Decorative tile is really expensive. You probably know this. For a while during our home renovation I thought very seriously about painting my own decorative tiles. I even went so far as to make some samples to see if it was a good or a bad idea.
The previous homeowners had left a box of plain white square tiles in the basement. Score! I did my online research and discovered that enamel paint was going to be the best bet for painting on top of finished tiles and actually having the paint stick and stay. And so off I went to the hardware store to buy a few different colors of enamel paint.
I wanted a very hand painted, almost mottled look, so I used several colors on the tiles at the same time:
Then I designed and cut a stencil that would create a larger overall pattern across multiple tiles. (This is where knowing how to design patterns for stamp designs really helped me.) Once the first layer of paint had dried, I stenciled the tiles:
I decided that they were too bright and so I experimented with some darker colors…
…but it felt too dark and so I tried to stencil with less contrast…
…but it still didn't feel quite right.
And so, I made the decision to scrap this particular DIY project for now. In the meantime, I have a fabulous collection of drink coasters! LOL!
It's good to remember that not every DIY project works out and that's okay.
Thanks for stopping by!
Holy Moly Julie I think they are fabulous……..but Mama knows BEST 🙂
To me they look great !! xoxo Joan
Holy Moly Julie I think they are fabulous……..but Mama knows BEST 🙂
To me they look great !! xoxo Joan
Holy Moly Julie I think they are fabulous……..but Mama knows BEST 🙂
To me they look great !! xoxo Joan
Holy Moly Julie I think they are fabulous……..but Mama knows BEST 🙂
To me they look great !! xoxo Joan
Holy Moly Julie I think they are fabulous……..but Mama knows BEST 🙂
To me they look great !! xoxo Joan
Holy Moly Julie I think they are fabulous……..but Mama knows BEST 🙂
To me they look great !! xoxo Joan
Holy Moly Julie I think they are fabulous……..but Mama knows BEST 🙂
To me they look great !! xoxo Joan
I think these tiles are super gorgeous!! I’m not sure where you are placing them but they look rich! Can’t wait to see photos of the inside of your house as you continue along on your decorating adventures. I just found out my new daughter in law is pregnant too so am following along in that adventure as well. My semiconductor son is following after his older brother who’s got a man 11 month old. That daughter in law had a difficult pregnancy so we’re loving her and that sweet boy so very much! Wishing you continuing good months ahead! ~ Barbee (BuzzyBarbee.blogspot.com)
I think these tiles are super gorgeous!! I’m not sure where you are placing them but they look rich! Can’t wait to see photos of the inside of your house as you continue along on your decorating adventures. I just found out my new daughter in law is pregnant too so am following along in that adventure as well. My semiconductor son is following after his older brother who’s got a man 11 month old. That daughter in law had a difficult pregnancy so we’re loving her and that sweet boy so very much! Wishing you continuing good months ahead! ~ Barbee (BuzzyBarbee.blogspot.com)
I think these tiles are super gorgeous!! I’m not sure where you are placing them but they look rich! Can’t wait to see photos of the inside of your house as you continue along on your decorating adventures. I just found out my new daughter in law is pregnant too so am following along in that adventure as well. My semiconductor son is following after his older brother who’s got a man 11 month old. That daughter in law had a difficult pregnancy so we’re loving her and that sweet boy so very much! Wishing you continuing good months ahead! ~ Barbee (BuzzyBarbee.blogspot.com)
I think these tiles are super gorgeous!! I’m not sure where you are placing them but they look rich! Can’t wait to see photos of the inside of your house as you continue along on your decorating adventures. I just found out my new daughter in law is pregnant too so am following along in that adventure as well. My semiconductor son is following after his older brother who’s got a man 11 month old. That daughter in law had a difficult pregnancy so we’re loving her and that sweet boy so very much! Wishing you continuing good months ahead! ~ Barbee (BuzzyBarbee.blogspot.com)
I think these tiles are super gorgeous!! I’m not sure where you are placing them but they look rich! Can’t wait to see photos of the inside of your house as you continue along on your decorating adventures. I just found out my new daughter in law is pregnant too so am following along in that adventure as well. My semiconductor son is following after his older brother who’s got a man 11 month old. That daughter in law had a difficult pregnancy so we’re loving her and that sweet boy so very much! Wishing you continuing good months ahead! ~ Barbee (BuzzyBarbee.blogspot.com)
I think these tiles are super gorgeous!! I’m not sure where you are placing them but they look rich! Can’t wait to see photos of the inside of your house as you continue along on your decorating adventures. I just found out my new daughter in law is pregnant too so am following along in that adventure as well. My semiconductor son is following after his older brother who’s got a man 11 month old. That daughter in law had a difficult pregnancy so we’re loving her and that sweet boy so very much! Wishing you continuing good months ahead! ~ Barbee (BuzzyBarbee.blogspot.com)
I think these tiles are super gorgeous!! I’m not sure where you are placing them but they look rich! Can’t wait to see photos of the inside of your house as you continue along on your decorating adventures. I just found out my new daughter in law is pregnant too so am following along in that adventure as well. My semiconductor son is following after his older brother who’s got a man 11 month old. That daughter in law had a difficult pregnancy so we’re loving her and that sweet boy so very much! Wishing you continuing good months ahead! ~ Barbee (BuzzyBarbee.blogspot.com)
I like the patterns and colors, but to me one of the great things about tiles is their shininess, so these are too matte for me (at least, that’s how they show up in the photo).
I like the patterns and colors, but to me one of the great things about tiles is their shininess, so these are too matte for me (at least, that’s how they show up in the photo).
I like the patterns and colors, but to me one of the great things about tiles is their shininess, so these are too matte for me (at least, that’s how they show up in the photo).
I like the patterns and colors, but to me one of the great things about tiles is their shininess, so these are too matte for me (at least, that’s how they show up in the photo).
I like the patterns and colors, but to me one of the great things about tiles is their shininess, so these are too matte for me (at least, that’s how they show up in the photo).
I like the patterns and colors, but to me one of the great things about tiles is their shininess, so these are too matte for me (at least, that’s how they show up in the photo).
I like the patterns and colors, but to me one of the great things about tiles is their shininess, so these are too matte for me (at least, that’s how they show up in the photo).
I just LOVE that you showed us the journey…your thoughts..the journey and the decision(destination). It was an interesting adventure…you learned and we learned. THANKS for sharing.
I just LOVE that you showed us the journey…your thoughts..the journey and the decision(destination). It was an interesting adventure…you learned and we learned. THANKS for sharing.
I just LOVE that you showed us the journey…your thoughts..the journey and the decision(destination). It was an interesting adventure…you learned and we learned. THANKS for sharing.
I just LOVE that you showed us the journey…your thoughts..the journey and the decision(destination). It was an interesting adventure…you learned and we learned. THANKS for sharing.
I just LOVE that you showed us the journey…your thoughts..the journey and the decision(destination). It was an interesting adventure…you learned and we learned. THANKS for sharing.
I just LOVE that you showed us the journey…your thoughts..the journey and the decision(destination). It was an interesting adventure…you learned and we learned. THANKS for sharing.
I just LOVE that you showed us the journey…your thoughts..the journey and the decision(destination). It was an interesting adventure…you learned and we learned. THANKS for sharing.
Julie I think these look great. Maybe a whole wall or floor would be overpowering, but they might look really cool as a border and interspersed with some greyed down oranges like decorative Mexican tiles.
Nice coaster too ! LOL!
Julie I think these look great. Maybe a whole wall or floor would be overpowering, but they might look really cool as a border and interspersed with some greyed down oranges like decorative Mexican tiles.
Nice coaster too ! LOL!
Julie I think these look great. Maybe a whole wall or floor would be overpowering, but they might look really cool as a border and interspersed with some greyed down oranges like decorative Mexican tiles.
Nice coaster too ! LOL!
Julie I think these look great. Maybe a whole wall or floor would be overpowering, but they might look really cool as a border and interspersed with some greyed down oranges like decorative Mexican tiles.
Nice coaster too ! LOL!
Julie I think these look great. Maybe a whole wall or floor would be overpowering, but they might look really cool as a border and interspersed with some greyed down oranges like decorative Mexican tiles.
Nice coaster too ! LOL!
Julie I think these look great. Maybe a whole wall or floor would be overpowering, but they might look really cool as a border and interspersed with some greyed down oranges like decorative Mexican tiles.
Nice coaster too ! LOL!
Julie I think these look great. Maybe a whole wall or floor would be overpowering, but they might look really cool as a border and interspersed with some greyed down oranges like decorative Mexican tiles.
Nice coaster too ! LOL!
Love them! Love the stencil pattern and your process. Make great gifts!
Love them! Love the stencil pattern and your process. Make great gifts!
Love them! Love the stencil pattern and your process. Make great gifts!
Love them! Love the stencil pattern and your process. Make great gifts!
Love them! Love the stencil pattern and your process. Make great gifts!
Love them! Love the stencil pattern and your process. Make great gifts!
Love them! Love the stencil pattern and your process. Make great gifts!
I don’t like them for other reasons. Shininess can easily be addressed by adding a clear sealer.
I don’t like them for other reasons. Shininess can easily be addressed by adding a clear sealer.
I don’t like them for other reasons. Shininess can easily be addressed by adding a clear sealer.
I don’t like them for other reasons. Shininess can easily be addressed by adding a clear sealer.
I don’t like them for other reasons. Shininess can easily be addressed by adding a clear sealer.
I don’t like them for other reasons. Shininess can easily be addressed by adding a clear sealer.
I don’t like them for other reasons. Shininess can easily be addressed by adding a clear sealer.
Thanks and congrats to your son and daughter-in-law!
Thanks and congrats to your son and daughter-in-law!
Thanks and congrats to your son and daughter-in-law!
Thanks and congrats to your son and daughter-in-law!
Thanks and congrats to your son and daughter-in-law!
Thanks and congrats to your son and daughter-in-law!
Thanks and congrats to your son and daughter-in-law!