Echoes of highly intricate and decorative floor styles can be seen in Victorian English architecture: many terraced houses are approached by "tessellated" pathways, with square, rectangular and triangular tiles laid in formal patterns of contrasting colours - black and white, or cream, chocolate and terracotta.
Pebbles are another traditional mosaic material, and their natural colours and smoothly rounded forms can be used to make exquisite textural panels or complete garden floors. Simple geometric shapes are traditional, though in the hands of an artist they can become elaborate, figurative works of art.
Pieces of water-worn slate collected from the beach and set edge on in mortar make an elegant textural plaque. In spring, forget-me-nots can be planted round it to create a vibrant azure border.
