10 Ways to Texturise With Terrazzo
From kitchen counters to accent furniture, terrazzo brings colour and texture in a unique way into your home
Terrazzo’s history dates as far back as Greek and Roman times but it truly became popular in Venice during the 1400s. Having first come about as an inexpensive flooring option, especially for the outdoors, it was also a way to make use of scrap material. Terrazzo is essentially a combination of marble, granite, quartz and other stone chips held together by a resin or concrete base with a colour pigment added to it. The exposed chips set in the base are then polished to even the surface out.
Highly durable, epoxy terrazzo systems are non-porous, making them great for high traffic areas, such as flooring and outdoor surfaces. But with designers like Norman Copenhagen, Max Lamb, and Alberto Bellamoli along with tile manufacturing companies like Bharat Floorings and Nitco Tiles infusing new life into this material, terrazzo is now used extensively to bring a unique look into our homes. The main design draw is that you can introduce to a room visual texture that will last a lifetime.
The wide variety of colours, patterns, chip sizes and chip materials used today make this material highly enticing. From shimmering mother-of-pearl chips to brilliantly vibrant glass fragments, you can really get creative. The fragments vary in sizes – smaller fragments work better in flooring and walls, while large fragments are great for accent furniture like coffee tables. Because the material can be poured into place on site, pre-cast or hydraulically pressed into tiles, there are many ways to use it. Here we show you ways to work with terrazzo.
Highly durable, epoxy terrazzo systems are non-porous, making them great for high traffic areas, such as flooring and outdoor surfaces. But with designers like Norman Copenhagen, Max Lamb, and Alberto Bellamoli along with tile manufacturing companies like Bharat Floorings and Nitco Tiles infusing new life into this material, terrazzo is now used extensively to bring a unique look into our homes. The main design draw is that you can introduce to a room visual texture that will last a lifetime.
The wide variety of colours, patterns, chip sizes and chip materials used today make this material highly enticing. From shimmering mother-of-pearl chips to brilliantly vibrant glass fragments, you can really get creative. The fragments vary in sizes – smaller fragments work better in flooring and walls, while large fragments are great for accent furniture like coffee tables. Because the material can be poured into place on site, pre-cast or hydraulically pressed into tiles, there are many ways to use it. Here we show you ways to work with terrazzo.
Terrazzo flooring pairs well with wood finishes, so wood furniture, counters and cabinets or, as in this case, a wooden staircase is the perfect accompaniment.
2. Feature pieces
As terrazzo is so durable and non-porous, it works well in bathrooms. Combined with polished concrete floors or ceramic tiles, an accent wall made from terrazzo brings just the right amount of visual texture and colour. Here the patterned terrazzo wall on the right displays larger fragments and is paired with solid-coloured flooring, making the space cheery and elegant.
As terrazzo is so durable and non-porous, it works well in bathrooms. Combined with polished concrete floors or ceramic tiles, an accent wall made from terrazzo brings just the right amount of visual texture and colour. Here the patterned terrazzo wall on the right displays larger fragments and is paired with solid-coloured flooring, making the space cheery and elegant.
Since terrazzo can be poured into place on site, it can also take on different shapes and curves. Seen in this space by Iwan Sastrawiguna is a combined flooring. On the left terrazzo has been used and on the right wood panels finish the look. This could also work to demarcate different sections of a space which has an open layout.
3. Counters
In this New York home, an open kitchen layout, white cabinets and walls, hardwood furniture and a splash of green forms a great backdrop for the terrazzo island countertop.
In this New York home, an open kitchen layout, white cabinets and walls, hardwood furniture and a splash of green forms a great backdrop for the terrazzo island countertop.
Pastels like blush and mint terrazzo add a splash of vintage romance to this space. In this home by Red Egg Design Group, pink terrazzo counters are paired with a blush sink and backsplash, creating sophisticated, soft charm.
For those who love colour, terrazzo with embedded glass chips in vibrant colours is the perfect choice. It’s also sustainable as it uses waste glass and marble chips that would otherwise end up in landfills.
In this Notting Hill apartment in London, the white terrazzo countertop with chips of varying sizes and colours forms an accent to the emerald cabinets and gold fixtures. Keeping the rest of the décor simple and streamlined allows for the countertop to be the focal point of the room.
4. Kitchen backsplash
Another great way to use terrazzo is on a kitchen backsplash. White marble counters perfectly complement the vibrant hues of the backsplash in this kitchen.
Another great way to use terrazzo is on a kitchen backsplash. White marble counters perfectly complement the vibrant hues of the backsplash in this kitchen.
Instead of a random pattern, you can also use pre-laid tiles with repeat patterns as a kitchen backsplash. These handmade tiles by Artisans of Devizes make for an interesting focal point in a kitchen.
5. Washbasins
Another benefit of terrazzo is that it is non-porous and water-resistant. These characteristics make it a good choice for washbasins. This pedestal washbasin has a concrete terrazzo tower counter with a drop-in sink and pairs well with muted grey wall tiles.
Another benefit of terrazzo is that it is non-porous and water-resistant. These characteristics make it a good choice for washbasins. This pedestal washbasin has a concrete terrazzo tower counter with a drop-in sink and pairs well with muted grey wall tiles.
If a full pedestal is not to your liking, table-mounted terrazzo washbasins, like the one shown here, are perfect bathroom accessories. Nitco Tile and Bharat Floorings offer a range of above-counter terrazzo sinks.
6. Bathtub
Keeping the rest of the bathroom streamlined along with simple fixtures, a free-standing terrazzo bathtub becomes a wonderful focal point.
Keeping the rest of the bathroom streamlined along with simple fixtures, a free-standing terrazzo bathtub becomes a wonderful focal point.
Terrazzo is also a great option for outdoor or open bathrooms as the material is highly durable as well as non-porous and bacteria-resistant. Dark colours give the space an edgier look.
7. Staircase
Another great way to use terrazzo is for a staircase. Terrazzo that has been polished to a high shine tends to work well with metals and metallic accents. This gives you a whole lot of choices for banisters. This dark terrazzo spiral staircase has been paired with a stainless-steel banister.
Another great way to use terrazzo is for a staircase. Terrazzo that has been polished to a high shine tends to work well with metals and metallic accents. This gives you a whole lot of choices for banisters. This dark terrazzo spiral staircase has been paired with a stainless-steel banister.
8. Accent furniture
Consider adding a bit of visual texture by bringing in accent furniture made from terrazzo. A patterned tabletop can add depth to a streamlined space. You can opt for a mix of fragments of materials, colours, and sizes within the terrazzo mixture to complement the sleek lines of a contemporary setting.
Consider adding a bit of visual texture by bringing in accent furniture made from terrazzo. A patterned tabletop can add depth to a streamlined space. You can opt for a mix of fragments of materials, colours, and sizes within the terrazzo mixture to complement the sleek lines of a contemporary setting.
Many designers across the world are re-imagining this material and using it to make durable and stylish seating. Seen here are sofas designed by Carlo for Nusa Furniture. La French Studio Paris-Bombay in Mumbai recently collaborated with Bharat Floorings and Tiles and FabricHaus to make terrazzo seats that were showcased at India Design ID 2017.
These hexagonal side tables by Harvey Probber are great additions to a modern living room. Made from terrazzo and inlaid with brass, the tables also showcase beautiful mahogany legs.
Raas Haveli in Jodhpur has used dark terrazzo not only on the floors but also as the bed framework and side tables.
9. Dinnerware and décor accents
Terrazzo has also been used to create interesting dinnerware and accessories. Here is the Unearthed Interiors collection by Sevak Zargarian, which has everything from candle stands and vases to cheeseboards and serving bowls.
Terrazzo has also been used to create interesting dinnerware and accessories. Here is the Unearthed Interiors collection by Sevak Zargarian, which has everything from candle stands and vases to cheeseboards and serving bowls.
10. Outdoors
Consider using terrazzo for a sturdy driveway, it is the perfect material to withstand daily wear and tear. Flooring and driveways made from terrazzo are very strong and as such very rarely need to be replaced. It also requires very little maintenance and is resistant to cracks, making it great for high-traffic areas.
Consider using terrazzo for a sturdy driveway, it is the perfect material to withstand daily wear and tear. Flooring and driveways made from terrazzo are very strong and as such very rarely need to be replaced. It also requires very little maintenance and is resistant to cracks, making it great for high-traffic areas.
Seen in this Bangalore house, neutral colours are used in combination with pretty floral designs on the floors to bring out the beauty of the material.
Use terrazzo planters in balconies and terraces to create wonderful hanging gardens. Besides outdoor seating, furniture and flooring, terrazzo-based water features and fountains can be used indoors or in gardens.
Read more:
6 Floors That Keep You Rooted in India
Which Tiles Are Perfect for Indian Floors?
Tell us:
What do you love most about terrazo? Write in Comments below.
Read more:
6 Floors That Keep You Rooted in India
Which Tiles Are Perfect for Indian Floors?
Tell us:
What do you love most about terrazo? Write in Comments below.
If you are experimenting with this material, try sticking to patterns that have smaller chip fragments and muted colours. With such a large canvas as the floor, smaller chip fragments are quite visually appealing. Neutral colours open out a space – but don’t be afraid to experiment with brilliant-hued chips; then draw the same tints into the décor of the room, as has been done in this home here.