Memorable Mosaics
How design and art go hand in hand when creating bespoke spaces for restaurants.
When it comes to choosing materials for restaurants that can endure the rigors of daily operation — foot traffic, inevitable food and beverage spills and more — designers need durable solutions that also offer a high degree of customization.
Here, tile mosaic is ideal for bringing art to restaurants — it is durable, easy to clean and highly customizable. The use of mosaic in restaurant design supersedes decoration — it provides a medium for brand storytelling that is a fusion of creativity and practicality.
The application of mosaics as art in restaurants is versatile.
From threshold designs that captivate patrons upon entering, to local references, corporate standard artistic design for chains and franchises, and historic or iconic
photography, mosaics offer artistic expression and adaptability. The projects below display how artwork can be translated into mosaics for restaurants and in various applications — whether it be floors, walls or standalone works.
OSTRA RESTAURANT, BOSTON
First impressions are the start of a memorable experience — this is a great place for artwork to be introduced and begin the storytelling of a restaurant. This area, known as the “decompression zone,” is a pivotal space in interior design that profoundly influences the customer’s initial impression. It is the prelude to the overall ambiance one can expect while traversing the establishment. Designed by artist Joanna Ciampa, the custom entryway mosaic design at Ostra Restaurant in Boston spans from the floors and up the walls, completely enveloping guests as they enter the restaurant. The artwork takes cues from the restaurant’s specialty in seafood, referencing an octopus’ tentacles that flow up throughout the space. The mosaic uses traditional hand-cut tiles in various tonalities to create texture and complexity that are an homage to the long history of Mediterranean cuisine.
THE HC TAVERN + KITCHEN, INDIANA
Incorporating artwork that showcases local scenes and cultural elements, alongside pieces commissioned from talented local artists, has emerged as a sought after approach to infusing life and personality into a space. This local
tie-in forges a deep connection with area residents and a conversation piece for visitors. Fostering a sense of community is essential for a restaurant, and whether it’s engaging a local artist to create the artwork, or depicting a local scene, connection through art is an ideal choice. Phanomen Design, an Indianapolis-based design firm, designed a 71,000-piece mosaic that sits above the bar at an Indiana-based eatery, The HC Kitchen + Grill. The mosaic is inspired by the local highway roundabout in Fishers, Indiana, a detail a local would undoubtedly catch and at once feel connected to the establishment.
GENESIS KITCHEN, SAN FRANCISCO
Every restaurant strives to establish a unique identity. The choice of artwork, particularly images of famous artists or cultural icons, can significantly influence the ambiance and reinforce the theme of a restaurant. This space in a STEM-focused district of San Francisco is meant to spark creativity and respite from the workday. With custom mosaics, a carefully selected image is brought to a large scale, creating memorable murals and backdrops. The peering image of Albert Einstein is the focal point of the space, bringing in a familiar face as a backdrop for patrons.
MCDONALD’S, WINONA, ONTARIO
This isn’t a regular McDonald’s — it’s an Art Deco McDonald’s!
The realm of branding takes center stage when crafting the design of any space. Within retail and hospitality, mosaics offer an opportunity to infuse artistic expression into logos and encapsulate the brand’s essence. While large chains
and prominent retailers typically adhere to the corporate design standard to maintain a consistent brand narrative across all their locations, there’s ample room for innovative brand expressions. Charter House Innovations designed this Art Deco mosaic for a McDonald’s Cafe in Winona, Ontario, using a bit of gold and silver bling along with other 3/4-inch vitreous glass tiles, bringing a retro vibe to an otherwise modern space. Where was the last restaurant in which you dined? Do you recall any standout features of the overall design? These are questions restaurant designers want you to leave the space with answered. For a restaurant design feature that can help with impact and bottom line, it’s worth noting the power of mosaics to make memories.
