It began in 1991 with a great pair of legs. Attached to those legs was a
lackluster tabletop in dire need of fresh, imaginative design. Salvaging
chipped and broken vintage china and tile, and embedding the fragments in grout
spread like frosting over the surface, owner Rebecca Dennis gave an old table
an inspired new look. The reworked table caught the eye of her sister, Paula
Funt, who was studying interior design., The two began redoing furniture for
friends and family in Rebecca’s garage and showing their pieces at local art
exhibitions in Toronto. However, it wasn’t until they attended American trade
shows in 1995 that Mosaicwares really took off. “People want to buy special
things that are created by an actual person.” Customers in the United States
received the unique line of furniture and accessories with feverish enthusiasm.
The sisters credit that as the turning point in the growth of the enterprise.
“We picked up amazing accounts: Henri Bendel, Neiman-Marcus ad Saks Fifth
Avenue really made us a company.”
The women have perfected their technique to a sophisticated art form. However,
Rebecca remembers the process involved a great deal of trial and error. “If I
could have photos of the outtakes as we were developing the technique, I would
make myself sick with laughter. Paula and I improvised our way through the
whole process until we perfected it.” When the business first started, the two
sisters were involved in every aspect of production, from design to crafting
techniques to sales. Now they manage the business and focus on designing new
pieces. “The transition from technician to entrepreneur is tough, very tough,”
notes Rebecca. “I would often be out on the design floor and get pulled back
into the office, but I’m very good on the business side.”
Their original designs fuse classic forms and contemporary needs. “Every piece
we design is totally different from another and takes about two weeks to
produce. “ says Paula “but each piece is also special.” A Mosaicwares piece
will last ‘til the end of time. “When customers call they are so thrilled with
their orders and tell us about the wonderful compliments they’ve received.
That’s a great feeling.” Mosiacwares’ collection brings warmth to your home,
pleasure to your eye, and joy to your heart for years to come.
With colours ranging from pastels to jewel tones, and hand painted finishes
from oxford white to caramel apple, each Mosaicwares piece is a tribute to the
sheer love of form, colour and texture. Mosaicwares has evolved form tile to
vintage china and has now added a fresh new medium to their one-of-a-kind
designs: the artists took on art glass, a smooth iridescent, colour rich
texture to create pieces that are at once dramatic and vintage.
Mosaicwares has grown to over 20 collections including all the living rooms in
the home, upholstered pieces, lighting, mirrors, and various home accessories,
as well as a new “Bow Wow Collection” for the pawfect pet in your home; a
“Babes @Home” their new baby furnishings and accessories.
MOSAICWARES’ pieces are works of art. One of the worlds’ most beautiful pique
assiette collections.
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