Terrazzo Tile: The Unsung Hero of the Tiling World
Terrazzo tile has gotten a bad rap for way too long. Though this amazing tile has roots in classic Venetian design and was a staple of the art deco movement, most people are only familiar with the cheapest versions of this tile, which likely graced their high school cafeteria. The cheap grey-on-grey speckled terrazzo most people are familiar with is far from the only variety of terrazzo out there though. Modern terrazzo can instantly add a ton of natural texture wherever it’s placed, its pebbly appearance instantly evoking Old World cobblestone and bringing authenticity to your home.
At Riad Tile, we currently offer 3 varieties of terrazzo tile: Black, White, Terra, and Blush. Black is a fascinating blend of dark background and white pebbles, giving the tile an exciting, moody look that’s ideal for experimentation. Our White Terrazzo is dreamy and soothing, blending a white background with off-white and grey stones that is ideal for introducing light without having to choose something one-note. Our Blush Terrazzo uses red and rosy stones to provide a pop of lovely color that is stellar in all manner of circumstances. Whatever you’re interested in, you can rest assured with the knowledge that each of our terrazzo offerings are built with the quality that you can only get from handcrafting.
A Few Terrazzo Tile Bathrooms
View this post on Instagram
Gone are the days of grey-on-grey terrazzo tile. Here you can see our lively 12×12 Blush Terrazzo in action, adding a gorgeous burst of color to this sleek bathroom. With the flooring matched by a smart extra placement of our terrazzo in the shower niche, this bathroom gives off a minimalist vibe without sacrificing color and texture. This designer used the ruddy hues present in our Blush Terrazzo to contrast the vibrant white of our Casablanca Carrara (4×12 subway for the walls and 2” hexagon for the floors), leading to a well-balanced but exuberant space. This bathroom is just a great example of how terrazzo can be used in traditional circumstances to add a dose of natural texture.
As excited as we are about our Blush Terrazzo, our customers seem to be even more excited, as we’ve seen no shortage of this simple, gorgeous style of terrazzo being used in all sorts of projects:
View this post on Instagram
At face value, this use of our Blush Terrazzo seems quite similar to the one above: bathroom flooring and shower niche, contrasting the marble walls. But this bathroom is a brilliant example of a key facet of interior design: small differences can completely change the feel of a space. Where the previous bathroom was sleek and graceful, this one appears far more rustic and vibrant, qualities that are owed simply to the addition of plants, a larger niche, large marble slabs for the walls, and bronze fixtures instead of black. Combined, these bits of decor add up to significantly more color, creating a space that is far more focused on vibrant color than careful contrast. Both of these approaches ultimately create fantastic spaces, but we find it utterly fascinating that two such similar bathrooms can have such different feels. It’s a testament to the care that both of these designers put into their respective work.
With classical design and such a distinctive look, it’s almost odd how versatile terrazzo is. It’s commonly used in everything from stylish commercial settings to cozy half-baths, and recently, our designers have been surprising us by experimenting further and further with this tile. Though terrazzo tile is definitely among our more traditional offerings, this style of tile is more than versatile enough to be used in modern settings:
View this post on Instagram
As you can plainly see in this brilliantly-designed bathroom, terrazzo tile offers a fascinating method for breaking up the smooth colors and textures that often characterize contemporary interior design. Though there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the clean lines and uniformity present in contemporary design, if there’s no contrast, these characteristics can seem a bit unwelcoming. This designer clearly recognizes both the strengths and limitations of this design style and countered the limitations with a flash of texture from our 12×12 Black Terrazzo. Using white pebbles against a black background, this variety of terrazzo is fabulous for dark, moody spaces that need just a touch of levity. Against the black walls with white grouting seen in this bathroom, our Black Terrazzo provides a contrasting texture while matching the colors, resulting in a truly unique bathroom. Though Black Terrazzo is rather distinctive, it still provides a healthy amount of the versatility terrazzo is known for, making it perfect for spaces of numerous styles.
See Our Terrazzo in Your Own Home
One thing we enjoy at Riad Tile is helping people find the ideal version of what they’re looking for. Whether that’s authentic marble, handcrafted encaustic, or true terrazzo tiles, we work hard to offer the best quality tiles at a price that makes them accessible to the average person. All of our terrazzo tiles are handcrafted using fine Portland cement, pebbles and stones that we check for quality, and a cold-curing process that guarantees longevity and durability. If you’re interested in seeing our black, white, or blush terrazzo tiles in person, please feel free to order a sample today and we’ll ship directly to your front door. Alternatively, if you’re local to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, you can swing by one of our showrooms to see the tiles in person and purchase samples to be delivered to your home.
