Updating a kitchen can be achieved with mosaic additions to the backsplashes and countertops. Take a look at the design ideas page to see before and after photos of kitchens that have had a facelift with mosaics. Even the front of an island bar can be enhanced with mosaic tile.   Pantry door glass can be replaced with mosaic or stained glass to achieve a more refined atmosphere.

   Custom Mosaics by Marlene was recently commissioned to enhance the foyer area of the new Tasus Corporation offices, currently under construction in Georgetown, Texas.  Tasus has expanded into Texas to better fulfill their contract with Toyota for plastic parts. Marlene turned a plain, curved wall into a mosaic centerpiece.  Read more about the project and see all of the pictures in our news section. (Scroll to the bottom.)

    Mosaic was used throughout the ancient world to decorate homes and public places. Mosaics are traced to 4th century BC and are found in the palace-city of Aegina,  in Macadenia and they adorned the floors of Hellenistic villas. Mosaic floors are found in the relics of  Roman construction, from Britain  to Dura-Europas. Extraordinary mosaic floors were displayed in  Roman villas across north Africa.  Roman architects built  mosaics into the surfaces of wall and ceilings in the Domus Aurea,  (Nero's "golden house") built AD 64-68.

     In the late 4th century, mosaic works were incorporated into Christian basilicas. Icons were created and integrated into the designs of walls and ceilings. The Byzantine empire displayed elaborate Christian mosaics as far reaching as Exarchate of Ravena (many breath taking mosaics are visible to this day) to Sicily and into Venice. In Venice, the most elaborate display is perhaps, St. Marks with it's ornate mosaics created between the twelfth and eighteenth centuries.      

   Next, Islamic architecture became influenced by mosaic art and is evidenced in Moorish Spain and can still be seen at the Alhambra. In North Africa, mosaic craft is known as  zillij and qashani. Many of the examples of great Islamic geometric architecture were achieved through mosaic. The art continued on to Russia and was adopted into construction of buildings throughout Moscow, giving it the claim of the "third Rome" after Constantinople.

  This rich history can be integrated into your home or office to add depth and texture to reflect your personal taste. Contact Marlene Coleman by phone or email. Visit our contact page for details.