Recycle your old mirrors and make mosaic mirror tiles.
Refurbishing kitchen items such as a cake plate's plain skirt pedestal is a great way to create a decorative piece on a budget. By implementing mosaic tiling techniques and incorporating mirrored tiles, a plain pedestal is transformed into an elegant centerpiece with a reflective effect. The grout color is an important component as well. Colors such as white, black and gray are often used to create a classic mirrored mosaic skirt pedestal.
Instructions
1. Choose your mirror tiles, which are available in sheets or individually cut. As an alternative, recycle a broken mirror and make it into mosaic tile by cutting it into your desired shape with tile nippers, glass cutters or a hammer. Always use extra care when breaking glass by wrapping it in old towels and placing the mirrored side facing the work table. If you mirror has sticky film backing, remove it before breaking up the glass.
2. Measure the width and height of your skirt pedestal with a ruler.
3. Position your mirror placement pattern on your table top for your skirt pedestal. Use the dimensions from step 2 as your guide. To include a specific motif within your pattern, such as a flower, draw the motif on pattern paper with your drafting pencils and place the mirrored tiles onto the drawing. This will act as a road map while attaching your tiles. You can include decorative colored tile such as vitreous glass as part of your pattern. Although this tile type is opaque, it is also often mixed with metallic powder, producing a shimmering effect which is complementary to the mirror.
4. Brush a light coat of building silicone adhesive or silicone sealant with a bristle brush onto the skirt pedestal. Make sure you are working in a well ventilated area and wear a protective mask, goggles and rubber gloves.
Read your brand's surface and drying time recommendations.
5. Apply your tiles according to your pattern. Use tweezers to handle small mirror tile pieces. Make sure the surface is not saturated with glue to avoid it from squeezing in between the tile placement and onto the surface of the tile. Wipe away any excess glue with a damp sponge.
6. Pour the dry grout into your mixing bowl to make a large enough batch for your pedestal.
7. Pour water slowly into the grout, according to your brand's instructions, and mix it with a wallpaper scraper. Continue mixing until the grout produces a creamy looking consistency. Add water as needed.
8. Apply the grout onto your skirt pedestal by smoothing over the grout directly onto the tiles. If the base has a flat surface, use a squeegee application tool and if it has a shaped or irregular base, use a rubber spatula.
9. Wipe away excess grout with a damp sponge. Make sure it has fully dried before using your mosaic mirrored skirt pedestal.
Tags: skirt pedestal, Make sure, your pattern, your skirt, your skirt pedestal
