Classical mosaic designs are timeless and thus work well in modern or traditional settings. Colours are co-ordinated to work with surrounding floors of white marble, green slate and terracotta tiles.

The dodecahedron from the floor of the Basiilica of San Marco, Venice, (1425) features a three dimentional trompe d’oeil effect by the subtle use of colour. The original was made in the opus sectile method.

The Olympian spiral, Romano Greek design used, was with various colours and borders throughout the Roman empire.