Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT ARE PEBBLE MOSAICS?
Visually captivating and vibrantly textured, pebble mosaics make any surface a sensory experience. From traditional Chinese gardens to large public plazas in Spain, pebble and stone mosaics brilliantly blend natural elements into a flat, solid pavement that does not break or fade and is easy to maintain.
Meticulously set into concrete by hand, each stone is like a "pixel" that combines to create a bigger design.
There are many sizes and shapes of possible stones to use. River rocks or beach pebbles are the most often used, but other non-porous materials can also be incorporated, such as ceramic tiles, glass tesserae, specially-cut or engraved stones.
Due to the indestructible building materials and the time-proven techniques used to set them in concrete, there is no opportunity for movement. Some of these mosaics have endured for hundreds of years!
MetaMosaics is featured in numerous publications and websites.....
Financial Times of London - http://search.ft.com/search?queryText=metamosaics&ftsearchType=type_news
The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook by Maggy Howarth - http://maggyhowarth.co.uk/maggysbooks.html
Garden Design Online - http://www.gardendesignonline.com/gardendesignonline/2008/07/garden-mosaics.html
The Florida Times-Union -http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=16212836
and http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/091507/lif_199597633.shtml
Best of Portland Award - https://portland.awardprogram.org/PressReleaseub.aspx?cc=DBK-BN67-W3KK&utm_source=AS-G2B-2012&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=1313&utm_term=U-V1&utm_campaign=1T-1N-TUB1
WHO IS METAMOSAICS?
Metamosaics is a small company in Portland, Oregon dedicated to creating decorative pavements as unique and beautiful as they are durable and impervious to weather and wear. With over 20 years of experience creating mosaics in a wide variety of settings, MetaMosaics is licensed, bonded and insured. We have the construction acumen and artistic vision to complete your project efficiently and professionally.
A 3rd generation Portlander, Mark Kretzmeier has been designing and creating pebble mosaics since 1995 when he installed his first mosaic at The Hostel Sedona in Arizona -- (unfortunately now paved over!). Proficient in a wide variety of artistic and construction applications, he has since designed and installed numerous mosaics at many residential, business and public locations - including The Jacksonville Zoo in Jacksonville, Florida and Hanalei Bay Resort in Kauai, Hawaii.
CAN A PEBBLE MOSAIC BE INSTALLED IN MY LOCATION?
From established gardens and backyards to public plazas and city centers, pebble mosaics can be incorporated into almost any environment. Their textured, non-slip qualities make them ideal as a pavement for public spaces, patios, pathways and around swimming pools and fountains. They also function well indoors as floors or even on walls.
HOW MUCH DOES A MOSAIC COST?
Foundation requirements, local availability and types of stones, square footage and complexity of design all factor into the cost, which we would be happy to estimate for you. Please contact us for more information.
WHAT ABOUT DESIGNING A PEBBLE MOSAIC?
There is only so much design that can fit into a given space using the medium of stones or pebbles. We can give you a realistic idea of what designs can be accomplished in your alloted space. We can work directly off of your existing design plans, refine your rough ideas into a design or create multiple original design options for you to choose from. We can even create "virtual illustrations" of what the mosaic will look like in your space. Please contact us for more information.
CAN I BUILD A PEBBLE MOSAIC?
Yes! With a little patience, you can create a natural piece of art for your garden or landscape.
Many landscape supply and stone yards have bulk piles of rocks they will let you sort through. Pick for consistent colors and shapes.
Start small, take your time and enjoy the process. It can sometimes be tedious and seem to take forever, but is very rewarding when you have a finished piece that will be enjoyed for years to come.
I suggest getting UK artist Maggy Howarth's book "The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook"(Revised and Expanded Edition). I was inspired and instructed by her first book and this book shows different step-by-step techniques and amazing examples of pebble mosaic from around the world - including ours!
Visually captivating and vibrantly textured, pebble mosaics make any surface a sensory experience. From traditional Chinese gardens to large public plazas in Spain, pebble and stone mosaics brilliantly blend natural elements into a flat, solid pavement that does not break or fade and is easy to maintain.
Meticulously set into concrete by hand, each stone is like a "pixel" that combines to create a bigger design.
There are many sizes and shapes of possible stones to use. River rocks or beach pebbles are the most often used, but other non-porous materials can also be incorporated, such as ceramic tiles, glass tesserae, specially-cut or engraved stones.
Due to the indestructible building materials and the time-proven techniques used to set them in concrete, there is no opportunity for movement. Some of these mosaics have endured for hundreds of years!
MetaMosaics is featured in numerous publications and websites.....
Financial Times of London - http://search.ft.com/search?queryText=metamosaics&ftsearchType=type_news
The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook by Maggy Howarth - http://maggyhowarth.co.uk/maggysbooks.html
Garden Design Online - http://www.gardendesignonline.com/gardendesignonline/2008/07/garden-mosaics.html
The Florida Times-Union -http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=16212836
and http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/091507/lif_199597633.shtml
Best of Portland Award - https://portland.awardprogram.org/PressReleaseub.aspx?cc=DBK-BN67-W3KK&utm_source=AS-G2B-2012&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=1313&utm_term=U-V1&utm_campaign=1T-1N-TUB1
WHO IS METAMOSAICS?
Metamosaics is a small company in Portland, Oregon dedicated to creating decorative pavements as unique and beautiful as they are durable and impervious to weather and wear. With over 20 years of experience creating mosaics in a wide variety of settings, MetaMosaics is licensed, bonded and insured. We have the construction acumen and artistic vision to complete your project efficiently and professionally.
A 3rd generation Portlander, Mark Kretzmeier has been designing and creating pebble mosaics since 1995 when he installed his first mosaic at The Hostel Sedona in Arizona -- (unfortunately now paved over!). Proficient in a wide variety of artistic and construction applications, he has since designed and installed numerous mosaics at many residential, business and public locations - including The Jacksonville Zoo in Jacksonville, Florida and Hanalei Bay Resort in Kauai, Hawaii.
CAN A PEBBLE MOSAIC BE INSTALLED IN MY LOCATION?
From established gardens and backyards to public plazas and city centers, pebble mosaics can be incorporated into almost any environment. Their textured, non-slip qualities make them ideal as a pavement for public spaces, patios, pathways and around swimming pools and fountains. They also function well indoors as floors or even on walls.
HOW MUCH DOES A MOSAIC COST?
Foundation requirements, local availability and types of stones, square footage and complexity of design all factor into the cost, which we would be happy to estimate for you. Please contact us for more information.
WHAT ABOUT DESIGNING A PEBBLE MOSAIC?
There is only so much design that can fit into a given space using the medium of stones or pebbles. We can give you a realistic idea of what designs can be accomplished in your alloted space. We can work directly off of your existing design plans, refine your rough ideas into a design or create multiple original design options for you to choose from. We can even create "virtual illustrations" of what the mosaic will look like in your space. Please contact us for more information.
CAN I BUILD A PEBBLE MOSAIC?
Yes! With a little patience, you can create a natural piece of art for your garden or landscape.
Many landscape supply and stone yards have bulk piles of rocks they will let you sort through. Pick for consistent colors and shapes.
Start small, take your time and enjoy the process. It can sometimes be tedious and seem to take forever, but is very rewarding when you have a finished piece that will be enjoyed for years to come.
I suggest getting UK artist Maggy Howarth's book "The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook"(Revised and Expanded Edition). I was inspired and instructed by her first book and this book shows different step-by-step techniques and amazing examples of pebble mosaic from around the world - including ours!
