An installation in Katherine Bernhardt’s St. Louis home turns a personal renovation into a permanent art piece, earning national honors.
Contemporary artist Katherine Bernhardt is no stranger to bold visual statements. Her vibrant, large-scale paintings have been exhibited internationally, but what may be her grandest work yet is much closer to home: underfoot in the floors of her St. Louis residence.
Recognized with a 2025 Honor Award from the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association (NTMA), the custom epoxy terrazzo project completed by Missouri Terrazzo merges fine art and interior architecture into a personally expressive surface. What began as a home renovation is now a work of art in its own right.
A native of the St. Louis area, Ms. Bernhardt was drawn to terrazzo for its durability—and its nostalgic appeal. “Like all houses built in 1928, mine had terrazzo,” she said. “I grew up with that, and I loved it.” In renovating her current home—designed by architect Gary Glenn with Memphis Milano-inspired interiors—Ms. Bernhardt wanted the floor to reflect that legacy while channeling her own artistic voice.
She approached the remodel as a comprehensive art environment, integrating architecture, furniture, and her collection of contemporary works. Working with her assistant, Ashley Colangelo, Ms. Bernhardt mocked up floor patterns in Photoshop before refining a seven-color palette, divided by aluminum strips. Each section was unified by a custom mix of marble and glass aggregate, selected to align with the exuberance of her paintings.
Missouri Terrazzo translated the concept into a polished 2,725-square-foot installation over a 14-week process. The foyer bursts with oversized, three-dimensional terrazzo circles in bold hues, while rhythmic bands run down the hallway. In the family room, a two-tone composition inspired by bacterium cells adds another layer of visual energy. Elsewhere, a more restrained vibe offers contrast while unifying the interior.
“It was a total art installation,” Ms. Bernhardt said. While it was her first time working as an artist in terrazzo, she’s ready for more. “The floor is so perfect and wonderful and amazing, I love it,” she added. “Everyone who comes in loves it.”
