Nathalie Kowalski
Contemporary Mosaic Sculpture
Sprout Deli
Honouring heritage
Sprout Deli is a much-loved health food shop in Newquay, Cornwall, housed in a beautiful historic building that was once home to an old print house.
The owners love mosaics and wanted
to honor the building's heritage with a
bespoke mosaic doorstep that welcomes customers and celebrates its past.
THE STORY BEHIND
THE MOSAIC
Historic mosaic shop doorsteps - frequently known as "ghost signs" in masonry - originated in antiquity but saw a massive commercial revival during the Victorian and Art Deco eras.
Shop owners used these highly durable thresholds as brand logos and decorative advertisements to project wealth, establish permanent prestige, and welcome customers.
Our design is reminiscent of these classic Victorian mosaics, blending heritage with timeless craftsmanship.
THE PROCESS
We began with conversations and a collaborative ideas board on Pinterest, researching historic mosaics, typography and color palette to capture the spirit of the building and the vision of the owners.
MATERIALS & CRAFTSMANSHIP
The mosaic was handcrafted using Winkelmans unglazed ceramic tiles specially chosen for their durability, and subtle color palette. They are both suitable for both indoor and outdoors and feature a non-slip surface - ideal for a busy deli entrance.
