Bathroom mosaics are in vogue. The tile patterns composed of small elements offer a variety of materials, shapes, and colors for extravagant design solutions. What many design lovers aren’t aware of is that this decorative surface art adorned temples and secular buildings as far back as antiquity.
Bathroom mosaics are in vogue. The tile patterns composed of small elements offer a variety of materials, shapes, and colors for extravagant design solutions. What many design lovers aren’t aware of is that this decorative surface art adorned temples and secular buildings as far back as antiquity.
Early Greek tile patterns were made of natural pebbles. The Romans worked with evenly hewn stone cubes, which allowed them to lay them more precisely and minimize the seams. Small cubes could also be used to create highly precise lines and color gradients. One impressive example: the battle scene of the Alexander Mosaic in Pompeii, made up of four million small stones spanning more than 15 square meters.
Early Christian artists used highly reflective glass stones. They were ideal for decorating church interiors. The most important of these works can still be seen today in Ravenna, northern Italy – part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Byzantine Empire also brought mosaic art into houses of worship. With the Ottoman conquest and the transformation of churches into mosques, these disappeared under plaster and paint – or were destroyed. In Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, gold-primed mosaics originally covered more than 10,000 square meters. The famous Deësis Mosaic has now been uncovered. However, since the Church of St. Sophia, which had been a museum since 1935, was turned into a mosque for the second time in 2020, the artwork has been covered up.
Graphical decorations are a tradition in Islam. Because of the prohibition of images, the typical tiles do not show depictions of people, but rather geometric shapes and calligraphy. Their great complexity cannot be overlooked.
In 2007, scientists in Iran discovered aperiodic patterns on 15th-century buildings that mathematicians have actually only known about for 30 years. There is still disagreement as to whether the “quasi-crystalline” geometry is coincidental or whether Oriental architecture was 500 years ahead of us. One thing is certain: Islamic mosaic art is impressive.
The days when the colorful little stones were set by hand are long gone. But even pre-laid on mats, this craftsmanship doesn't lose any of its charisma – especially in the bathroom.
Mosaic tiles are both an eye-catcher and a breath of fresh air for the space at the same time. They are available in all shades of color in edge lengths starting from one centimeter – in square, rectangular, round, or oval shapes. Choose dimensions and shape based on the size of your bathroom and the desired effect.
Material combinations can also help you achieve strong effects in other ways. Tile manufacturers can now offer almost anything you need.
Mosaic tiles can create very different effects. But most importantly, they visually divide the room, so it’s best not use them throughout. Give your walls a profile: emphasize an area in your bathroom with intense colors and glossy surfaces.
Use a solid, matte color elsewhere for an unobtrusive look. Play with shapes and patterns. Use surface textures with 3D effects for an extravagant touch. Textured tile surfaces also score points for functionality: they mask limescale and other unsightly deposits. Deliberately combine mosaic walls with bathroom furniture and faucets.
You will see: Surfaces and furnishings set the scene for each other.