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I thought I would create my first post about how I put together my new side tables - I repurposed some old Freedom side tables that I really didn't like. On a trip to Israel, my fiancé came across these hand painted tiles and came up with idea to tile our bedside tables. It challenging to move ahead on a project that wasn't 100% my idea, but I put ego aside in this rare case. We actually used 2 types of tiles as we couldn't get enough of 1 style, but I like the subtle difference.
Here is a pic after I took the finish off (1 of 3 coats.) They were a really dark stain- of coarse the wood underneath isn't great – I used a stripper to get it off. I didn't need to sand it. I used some left over danish oil on it in the end which gave it a touch of colour but it the wood is very average and didn't really absorb it.
It didn’t matter that it was a vaneer, it ended up with a cool shabby finish. When taking off the finish, I used a polystippa. I did 3 trips to get this after I kept running out. I also ended up doing 3 coats, fail and fail. My advice: Buy a lot more than you think you need x 3 as it needs to be applied really thick. I can’t even explain the consistency but it’s thick.
http://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-500ml-polystrippa-_p1715066
Next, I used a plunge router so the tiles would sit flush. This was a touch easier than I’d anticipated – I only had a round bit so I edged in the corners with a hammer and chisel – also easier than I thought. The wood is so bad is moves like cardboard.
For gluing the tiles onto this average wood. I would NOT recommend Durabond sellys. I glued down the tiles flush, left them to dry and checked in an hour and the glue had expaned raising the tiles. I had to push them down. I’ve tried to use the glue since on plastics and have had the same thing. I have no idea what this glue is for, but I’ll never use it. I was recommended this – but next time I would use regular wood glue I think. http://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-460ml-aquadhere-durabond_p1232226
All up – it was relatively easy face lift and I’m getting a lot of positive comments. I picked up some other furniture inspiration on this trip and i've created a couple of other projects that i'll post soon.
Would love to know what you think.
@NickM The bedside tables look great!
I saw this recently in a documentary I was watching (not about tiling tables), they had a tiled kitchen bench with all different kinds of tiles similar to the below. It looked amazing!
Haven't been able to find much more inspiration other than that one documentary, so I was excited to see your post! Did you need to seal the tiles or anything like that? Maybe not cause they aren't in a wet area. Also did you grout them? Apologies I couldn't tell from the images. They look pretty flush around the edges though.
Thanks for sharing. I am eager to try this myself!
aw shuks @kaylah_rose - I also bought a whole bunch more mismatch tiles from Mexico - I look forward to doing something with those. I was looking at tiling a tall boy that I was working on. Give it a go.
My parents have a great outdoor setting where the table is placed tiles - similiar to the image below. It's pretty cool and something a little different to your standard outdoor furniture.
