Monday, May 10, 2010

History of mosaic

Mosaic art is an ancient art form, going back over 4000 years. It has experienced many changes, though the technique has remained the same. Today, mosaic art has replaced other types of art for consumers and businesses.

Certain parameters are in existence for the purpose of judging the quality as well as the worth of both animate and inanimate objects. For example, a good person should possess both morality and ethics, and a high-quality book should provide beneficial information, be easy to comprehend and well-written. Likewise, any building, including a house, and workplace is judged based upon its visual appearance as well as the construction material's quality.

Using Mosaic Art to Decorate

In addition to using brightly colored paints in varied color combination and marble floors and tiles, there is another idea that will great enhance the appearance of any room—installing mosaic art. With mosaic art, you intermix different colors of stone, glass, and other items in order to form pictures or patterns.

History of Mosaic Art

Mosaic has been in existence since ancient times. It began many centuries ago. In the 3rd and 4th century BC, the Mesopotamians developed a type of mosaic art using baked clay formed into thin cones whose ends were painted in different colors. In a similar fashion, Greeks used pebbles made into a mosaic fashion to decorate their floors while Macedonians decorated buildings and other structures with mosaics made of polychrome pebble. More than the ingredients were varied—the images created were even different among the various civilizations. For example, in 300 and 500 BC, Christian mosaic usually depicted scenes of hunting, depictions of birds, and scenes of animals while 7th Islamic mosaics of the 7th century were usually pictures or scenes of flowers. The technique employed to create mosaic artwork has remained the same over the centuries, though the art itself has experienced a number of changes and been greatly refined.

Mosaic Art Industry

Phoenician Arts is a third generation mosaic arts company whose name is well known in the industry. Thanks to the efforts of this company, there is a new depth to this ancient art form. Phoenician Arts produces hand-made mosaic designs that they carve from genuine marble and other varieties of stones in the semi-precious category. They have also managed to revive and reproduce traditional Greek, Roman, and Byzantine elite mosaics. The Phoenician Arts' mosaics are excellent paradigms of life during primitive as well as contemporary times. It is little wonder that mosaic art has replaced most other forms of art that are in existence today. Currently mosaics are more requested than any other way to augment the visual quality of any place or

building.

Phoenician Arts creates mosaic arts for different themes including medallions, pictures of animals, figures and scenes, themes from the kitchen, religious themes, geometric figures, and much more, most of which are used to decorate the indoors and outdoors. In a house and workplace, you can install mosaics in dining areas, living room floor area, above the fireplace, in and archway, and much more. Outdoor mosaics uses include mosaic tables, pools, gardens, and building and home entrances.

Mosaic coffee table

When looking for a small coffee table or a round coffee table you need to first decide what the table is to be used for. Another consideration is where you will be placing your table and what size is your home and lastly what size is your budget. Finding the right piece of furniture to fill an empty space in a small room, and still be functional, a round coffee table or a small coffee table may be what you are looking for.

If you require the table to be a functional piece of furniture you will need it to be big enough to provide a place for coffee cups, bottles or snacks for every member of your family. A small coffee table or a round coffee table may not be big enough and you should consider a long rectangular table or two small square coffee tables. This decision of course rests on how many family members you have.

A round coffee table or a small coffee table may fit nicely into the junction of an ‘L’-shaped sofa, but it can also fit neatly near a wall and serve as an end table, depending on its size.

How Else Can You Benefit From Your Coffee Table?

There are other ways to benefit from your small coffee table or your round coffee table apart from providing a place to put your drink. They can be used to place a lamp or even used for card games. Children also benefit from a small coffee table and also round coffee tables as they can use them as a meal table or a games table as they are low.

The size, color and material of your small coffee table can be almost anything you desire. It can be made from wood, glass or metal and in any size. A large round coffee table would be best suited to a large room. Whether made of steel, plastic or wood a round coffee table or a small coffee table may also be fitted with a drawer or shelf underneath it, to hold magazines or childrens’ games such as cards, tiddlywinks and dominos. These tables can also be used to display a clock or an ornament, the list is endless.

Black glass tile

lass Pebble Fire Pits: Putting Up Warmness from Secure glass pebble fire pits

Lighting an outside fire is hot growing the standard open-air action these days. Amazing heat from glass pebble fire pits is what individuals need to out particularly during summer nights where it is commodious to exactly lounge on your preferred chair and merely gaze the sparkling nights. Or for positioning up a mini family function where you can melt marshmallows and nibble some chips.

What Is a Fire Pit?

glass pebble fire pits are the area for positioning up a campsite fire. There are a variety of sizes and designings to prefer and adopt. There are glass pebble fire pits that can be built by the campers themselves while there are those that can be purchased from some specialization sponsors. A approving and idealized fire pit should be one that can affect the sphere hot and homy netting the invitees and individuals approximately adequate. The standard components of a fire pit include:

1. The fire pit table to act as the centerpiece.
2. A screen for containing the fire and minify the flying embers.
3. A fire ring to be arranged on the ground making the mass converse freely over the camp fire.
4. Poker for shaking the coal and fire.
5. The pit cover for aegis in case it is not being used, which should be rust-free.

There can be more add-on that a fire pit can carry like a cooking grill and an insert in case there is a require for a barbecue.

Some Tips for glass pebble fire pits

A fire pit should Strong the sphere where a campfire is set. But aside from this, glass pebble fire pits should be created up of tested stuffs to look into the gross safety of its expend. The table bowl can be constructed of stainless steel or ceramic with a metal bottom and a well-builded sustain. The fire ring is strongest if it is attained from moose or pine tree cutouts. The wildlife cutouts can too help in belittling the smoke and contribute more heat and at the same time services improve the ventilation system. Positioning a one- or two-inch layer of sand at the bottom of glass pebble fire pits can forestall impairment of the fire bowl. The fire bowl should be at least fifteen inch deep and double that measuring crosswise it to provide room for average-sized firewood. If for extraordinary reasonableness the fire pit should be utilized on top of a wooden deck, then applying detailed pads or paving stones underneath is strongly recommended.

Get Your Own Fire Pit

If you desire to get very good and tried glass pebble fire pits, then you can feel them at on the Internet. Specialty stores have been close to since the early 1960s and has been catering to home needs particularly outdoor necessities and they are widely gettable on the Internet. There are shops that propose a miscellany of products season after season. This is because of their constant quest for originative designers who can gift new concepts and vogues to the purchasing public. glass pebble fire pits are rendered to customers by professional force who can help and guide during the installation procedure.

Beach glass tile

A unique gift for a beach theme or summer full of fun celebration! These Flip Flop Stained Glass Candles really can decorate any special event.

A votive candle in a choice of colors is attached to the back of the matching Flip Flop Stained Glass Candles. The Flip Flop Stained Glass Candles are also the perfect summer event choice. Can be used as bridal shower souvenirs and comes in a variety color choices of Pink, Yellow, Blue or Green.

Your party guests will soon realize your kindness and true appreciation each time they look at these wonderful favors or light the Flip Flop Stained Glass Candles and remember the fun they had at your reception celebration.

These striking candles are the ultimate things for a beach theme wedding as a decoration and as a souvenir to the guests. Such candles are 3 inches tall and have a width of the same measurement. It includes glass candleholder along with glass of metal frame. This will make your summer wedding celebration a memorable one. These are also great decoration pieces that can be placed on tables during your celebration to enhance the appeal of the place. You also have the option to either simply display it at home or to hang it somewhere.

A flip flop stained glass candle consists of a votive candle that is available in several colors. These are also considered to be a suitable gift for bridal showers available in colors such as green, yellow, pink and blue, amongst which you can select your favorite one. These candles will remind your guests of the fun they had on your special occasion. There are many other flip flop souvenirs and other items that are available.

A feature of these candles is that made from stained glass, they sparkle as the sunlight or any other light falls on them. So, it is better to place them near windows or any other place where light falls on them. Most of these ornaments are hand made. You can also order your flip flop ornamental candles in your favorite colors and glass material over the Internet.

That is to say, these are also custom made. The shipment of the material is usually within 10 days. However, this may stretch upto 2 weeks if certain requirements are mentioned by the person who is placing the order.

There are also various Christmas ornaments that are made with stained glass. You can also get these beautiful ornaments pieces at discounted prices, if you order in bulk. These can also be found in malls and other such places. The beautiful boxes in which they are packed along with sheer ribbon makes them look even more attractive. So, you can select the flip flop stained glass candles that suit your needs and fit your budget to make your celebration an unforgettable one.

Glass pool tile

Due to a large number of pool drowning, Australian state governments agreed to impose a pool fence regulations – making it compulsory for households with pools to install a perimeter around the pool to protect those little lives. These are actually pool security regulations and pool fence is just a small component. Other factors include house window, property perimeter fence and anything climbable, what children can use to climb and jump over the fence in order to get to the pool.

While it is always an option to use the usual steel perimeter pool fence, many households opt for a more ascetic option and choose a frameless design made out of glass. Glass pool fencing is attractive and looks very stylish. It brings a classier feel to your pool area, and completes the landscape. Often, you won’t even notice it right away – the unobstructed view makes glass a very attractive option. Unlike conventional fencing, glass fence doesn’t make your backyard look smaller. In actual fact, it can often improve the feeling of increased space around your pool.

There are two types of glass pool fence. Frameless and semi-frameless. Frameless fence sits in two spigots which are fixed to the ground. There are no supporting vertical poles between the glass pieces. Semi-frameless fence is attached into vertical supporting poles between each glass fence. Both types provide the same type of security, however, frameless fence requires thicker glass, which makes it more expensive.

Glass Fence Security

The common question people ask is whether the glass fence is secure. Many think that while trying to protect kids from getting into the pool, how do you protect them from smashing the glass fence?

The answer is in the type of glass that is used. The fence is normally made from toughened glass with thickness anywhere between 8-12mm. A 12mm piece of glass is very hard to break. And if it does break, since the glass is toughened, it smashes into tiny little pieces. In other words, if glass breaks, it will break into a heap of glass, which can then be easily cleaned up from the area. This is a certified type of glass, also used for shower screens and glass doors.

When thinking about your fence, think about your backyard. Fences come in different styles and sizes. Even more so, no two fences of similar style look the same as the complete result depends on other landscape features around the pool. It’s up to you to choose whether the enclosure will become a feature of your garden or blend into the existing surroundings.

Pool Safety Regulations

Even if the glass fence installation contractor guarantees compliance with the government regulations, it is highly recommended to contact your local council or shire yourself, before getting your fence installed. They will send someone to check your pool once the fence is installed, so it makes sense to get it done properly right from the start.

It’s all about safety. Once the fence is installed, don’t rely completely on this barrier for safety around your pool. For people who have young children, it is absolutely critical to keep an eye on them all the time. Also, check perimeter fence, window locks and anything that kids can climb on. As the saying goes, better safe than sorry!

Stained glass mosaic

Stained Glass Mosaic are great fun and very enjoyable to create. The skill is much easier to learn than old fashioned stained glass and nonetheless the results can be equally as beautiful. In very simple terms this type of mosaic is just like a normal one, however you use the medium of glass for both the base and the pieces you are going to afix. It is usually best to limit the range of colors you use, three or four related colours or tones are often more effective than a whole mish mash

of clashing colors! Once the mosaic has been completed a great way to finish it off is top use premixed tiling grout to fill the gaps around the pieces. Tiling grout comes inmany different colors now , however generally a darker color that creates a look of stone, or black, will look best on your work, certainly bright white rarely looks good, so be careful which you choose!

You will need to use a good quality clear drying adhesive to bond your mosaic pieces to a piece of clear picture glass. A great idea is to buy an old picture frame (6 x 6 inches is a good size for starters). You should take out the glass, but put the frame to one side, you will need it later.

The glass should be properly cleaned before any glass is glued to it. You can make you own mosaic pieces, by cutting them from a full sheet of stained glass, with special glass nippers, alternatively buy some ready cut mosaic pieces. These can be bought from online supply sites. See the links below for more details. Always wear protective glassses when cutting glass and be

aware of how sharp cut edges can be. Rinsing cut glass to remove dust is a good idea. As mentioned above it is a good idea to limit your colors to maybe 3 or 4 at first, so as not to overcomplicate your first design attempt. Try different tones of blue alongside a vibrant orange for example. Often using opposite colors from the 'color wheel' can create nice effects.

Next, you need a simple design to work from. You can either draw your own design or trace a pattern from a stained glass template image. How about using a simple celtic knot as your starting theme? Just do a quick search in google pictures and you will find some great ideas for your pattern.

Once you have your design, outline it in black pen and place it under the clear glass. This is your template which you will work to. You can now set out and begin glueing down the pieces of mosaic one at a time, using a strong clear adhesive like Weldbond. Weldbond is great to use for mosaics as it is free from a strong smell and cleans up in water. You may also find the clear glue for sealing around showers is good to use, however this does tend to smell pretty strong and give off fumes, also it can't be easily cleaned with just water.

Fix the glass mosaic pieces a few millimeters apart, whilst cutting any that need to be adjusted to the right size. The gaps left are where the tiling grout will be applied later on. When all the bits are affixed and when you think that you are happy with your finished design, hold it up to the light to see how the colors will relate to each other. If all of the mosaic pieces are properly glued down, by the next day the project will be properly set and dry. The next stage is to applying the tiling grout. This is done using a tiling spatula and is very messy. You simply scoop up the premixed grout and press it all over the mosaic, pushing it right into all the gaps. Once you have done this, wipe of the excess with a damp cloth and leave to dry. Now the tricky bit is letting it dry enough to clean the glass, but not letting it set too much so that it becomes hard to remove from the mosaic surface. It should take between 40 minutes and 1 hour to become touch dry, however this will vary a lot depending on temperature and humidity and you really have to monitor it every 10 minutes or so as it dries.

Kitchen tiles

When you talk about renovating or remodeling one area of or the entire house, the term glass subway tile is often mentioned. This is because the popularity of glass tiles has increased throughout the years. It has become a favorite of interior designers in creating innovative design styles for the home. If you want to find out more about them, specifically how to use them to create a fresh look for your kitchen, then this is the article for you.

Many people wonder if glass subway tiles can really be used for decorating purposes, considering they’re breakable and seemingly unsuitable to be played around with. The kitchen is one of the very few places in this world where you can be yourself. In it, you can cook up a storm, dish out secrets with friends, hang out with the family, or enjoy solitude while whipping out a meal or reading the paper. This means that, first and foremost, your bathroom should look like the way you want it to. Your bathroom should be an expression of who you really are; it should be a celebration of your tastes and preferences. If you want to put glass subway tiles in your kitchen, you can do so without fear of it not being possible. Many people use glass tiles in their kitchens – and you can, too.

You can find several websites that offer glass subway tiles. There are different designs for you to choose from, the most common of which are the stained glass and mosaic designs. You can opt for either design in a glass subway tile, as long as you consider not only your taste but also your

kitchen’s needs. The stained glass design embraces an appearance that possesses bright, colorful streaks and swirls. It is of an opalescent nature and can be customized with every use. On the other hand, the mosaic design is rich in texture and color. It is of a transparent, semi-opaque nature; it is smooth in the front and rightly textured in the back to provide you with a more secure grip, with miter beveled edges for that e3asy angling on corners.

There are so many things you can do with glass subway tiles for your kitchen. You can use them as lovely, unique accents or backsplash in the counter area, breakfast table area, or any kitchen nook. You can even extend the design out into the hall, perhaps even into the bathroom or outside in the pool area. The only thing that can limit the possibilities of using glass subway tiles is your imagination.

You can very well use glass subway tiles as an alternative to ceramic tiles when it comes to designing an area of your house, particularly the kitchen. The two kinds of tiles have almost similar installation processes, not to mention maintenance requirements.