How We Handcraft Custom Mosaics at Eirlume Studio
At Eirlume Studio, every mosaic we create is a one-of-a-kind piece, made with attention, a lot of patience and a real love for the craft. Each custom design tells its own story and we love that each mosaic is built to last generations.
Here’s a look behind the scenes at how we bring your ideas to life in mosaic form:
1. It Starts with a Conversation
Every custom mosaic begins with you. Whether you have a clear vision or just a vague idea, we start by chatting about what you’d like, what colours and styles. We send on a moodboard of previous projects and mosaic projects we’ve seen online that we find inspiring. This is to get an idea of the style you are most drawn to.
2. Designing the Layout
Once we’ve got a feel for the idea, we draw up two initial design concepts, either digitally or by hand, depending on the project. You let us know your preferred concept to develop further. This stage is all about planning the design, the colours and the overall layout. You'll get a chance to request changes before we finalise the design.
3. Choosing the Right Materials
We use high-quality ceramic tiles from Winckelmans in France. Made from unglazed porcelain, Winckelmans tiles are incredibly dense and tough. They resist wear, fading and weathering, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, including high-traffic areas and exposed garden settings. They come in a gorgeous palette of matte colours that work beautifully in both contemporary and traditional designs.
4. Cutting and Placing Each Tile by Hand
This is where the magic happens! Every tile is cut and shaped by hand by Vanessa and Charlie using tile nippers. We lay the pieces carefully, with a little dab of wood glue on each tile, paying attention to the design underneath. It’s a slow process, however, it’s quite meditative so we can get quite immersed in the process.
5. Grouting and Installation
Once all the tiles are in place, we grout the mosaic to seal and protect it. The colour of the grout can completely change the final look, so we confirm this with you prior to grouting. After grouting, we clean and polish the surface to bring out the colour of the tiles. Finally, we add any extra finishes, sealing edges, mounting the piece if needed. We’ll make sure it’s ready to stand up to the elements and look beautiful for years to come.
Want to Create Your Own Custom Mosaic?
If you're dreaming of a unique mosaic piece for your home, garden or business, we’d love to hear from you and help bring your idea to life.
Get in touch by filling out the form below or check out our Instagram to see more of what we do.