost of your kitchen remodel project, your $800 start looking like a fair tradeoff: the backsplash may make a huge difference in the ambiance of your kitchen.

So, try not to think of it in terms of price per square foot. I know, I know, but just try. Instead try to think of what you want to feel as you walk into the room; try to think about the overall design. If you have a budget in mind, spell it out, ask your designer what can be done with it, and then work from there.

Here is an example:

A master bath original design specified an impressive museum quality piece to cover all the walls of the shower enclosure. However after looking at the overall budget, the cost of covering all the walls was prohibitive.

Instead, our designers suggested to create a more intricate design framed in the main wall of the shower enclosure, then cover the rest of the walls with the same calacatta marble in hexagon mosaics. The cost of this mosaic? $2,600; although not inexpensive, given a budget, a great design was achieved.

In sum the entry level mosaics that Gnosis offers are around $60/sq.ft. for hand-cut tiles (see picture). The Stretch collection of field handmade mosaics and the couture collections of plaid inspired mosaics are priced at $99/ft. If you are looking for the more intricate designs were there is a lot more tessellation work you should budget anywhere from $130 to $200 per sq.ft. or higher, yet really when you get to specify this level of complexity in your tile, you should look at the overall cost of your project. Else it’s really like thinking about buying an original painting or even a hand-painted wall paper and deciding if you will proceed or not based on its price per square foot.

In the case of a bathroom, you if what you are looking for is a surface covering that will just do fine for the least amount of money possible, Gnosis may not be the best fit.

The thing is that if you do have a design intent, and would like to have an ambiance with our hand cut and hand finished tiles, there is almost always a way to work on it. We are not saying that our mosaics are inexpensive, however there are techniques and design configurations that can dramatically move the price of a mosaic surface.

Comparing materials and designs based on their prices isn’t the way to go carrying out your project because all materials are different and not all materials are right for what you want to do. Because of a tendency to weigh costs over quality, many people choose the wrong material and are left unhappy with the finished project. Backsplashes are a way to spice up a room and also another aspect of the project that should be on a set budget. Think about how much a backsplash is worth to you while you’re setting your budget, as well as where you’re project is occurring. For example, researchers say that people spend most of their time in the kitchen and family room. Often times, these rooms are connected in an open space. If you spend most of your time in one portion of the home, you’re going to want to make it enjoyable. A nice backsplash starts at about $600 and adds a lot of life to the room. It’s more than just a plain surface, especially for a historic or older home. Is a nice backsplash worth more to you in the project? Then consider budgeting to spend more on the feature. For example, in the kitchen a full backsplash can range from $600 to $6,000, or you could hand-cut the tile to get the product you want.

Mosaic ideas with the Hadrian design

Sandra — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:34:24 +0000

Hadrian’s villa, one of the most opulent Imperial Villa, in Tivoli-Italy, is evidence of an explosion of fantasy and creativity where elaborate geometries in black and white marbles were utilized throughout the 10 cubicula of the hospitalia (guest rooms).
We selected one of those featured stone mosaic and called it the Hadrian mosaic design.

This design is very versatile: You can use a different stone for the background and you get a completely different feel than if you decide to go with a one color background and soft lines.
Take a look:

PICTURE: Mosaic-ideas–custom-mosaics_Lifestyle-Hadrian-carpet-chocolate-edited.jpg
The Hadrian mosaic medallion modified into a rectangular shape, in our chocolate combination (link to color combination/chocolate) with Cremo Bello, Emperador and a some accents in Terracotta, installed as a carpet in the elevator area.

PICTURE: mosaic-ideas–custom-mosaics_Lifestyle-hadrian-carpet-oval-chocolate-edted.jpg
A less neutral combination was used in this mosaic, where the designer added a touch of Blue Quartz, and used an alternation of light and darker stone for the background.

PICTURE: Mosaic-ideas–custom-mosaicsmosaic-ideas–custom-mosaics_Lifestyle-Hadrian-medallion.jpg
Finally, an explosion of colors in this mosaic. We almost used all the colors available in our palette. The use of different color for each one of the 3 backgrounds, gives a very interesting touch to this mosaic.

How extravagant would you go about using this mosaic design?

The Birth of a Mosaic Design

Eduardo — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:48:33 +0000

When was the last time you had the pleasure of seeing a mosaic design in person? Was it in a historical site in Italy? Or in a beautifully designed bathroom at The Plaza Hotel? Mosaics are a time honored artist’s tradition. They bring life and movement into a room. Nothing is more mesmerizing than understanding how these small pieces of colored glass and tile become a mosaic. Let me share with you the process of creating our mosaics.
Inspiration for our Mosaic Designs
Inspiration is really everywhere: nature, fabrics, rugs, frescoes, even manholes, however we always find ourselves going back to the mosaics of the Roman period: from the first Century BC to the 4^th Century AD. There was a particular period around the 2^nd Century where mosaics became really popular and are found in floors of a large number of homes from the period. These geometric designs used for decorative purposes were crafted in only 2 colors of stone: black & white.

We learned a lot from this period, not only about the mosaic designs, but about how figures ought to be crafted. How can you shape a figure using even only 1 color and make the viewer understand the shape and follow its movement. We learned that the way you craft the piece has actually more to do with its final effect than the design itself or the color selection. The tessellation makes all the difference, it makes the mosaic acquire dimension.

Artists first, mosaic artists second

All of our work begins with the inspiration of an idea. First, there has to be admiration for the beauty of a design and the movement of its lines. From this movement, we hope to be inspired to create the essence of the piece, whether it is a historical recreation or a modern concept.

From the inception, regardless of research, all the designs are hand drawn. They must be created on paper. We refuse to consider computer use for the first steps in the process of creating mosaic designs. Simply, the hand drawings allow the piece to come to life on the paper. Free flowing lines are a necessary part of allowing the movement of the mosaic to truly be captured. The first several iterations are very rough, done with #2 pencils or even charcoal sticks.

We trace the design may times, tracing over the previous sketch, and trying to define more details and refine the lines. In this process we start to consider what lines should be thickened, for better emphasis in the design; we start considering what materials should be used and what scale would be appropriate; how easy can the mosaic pieces be cut to accommodate the design? Can the design actually be crafted the way it is drawn?

Once the mosaic designs are finally considered functional they will be scanned into a computer. It’s important to note the computer is not typically for design purposes. The computer is mainly used to correct minor sketching errors and to assist with coloring the design.

If you’re curious about the craftsmanship of a historical design, some consider it a surgical extraction. Mosaics inspired from 2,000 year old pieces undergo the same process of hand sketching with a final computer detailing. Sousse (http://www.gnosis-mosaics.com/stone-mosaics/mosaic-floor-tile-lifestyle-collection-sousse-backsplash/) and Ostie (http://www.gnosis-mosaics.com/mosaic-bathroom-tiles/ostie-mosaic-design/) are good examples of a historically inspired piece. You’ll see the history interwoven with the careful hand detail of our designers.

The quality of a mosaic is 50% attributed to the way it was thought through by the artist; the other 50% is the way the mosaic is constructed. The process of creating a mosaic design must start with the correct conception. It’s the artist’s passion, naturally, that makes them so mesmerizing.

Increase the appeal of a stone mosaic surface by hand-finishing

Sandra — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:59:22 +0000

Since almost 3000 BC stone mosaics have been enriching the floors, walls, and ceilings of homes and cathedrals around the world. Using a stone mosaic in the design of your interiors can bring beauty and richness to your home’s atmosphere. While you can find many custom stone mosaic makers, Gnosis offers a feature that noticeably separates its mosaics from every other mosaic made anywhere by anyone. This feature is hand-finishing.

Hand finishing is rarely offered by stone mosaic makers, because most are made with pre-finished stones: if you are looking for a polished finish in your mosaic, crafters often start with cutting polished stone. If you would like a matte finish, crafters often start with cutting honed stone. Gnosis thinks differently: we start with unfinished stone, then we craft the mosaic, and then we apply the finishing to the mosaic once it’s already crafted, and before installation.

There are multiple reasons why the Gnosis technique stands out:
• Visually, hand-finishing gives the surface of the mosaic a beautiful silky texture without the machine-made reflective look of machine polishing or the predictable dull effect given by tumbling. Hand-finishing gives off a nice patina effect that is more organic/ time-worn looking than what any machine can produce. A great natural patina finish is something you would see in mosaics such as the ones at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or at the Chicago Cultural Center, where mosaic surfaces have been walked on by thousands of visitors over many years. The erosion and wear on these stone mosaics creates a wavy surface that only Gnosis can reproduce before installation.
• From a tactile standpoint, hand-finishing allows you to appreciate the complete elimination of sharp edges, while giving off its own romantic handmade feel. This effect would be quite apparent on the floor of a bathroom where your bare feet can attest to the silky finish of hand-finished mosaics.
• Gnosis can also reproduce a distressed mosaic surface, similar to the texture of really ancient mosaics. If you were to compare one of Gnosis’ aged hand-finished stone mosaics to a genuine antique mosaic in a museum or an archeological site, you would find striking similarities. Ancient mosaics have been exposed to the elements for thousands of years; for example the mosaics of Pompeii, where some of the surfaces still installed in those ancient homes have been shaped by nature. Their unique finish is a direct result of age, wind erosion, and acid exposure. When Gnosis hand-finishes a new mosaic, the finish that is created emulates these natural effects better than any machine-finished piece ever could.
•From a technical standpoint, the hand-finishing techniques are also noticeably superior. One of the many benefits is that you can create this handmade look while avoiding a complete mess on the job site: If you wanted to have traditional mosaics hand-finished, you would have to re-finish them after they are installed, which would create large amounts of dust and debris. Also, hiring a refinisher for on-site finishing will end up costing you an additional $15/sq.ft.

If you are looking to do something very classic, organic, and natural, the Gnosis hand-finished stone mosaics are a great alternative. Even if you were to have one of our designs manufactured by someone else (something we wouldn’t be happy about J ), the difference would be immediately apparent. The way the stone is cut, and the way the surface feels would be completely different; if you were to run your hand over the surface of other mosaics, you would be able to feel the edges of each one of the tesserae, whereas if you did the same on a hand-finished mosaic, you would feel a smooth and silky surface.

Gnosis stone mosaics are not as cold as the pieces of stone that form them, they breathe life. The end result of our hand-finishing techniques is a mosaic that is organic and naturally beautiful. It is something you will hardly find in mosaics crafted with traditional hand-cutting techniques.

Backsplash Options when using Mosaics

Sandra — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 02:13:19 +0000

There are so many different elements to think about when designing a kitchen, from the color of the cabinets to the type of range hood that you want. It requires a designer eye to ensure that everything works together beautifully. One of the last elements to bring a kitchen from unfinished to fabulous is a well-designed backsplash.

Backsplash options come in numerous different varieties and styles that it can be a hard decision to make, especially when you’re nearing the end of a very long journey of designing a kitchen. Here are some backsplash options for you to consider as well as some design tips to help you make the right decision.

Two Main Types of Kitchen Backsplashes

You will need to decide between a focal backsplash and a full backsplash when you’re using mosaic tile in your kitchen. A focal backsplash has a featured design only under the hood, while a full backsplash design flows across the entire splash area in the kitchen. .

A focal backsplash will work best for your kitchen if you have side backsplashes that separate the area under the hood from the rest of the wall. If you go this direction, you might consider using a featured design in the center surrounded by field tiles, or a border. Using a focal backsplash will give your kitchen a beautiful focal point.

Neo backsplash Mosaic

A full backsplash extends the mosaic tile design all over the kitchen backsplash, so it’s best to use a repeating pattern or a free flowing image. If done right, a full backsplash can visually enlarge the kitchen by drawing your eye up and around the full size of the walls.

Kitchen with the Leonardo Mosaic, Designed by Cornerstone Craftsmen, Atlanta

Kitchen Design Style

Think about the kitchen’s style – is it classical or contemporary? The backsplash design should complement the feel of the kitchen. A focal backsplash with an ornate design in the middle with borders would look nice for a Tuscan kitchen, while a free-flowing full kitchen backsplash design can balance out the crisp, clean-lined cabinets in a modern kitchen.

Custom Mosaic Backsplash Designed by Design Galleria, Atlanta

Think of the kitchen backsplash as the finishing touch to your kitchen – the perfect pair of shoes to go with your outfit or the final flourish of paint on a beautiful piece of art. A well-designed backsplash can elevate an ordinary kitchen to an exceptional one. Create a beautiful kitchen that you will enjoy everyday with the help of a backsplash with mosaic tile. Be creative and fearless with your decisions on backsplash options.

Use of Mosaic Bathroom Tiles to Create Functional Art

Sandra — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:56:32 +0000

Bathroom design
If your home is your sanctuary, then even your bathroom will be an environment that conveys comfort, peace, and luxury. After all, it is a room that is likely to be used and appreciated daily! One way to create a soothing and appealing atmosphere in your bathroom is to use mosaic bathroom tiles. Tile is a material that was made for the bathroom, and by incorporating mosaic; you create the perfect blend of function, beauty, and style. (Ulrika)
Bathroom mosaics in ancient times
Mosaic bathroom tiles are nothing new. The bath played an important role in ancient Roman culture, and mosaic tiles were used to embellish the well-known Roman bathhouses, which were always impressive facilities that served as a spa, country club, and gym all rolled into one. Often, artists were commissioned to create mosaic designs on the walls and floors, which served both decorative and functional purposes. Tile is a waterproof surface that is easy to keep clean. In addition, using light colored tile as a background enabled reflected light to brighten rooms with small or no windows.
The artisans of ancient Rome often used tile to display water motifs in the bathhouse such as dolphins, waves, or the water god, Neptune. Today, mosaics can be used in a variety of designs to suit any style. Whether it’s a bathroom you spend time in every day, or one you would like guests to enjoy, mosaic tiles offer the ultimate in versatility. Design and placement of your mosaic can be used to set the stage for the whole room.
Mosaics in a classical bathroom: Carpet, medallion and border
For elegant floors, try a “carpet” design, which emulates the look of a rug from an ancient villa, complete with a border and lush geometric pattern. If you are making a statement with a carpet design on your floor, you can coordinate the rest of the bathroom with either solid colors or the use of border tile that ties in with your floor design. A tile “carpet” can look amazingly real and become the focal point of your bathroom. (Ostie bruno)
Whether you go with a carpet design or a wall accent, borders can really tie your whole room together. Even if your floor is plain tile or another material, a mosaic border will give your room a dramatic flair. Borders can be used along the bottom or top of your bathroom walls, inside your shower, or along countertops. A border dividing a tiled area from a non-tiled surface is both striking and a great way to make use of varied textures. (pic of Beryte border)
Mosaics in a transitional or contemporary bathroom
Perhaps you’d like to have a more abstract, flowing feel. Concept mosaics provide the textures reminiscent of nature themes such as bamboo, shells, and leaves. (Leonardo)
Some are simply geometric patterns that conjure the feeling of movement or tranquility. Mosaics derived from ancient patterns will offer a sense of timeless style. Concept mosaic bathroom tiles can be used for flooring, panels, backsplashes, or showers to turn your bathroom into a visually appealing and inviting space. (stretch)
Mosaic as a wall art
Mosaic bathroom tiles can also serve as your wall art, eliminating the need to hang a painting or photograph. Steam can be detrimental to a piece of fine art—unless it is made of tile, of course! A piece of “framed art” made out of tile is a stunning way to decorate your bathroom walls. Your wall art can be either integrated into a wall covered in tiles of a solid color, or be mounted as a single panel on a painted wall. It’s amazing how even a simple black and white design can emanate a sense of luxury. If you have a larger area to cover, consider a mural for high impact. (heron?)

When deciding how to incorporate mosaic tiles into your bathroom design, consider your taste and the feeling you’d like to evoke. A bathroom can be a tranquil retreat from the world, and should also give the sense of being fresh and clean. Just because it’s a room that has such utility doesn’t mean you can’t make it enjoyable. In fact, it’s all the more reason to make this room pleasing to the eye. Consider the day-to-day pleasure you will derive from being surrounded by a sense of beauty and peace, and know that investing in your bathroom is a gift to yourself and your guests to be enjoyed for years to come.

Ostie Mosaic Design

Sandra — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:57:11 +0000

Ostia Antica was a harbour city in the Roman times, located at the mouth of the river Tiber, around 19 miles to the West of Rome. The oldest settlements found date of Early Iron Age (1000-700 BC).

There was a center place in Ostia that was like a mall, with shops on both sides of a main alley, where all the traders would sell their goods. At the entrance of each shop, there was a mosaic related to what they sell: you will find a lot of mosaics with water themes. All of those mosaics are bi-dimensional with somewhat gross designs.

Discovery of the Ostie Design

And then, at one of the boundaries of the city, the Caseggiato di Bacco e Arianna House, believed to be the house a priest, you will find 2 main mosaics: one of them depicting Roman Gods and the other one in the center of a bedroom surrounded by mosaic field.This last one is nothing else than the most exquisitely crafted mosaic of Ostia Antica. We extracted the center piece and called it the “Ostie” mosaic.

The original mosaic has a winged Medusa in its center, and is made in monochromatic black and white marbles, which situates it around Early Roman 1st AD, where this kind of mosaics where very popular. It is a pretty large piece, crafted using the on-site direct method, that is why you can see some irregularities from one set of pattern to the next repeating.

It is one of the most delicate mosaics of the site, but it still has large tesserae cuts of around 1.2 cm and the finer tesseraes are half of that.

Ostie revived by Gnosis Mosaics

This mosaic has a higher level of details than any other mosaic in the city. It is very harmonically ornated without being invasive. You can tell because of the way the shapes are done, that it is a very early Roman mosaic, but it’s still very delicate: The acanthus accents in the design are very stylized, which was uncommon in these times. The wing figures and birds add some freshness to the mosaic.

Gnosis made a bit more perfect and refined the lines and tessellation. Its 2 color design, bi-dimensional (no 3D effect), makes it perfect for today’s ornate accent. Our favorite combination today is grey and white, tone on tone: It gives it a very peaceful feel

Tuscan Kitchens Décor: Timeless beauty

Sandra — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 06:19:41 +0000

When renovating or building a new kitchen, the Tuscan-style décor is the perfect way to express your enjoyment of home-cooked meals, appreciation of fine wine and love of entertaining and sharing the very best with family and friends.
In most American homes, the kitchen has replaced the living room as the favorite place where everyone gathers. And now it’s your time to create a warm and welcoming environment with the most inspired design and innovative home furnishings.
Your dream kitchen awaits and following are several things to take into consideration to make the design journey from Italy to your home as easy, relaxing and inspirational as watching a sunset on the Arno River.
The essentials: bold and earthy colors
To capture the feel of the Tuscan region of Italy, you need to look no further than the geographic landscape, climate and most importantly the sun. Everything from the cypress trees to the vineyards and even the rich soil is cast in sunlight that reflects their natural hues and tones. Bold and earthy colors dominate and you can select a palate from a broad range of regional items: reds from plumb tomatoes or full-bodied wine, greens and browns from harvested olives, bright yellows, terracotta and burnt orange from local pottery, blues and lighter tones from the Mediterranean sea and hand-crafted linens. Think bold, bright and naturally beautiful.
Your color palate is important but so is texture. A Tuscan kitchen will have many layers and imperfections—rough plaster the walls and create the look of a room that is lived-in as opposed to one that is strictly organized or overtly formal. You may want to add sand to some of the plaster. Once this texturing is achieved you should paint in a free-flowing form, meaning perfect lines and pristine edges are not conducive to the relaxed, down-home Italian style. Consider painting using several techniques like sponging, ragging and color washing. The end result will reflect the charm of a weathered and rustic domicile.
Turn to stone…
Natural materials are a necessity. Choose from stone, slate, granite or limestone for flooring and counter tops. Other options include a terracotta tile or slightly distressed wooden floorboards. It’s perfectly acceptable to mix materials, keep in mind the end result will be your dream kitchen based on the alluring beauty and functionality of Italian practicality.
Decorative metal
Consider incorporating plenty of wrought iron in your décor. This can be accomplished by searching antique stores as well as home furnishing outlets. Wrought iron chandeliers, candelabras or wall sconces will create an inviting and rustic, country ambiance. You may also consider keeping a lookout for old wooden cupboards or distressing your current cabinets. It’s also possible to simply replace your current cabinet doors with distressed wooden shutters or doors made with chicken-wire windows. Purchase wrought iron hardware at your local home improvement store and that will give you an immediate Tuscan-style facelift to your kitchen cabinets.
Raise your design plan to an art form
Many fine homes in Italy are filled with art: stunning frescoes, valuable tapestries and awe-inspiring fine art. When you include a work of art in your décor, it truly personalizes your vision and shows how you celebrate life, your home and family. Your kitchen will reach the hallmark of the Tuscan style with the installation of one of the most classic art forms—a mosaic.

The Italians take their food, art and culture very seriously. They have proven to the world that they are the masters of design, creativity and aesthetics. And now is the time to bring their European form and functionality into your home. Your Tuscan-style kitchen is no longer just a wish from a distant vacation.

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About Gnosis -custom mosaics-

Gnosis’ custom mosaics offer a wide selection of uniquely crafted floor and wall tile mosaics. The company is known for their superior craftsmanship—inspired by and tailored to the customer’s vision. A decorative backsplash is a major focal point in a Tuscan-style kitchen and the unique mosaics created by Gnosis compliment this style perfectly. www.gnosistesserae.com

Kitchen Tile Murals

Sandra — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:42:10 +0000

If you are thinking about kitchen tile murals, you probably are looking for a mediterranean style, there are many you can find out there, including some very nice hand-painted tiles made in a very traditional way, representing a landscape or a food and drink related scenery. That is the most common and widespread understanding of what a kitchen mural should look like.

bring a picture from http://studiotiles.com/assets/images/ML-Bella-Vigna-1-570.jpg

Another possibility that you can consider is creating your own rustic kitchen tile mural with mosaics. Think of the tiny little stone tesserae of different colors that make a mosaic, and the endless possibilities that you can have by combining this technique and applying it to make a mural. You might think it is harder, or less flexible or even less open to creativity but here are some good examples:

If you like the usual look of a kitchen tile mural, you can have a mosaic backsplash that represents food and drink scenes: (la provence pic)

Add a hint of spices, some fishes and you will have something that looks like that. (bouillabaisse)

If you are more into landscape scenery, you will probably be delighted by a mosaic reproducing your favorite mural. (turl mosaic. SF lady from Gnosis times)

You can even take a bit more grandiose approach and have a mural covering a full wall in a buffet area. This mosaic depicts a view of Rome during the Roman times. To reproduce this, we conducted a research with the architect of Venuti’s banquets and made a collage of the different areas of old Rome. The result is a 14’ mural that covered the buffet area of the restaurant. (pic of venuti’s roma caput mundi)

Designing kitchen tile murals with mosaics is not more difficult than with painted tile, especially if you want to go custom, because you have the advantage of adding your personal touch, choosing a color scheme that complements well perfectly with your cabinets, flooring, countertop and hardware. Also, with mosaics, specially with fully handcrafted ones you can treat the surface for a smooth look or antique it for a rustic look.

make a text box in photoshop:

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