Creative Ideas for Tile

Tile is for floors and walls, right? Well certainly the answer to that question is yes, but it can be used in so many other ways. The tile aisle in the home improvement store has a selection of beautiful tile to pick from. Needless to say the most beautiful tile is the most expensive.

What if you only needed a few and it didn't cost a fortune? There are ways to incorporate small amounts of tile without selling you children.

A few points to remember when you're working with tile.

• It's permanent for the most part


• If it doesn't fit exactly where you want to put it, you must cut it.


• Manual tile cutters are hard to use, but do work for the most part


• Water saws are available at the home improvement centers to rent for the day. If your tile design doesn't fit exactly you can always create a random mosaic to fill in the gaps.
  
• You'll need mortar to set the tile in and grout for in between.
  

A few years ago we had a small bathroom built in the basement. When it was completed I decided to add just a few tiles above the sink.

This added a creative touch, but also function. It acts as a back splash for the sink.

Below these tiles were added to the side of the sink, also adding some function in that it catches some of the splashing water.





Below is a tile formation that was placed in the cornier of a shower. This one serves no particular function but adds a decorative touch.

So there is plenty you can do with tile these days and so much to pick from. Use your imagination and have some fun with tile.

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Can You Install Tile Over Existing Tile?

Well.....................yes, I did. When we moved into our house 13 years ago almost everything was white. The kitchen cabinets, walls, ceilings, counters, rugs, trim and the fireplace. It had large 12" X 12" white tiles around it. I stared at it for years before deciding it was time for a change. My decorating style lends itself to the warmer, earth tones. Eventually the den (where the fireplace is located) had warm oak floors installed, earthy tones in the furniture, pillows and draperies. The "white" fireplace had to go.

I tiled over the tile. I don't know if you are supposed to do it but I can tell you it is still going strong after four years. Selecting the tiles was easy, but making it fit exactly without having to cut anything was difficult. The tile was very rough and I didn't have the right tools to cut it. The solution was easy.

Don't cut................break it!

That's right..... I broke up a secondary color and wrapped a mosaic around the perimeter area so I would not have to cut it. All the tile fit just fine until I got to the perimeter. So placing broken tile around and creating a random mosaic, saved me.

Below is a close up of the mosaic. I basically took one tile at a time, covered it with a towel and gave it a swift blow with a hammer. I then set the small broken pieces into the adhesive. When it was all dry it was grouted.

The woodwork around the tile was painted using a combination of two beige tones blended together with a large bristle brush.

So you can install tile over tile or at least I did. It completely changed the look of the fireplace and made it the focal point of my den.

Next post: How to build a spice rack "under your kitchen cabinets." Practical, convenient and very handy....... I'll show you how. Please check back!

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