Dolce Vita Terrazzo: Terrazzo from Italy for the Sweet Life, Indoors and Out

dolce vita terrazzo tile from italy via OUTERclé is bold, vibrant, and playful, a terrazzo of exceptional quality — and style. durable and freeze-thaw rated, it’s happy indoors, outdoors, and anywhere in between.

it joins clé’s american mid-century-influenced terrazzo collection: clé forage terrazzo, which is not freeze-thaw rated, and recommended primarily for indoor use.

dolce vita is a quintessentially Italian take on the same terrazzo tradition, and in fact, comes to us direct from italy (whence terrazzo originated.) a hard-to-find through-body terrazzo, it features a larger-scale, more colorful aggregate for a bolder, design-forward feel.

terrazzo tile from Italy, as it should be

OUTERclé dolce vita terrazzo is one of the finest made today, handcrafted by italian artisans whose families have been making terrazzo for centuries for some of italy’s most prominent palazzi, churches, and public spaces.

from its aggregate to its artisan traditions, dolce vita connects you through time and space with design history. in italy, you’ll find terrazzo everywhere, indoors and out: in palazzi and churches, homes and shops, arcades, patios and courtyards, where it mixes marvelously with architecture and design ranging from the most contemporary to the most traditional. even a cursory glance at italian design stories shows terrazzo flooring that’s been untouched for a century or even more, where even the most extensive renovations see the original flooring and grandeur remain largely intact.

it’s exactly this versatility and durability that's made it the standard bearer of italian design, connecting design traditions, moods, and spaces.

OUTERclé’s dolce vita terrazzo features chunky bite-sized pieces of deliciously colored stone set in cement slab. it comes in four different versions of “torrone,” named after italy’s legendary nutty-filled nougat, it offers four different stone variations (torrone i-iv) and eight different cement colors. it also comes in two different sizes (large field tile in 16” x 16” and petite slabs in 24” x 24”.)

torrone options open up a world of possibilities: use the same base color throughout a space for the most straightforward look, or choose the same cement base color but with different aggregate to unify a space but also create subtle demarcations… or choose different colors cement (and aggregate) for a bolder, more lively look.

dolce vita torrone i is composed mostly of black stones in various sizes, giving the terrazzo an undeniably graphic appeal.

dolce vita torrone ii is a mostly-white terrazzo that features flecks of neutrals ranging from pinks to greys for a classic and contemporary terrazzo look.

dolce vita torrone iii, centered around dark stones like torrone i. this is our most colorful option, featuring white, sands, and beiges, and greys.

and dolce vita torrone iv’s brown and white stones give this terrazzo a bold but earthy feel, with beige and white aggregates with reds and greens.

how to use dolci terrazzo tile

we see it being used everywhere, just as the italians do: outdoors in any climate (not only freeze-thaw rated, it’s also heat resistant, UV resistant, and slip resistant (which makes it ideal for a sophisticated poolside look.)

it’s also the ideal connective design element for an entire design, unifying kitchens and baths, entryways, and indoor with outdoors. the broad palette of colors and mix of stones just add to its design versatility.

use it as a starting point for design, the inspiration for everything else in the room. or, liven up a space with Dolce Vita’s effortless charm and touches of color. even use it to introduce a little hint of nature and texture into a streamlined, modern design.

there’s another benefit to Dolce Vita terrazzo. it is a through-body tile, which means that the stone does not just sit on the cement but goes all the way through. this means that the edges can be honed, polished and left exposed, showcasing the stones within the cement tile. it’s an altogether more elevated tile.

the origins of terrazzo

while the invention of terrazzo as we know it is credited to the venetians, early examples of terrazzo flooring have been found in neolithic structures in egypt and turkey — a testament to terrazzo’s enduring strength.

Modern versions of terrazzo begin in 18th-century venice, where craftsmen looking to make use of excess stone scraps started incorporating the remnants into lime flooring. terrazzo’s durability made it especially crucial for the construction of large venetian palaces and homes, and it has proved flexible enough to adapt to venice’s sinking foundations without cracking.

once associated with the prudent and thrifty ingenuity of poor venetian craftsmen — who repurposed stone pieces from grand palazzos to use in their own modest homes — terrazzo is now seen around the world in palaces, hotel lobbies, and modern residences.

terrazzo beyond italy

terrazzo was first brought to the US in the 18th century where it was used in george washington’s home as well as the vanderbilt residence on fifth avenue, among other well-known locations. one of the most recognizable terrazzo floors can be seen on the hollywood walk of fame.

after WW1, terrazzo became a tile of choice for designers. its smooth, minimalist look and bright color combinations worked well with art deco and modernism… but European and European-influenced designers also knew how to mix it with more maximalist and opulent designs.

it’s time for a terrazzo renaissance: Dolce Vita terrazzo is the place to start.
long live la dolce vita.