Now that I’m working full time for Pam, she’s been pushing me to come up with more Retro Crafty projects to feature here on the blog. On a recent trip to my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, I was perusing the bathroom tiles when inspiration struck. I’ve been hoping to hit the motherlode of pink retro tiles to use in my master bathroom remodel — but alas — I’ve only managed to find one or two tiles at a time. That got me thinking — how could you use one or two lone bathroom tiles — if not for repairing a vintage bathroom. Then it hit me — coasters!
For this project you will need:
- Your favorite colors/patterns of lonely vintage tiles (I got all of mine at the ReStore for 20 cents each). A 4×4″ bathroom tile is good for a coaster. If you find cool decorative tiles slightly larger — 6″x6″ — these could make for great trivets. You could also piece several tiles together using this same method to create a platform for houseplants that protects the floor underneath from spills.
- Thin plywood to use for tile backing (I used oak — which I had sitting around from another project)
- Oak lattice (I used .5 inch by .25 inch and got an 8 foot piece for about $3 from my local big box store)
- Wood Glue
- Gorilla Glue (or other glue that bonds ceramic and wood)
- Fine sandpaper
- Stain (I used leftover stain from another project)
- Clear sealer or Polyurethane for the wood
- Saw
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Clamps
- Safety glasses!
- Brush for stain/Polyurethane
- Optional — felt or cork pads for bottom of coaster to protect table top
Step 1 — Create the plywood base
- REMEMBER: Any time you are using power tools it is a good idea to take safety precautions — like wearing safety glasses!
- Use your saw of choice to cut out the coaster base squares. I am using my Dremel tool with a mini saw attachment — no need to break out the big guys unless you want to!
Step 2 — Measure, mark and cut your lattice to trim the tile
- Measure your tile to determine your trim length for each side — you will need to add the thickness of your trim piece (in this case it is .25 inch) because it will overlap.
- Cut the trim with your saw. I’m a fan of a mini mitre saw like the one sold in this kit (affiliate link). also available at craft stores. I got this little guy in art school for about $12 and I have used it hundreds of times since then.
- Make sure to hold the wood firmly while sawing. Repeat this process until all 16 pieces are cut (4 for each tile).
- Lay your pieces out — or dry fit — to check and make sure they are lining up and make any tweaks as needed. Note: You could also make a 45 degree cut on the end of each trim piece for a picture frame look.
Step 3 — Sand and stain
- Make sure to sand the edges of your base to smooth down any rough parts. Depending on the grade of your plywood, you might need to do an all over sanding.
- You’ll also need to sand the edges of your trim pieces where you made the cuts to remove and rough pieces.
- Choose your stain color — I went with a light stain to compliment the pastel tiles — and apply following directions on the can. You only need to stain one side of the base — the other side will not be seen when the coaster is complete.
Step 4 — Assemble the coasters
- Once the stain is dry, it is time to assemble the coasters. I used Gorilla glue to attach the base to the tile because it bonds to wood and glue together. It expands as it drys, so be careful not to use too much glue or you’ll have a mess on your hands! (On that note, be careful not to get it on your hands — this stuff is on par with super glue — be sure to follow directions)
- Once I was sure everything is correctly aligned, clamp the tile and board together and let it sit for 30 minutes. Note: Some tiles needed more than one clamp to hold the tile to the board while the glue was setting. The flatter the base of your tile, the easier this part of the process will be.
- Once your first application of glue is dry, you can attach the sides to the coaster. I used wood glue for this (since Gorilla glue expands. and I didn’t want to have glue coming out from all sides of the trim). Apply a thin bead of wood glue to each side.
- Wood glue sets up slower than Gorilla glue, so you might have to hold the side in place for a while before moving on to the next piece.
- Continue to work your way around the tile — gluing and attaching each piece. Once all four sides were on, I clamped them and allowed them to dry until the glue set up.
- Once everything is dry, brush a clear sealer or polyurethane on the wood to protect it from drink moisture and spills. You can also put cork or felt on the underside of your coasters to protect the table top.
This project can be reinterpreted into several different applications. You could make coasters — like I did — or perhaps use vintage tiles for a trivet or make a large vintage tile tray with several tiles to use under your houseplants.
If you can’t have your own colorful retro bathroom, making vintage bathroom tile coasters is a great way to show your love for retro bathroom tile.
Diane in CO says
Wow, is that a Marshall Studios (Martz) lamp in the photo with the finished coaster?? My current obsession! Kate, is that lamp yours? Have one, from MIL, and about to acquire second one…
Kate says
No, the lamp is made by Caravan Pacific – http://caravan-pacific.com
I bought my lamp when the company was launching (through kickstarted) and I got it for half price (still expensive but a really well constructed and fabulous lamp).
tammyCA says
Now that’s a good idea…I have random samples of vintage-like tiles sitting in the garage.
marta says
Kate, I just love your pics! Cudos on the tile coasters. My favorite thing about this idea is the tile is heavy enough that the coaster won’t pick up with the glass. That happens to me all the time!
marta says
Forgot to say, you can cut sheet cork (bulletin-board type) to fit and glue it to the bottom also; it’s a little kinder to your table surface. I would probably put those little stick-on plastic bumpers on the bottom of wood if I were using them on a good wood table surface as humidity and heat can cause the finishes to stick together.
Elaine says
I really love how you are trying all these different projects, very inspiring! It is fun to see them through new eyes. I have a looseleaf full of projects I cut out of Family Circle and Woman’d Day in the 70s. I saved them for my retirement. Time to pull it out, I think.
Kate says
thanks Elaine! It is fun to think these projects up — and do them. 🙂
Elaine says
I had forgotten about them but we had coasters with the wood frames just like that in the 70s. If I remember right, they were one inch tiles in pink and cream in checkerboard pattern, grouted into the frame.
I just made coasters the easy way from Mexican tiles, glued on felt.
Corraun says
You can also do photo transfer decoupage on the front of the tile. Or if you want quick and easy glue on pictures and shellac.
Sandra says
You could use a door skin (very thin plywood meant for covering doors). It’s much thinner, and can probably be cut with a utility knife.
If you keep your spares around as coasters, you’ll have them when you need to replace a tile!
I usually just use the tile by itself as a coaster, but felt on the back would be good.
Kate says
Ohh cool idea Sandra. I had never heard of “door skin” — now I’m intrigued! I’ll have to look for some.
Katie B. says
Cool idea! Now if only we had a ReStore closer to home. 🙁 I have been wanting to try one of those services where they print pictures or art on tiles for you. This would be a cool way to make one of those into a gift!
Rebecca@MidcenturyModernRemodel says
I sometimes use the felt stick-ums. But this is a much more elegant solution!
Laurie V says
Or you could glue some felt on the back and call it a day. ; )
Hanna says
I was thinking the exact same thing! Her idea is a lot more finished looking, but felt would take like a minute. Haha.
Kate says
Yes, it does take a while to make all the cuts, sand stain and assemble, but it looks very nice when finished. However, the felt stick-ums would be a good and quick solution also.