Terrazzo is bigger, brighter than ever
Recycled material is making a huge comeback — allowing you to give an Italian vibe to your home with anything from bedding to wallpaper
Terrazzo is back. The speckled floor material is having something of a renaissance, but with a fresh, modern spin that pairs perfectly with clean and simple decor. The flecked material, as we know it, is centuries old, developed more than 500 years ago by Venetian workers as a way to use up discarded marble remnants, making it one of the first recycled products. Terrazzo is made of chips of marble, stone, glass, granite or other hard substances, set in cement or epoxy to bind it together and then polished to give it a smooth finish. It’s known to be durable, low-maintenance and easily customizable.
According to Pinterest, saves for terrazzo are up 316 per cent, and companies such as Marble Trend, a Toronto-based importer of natural stone and engineered products, say they have seen an increase in demand.
“The design industry is heavily leaning towards selecting ecoconscious ‘green’ materials including anything recyclable and recycled. With traditional terrazzo being comprised of leftover stone fragments, and newer engineered terrazzo-style products being comprised of 100-per-cent recycled content, people have now associated sourcing ‘green’ materials with terrazzo,” says Gabriella Luchetta, marketing manager of Marble Trend.
What was once only found on floors of mid-century era schools, hospitals and government buildings has been reborn in brighter colours and often with bigger chips of stone for a fresher look. It’s been spotted adorning everything from bedding to wallpaper, making it easy to add the cool, Italian vibe to your home.
Take a look at some of our favourite terrazzo-inspired finds for your home.
Terrazzo Wallpaper by Ferm Living
$161.00 The Modern Shop Terrazzo makes the jump from the floors to the walls with bold but affordable wallpaper from Ottawa-based retailer the Modern Shop, which stocks an assortment of terrazzo-inspired products from companies such as Danish brand Ferm living, Italian designer Alberto Bellamoli, Normann Copenhagen and Hay Denmark.
Terrazzo Jewelry Dish
$31.91 Nightshift Ceramics Robyn Molnar makes pottery inspired by bright colours and graphic patterns from her Toronto-based studio, such as her petite jewelry dish, which is as versatile as the terrazzo tiles it was inspired by. Use it to hold loose change, as a plant holder, ring dish or soap dish.
Terrazzo Duvet Set
$129.95 La Maison Simons Brighten up the boudoir with colourful, speckled cotton bedding. Its fresh, playful pattern is an easy way to incorporate the confetti-like design. P.S. If you love the look, the on-trend Quebec-based retailer also stocks terrazzo prints on tablecloths, shower curtains, bathroom accessories and paper napkins.
AZZO terrazzo board
$19.00 Structube Add a touch of terrazzo to your kitchen with a board. Whether you use it as a decorative accessory or as the base for charcuterie, it will add a splash of chic speckled style to your space.
Hay Terrazzo Table
$517 The Modern Shop Swedish designer Daniel Enoksso designed a terrazzo table for Hay, a contemporary Danish furniture design company. The table is designed for indoor and outdoor use and features a sturdy, galvanized and powder coated steel table top with a terrazzo base. Available in a variety of shapes and finishes. It’s perfect for a terrace or a breakfast nook.
Materialism Terrazzo candles by Tom Dixon
$130.00 The Modern Shop Even mega-designer Tom Dixon is in on the terrazzo trend. These weighty terrazzo vessels are filled with Mediterranean scented wax that include notes of green fig and lemon.
Freckled colour round coasters
£9.00 ($15.67 Canadian) Katie Gillies Surface Design Surface designer Katie Gillies uses a material called Jesmonite (an acrylic- and resin-based substance) that has been pigmented with colourful flecks to create her terrazzo style coasters, trivets and other bespoke surfaces she makes for clients. Her studio is based in Nottingham, U.K.
Catalan throw pillow, 18” Eco canvas cover includes insert
$60.19 Roostery One of the easiest ways to freshen up a space is with a new throw pillow. Toss a terrazzo print cushion onto your sofa or bed for a look that is spot on. Handmade pillows with fabric from designer Holli Zollinger’s collection are available in a variety of fabric materials.