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Trash To Treasure

Ceramic Tiles Samples

20 years ago

My hubby was at work one day and found a box sitting next to the dumpster that had samples of ceramic tiles in it. The box is so heavy I can barely lift it even though it is a very small box. Most of the tiles are cobalt blue & white... which I love! The only problem is that most of the tiles are broken or cracked. I was thinking about using a hammer to break them all up and then glue them to a small table top to make a tile mosaic. What do you think? Can ya'll think of any other ideas that might be better than a table top?

Thanks,

Shelia

PS I just found this forum and think it is GREAT!!!

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Comments (7)

dgo1223
20 years ago
Well, I just the other day took some stained glass scraps and glued them to some of the concrete garden edgers, the kind that are slightly curved to use around a small flower garden bed which has my birdbath in it. Got the idea from the show "Crafters across America." I grouted one to see how it looked, but like them better just covered with the glass.

I bet it would work with the tiles, too.
Ina Plassa_travis
20 years ago
:) that's what broken tiles are FOR, lovey!

you are SO lucky... that's just the box of samples I've been looking for- I want to do the 'bar' between my kitchen and dining room in tile (training for doing the rest of the counters) and blues and greens are totally my colors (with counters the color of cooked shrimp, blues and greens are about all that work ;)

boxes and mirror frames also make good test mosaic pieces- as do serving trays.
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If you have a solid base on the tile below and there is no height issue there is absolutely no reason you can't tile over it. If the old tile has cracks, or if the floor shows any flex at all you should start fresh. Putting old on top of new is often done in many applications of home improvement. I just finished tiling over tile on my bathroom where the first layer was firmly tiled to my cement slab. It came out wonderful. My toilet flange happened to be elevated to the point that my second layer of tile is at a better level than the initial layer for seating the toilet. Picture is of this bathroom with the tile going in. The bathroom I did last summer had cracked tiles and appeared to flex a little, I took off all the old tile and the cement bed, added a layer of plywood to the subfloor and backerboard and retiled. Again, it just depends on what you are working with.
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Hi- This is Rebecca co-owner and designer of modwalls. Thank you for ordering samples from us. I agree that our latest dye lot of Lush 3x6 glass subway tile in Cloud is a bit on the green side. We will have a brighter white version of Cloud using clear glass in stock in Mid August. I would also suggest you consider a warm grey tone for your backsplash. We have our Lush tile in Fog Bank in a 1x2 small subway set with a classic offset joint on mesh sheets in stock. I have attached a photo of it installed in the Sunset Magazine Idea House last year with white cabinets. We will also have this color in stock in mid August in a 3x6 subway and a 1x4 skinny subway tile. If you can wait until then I'll be happy to get you free samples of these styles. Just email me at rebecca@modwalls.com I concur with many other comments here. Your stunning countertop should be your kitchen's focal point so I'd suggest either a white or warm gray backsplash tile. Here is a link that might be useful: modwalls Lush 1x2 glass subway in Fog Bank
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Overly - Your tiles look GREAT. However, I think the Heath person you spoke to gave you the wrong information or at least a non-detailed recommendation. On the Heath FAQs on their website, they state that 1/8" is the recommended size: I really do not like the way grout looks. Can I install with a very tight grout line and not the recommended size of 1/8" (3/16" for 12" modules)? Possibly, however it depends on whether or not the natural irregularity in tile size and shape allows for a tighter fit (typically easier with smaller sizes). It also requires a much more skilled installation to get a good end result. If the grout line is too tight the tile could chip at stress points while the grout dries. Your tile installer should have a grout selection kit with the many shades of grout available and there will likely be a choice that blends in with the tile rather than creating contrast. Gglks - Here is a really bad, upside-down pic of our hood. It has some extra trim pieces on the sides for carrying purposes. It's a really simple look - not exactly the look I had wanted but close enough.
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sandyhills1
20 years ago
Cover clay flowerpots or stepping stones,or the bottom of a concrete birdbath.cover wall area behind stove.hope this helps to get you thinking.
Judygardengal
20 years ago
I would cover anything for the garden whether it be a flower pot or a milk can. You could even cover a sculpture of an animal ie: rabbit or frog. Experiment you'll have fun doing it.
MagnoliaMommy
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks for all the great advice!
Shelia
helenb1949
9 years ago
What do you use to adhere the tiles to a cement stepping stone?
craftyintx
9 years ago
We put them on a terracotta flower pot, as well. It looks so pretty, and you can't tell that it was all discolored and just plain ugly before!

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