Colazzo Terrazzo Basketweave

Terrazzo is a hard-wearing composite floor and wall finish material comprised of small fragments of stone, traditionally granite, marble or quartz, but extending to other fine or recycled aggregates including concrete, glass, metals and porcelain. Terrazzo can be created using cementitious or polymeric (epoxy-resin) binders, with metal strips used as separators between patterns, textures or colours, acting as movement joints to prevent cracking. Cementitious bonded terrazzo is laid in 3 stages, with a smooth, level concrete foundation below a finer grain, sandy concrete which provides a smooth surface on which to lay the chunks of stone. Once poured, more stone fragments can be added prior to setting to add complexity and a sea-like sparkle. Once set, it is usually ground and polished for a uniform appearance. Sharing its history with Ancient Egyptian mosaics, Terrazzo was deployed extensively in Renaissance Italy. Contemporary terrazzo is most commonly associated with the Venetian Pavement (pavimento alla Veneziana) where techniques for manufacturing and layering the materials were developed in the 18th century. Durable and highly resistant to water ingress when laid properly, marble chips were arranged on a mortar base. Techniques utilised for crafting Seminato, a rougher, less organised looking variant of Terrazzo whereby larger stone fragments were randomly distributed and then polished when set, are combined with Venetian Pavement construction techniques to form the basis of modern Terrazzo fabrication. Terrazzo was a popular decorative feature in Art Deco architecture, while it remained popular in more restrained textures and tones throughout the Modernism movement, when mechanisation of the production process increased its popularity and use while reducing construction costs of hand-laying and finishing the surfaces. It is known for its high quality, marble-affect appearance. The Colazzo Terrazzo is a standout pattern, with deep, marble textured emerald greens and fired clays combining with travertine or sandstone sandy-blondes, golds, yellows and marbly grey-whites laid onto and intense, speckled, rich black canvas. The dynamic nature of the bright golds and oranges in stark contrast against the black base is reminiscent of images of deep space and astronomical constellations. The vibrant array lends itself to bold, bright, colourful environments, while it can also be used to create tethering elements or objects with a sense of mass, strength and gravity, such as a feature worktop, fireplace or bathroom surround, or key floor area in an otherwise light and neutral room.