TREND WATCH // Terrazzo

Terrazzo. Yep, I said 'terrazzo'. Your mind may flash back to the drab floor of a 1970's hospital but I beg you, read on because, it's back... and this ain't your grandmother's terrazzo.

I've been noticing this versatile material all over the design world lately and after a recent trip to Europe, I'm even more convinced that terrazzo is back for a more refined round two. Don't believe me? Have a look at how some of today's most talented architects and designers are using terrazzo in ultra modern installations + product design.

Although popularized in the 1970's, the material itself has been around for centuries. It's made of a cement-like binding with distinctive embedded chips - marble, porcelain, quartz, glass, and even plastic are being used to create today's terrazzo; ripe with a wide variety of colors + textures.

Also you'll notice the sizing of the chips can vary greatly - the larger chunks make for a more dramatic pattern as seen below in the Maison Kitsune retail store in Paris.

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For more amazing palettes using terrazzo, check out Studio Davis Thulstrup on Pinterest - they're posted some super fun colors + designs using terrazzo.

Personally, I'm a fan of the more neutral palettes, although the brighter colors certainly add a fun punch into the design and would be a great jumping-off-point to a project.

So why choose terrazzo? Besides a virtually unlimited color palette, and a low maintenance finish, terrazzo is incredibly durable - often outlasting the life of the building! That makes it a great choice for high traffic areas such as shopping malls, schools, and airports. In a more residential setting, terrazzo makes a beautiful interior floor, wall installation, and in certain climates, a perfect patio material as well.

If a full terrazzo floor is just a bit much to handle, you can always indulge the trend on a smaller scale with these fun products from Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, or Uniqfind.