A succulent garden had previously occupied the concrete wall, but it became too difficult to maintain over time. The facilities team wanted a more permanent, low-maintenance solution. I was commissioned by the facilities manager to design and create a mosaic artwork to replace it.

The inspiration came from the patio’s name: Lily’s Garden. Two design concepts were presented—one whimsical and one realistic. At home, our wildflower beds support the bees my husband keeps, which became the heart of the imagery. Dozens of flowers and bees were photographed, then imported into Photoshop. These images were scaled, arranged, and layered to form a colorful garden scene surrounding the title. A flowing, modern script was selected for the lettering, using white iridescent glass to help the name stand out against the background.

A full-size printed banner served as the working template. Using the double indirect method (contact paper over the drawing), the mosaic was built in five-foot sections and transferred to cement board coated with a waterproof membrane. Each section was cut into manageable pieces and adhered with Glass Tile Adhesive mortar. A premixed grout with epoxy performance provided durability and finish.

Installation was a collaborative process. The facilities manager hired a welder to fabricate custom stainless steel frames, which were mounted with heavy-duty French cleats. The facilities department completed the final installation on-site.