How to Transform a Table Top With Your Old Crockery

Susan Goode
by Susan Goode
4 Materials
$5
2 Hours
Medium

I love recycling old things and transforming with creative ideas to breath some new life into everyday furniture.

The designs on the old English blue guy willow pattern crockery is so beautiful that when I had some broken dinner plates I decided to cut them up and cover this handy side table. I did it in a mosaic to create a durable but decorative top.

Side table

The plates cut easily with wheeled tile nippers. Make sure to protect eyes from shards with protective safety glasses . I use an upturned plastic lid to catch most of the bits. I decide to cut the plate edge into some rectangles for the border lof the table as they have a natural smooth edging

Cutting plates

I try and cut carefully around the bigger shapes like trees and birds to keep them as focus decals.

Glue paper to table top

I prepare the table top with plain paper and pva glue to seal. It helps with seeing the layout design and gives a non shiny surface to help tiles adhere better.

Fixing tiles to table top

I start with border tiles and a few decal central’s so I can see how to layout the design then I get sticking.

Sticking tiles down in position

The pieces and patter design I want comes together and I fill in with triangle shaped tiles .

Filling in background

Then after 24 hrs drying time it’s time to cement grout.

I use a ready mixed black grout and a pieces of stuff card to work it into all the crevices. Protect your workspace and hands too.

Grouting tiles

I then clean off all surplus grout with water wet wipes and it takes quite a bit of time to do this part but the end result is worth it!

Cleaning the excess grout off

Wow the final result I’m really pleased with.

Mosaic table with china plates
Mosaic table with ceramic plates
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  2 questions
  • Diane Diane on Mar 08, 2021

    Hi! I love your table. Are you going to leave it outside? And if so did you seal it at all with anything? I've never done anything like this but I've been saving broken crockery over the years for a project like this. Thanks for the inspiration 😊

  • Erin Erin on Apr 27, 2021

    You glued paper to the table before you started gluing the tile to the table?

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