Product Overview

MSI Arabescato Venato White 2" Hexagon Honed Marble Mosaic Tile combines classic honeycomb geometry with the soft warmth of genuine natural marble. Each mesh-mounted sheet contains 42 precision-cut hexagons displaying a creamy white background with delicate beige, pale gray, and occasional warm mineral veining.

The smooth honed finish minimizes glare and gives the marble a refined, understated appearance. Its 2-inch hexagon format is large enough to reveal the natural movement of the stone while providing sufficient grout joints for detailed floors, shower installations, backsplashes, countertops, and feature walls.

Part of MSI’s Arabescato Venato White Collection, this mosaic coordinates naturally with warm woods, neutral cabinetry, brushed metals, and other honed marble surfaces.

Technical Specifications

MSI confirms the material, finish, 2-inch format, 42 chips per sheet, approved applications, certifications, and manufacturer item number. Official MSI specification

Recommended Applications

• Bathroom Floors: The honed finish and geometric pattern create a refined natural-stone floor for appropriate residential bathrooms.

• Shower Floors: The 2-inch format can conform to a properly formed shower slope, while the numerous grout joints provide additional surface texture. Confirm project-specific slip requirements with the installer.

• Shower Walls and Niches: Suitable over an approved waterproofing assembly using white mortar formulated for natural marble.

• Kitchen Backsplashes: Creates a warm, softly patterned surface behind ranges, sinks, and cabinetry.

• Vanity Walls: Provides subtle honeycomb geometry without overpowering mirrors, cabinetry, or decorative fixtures.

• Countertops: MSI approves the product for residential and commercial countertop applications. Natural marble still requires sealing and appropriate maintenance.

• Fireplace Surrounds: Suitable for properly constructed noncombustible decorative fireplace walls.

• Commercial Walls: Appropriate for boutique, hospitality, restaurant, and reception walls where the complete installation system is approved.

• Residential Feature Floors: Can be used for entries, powder rooms, and decorative floor insets under suitable residential conditions.

Installation & Handling Guidelines

⚠️ IMPORTANT: WHITE-MARBLE MORTAR AND SHEET-BLENDING PROTOCOL

Arabescato Venato White is a light-colored natural marble. Use white setting material and blend sheets from several cartons before installation.

• Use White Mortar: Install with premium white polymer-modified mortar meeting ANSI A118.4 or A118.15 and approved for natural-stone mosaics.

• Avoid Gray Mortar: Dark setting material may shadow through the marble or alter its creamy-white background.

• Dry-Lay and Blend: Arrange sheets before installation to distribute white, beige, gray, and more heavily veined pieces evenly.

• Check Sheet Alignment: Dry-fit adjoining sheets and adjust individual perimeter chips as needed to prevent visible square sheet outlines.

• Mortar Application: Use a small-notched trowel appropriate for the mosaic thickness. Flatten the mortar ridges before setting each sheet.

• Embed Evenly: Press sheets into the mortar with a grout float or padded beating block to maintain consistent elevation.

• Mortar Coverage: Obtain at least 95% coverage in shower and other wet-area installations without excessive mortar filling the grout joints.

• Pre-Sealing: Apply a penetrating sealer approved for honed marble before grouting. Test it on spare material first.

• Grout Selection: Use unsanded grout or a fine-aggregate grout specifically approved for honed marble. MSI advises against epoxy grout for this product because of potential staining, haloing, and difficult cleanup.

• Grout Joint Alignment: Match the spacing between adjoining sheets to the factory spacing within each sheet.

• Wet-Area Preparation: Install over a complete waterproofing system. Sealing the marble does not waterproof the shower assembly.

• Movement Accommodation: Include perimeter and field movement joints following TCNA EJ171 and applicable construction requirements.

• Cutting Safety: Wet-cut with a suitable diamond blade. Do not dry-cut or grind; airborne crystalline-silica dust can cause serious respiratory harm.

• Order Allowance: Purchase at least 10–15% additional material for cuts, sheet blending, natural variation, breakage, and future repairs.

Care & Maintenance

• Clean with warm water and a neutral-pH natural-stone cleaner.

• Avoid vinegar, lemon, bleach, acidic bathroom cleaners, and abrasive powders.

• Wipe spills promptly, especially oils, wine, coffee, cosmetics, and strongly pigmented liquids.

• Use microfiber cloths, soft sponges, or non-abrasive brushes.

• Reapply penetrating sealer periodically according to traffic, moisture exposure, and the sealer manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Avoid waxes and oily soaps that may create residue or reduce traction on floor installations.

• Expect natural patina and possible etching over time, particularly on countertops and frequently used bathroom surfaces.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic Inspiration: Warm minimalism, quiet luxury, organic contemporary, Mediterranean, coastal, and refined transitional.

• Color Character: Creamy white balanced by pale gray, beige, and subtle warm mineral movement.

• Pattern Character: Classic 2-inch honeycomb geometry with restrained natural variation.

• Visual Advantage: The honed finish softens reflections and emphasizes the marble’s organic texture.

• Complementary Materials: White oak, walnut, creamy quartz, warm plaster, limestone, and brushed glass.

• Complementary Metals: Brushed brass, champagne bronze, polished nickel, chrome, and matte black.

• Suggested Grout Colors: Warm white creates continuity; pale beige adds warmth; light gray emphasizes the hexagonal pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an MSI product?

Yes. It is MSI item SMOT-ARAVEN-2HEXH from the Arabescato Venato White Collection.

Is “Calacatta White” part of the official product name?

No. MSI’s official collection name is Arabescato Venato White. Removing “Calacatta White” makes the listing clearer and more consistent with manufacturer searches.

How large is each hexagon?

Each individual marble chip is a nominal 2-inch hexagon.

How much does one sheet cover?

One sheet covers approximately 0.98 square foot. Ten sheets cover 9.8 square feet per box.

Is the surface polished or honed?

This product is honed, giving it a smooth, low-sheen appearance.

Can it be installed on a shower floor?

Yes, it may be used on an appropriately constructed shower floor. Confirm slip resistance, drainage, slope, waterproofing, and local requirements with the installer.

Can it be used on commercial floors?

No. MSI approves this product for residential flooring but does not approve it for commercial flooring. Commercial wall and countertop applications are permitted.

Does the marble require sealing?

Yes. Apply a penetrating sealer before grouting and reseal periodically based on use and exposure.

Will all sheets look identical?

No. Differences in background color, gray and beige veining, mineral markings, and tonal intensity are inherent characteristics of natural marble.