Seeking Lavender Lane

Jul

09

DIY Tile Tabletop

DIY Tile Tabletop: Using Merola Tiles

Let’s first talk about the dreamy black and white (link to tile here) Merola tiles. Who else has been oohing-ahhing at these for the last year or so?

Merola Tile Twenties Classic 7-3/4 in. x 7-3/4 in. Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile (11 sq. ft. / case)

This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission from, with no added cost to your purchase. 

They are such a trend in home decor right now since they are an affordable option to cement tiles and their bold black and white pattern is adding interest to every kitchen and bathroom around! Well, you know I would love to have a bathroom or kitchen or something filled with these gorgeous tiles, but for this girl who’s working on a small budget always and a small home, I’m running out of money and space for these kind of projects. That just made me think outside the box even more so,  how I could have these bold beautiful tiles in my home. That’s when the Spring and Summer projects came in mind. Our  Outdated Patio Set updated surface, was not doing so well two years later. We needed a new solution to the patio table and though I really just wanted to buy something new…$300-$500 just wasn’t in the budget. I thought about just re-doing the top again as we had in the past, but then a tile top popped in my head. This seemed like it would be a much easier option too…since the hubby and I have a problem with our “carpentry” projects not always turning out so perfect. I figured tile would be easy and all we would have to do is build a frame around the edge. A DIY Tile Tabletop would be the perfect solution!

Materials

2 boxes Merolo Tiles (click here)

Plywood

1 x 2.5″ (3 pieces)

Molding for top trim same thickness as tile.

Nail Gun (click here)

Mortar

Grout

BEFORE

Our original makeover on this table I spray painted the table with black spray paint. Considering the piece was slightly chippy from it being so old, the spray paint held up well these past two summers. I also always recommend their comfort grip for large spray paint projects like this!

First, we added a thin piece of plywood cut to size of the table, directly on top. Try not to get too thick or heavy of a piece of wood, since the tile will make it heavy and you don’t want to add too much weight to the raggedy outdated patio table.

Next, place the tiles on top of wood trying to keep the rim of the wood the same all the way around.

Trace tiles while they are on top of the wood.

By having the outline this will help when placing the tile back on top. Begin to Mix mortar and apply starting in one corner and working your way down. This tile is like working with a puzzle piece so be sure to not jump all over but work in one section to the next.

Once Tile is all in place let dry overnight. Be sure to choose a non-rainy day or week to do this project.

apologize for the lighting this project we started after the kids went to bed.

*Tip be sure to not get too much mortar around the edge of the table. You are going to be placing your frame here so be as neat as possible. Any excess you can always scrape off.

Okay, an honest story here! If you follow along on Instagram then you have seen my frustrating insta stories…where I grouted the tile the next day and then a big rain storm came through! Yep, you can only imagine. The tiles ended popping up in some areas and we had to scrape and re-do the tiling on some of the table. The project I promise is very easy, but for some reason, we had a black cloud over our heads when doing this project (no pun intended). I think overall even after all the hurdles we had, it still came out pretty amazing..oh and I didn’t mention I bought wood and had it cut at the store and came home to realize my cuts were all wrong. A waste of money and time. So yes, black cloud status here..but as always we have a plan B and it all turns out alright at the end.

On to the framing of the project. Be sure to buy wood trim that is close in thickness to the tile. This will allow the table to be flush and flat. Also, if you have chairs that have an arm be sure to measure for that as well because you are going to want to push your chairs under the table when sitting.

Here we built the frame using our nail gun and nailing the trim right into the wood frame. We chose not to do angle cuts since this would be the easiest to assemble. If you’re a pro craftsman do all the fancy angle cuts of choice. We’re still not there 4 years into DIYing.

This is a close-up shot of the table ready for its top frame. As I mentioned we chose a thickness close to the tile thickness. We assembled to the edge of a table and then grouted inside the line.

That’s it! Super easy if it doesn’t rain on ya!

Funny thing…it was raining when I took these photos too, fortunately, everything is dry and complete. We thought about maybe sealing the grout with a clear epoxy just to make it even better for the outdoor weather.

UPDATE: We have since sold our house and moved since we moved we did not take our table with us due to it’s weight and inconvenience. I believe with sealing the table, covering it or moving to a shed during winter, and correctly building, this table can last you a few years. I get many questions on that and unfortunately we moved so I don’t have a true update on how it held up. 

AFTER

and the table all set…

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Want to see more DIY Patio Table Makeovers?

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Hi! I'm Deb

I love a well designed home and I believe you can create this on every type of budget. Follow along here and join me for more seasonal inspiration, trend alerts, DIY , vintage styling, and our newest project, The Mountain Chateau.

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69 Responses

  1. That turned out really beautiful! I sure hope it holds up in the weather! I just finished making a pallet table for my patio :o)

    Tania

    1. Thank you so much Tracy! I know, I’ve had my eyes on these for a while…and was so excited to be able to use them in this project.

    1. Thank you Natalie! Oh my it was one heck of a trial and error but we made it through.

    1. Thank you Angela! Right, this was such an easy way…and it looks awesome outside!

    1. Thank you Michelle! I actually agree with that. I was a little nervous it would look like we slacked and took the easy route, but I feel it does look intentionally and flows nicely.

    1. Hi Leonie, that’s true, but I also like the black and white contrast. I originally spray painted the legs when I did our first update to the table two years ago. It was a silver color and then I sprayed them black. Either way would be awesome! Thanks for your advice : )

  2. Hi there! This looks amazing!!

    Did you permanently attach the top to the table or is it removable?

    If it’s permanently attached, how did you do that?

    Thank you!

    Great job!!

    1. Hi Emily,
      Great question! It’s not permanently attached, but by building a frame around the table, it allows it to almost be like a slipcover top..if that makes sense. This way you can also remove it during the winter months to prevent from getting ruined. I hope this is helpful. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me dfoglia413 (at) gmail (dot) com

  3. Hi! Love the table and you have given me a great idea for my outdoor patio table! Where did you purchase the tile? Loving the whole look!!

    1. Hi Tracy,

      You can see the link on my page. Depending on the size…if you have a similar table I purchased two boxes!

  4. I’m completely obsessed with how this table turned out! I’m a designer at a tile distributor and work with this tile look on the daily. I’m so envious of those who get to call these tiles theirs, but like you..I have a budget. I love how you showed us how you can still enjoy these beauties without attaching them to your house.

    1. Hi Heather! Thanks so much, Wow what an awesome comment and fun job you must have. Definitely have to pass this post on to some of your customers : ) Thank you again for stopping by and leaving me such a wonderful comment that!

  5. I’m in love with your table! My son built me a farmhouse table for inside and I’ve been talking to him about building one for my screened porch. I wanted something a little different and I think this is it! Thank you for the inspiration. Pinning so I can show him what I want!

    1. That is so awesome! I am so happy to hear that! Send me a photo after it’s made, I would love to see it!

  6. Great Job Deb! This table makeover came out AMAZING!!!! I’ve been holding off on splurging on an outdoor patio set and this project has opened my eyes to a world of affordable possibilities! Thanks for sharing! Now time to get the hubby on board! Keep up the great work!!

  7. You would never know this is a DIY! You would think it’s a pottery barn table. You’re blog is motivating me to start doing DIY projects. I bet it will be nice for my husbands wallet as well!

    1. Thank you Nadia! You are so sweet…that just made my day! Haha def…easier on the wallet!

  8. I absolutely love this idea! I’m also obsessed with the style tile you chose to use. It’s gorgeous!

  9. I really cannot believe this transformation! You took sometjing drab and turned it into sometjing fab! This really changed the whole look and I love it!

  10. Looks beautiful Deb! We’re moving in a few weeks and I’ll finally have a yard so maybe I can try something like this! Hope all is well with you!

  11. Fantastic idea…. love the tile!!!! I wonder if using a wooden picnic bench would hold the weight of the tile and wood frame a little better….. I really like the idea!!!! BEAUTIFUL

    1. Thanks Lori! The weight is actually fine! But that could be a great combo with a picnic bench table too. Love the wood and black and white together.

  12. This is gorgeous my friend!!!! Loving the tiled look! Can I come over for a summer BBQ or two?

  13. Your table turned out beautiful!!! Now you get to enjoy all your hard work while eating meals with your family. Thanks for sharing!!!

    1. Thanks Rebecca! Yes, love sitting and eating outside for the summer! Have a great week!

  14. This project turned out beautifully! I love this tile too. I’m trying to figure out how to use it in our home.

    1. Thanks Tammy! It’s such a gorgeous tile. Def love how you can think outside the lines with this one.

  15. Nice job! I think the most important thing though is that you and your husband did it together. We moved into our new house in January and we are still getting things furnished . I wouldn’t mind tackeling together a table like this for our screened in porch.
    Thanks?

  16. Absolutely beautiful! I love the idea and I think I might try but on a smaller scale. Baby steps! lol

  17. I didn’t see a discussion on the frame portion of the table. How did you attached this to the plywood?

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