Moroccan mosaic tiles, also referred to as zillij, Moorish, Andalusian or Fes tiles, have an antique look because they are authentically handmade. Our master artisans in the ancient Moroccan city of Fes, the center of Moroccan hand-crafted tile, employ traditional techniques of cutting and glazing zellij tile. The result is an unparalleled richness of color and quality of craft. Seen today throughout Morocco as well in the Spanish floor and wall tile of the Andalusian region, mosaic is a treasured element in many traditional Mediterranean floor and wall coverings. Mosaic House, a centuries old family business, is pleased to carry on this tradition and make it available to today’s designers and home owners. Tapped to work on the Alhmabra restoration, Mosaic House is the world’s leading manufacturer of mosaic tile. Renowned for our quality and craftsmanship, Mosaic House is the choice for today’s top designers. A full range of colors ranging from soft mother of pearl, to deep cobalt, rich red and sparkling turquoise , as well as an enormous selection of both traditional and contemporary patterns creates a selection of tile broad enough to encompass any design scheme. Consider using a traditional pattern in contemporary colors – the possibilities are limitless. Not only are mosaic tiles ideal for floor and wall applications, but they can also be used to decorate fountains, walls, swimming pools, arches, fireplaces and columns. Tile is also an inspired alternative to traditional stone products like marble. The kitchen and bath are two areas that lend themselves particularly well to mosaic tile. Today neither of these rooms has a purely utilitarian function. The kitchen has become the warm heart of the home, while the bathroom is a private sanctuary that is both inviting and pleasant to enter. Designers often incorporate mosaic tile into the kitchen backsplash, on countertops, the sink, in the bathroom, on walls and as a floor. The irregularities in shape, texture and color that come from hand-finishing are typical of Moroccan tiled floors and walls. Our zellij tile creates a hygienic surface that is both waterproof and easy to maintain. Additionally, the smooth finish is a beautiful accompaniment to rough, natural surfaces such as stone or wood. You can view many kitchen and bath ideas, as well as countertops, foyers, and other spaces on our portolio page.

While Mosaic House is a contemporary tile company offering an extensive line of mosaic tiles and bath products inspired by Moroccan design, our work can be interpreted in many different ways. A brief introduction to terms used by designers and on our website can be helpful.

French tile or carreaux ciment is often used to describe cement tile or encaustic cement tile. As a former French colony, French art and French architecture have left indelible marks on the designers and architects of Morocco. Moroccan fabric and Moroccan furniture, as well as mosaic tile and encaustic tile show traces of this influence even today. For decades, many architects, designers and artists trained in French schools and universities, as well as theEcole des Beaux-Arts, have created a range of tile work. Requesting Art Deco tile, as well as traditional tile and antique tile, these designers have fueled an explosion of creativity in modern Moroccan tile. Mosaic House is pleased to have teamed up with many of them in the tile making process. Among these projects are handmade tile with Moroccan colors based on French fabric designs and old French tile. Islamic fabric, Turkish fabric and tile and other sources have also entered the mix.

Many of our clients share with us their experiences while visiting Andalusia. For centuries, Moorish design and Spanish art coexisted throughout the Hispano Moresque region. From Granada to Cordoba and Seville, Moorish tile, Moorish architecture and Moorish fountains are very much in evidence. The overlaps between Spanish tile and Moroccan tile are inescapable to anyone who has visited the homes, gardens and palaces of southern Spain. In fact, Mosaic House was tapped to work on the restoration of the Alhambra. Echoes of this shared tradition can be heard across the Atlantic in both Mexican tile and Cuban tile.

Moroccan tiles can also be understood within the framework of Islamic Art. Arabesque tiles, and arabesques in general, can be found throughout Moroccan architecture. This tendency toward abstraction and non-representation in Moroccan zellige tile reflects an all-encompassing and decentralized view of God. Arabic art is also evident in the many Moroccan fountains found throughout the region in cities like Fes and Marrakech. As water represents life, special care has always been paid to the embellishment of wet environments. Moroccan bathrooms, kitchen backsplashes and hamams are often showpieces of Moroccan mosaic tiles. Ceramic Moroccan tiles grace many communal fountains in countless Moroccan kasbahs.

Moroccan culture is also a product of its position on the sea. Mediterranean tile, Italian tile and handmade Moroccan tile are quite similar. Mediterranean architecture has long made use of encaustic tile and ceramic. The Moroccan Riad is in fact very similar in layout and design to the Mediterranean villa. In Moroccan interior design, Moresque tiles decorate every surface. Moroccan tables and furniture are often embellished with tilework. Moroccan murals are complimented by mosaic borders and tile stair risers. Moorish exterior design continues the theme. Moroccan terra cotta tiles decorate the patio, pool and sidewalk.

Mosharabi, also known as mashrabiah, mosharabia, or mousharabieh are hand carved wooden lattice screens and are another traditional Moorish craft. Allowing for light and air, but preserving privacy, these wood panels are ideal for doors, windows or other architectural elements.Each hand-crafted piece is made to order allowing limitless possibilities for the designer.

Handmade tile is not a static art form, many notable projects continue to employ zellij tile in luxury hotels and resorts. La Mamounia, Sofitel’s Palais Jamais, the Standard Hotel, the Bowery Hotel, the Greenwich Hotel, the Four Seasons, and Julian Schabel’s Palazzo Chupi are just a few of the recent large scale projects for which Mosaic House has supplied ceramic tile.