? for Crafty Folks; 20 granite tiles; WWYD?

11 years ago

We removed the ancient carpet from the living room and found 1-1/4 inch solid oak flooring to match the hall and two "bed" rooms - sewing/ladies' room and den/office.

A former owner had cut a 4'x5' square out of the wood flooring in front of the door. They slapped down 20 granite tiles and called the job good. I call it "not good." Even as I type, a flooring man is here to repair the void then sand and finish the entire room.

But, I digress. What would you do in the yard/garden/crafty spots with 20 square granite tiles?

At first I thought "stepping stones," but these babies are slick. The backs of the tiles are rougher, like a "honed" finish, but I don't want to scape and clean grout off of 20 tiles.

Here's the only photo I have of the tiles right now. They are a dark purply-brown with a yellow-goldish streaking. Not very descriptive, but my brain is tired today. Trying to coordinate a plumber, electrician, and general carpenter to install the long-awaited AIR-CONDITIONER!!!, heat-pump, back up furnace, all new duct work, etc. has me on my last nerve. For the cherry on top; the flooring man could only come this week, so add him to the fray.

Wes and Harry removing the tiles. (The door and frames will be replaced, too.)

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Comments (15)

katlan
11 years ago
Well, if nothing else, you could donate them to Good Will or Habitat for Humanity. Or put them on Craigslist.

Maybe cover a table top with them for outside? Break them up and mosaic tile them to a table or flower pot or ?
FlamingO in AR
11 years ago
I was going to say table top, also. Patio furniture? Tile a box with them and plant tomatoes inside it? Island top in the kitchen? I would be inclined to give them away. :)
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nicole__
11 years ago
I keep a pile of those in my closet I've picked up, in case a project comes up. These projects are very "specific"....so it might not help, but here's what I've done. Maybe this will help you think of a project.

(If it matched the granite in my rental I'd use it as a backsplash in the kitchen or a 4" border in a shower)

A pedestal top:

Green marble I added as an Insert for a cake stand:

Mosiac table top:

Fireplace hearth:
User
11 years ago
Do you have Pinterest? Look up "garden" and granite". There are some really pretty walkways and patios that have been fashioned out out of a mixture of materials. If you have a way to cut it, maybe you could make an outdoor checkerboard.
oldfixer
11 years ago
You worry too much. 20 tiles would be in the trash. (or in your garage for the next 10 years, before trash.)
arkansas girl
11 years ago
Back in the day, they just hated those yucky old hard wood floors...sigh. Sucks they did that!

Won't the tiles break when removing them? I have purchase many tile flooring squares from the thrift shop for very random needs like for instance, I have a couple large tiles down on top of my carpet to set the space heater on top of. Mostly they are used to put things on top of them...HAHA! Could be used as trivets in the kitchen.
mary_c_gw
11 years ago
Habitat for Humanity, or set out for free.

I can't imagine a use for so few, and I wouldn't want the job of cleaning all the thin-set and grout off.
User
11 years ago
If you really want to take the time, they'd made great hot pads if you trim them in wood and add soft "feet" to them. Great gifts for new home owners. They could also be used under planters. They probably wouldn't hold up as stepping stones even if you did want to take the time to clean them. Not thick enough.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
11 years ago
You should ask over on the garden junk forum, lots of creative ideas there. I would say use for a table top, to set planters on, as a base for a garden totem, set them outside the door to put shoes on that need cleaning.
talley_sue_nyc
11 years ago
I'm w/ OldFixer--I'd toss them.

Or find Habitat or an arts/crafts organization to give them to.
Elmer J Fudd
11 years ago
I vote for toss. I don't care much for the color myself. Pieces like these at a flea market would sell for a quarter. It's common, not worth much.
caroline94535
Original Author
11 years ago
I agree, they are so ugly; and to think someone cut a large chunk out of the oak floor to set them in. Geesh.

I need a lot of stepping stones in the large cottage garden, and at first was excited thinking they would work, and blend into the dirt colors. I'm back to thinking 12-inch exposed aggregate circles will be my best choice.

Still, I wanted to see "ideas." Nicole; I love the stonework you've done.

Off to post on FreeCycle now. Someone will use them.
Jasdip
11 years ago
Oh, someone will pick them up for sure, on Freecycle Caroline. Much better than throwing them out.

Beautiful work, Nicole!
terilyn
11 years ago
Sorry you think they are ugly, my kitchen counter.
caroline94535
Original Author
11 years ago
Terilyn, your tiles are beautiful. Mine were a purple-brown, with yellow gold "globs and swirls." Against the orangy oak (which will be restained) they were not beautiful.

I would love to cook in your kitchen! And eat in it! And help do the dishes in that sink!

I had three responses in just a few minutes. My tiles are off to their new home now.

? for Crafty Folks; 20 granite tiles; WWYD?

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