Calacatta Sugar Honed Marble Herringbone Mosaic Tiles

In a herringbone the rectangles are cut square and laid so the end of one meets the side of the next at a right angle. The zigzag that results is staggered, and the joints step rather than align. In a chevron the pieces are cut at an angle so their ends meet point to point, producing a continuous unbroken V. Herringbone is the older and the more forgiving of the two, because square cuts mean nothing has to be mitred and a damaged piece can be replaced from ordinary stock.

At mosaic scale the pattern generates a strong diagonal energy, and Calacatta Sugar's warm cream ground with its gold and amber veining softens that energy rather than adding to it. A cooler, more strongly figured marble in the same layout would be considerably busier.

A honed face keeps the arrises true, which this pattern needs: it depends on ends meeting sides cleanly, and any rounding blurs the step. Seal before grouting, use a neutral cleaner, and expect acids to leave a dull mark on any calcitic stone.