The old tradition of terrazzo is reaching a new generation. Iconically underscored and underfoot in mid-20th century American homes, terrazzo is enjoying a resurgence in today's contemporary homes.

Terrazzo is a durable composite, comprised most commonly of marble chips or other aggregates, which are suspended in a concrete or resin binder and polished until the aggregate is visible and the surface is smooth. Most commonly used as flooring, terrazzo makes a strong style statement, says Mark Fowler, executive director of the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association (NTMA) in Fredericksburg, Texas.

"We are seeing an uptick in terrazzo residential sales," he says. "People are reimagining the midcentury modern look and bringing it into the 21st century, and terrazzo is hot with its cool look and applications."

Meaning "terrace" in Italian, terrazzo was created six centuries ago when Venetian mosaic workers made a durable flooring that was polished smooth after marble scraps were pressed into clay. This flooring was installed on the terraces surrounding the workers' living quarters and the name "terrazzo" stuck.

In the United States, the use of terrazzo flooring peaked in the mid-20th century. New homes built slab-on-grade using poured concrete made the installation of terrazzo flooring easier than ever, Fowler says.

"Cementitious-based terrazzo is typically a 3 1/2-inch thick system in which stone or metal aggregate are dispersed throughout wet concrete," he says. "After it dries, heavy grinders with increasingly higher-grit discs polish the floor to create a smooth, sleek surface."

Called poured-in-place terrazzo by tradespeople, metal strips are most often embedded into the wet mixture wherever there is a need for a joint or change of color in the floor.

"Terrazzo is often the flooring of choice in airports, schools, hospitals and other commercial buildings because of its beauty and durability," Fowler says. "But now, intricate designs in terrazzo flooring are easier than ever to achieve in homes through the use of sophisticated wet saws and precast terrazzo, made from durable resins."

While cementitious-based terrazzo is still the only reliable choice for outdoor applications, most indoor installations use resin-based terrazzo. There is more versatility in using today's resins, which act as a binder for decorative aggregate, says Eric Wilhite, the second-generation owner of Terrazzio, based outside Nashville, Tennessee.

"While a consumer could do a poured-in-place resin-based terrazzo on-site, our company specializes in precast terrazzo tiles that we manufacture under controlled conditions in our workroom," he says. "There are many advantages of resin over cementitious terrazzo."

A wider selection of colors, greater tensile strength, 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch installation thickness and less susceptibility to cracking are all benefits to a resin-based terrazzo. While terrazzo may be considered an impermeable surface, both the cementitious and resin-based varieties require regular coverage with a high-quality sealant, Fowler says.

"It's not the resin that needs to be sealed, it's the porous aggregate marble, stone chips and concrete that require sealing," he says. "Although terrazzo is a lifetime floor, follow manufacturer's guidelines and be prepared to seal it at least every decade in a home."

Fowler says it's imperative to prepare the floor substrate properly before installation of terrazzo can begin. To avoid cracking, there should be no bounce in the floor and cement backer-board can be used an underlayment. Bespoke or custom-made terrazzo is easy to achieve with the precast variety, Wilhite says.

"Custom-added aggregates, resin colors, sizes and shapes of resin terrazzo are all achievable in a controlled environment," he says. "We can manufacture 4-by-8-foot panels, and have them cut into a variety of shapes to create a mosaic on the floor."

Terrazzo is also migrating off floors and landing on walls, countertops and seating as architectural accents. In a thoroughly modern monochromatic home, terrazzo can add interest through subtly colored or sparkly aggregates.

Fowler says it's imperative to hire an expert terrazzo installer for any job, and homeowners should expect to pay between $10 to $35 per square foot of terrazzo installed for basic jobs. Fabrication and installation of more intricate terrazzo patterns will boost costs.

"Some terrazzo installers are so good that they can create the illusion of a seamless floor and staircase," Fowler says. "But the real testament to the enduring quality of terrazzo is witnessing homeowners restoring an original 1950s floor to its former glory."

Step Up

-- National Tile & Mosaic Association, NTMA.com, 800-323-9736

-- Terrazzio, Terrazzio.com, 931-845-3434

Home doors are becoming unhinged. Many homeowners are installing interior sliding doors -- otherwise known as barn doors -- to make a style statement on a sliding scale. But you don't need a barn abode to enjoy the honest design of sliding doors.

Many homeowners are drawn to barn doors as a way to make a style statement in a home with an open floor plan. Also, barn doors can be a space saver in a tight place, where the swing of nearly three feet from a hinged door is an obstruction.

"The term 'barn door' comes from the resemblance to the real deal, which was only reinforced when doors were made in a reclaimed-wood style," says Jeff Lowinski, technical services vice president with the Window & Door Manufacturers Association in Chicago. "Today's barn doors can look less rustic and have modern styles made from metal or with windows, but what we are really talking about is the hanging hardware, more than the look of the door itself."

A steel track -- ranging from a standard of 4 to 20 feet -- is installed in studs above an opening. A hanger set -- with wheels that roll on top of the track and straps that affix to the door -- is the hardware needed to keep your doors sliding smoothly.

"Barn doors are very popular, but you can't just take a door off its hinges and outfit it for a sliding door system," says Jon Whaley, owner of The Barn Door Hardware Store, an Erie, Pennsylvania, web-based business with about 20 national distributors. "The first thing you need to do is assess if a barn door system will actually fit the space."

When installing a sliding-door system, a home needs to have enough wall space adjacent to a doorway over which the door can slide. A standard 32-inch-by-80-inch hinged door requires a 36-inch-by-84-inch sliding door to achieve a finished look that's on a roll. Hardware for a standard opening can average about $200, while a standard manufactured plank door can cost around $500.

"Barn doors can quickly go off the rails when homeowners think they can take down a hinged door and then mount it as a sliding door," Whaley says. "A barn door needs to be large enough to cover the trim of a door opening and hang about one-half inch above the floor."

Not all barn door hardware is built the same, so make sure you buy quality components so your sliding doors stay on track. A heavy-duty steel track mounted above the opening should have a deep groove along the top, so wheels run smoothly. Metal wheels typically last longer than those made of plastic or wood, however, they can also be noisier, if that is a consideration for the space in which the barn doors are placed.

Barn doors are at home ...

-- In the kitchen. Barn doors are living large in the home's larder as they cover the pantry or are used as a set of doors into the dining room or entertainment area, creating smaller, more intimate spaces away from a kitchen's mess.

-- In bedrooms. Barn doors can serve as closet doors or be used between a sleeping space and a bathroom. Be warned, however, that barn doors do not provide as much privacy as a hinged door, and locking them can be difficult with cumbersome hardware.

-- In laundry rooms. There's no need to air dirty laundry, as barn doors look squeaky-clean concealing a washer and dryer setup.

-- In outdoor kitchens. You can get cooking outside with barn doors that slide to expose appliances in a pool house or cabana.

-- In home offices. Barn doors can help your space look smart and work smart.

-- In a child's playroom or craft room. Barn doors keep the fun contained, while keeping toys, games and crafts in one spot rather than having items scattered throughout the entire house.

-- In shelving units. Barn doors add warmth and texture to an entertainment center, which can conceal the television, electronics or books as a modern-day armoire.

Whaley warns that while the function of barns doors is straightforward, installing them correctly isn't always as easy. "A lot of people think they can install barn doors as a simple do-it-yourself project, but there's a lot that goes into ensuring these doors don't come away from the wall," he says. "Making sure the track is installed properly onto a secured header into studs, that it runs level and supports the weight of the doors, is imperative. Otherwise, you can have 100 pounds or more of door and hardware that can come crashing down."

Barn doors don't require farmhouse charm; they can also be super sleek, with windows at the top to naturally illuminate the design element. Whaley says details -- such as the size of the wheels, the strap design and the architectural pull particulars -- can create a slideable showstopper. Also, don't forget to install a floor guide, so doors stay on track and don't bang around.

"Barn doors have a function that has worked extremely efficiently for centuries," he says. "Now that they've become popular in the home, the stylistic form follows the function for these sliders."

On the Slide:

TheBarnDoorHardwareStore.com, or call 814-315-2475.

The master closet has become a sweet addition to the bedroom suite.

"The master closet doesn't hide behind doors anymore," says Ginny Snook Scott, California Closets vice president, based in Richmond, California. "Also called the closet en suite, this space is evolving into another room that is connected to the master bedroom and bathroom."

Today's master closet isn't a subset of the bedroom; the closet en suite has become a large room unto itself. As a well-appointed pantry takes cooking tasks out of the kitchen, today's master closet has a wardrobe system that dresses up the space, so you don't have to get dressed in the bedroom.

"The master bedroom has become a space that is dedicated to sleep, with very little furniture, except for the bed and nightstands," Scott says. "Built-in dressers, hanging rods and other cabinetry are custom-made into the master closet, based on the homeowners' wardrobe and needs."

Personalize

Scott says that no two master closets are the same, because its contents are very personal. Many are treating the closet en suite like a personal boutique on display, evolving from a catchall space into which people hurriedly throw items and quickly close sliding doors.

"When designing your closet, go through your wardrobe and pick pieces, such as handbags, scarves, ties or shoes, that make a statement about your style," Scott says. "These items are showstoppers and can be a closet's centerpiece, from which other design elements flow."

Creating a Zen-like zone in the master closet means having a place for everything and keeping everything in its place. While this directly refers to garments and accessories, the master closet can also function as a multi-use room that helps organize your life, too.

-- Breakfast Bar

Skip breakfast in bed and make coffee in the master closet instead. More hectic households are building breakfast bars into their en suite designs. Stocked with conveniently located first-of-the-day packaged foods and a coffee station, this specialized area makes mornings easier for couples to grab a cup of joe and go.

-- Laundry

It's time to air that dirty laundry. An organized laundry space in the master closet can transform a menial chore into a more meaningful task. Dirty clothes become clean more quickly, because there's no need to carry laundry baskets to other parts of the home. After clothes are washed and dried, it's a snap to put them away again in their designated space.

-- Home Office

As more adults have "homework," setting up a desk in the master closet allows homeowners to both dress up and check up on work before starting the day.

-- Makeup Table

While the master bathroom is becoming more spa-like, the master closet is becoming the place for the makeup vanity. After the homeowner is perfectly coiffed, it's easy to accessorize with jewelry, clothing and accessories stored nearby.

-- Cocktail Closet

More homeowners are raising a glass to toasting personal wine refrigerators built into the master closet. Like a fine wine, spirits' storage in the master closet reflects personal taste.

-- Categorize

After larger, multi-use spaces are accommodated in the master closet, begin to categorize similar items by hanging or shelving them together. Marked drawers are also useful during this first step of organizing.

Most-used items should be placed at eye level, with lesser-used items -- such as luggage -- placed in a closet's upper shelf storage space. Start by categorizing items from the ground up and keeping items off the floor.

-- Containerize

After organizing similar items, the final step is to group smaller items together. Place like items in baskets or see-through containers with lids, then place these in the appropriate shelving unit, drawer or cubby space. Jewelry can be organized on velvet-lined trays in drawers, or tucked away in a safe.

Scott says while it's easiest to build a custom closet en suite with new construction, homeowners can also convert an extra bedroom into the closet of their dreams. With nearly 80 California Closet locations throughout the United States, Scott says homeowners can pay from $1,500 to $100,000 to revamp the repository.

"The higher-end closets have really glamorous lighting with shelving units, shoe racks and hanging rods that are well-lit," she says. As part of the bedroom suite, the closet design shouldn't be a yawner, either. "The cabinets, color palette and flooring should have a cohesive feel between the bedroom, bathroom and closet, reflecting the homeowner's taste."

But even the best organizational guru can't perform magic on a monumental mess without first clearing away the clutter. Some people have difficulty starting the process of clearing out, so they can never move into the organizational phase, Scott says.

"It's not our job to make people get rid of things," Scott says. "As people make room and proudly display items they love in their closet, it becomes easier to let unused things go."

Professional Put-together

Go to CaliforniaClosets.com, or call 1-888-336-9707 and request a free closet consultation.