On Saturday, 26 July, CapellaBay Aged Care Residence celebrated a milestone — 10 wonderful years of care, community, and creativity. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a splash of mosaic magic? Nestled in the heart of the courtyard café, two dazzling mosaic panels now stand as joyful storytellers, each measuring 2.4 x 1.2 metres. They’re not just artworks — they’re living, shimmering tributes to the people who make CapellaBay so special.
The Artists Behind the WhimsyThe mural was lovingly brought to life by mosaic artist Sandy Robertson of OzMosaics, alongside Maureen Randolph, Dave Robertson, and a vibrant crew of OzMosaics volunteers. Over many lively sessions at CapellaBay, residents joined in the creative process — layering glass, ceramic, and stories onto fibreglass mesh with thinset adhesives and the trusted products of Laticrete Australia.
Special thanks to Joan and Maureen, who assisted Sandy during the mosaic sessions at CapellaBay — their support, enthusiasm, and care helped bring the mural to life with warmth and joy. And a huge shout-out to the helpful guys who installed the mosaics alongside Dave and Scott — the teamwork was seamless, and the installation went like a breeze!
The mosaic-making sessions were filled with fun times and lively conversations, all merging beautifully with much gluing and tile nipping. The studio buzzed with creativity and laughter as each tile found its place in the growing masterpiece.
☕ Welcome to the CapellaCafe — Where Mosaics Tell StoriesStep into a whimsical café scene unlike any other. This mural invites you into a fantastical tea party, bursting with quirky charm and cheeky humour:
🫖 Meet Mr. Teapot Man and 🧁 Mrs. Cupcake Lady — our eccentric hosts, crafted in striking black and white mosaic and recycled crockery. Mrs. Cupcake Lady even sports a bra made from teapot lids, channeling her inner Madonna!
🌈 A black and white rainbow ripples across the mural, filled with colourful mosaic cupcakes that dance with joy and sparkle with glass fusing techniques.
🦋 A flurry of black and white butterflies flits across the panels, adding elegance and movement.
🪑 A wrought iron-style mosaic café table and two red-backed chairs anchor the scene — the thrones of our kooky café characters.
🍾 A champagne bottle nestled in a mosaic ice cooler adds a celebratory touch.
🧁 Whimsical 3D cupcakes pop from the surface, crafted with playful charm and vibrant materials.
🌟 A huge mosaic pot of gold glows at the end of the rainbow, shimmering with golden tiles and magical finishes.
🌳 A towering 3D topiary tree sprouts mosaic leaves, fruits, and a kookaburra — a joyful nod to nature and CapellaBay’s roots.
✨ Mirror tiles shaped like stars, squares, circles, and random forms shimmer throughout the mural. As the sun moves across the sky, and people pass by in colourful clothing, the mirrors reflect light, movement, and garden hues — transforming the mural into a living canvas that changes with the weather and the rhythm of café life.
🛠️ Behind the Scenes: From Studio to WallBefore the mural ever graced the café courtyard at CapellaBay, it lived and breathed in the heart of OzMosaics Studio, where Sandy and Maureen spent countless hours showcasing and assembling the residents’ mosaic creations on fibreglass mesh. Each piece was carefully refined, layered, and prepared — transforming individual contributions into a cohesive, professional masterpiece.
The final mural was mounted onto huge cement sheeting panels, each pre-drilled with holes to accommodate heavy-duty bolts that would secure the artwork to the courtyard wall. This ensured both durability and safety, allowing the mural to shine for years to come.
Thousands of pieces of mosaic tesserae — ceramic tiles, glass, crockery, fused glass, and more — were meticulously placed to create the vibrant, whimsical scene. Once installed, the entire mural was grouted with black LATICRETE sanded grout, which not only added strength and cohesion but also dramatically pulled the colours together, making every detail pop with contrast and clarity.
And then came Sandy’s signature touch — her 3D mosaic magic. She sculpted a stacked pile of plates and crockery into a breathtaking 3D flower, blooming with personality and flair. Around it, she added cups, coffee mugs, vases, wine bottles, and glass fruits, each element bursting from the surface with joyful dimension.
To elevate the mural even further, huge chunks of polystyrene were carved and shaped to form a raised, radiant sun and a quirky 3D substrate for the towering topiary tree — giving the mural depth, texture, and a sculptural presence that invites viewers to step closer and explore.
💫 Reflections of Life and LoveThese specialty-cut mirrors don’t just reflect the surroundings — they reflect the heart of CapellaBay. Smiles, conversations, and the gentle sway of café umbrellas all become part of the artwork, blending the real and the whimsical in a dance of colour and connection.
And the mosaic journey continues! More fabulous mosaics are already underway — featuring iconic Australian animals and creatures, each adorned with traditional halo-style mosaic designs. These new works promise to be just as imaginative and joyful, so stay tuned for updates as the magic unfolds.
👉 Check out the OzMosaics Facebook Page and Sandy Robertson on Facebook for behind-the-scenes photos, work-in-progress updates, and sneak peeks of the next mosaic marvels!
Here’s to another decade of colour, stories, and imagination at CapellaBay!
Mosaic Works in Progress at CapellaBay and Studio OzMosaics:
Cover this cute car relic in mosaic ladybug beetles, flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, big eyes and a huge red smile. Use mirror, ceramic tiles, crockery, glass tiles and more!
Works are in progress on 11 garden stake murals featuring cute mosaic Australian animals as mosaic icons set on huge mosaic gum leaves! Watch this space!
Also Sandy is designing 3 large mosaic sculptures for the mosaic sculpture garden , which will be decorated with ocean swells and delicate sea creatures, abstract.
WorkStudio OzMosaics Sandra Robertson, Mosaic Artist Coorparoo, Queensland, Australia
The Mosaic Mall www.themosaicmall.com.au Everything for mosaics! Shop online or visit Studio OzMosaics by appointment only. 07 38474873
