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Although at first glance the patterns of Pebble Mosaic may look rather
difficult for amateurs to achieve, they are actually quite simple. There
is a long history of paving which utilizes pebbles set into cement in
patterns, going back at least as far as Roman times and probably even
earlier. In recent excavations abroad, villas much older than those in
Pompeii have been uncovered to reveal various types of pebble mosaic.
The craft reached its greatest height, perhaps, in the gardens of Spain
and Italy in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and since then
varying degrees of excellence have been achieved in various parts of
the world. The art has been revived abroad and is now finding increased favor among enthusiastic do-it-yourselfers in America.
The ingredients are of the commonest sort-pebbles, cement, and
sand. While the latter two must be bought, usually, the pebbles can be
had for the gathering on beaches, in the beds of brooks and rivers, or
on gravelly slopes and fields. It is also possible to buy them in some
places where nature has not favored the terrain with a natural occurrence; but most people will want to collect their own, because part
of the fun in this creative activity is in picking up your own pebbles.
There are three major sorts which will be useful in achieving good
design results: round, oval or egg-shaped, and flat oval-shaped. Also
you will find color to be important, for it is by matching sizes, shapes,
and colors that effective designs are produced. Black or dark pebbles
set into light or medium backgrounds, white pebbles used as focal points
or as arabesque patterns, and designs set into dark pebble backgrounds-these are the effects for which to strive, with which to make
your designs unusual and effective.
Although it is perfectly possible to pave an entire terrace with pebbles, you should be sure you have the time and the ambition to gather
sufficient numbers of pebbles to complete the task. Most amateur crafts-
men will find that Pebble Mosaic is best used as a garnish, providing
a bit of excitement or a piece de resistance which will give sparkle to
some part of the outdoor picture, lifting it out of the ordinary. Edge a
walk with pebbles, make a "welcome mat" at an entrance or a gateway,
floor a shallow pool, or make an interesting insert in the pavement of
a large terrace, and you will have fun without being overwhelmed by
the magnitude of the task.
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