Understanding Terrazzo
Terrazzo originated in 15th-century Venice, Italy, where Venetian construction workers repurposed leftover marble chips by setting them in clay to create patio surfaces for their modest homes. When they discovered that grinding the surface with a heavy stone (called a "galera") and sealing it with goat milk produced a polished, beautiful floor, terrazzo became an art form. Traditional cementitious terrazzo uses Portland cement as the binder and is poured in place over a concrete substrate, with metal divider strips separating color zones and controlling cracks. Epoxy terrazzo, developed in the 1970s, uses a resin binder that is thinner (1/4 inch vs 1/2 inch), lighter, and allows for more vibrant colors and larger aggregate chips. Pre-cast terrazzo tiles are a third option, manufactured in a factory and installed like standard tiles. The aggregate choices — marble, glass, mother-of-pearl, recycled materials — create infinite color and pattern possibilities.
Terrazzo in Interior Design
Terrazzo is experiencing a massive design revival after decades of being associated with mid-century institutional buildings (airports, schools, hospitals). Modern designers and architects are embracing terrazzo for its sustainability (it uses recycled materials and lasts centuries), its unique visual character, and its seamless, flowing appearance. In contemporary applications, terrazzo appears on floors, countertops, backsplashes, bathroom walls, stair treads, and even furniture surfaces. The pattern can range from subtle (small chips in a tone-on-tone palette) to bold (large colorful chips in contrasting binders). Custom color palettes allow designers to match terrazzo to any scheme. Terrazzo countertops offer an alternative to stone with a playful, artisanal quality. The material pairs beautifully with minimalist, mid-century, and contemporary interiors, and its speckled pattern has become an iconic surface design motif extending into wallpaper, fabric, and accessories.
