UAE & GCC
Bespoke Botanical Backsplash - Crafting Kaleigh’s Texas Kitchen
Working on a custom handcrafted interior design across the globe might sound difficult however, it is very achievable. It started in our design studio at MEC and ended up being installed in a beautiful home in Texas. Explore how our team at MEC Artworks closely collaborated with Kaleigh and built a very elegant custom Chinoiserie mosaic backsplash for her kitchen.
Client Brief
In the beginning, Kaleigh approached us with a very specific design for the wall behind her stove. She expressed that she would want a custom Chinoiserie pattern against a classic white or cream background. After this, she communicated that she needed motifs like sophisticated flowers, branches, birds, and a few lemons. These details, she believed, would essentially enhance the look she had in mind.
A very soft-toned look accompanied with a breezy feel is what Kaleigh was aiming for. Such a color palette would highlight sage greens and delicate shades of peach and coral. She did not want any visual clutter and hence, the goal was to make the artwork look spacious and to harmonize it perfectly with her custom brass range hood and floating wooden shelves.
Evaluating the Canvas
Before planning to craft a custom design, it is vital to be aware of how the actual physical space looks like. Once we received the detailed measurements of Kaleigh’s cooking space, images of her bare kitchen wall, and the CAD files for her custom brass hood, we were able to decide exactly where her wooden shelves and custom range hood would be installed. This step was crucial as we were able to ensure that the most important aspects of the artwork would not get covered by the brackets or cabinets.
Inspiration Moodboard and Design Process
To help generate ideas, the team at MEC Artworks gathered a handpicked portfolio of Chinoiserie patterns from our archives. This made the selection process easier for Kaleigh, as she had a variety of shades and compositions to choose from.
We always enjoy it when a client is still exploring their design options and approaches us with an evolving vision. Even though Kaleigh was quite clear about her preferences in many ways, she still welcomed our artistic suggestions.
Kaleigh was drawn towards two different options while going through the designs. Instead of making her pick one, we encouraged her to point out her favourite details from both, so that we could merge both elements together. Kaleigh picked the delicate branches and butterflies from the first option, and elegant flowers, birds and lemons from the second one. In addition to this, she told us that she wanted to settle for the lighter background from the first option.
Initial Sketch, 2D & 3D Visualizations, and Perfecting the Details
We created a totally new and original tailor-made composition from the specific details that Kaleigh loved. As Nada from our team expressed: “Clients don’t need to arrive with a finished design. Sometimes the best starting point is simply pointing at a few things you love.” That mix-and-match approach provided the perfect foundation for her custom mural.”
Prior to working on cutting any glass, MEC wanted Kaleigh to first have a look at how the mural would look in her actual cooking space. The transition from flat 2D drafts to highly accurate 3D renders helped her to visualize the backsplash properly. Making a decision became much easier once Kaleigh knew that the botanical features would look very elegant around her existing cabinets.
Once the preliminary sketch was complete, we wanted to refine design further and therefore, moved into a very collaborative phase. When people look at custom artwork, they normally do not observe all the back and forth involved before the final look is attained.
Firstly, we had to fix the visual balance by moving the branches a bit. Some tweaks were then made to the flower hues and this was followed by repositioning the butterflies. Furthermore, a bird was removed to maintain the airy look of the artwork. During this process, Kaleigh noticed that her wooden floating shelves may come in the way of some key details. We rearranged the layout right away and eventually, the focal points had plenty of breathing room around the floating shelves.
For this project, Kaleigh wanted to maintain an intentional negative space. She then requested a few final tweaks after which she stated: “I think we are almost at the finish line.” The team at MEC Artworks made sure that every branch and lemon was placed exactly where it belonged.
Shipping and On-site Adjustments
After analysing and approving the digital blueprint, we decided to move forward to making the actual mosaic artwork. The highly skilled team at MEC carefully cut the entire 60 square foot design completely by hand. To make the installation process smooth, we attached the artwork to a flexible mesh backing. The mosaic pieces were carefully divided into tiny manageable sections. Once this was done, we loaded it into a wooden crate professionally and shipped it to Texas.
Even if the planning has been done very carefully, you may still come across little surprises during the project. When Kaleigh’s custom mosaic backsplash was being installed around the brass hood, we experienced a slight issue. We were informed that an extra mosaic strip would be needed for the top area, to make the edges look neat. After Kaleigh contacted us, we quickly created an extra mosaic strip and promptly delivered it to her place. MEC Artworks strongly believes in supporting our clients till the very end of the project.
Client Feedback
In her video review, Kaleigh explained how she closely worked with our team in terms of finalising the design and the further tweaks that it required. She explained the process of the installation and how it felt when the artwork was finally all set in her space. Once the elegant botanical mosaic artwork was present behind the warm custom brass hood and Kaleigh’s wooden rustic shelves, it felt less like a finished project and more like the artwork finally existing in its actual home. Impressed by our work, Kaleigh stated: "I absolutely loved working with MEC Artworks...".
FAQs
How can we work on the project if I don’t live near your studio?
We can easily collaborate even if you do not live near our studio. We work with clients across different countries. MEC Artworks shares 3D images and efficient communication to make the entire process feel very personal and enjoyable. It would feel as if you are with us in the studio. Once you are satisfied with the finalized artwork, we would safely ship your artwork right at your doorstep.
Can I blend multiple designs from your design catalog?
Yes, absolutely! We actually love it when our clients pick their favourite details from different designs. For example, one of our clients liked some delicate branches from one pattern and picked some birds and lemons from another design. These details were then combined together to form a unique botanical design for her. Therefore, you will get a tailor-made layout just for you.
Will the artwork easily fit around my cabinets?
Yes, you do not need to worry about that. Our team carefully plans everything before we even cut out your tile pieces. MEC Artworks will take the exact measurements of your space, including CAD files of fixtures. Through this, we will make sure that no important details of your final artwork are covered after installation.
Would it be difficult to clean glass mosaic if it is behind my stove as a backsplash?
Glass is actually such a great choice for a busy cooking space, so the answer is no, not at all! The best thing about glass is that it is completely non-porous. It can withstand high levels of moisture, water and stains. If you choose glass mosaics, you would get a very elegant custom design which is also very easy to maintain.
Bring Your Vision to Life with Custom Mosaics
Contact us today to design a custom mosaic that reflects your vision, blending sacred art and exceptional craftsmanship.