Mosaic decoration has a history stretching back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was first employed as a floor decoration using natural pebbles in the region around the Mediterranean from around 400B.C.

Dating from this time the mosaic floors of Olynthus consist of black and white pebbles which simulate the appearance of oriental carpets, a treatment that continued into the 1st century B.C. The mosaics of the Hellenistic period were executed in a wide range of colours and employing tesserae (cube shaped stone pieces) of only one cubic millimetre. These mosaics were more like 'paintings in stone'.

The Roman adoption of this art form was rapid and enthusiastic, although they freely adapted the technique and style to suit their particular needs and tastes. The widespread popularity mosaics enjoyed transformed them from being a luxury item into the floorcovering of choice throughout the Roman Empire. Their use was so extensive, and their installation so mechanically successful, that they are still to be seen in abundance throughout parts of Europe, Great Britain, North Africa and the Middle East. When we think of stone mosaic floors today, we invariably call to mind images of Roman mosaics - their colours, textures, motifs, and structures.

Belmondo's range of stone mosaics features quartz, basalt, tumbled and polished marble and travertine in a wide selection of colours, finishes, shapes and sizes, including French Pattern.