Terrazzo is one of the most versatile finishes we have ever encountered in interior design. If you're designing your interior, you can completely unleash your creativity with this material - subtlety or madness - your choice!
Terrazzo is, in other words, shards of marble or other aggregates embedded in cement
© Jean Philippe
So what is terrazzo?
Invented more than 500 years ago in Italy, the composite material of marble fragments embedded in cement was created as a way to reuse crushed rock - so it's a type of recycling. After the marble fragments are embedded, the surface is then polished to produce an extremely smooth finish. Traditionally sold as a flooring material, it was popular in the 1970s. For the past few years it has been undergoing a renaissance, replacing the marble trend.
Why is terrazzo making a comeback?
With endless color and material options (we can use glass or metal fragments, not just marble), it's easy to see why terrazzo is growing in popularity. This stunning piece with a mottled pattern, once reserved for flooring and PVC tiles, has now been recreated to blend in with modern homes. Reinforcing the trend for artisanal, decorative surfaces, but with refined workmanship, it also offers a new and interesting alternative to granite and concrete.
Pros and cons of using terrazzo in home interiors
Pros:
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Terrazzo is relatively inexpensive. Good quality terrazzo is available for much less than the cost of natural stone. Depending on the substrate and aggregate you choose to use, the cost of terrazzo can increase.
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It can be customized to match the interior design and can be chosen from a wide range of colors.
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The material can be cast on site and molded to fit the profile being created.
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Terrazzo flooring is easy to maintain. All that is needed is regular cleaning, which can even be done daily. The more the floor is cleaned and used, the more it takes on a shine.
Minuses:
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Polished terrazzo floors are quite slippery. It can be difficult to see water that has spilled on the floor, so if any spills are not wiped up immediately, it can cause a serious fall.
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Over the years, poor quality terrazzo can deteriorate.
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It takes people who specialize in the craft to pour terrazzo. We will probably have to hire specialists, which will make the cost go up.
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It is possible torestore the surface by repeated sanding and re-polishing.
Here are some great ideas from which we can draw inspiration!
Bathroom countertops
Most people don't know that although terrazzo is available as tiles, it can also be cast in place. It can be smoothed out to create a seamless finish that conforms to edges and curves, and looks pretty neat when finished.
Kitchens and breakfast areas
The concrete casting technique can be used on a kitchen countertop or in a breakfast nook. It can even be used to cast the kitchen sink itself!
Terrazzo accessories will perfectly complement the interior
© Jess Harper
Decorative items and accent pieces
Product designers are also experimenting with terrazzo in many ways. You can find Scandinavian prototypes of terrazzo flower pots, unusually designed stools with mottled seats, and even accent pieces such as coasters and flower vases in flowing patterns made from the material. Given its versatility, it's easy to imagine decorative elements such as terrazzo boxes, lampshades, wall coverings in various terrazzo colors or broken tiles forming patterns. The sky is the limit for our creativity!
Terrazzo flooring adds a distinctive touch to the interior
© Jean Philippe
Stairs and floors
The most popular use of terrazzo is for floors and staircases. The floor can be poured in place or laid with terrazzo tiles.
Tips - how to incorporate terrazzo into the interior of your home
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Remember that too much of this material can make your interior boring and monotonous.
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Always try to create some contrast by choosing colors from the shards in terrazzo to add accessories.
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While terrazzo has no joints when cast in place, the tiles have a rough edge and chip easily if not handled carefully. The edges of the tiles should be perfectly aligned during installation, and any indentations should be carefully finished to prevent further spalling.
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Since terrazzo is slippery when wet, you may want to consider adding non-slip additives for safety.
Elaboration: Dominika Tyrlik
