V I V A T I L E / M O S A I C S
HISTORICAL INSPIRATION
Historical period styles in mosaic—
The late 19th to early 20th century was a period of architectural transition, producing a wide variety of regional and national architectural styles. These changes were driven by a desire to create houses that fit visually into their natural environment and were influenced by the vernacular design of the popular aesthetic movements during this era.
The creative versatility inherent to unglazed porcelain mosaics is evident in the way mosaic designs adapted to these popular architectural period styles.
Queen Anne Victorian
1875-1890
Queen Anne homes, popular in the US during the Victorian era, were characterized by a decorative exuberance with their polychrome painted facades, wrap-around porches, and tiled entrances. Mosaic patterns of that period are usually very colorful and framed with a decorative border.
Art Nouveau
1890-1914
“Art for all” was the driving principle of this movement. Art Nouveau originated in Europe at the end of the 19th century and featured curvaceous lines and natural motifs. Mosaics during this time are characterized by florals and nature elements.
Neoclassical
1885-1930
The eighteenth-century archeological excavations lead to a rediscovery of classical antiquity. The ancient mosaic patterns uncovered in these digs were classical in tone with the Greek key most widely used.
Bungalow
1895-1940
The bungalow home imparts a sense of coziness and stands in contrast to the formality of the preceding Victorian era. Mosaic patterns here are simple with the color themes closely matched to the wall colors.
Tudor Cottage
early-mid 1900s
Appreciated for their charm and old-world feel, the Tudor cottage style took hold after 1905, coincident with the American Arts & Crafts movement—another medieval revival. Asymmetric design and a brick, stone, or stucco exterior create a fairytale quality.
Craftsman
1900-1935
Craftsman homes emphasized craft and natural materials such as wood, brick, stone, glass, and of course, tile, which offered functional beauty intrinsic to these homes. Porcelain mosaic designs were composed of rich colors and earthy tones were representative.
Art Deco
1920-1930
The Art Deco period embodied faith in progress and modern machinery, featured geometric shapes, rectilinear patterns, and colorful stylization of the organic and mechanical. Mosaics were characterized by geometrics and rectilinear lines and lavish use of color.
Streamline Moderne
1930-1940
Art Moderne—or Streamline Moderne—took its inspiration from the growth of speed, travel, and technology. Wall surfaces were typically light and trimmed with bright or darker colors and the mosaics echoed these color tones.
Mid-Century Modern
1940-1970
A forward-looking style advocating simplicity in form, usage of readily available materials and mass production. Mosaics of this era were characterized by modular shapes, using variations on classic patterns like the checkerboard, spiral and weaves in colors coordinated with the walls.
Mosaic Pattern Inspiration
Designs from the American Encaustic Tile Company catalog, circa 1920.
The mosaic patterns shown below can be reproduced in any color combination from our Viva Tile / Mosaics palette. See a design you love? Share the image or pattern number with our design team during your design consultation process!
