"Faux-Ever More....A Floor Tile Story"

(Please note...photos and directions were taken from Southern Living magazine.) Do you have an old wood or concrete floor that could use some refurbishing? How about a facelift of faux terra-cotta tiles? the process is so simple you can accomplish this project in a weekend. Try applying the "tiles" in a diagonal to give the room a larger appearance. Don't worry if the tiles are not laid evenly...the irregularities in the "grout" will make it look even more realistic.

Click below to go to:

Projects Room 1
Berry and Garland Valance
Projects Room 2
An Elegant Bath Project
Projects Room 3
A Lamp Dress-Up Project
Projects Room 5
Trash to Treasure Birdcage
Projects Room 6
No-Sew Curtains
The Everyday Decorator
Home Page

Materials Needed and Directions

Materials needed: 5 12"X12" pieces of cardboard 5 24"X24" pieces of cardboard 5 12"X12" pieces of 1/2" thick foam 1 exacto knofe 1 bottle of white glue 1 pair of plastic or rubber gloves 1 pencil 1 straight-edge ruler 1 roll of masking tape Paint Used: Ben.Moore's Regal Wall Satin #1202, #1204, #189 Ben.Moore's Latex Floor & Patio Enamel #74/Platinum Gray Ben.Moore's Stays Clear Latex satin Finish Urethane Directions: 1. Thoroughly wash and de-gloss floor. Mask off baseboard moulding. Paint the base coat with the gray floor enamel. This will be the "grout." (For hard glossy areas, a primer may be necessary first.) Glue one piece of 12"X12" cardboard to one 12"X12" foam. Allow floor paint to dry overnight. 2. On one side of 24"X24" pieces of cardboard, pour small amounts of the three "terra cotta" colors (#'s 1202,1204, and 189.) With your gloved hand, swirl the colors together to achieve a subtle but not total blending. Draw a straight or diagonal line down the middle of the room. This will be your guide for getting the first row of "tiles" straight. Press the foam applicator pad into the swirled paint, and lightly blot the excess onto the other 24"X24" cardboard piece. 3. Stamp the first square on the floor, ensuring that all areas of the pad are pressed firmly for an even "tile" look. Lift the pad and rotate 1/4 turn, and stamp a second "tile", leaving 1/2" space between the two tiles to represent "grout line." 4. Repeat the above application steps until floor is completed. For special configurations (around cabinets, pipes, corners, etc) cut the other foam applicators to the shape needed and paint in the same way. When the floor is totally dry, finish with 2-3 coats of urethane finish for protection and durability. 5. Enjoy your new tile floor!