As seen in
Create and Decorate
magazine
Materials
Wooden flea market chair with flat seat
Iron-on wood veneer edging tape (13/16 inch wide and long enough to go around the outside edge of the seat)
15 finishing nails (3/4” x 16 gauge)
1 can Krylon Primer Spray Paint
1 can Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss Spray Paint, Global Blue
Mosaic Mercantile vitreous glass mini mosaic tiles (3/8 inch size):
100 Cobalt tiles (1/6 pound bag)100 Atlantic tiles (1/6 pound bag)100 Stem Green tiles (1/6 pound bag)100 Evergreen tiles (1/6 pound bag)300 Rainwater tiles (3 bags, 1/6 pound each)200 Lime tiles (2 bags, 1/6 pound each)
Beacon Adhesives Quick Grip Glue
Clear silicone rubber sealant
EnviroTex Lite Pour-On High Gloss Finish (16 oz kit)
Rubbing alcohol
Tools
Handsaw
Iron
Scissors
Hammer
Chalk
Cotton swab
Gloves
8 paper cups (20 ounce)
4 chopsticks
Level
Drop cloth
Instructions
1. Start your transformation from seat to table by removing the back of your wooden chair using the handsaw. Make sure your cuts are flush with the seat.
2. To make a lip for your mosaic table top, attach the veneer edging tape to the outside edge of the seat so that ¼” of the tape rises above the seat. Iron the tape in place using the cotton setting on your iron, then secure it with a finishing nail every 2 inches around the entire table edge.
3. Prime your new table with the Krylon Primer and let dry. Then coat it, seat and all, with the Global Blue spray paint and let dry.
4. To prepare the tabletop for the resin mosaic, run a bead of clear silicone rubber sealant along the inside edge of the veneer where it meets the tabletop. Peer down between the veneer edging and the seat and look for any gaps. Pay special attention to the corners where the legs join the seat. Fill any gaps you find with the sealant. It is crucial that there be no gaps or the resin will leak out! Let dry.
5. To create your mosaic design, start by drawing guidelines for your wavy lines using chalk. Lay out a few mini tiles to determine the width of each wavy line.
6. To mosaic your design, glue the tiles in place using the Quick Grip Glue, applying the glue to the rough side of each tile. Don’t try to line the tiles up too rigidly. If they are slightly cattywampus, the design will look more dynamic and have more movement. Remove any visible chalk lines with a damp cotton swab.
7. Cover the mosaic tiles with two layers of clear resin. To do this, place your table on a piece of cardboard to protect the floor. Don your gloves for mixing the EnviroTex Lite Pour-On High Gloss Finish. Mix half the resin and half the hardener together using the chopsticks and the double-cup method as described in the instructions on the box. Immediately pour the first layer of resin over the tiled surface. Tip the table slightly to evenly distribute the resin to the edge of the wood veneer tape. Bubbles will appear in the resin after you pour it. To release them, wait five minutes, then gently exhale over the surface. Let the resin cure on a level surface for 8 hours. To keep dust from settling onto the surface before it is dry, place a taller table over the mosaic table and cover the taller table with a drop cloth.
8. To finish the second layer of resin, wipe the cured tabletop with rubbing alcohol. Then repeat step 7 to coat the mosaic with a second layer of resin. Again, remove the bubbles, then let cure as before on a level surface in a dust-free place. Your beautiful mosaic side table will be ready in 48 hours.
Magical Mosaic Makeover
Completely transform a flea market chair into a modern mosaic side table. Remove the chair back and you are halfway there! Then tile the top with gorgeous vitreous glass tiles in a wavy ocean-like stripe. Finish with a clear layer of resin to let the colors shine through.
Mosaic Mania
Now that you have mastered the art of resin mosaic, you’ll want to tile everything! Try tiling coasters, a lazy susan, or a wooden tray. As long as the surface is flat and has a lip, it can be covered with this amazing mosaic finish.
Chair Flair: For best results, look for a chair with a seat that is flat and level on top and straight-edged, not curved or beveled, on the sides. An old school chair is a perfect candidate!
