An entranceway mosaic for Little Deer Comics, Dublin. It means ‘comic book’ in Irish.
Commissioning a custom mosaic is a chance to create something completely individual for your home or business. It might be an entranceway mosaic welcoming people into your home, your business name or logo set into a floor, or a larger feature designed as part of an interior.
At Eirlume Studio in Co. Leitrim, we design bespoke mosaics for homes and businesses across Ireland. Each piece is created specifically for the space, then hand-cut and assembled in our studio before installation.
If you’re thinking about commissioning a mosaic but aren’t sure where to start, here's how the process works when you commission a mosaic from us.
1. Start with the space
You don’t need to have a finished design in mind before getting in touch. In fact, we’d much rather start with the space and develop the design from there.
The first things we’ll usually want to know are:
Where the mosaic will be installed
The approximate dimensions
Whether it will be indoors or outdoors
Whether it will be on a floor or wall
Photos of the space
Measurements of the area you want the mosaic to be
Any ideas or reference images you already have for colours, lettering or style
Sometimes a client comes to us knowing exactly what they’d like the mosaic to say. Others simply know they want something special for an entranceway or an empty area of flooring.
Both are good starting points.
2. Tell us what you have in mind
This is where we begin to understand what you want the mosaic to feel like.
You might have a particular colour palette in mind, an idea inspired by the architecture of the building or a logo that needs to be created in mosaic.
You can also send us reference images to show us the kind of colours or styles you’re drawn to. Or you could chat to us and tell us your ideas over the phone.
We won’t copy another artist’s or AI’s work, but reference images are useful for starting a conversation about what you like.
For commercial projects, we can work with existing branding and lettering to create something that feels part of the business and the building rather than something added as an afterthought.
3. Measurements, photographs and site details
Accurate measurements are important, particularly for entranceway and floor mosaics. Once we understand the scale, location and complexity of the piece, we can provide a quote for the commission.
We can usually start the design process from dimensions and photographs supplied by you. However, prior to fabrication of the mosaic we’ll need to do a site visit to get final accurate measurements. And if the area isn’t exactly square Charlie will make a template so we can create an exact copy of the area for the mosaic. This ensures it will fit perfectly during installation.
4. Designing your custom mosaic
Once the price is agreed and the deposit paid, we begin developing the design.
This is where your ideas and our own design approach come together.
We look at proportion, colour, lettering, borders, pattern and how the finished mosaic will sit within its surroundings. For a floor mosaic in particular, we want the finished piece to feel as though it belongs there.
The design is developed digitally first, allowing you to see how the composition and colours work together before we start making.
We can also create a digital mock-up showing the proposed mosaic design in the space. This helps you to visualise the final mosaic.
Once the design is agreed, we move into production.
5. Making the mosaic
This is the part that takes place at our studio in Leitrim.
Our mosaics are made using high-quality porcelain tiles, chosen for their colour, durability and suitability for the finished location.
The individual pieces are cut and shaped by hand before being carefully assembled to create the finished design. Each piece is glued to a fibre glass mesh, so we can easily transport it to the site for installation.
There can be hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of individual pieces in a mosaic. Small adjustments to a cut, curve or line can make a huge difference to the finished result, so this stage takes time and precision.
It’s also one of the reasons we love mosaics. The process can be very meditative and we often get so immersed in what we're doing that we completely lose track of time. I think that's what they call being 'in the flow'!
6. Installation
Once the mosaic has been completed in the studio, it’s ready for installation.
For projects in Ireland, we can install the finished mosaic onsite. The exact installation process depends on the location and the surface it is being fitted into, so we’ll discuss any preparation required beforehand.
We make mosaics for both indoor and outdoor locations and use porcelain tiles that stand up well to the Irish weather.
For projects outside Ireland, we can also discuss making the mosaic in our studio and shipping it for installation.
What can you commission as a mosaic?
Mosaics can work in far more places than people sometimes realise.
We create bespoke mosaics for:
Home entranceways
Business and shop entrances
Company names and logos
Restaurants, pubs and hotels
Decorative walls
Lettering and branding
Public and commercial spaces
Entranceway mosaics are particularly popular with businesses looking to add something individual to their premises. If you're considering one for your business, we've also written about why a custom entranceway mosaic might be a good choice.
How long does a custom mosaic take?
Because every mosaic is designed and made individually, the timeframe depends on the size and complexity of the project.
A detailed mosaic with hundreds of individually cut pieces will naturally take longer than a smaller, simpler design.
If you have a particular deadline, opening date or stage of a renovation that we need to work towards, let us know when you first get in touch. We can then discuss timings with you before the project begins.
How much does a custom mosaic cost?
There isn’t a standard price for a bespoke mosaic because every commission is different.
The cost depends on factors including the overall size, complexity of the design, amount of hand-cutting involved and installation requirements.
Once we know the scale and a general idea for the design for your project, we can give you an accurate quote.
A 50% deposit is required to cover the design time and all materials. With the final balance due before installation.
We also offer flexible three and six month payment plans, which can be particularly useful for larger pieces or when your mosaic is part of a wider renovation or building project. A €500 deposit secures your commission and allows us to begin the design process.
Thinking about commissioning a custom mosaic?
You don’t need to arrive with a finished design. A photograph of the space, some approximate measurements and a rough idea of what you have in mind is enough to start the conversation.
From there, we can help you work out what will suit the space and develop an original mosaic specifically for it.
Whether it’s a small entranceway for a family home or a larger mosaic for a hotel, restaurant or business, the aim is the same, to create something beautifully made that feels like it has always belonged there and will make a lasting impression for years to come.
If you have a mosaic project in mind, get in touch and tell us about it.
Email us at hello@eirlumestudio.ie
Or phone Vanessa on +353 87 297 2953