Using Ceramic Tile Design for a Bathroom Mosaic

Using Ceramic Tile Design for a Bathroom Mosaic - Ever wanted to just do something different in your bathroom? Mosaic Tile is a good answer. Bring color, design and character in your bathroom with clever ideas with Mosaic Tile. Mosaic Tile is easier than you think. I started with just a book from Amazon. I went on-line, found one that looked good, ordered it, used might I add, and had it within two days. A great book to start with is The Mosaic Idea Book by Natascha Dean. She provides great ideas at a great price. I paid about ten dollars for this book used.

First you will need supplies. Here is a list of supplies that can be purchased at any home improvement store.

Glazed black Sink Cap pieces
Glazed black mosaic pieces
Rose Mosaic pieces
Mosaic Tile Adhesive
Rubber Gloves
1 1/2" plastic puddy knife
Tile nippers
Sanded Tile Grout
Wooden stick (Popsicle sticks work great for this)
Grout Sponge
Ziploc quart size bag
Grout Sealer in the spray can
Safety Glasses

First decide what you want for a design. Something else to consider is, will the mosaic be individual pieces you put together, a kit, or tile that comes with little rubber dots that keep all the tile pattern in place. For this project I started simple. I went to ebay and found a beautiful pink rose mosaic bag of tile for about four dollars. Our sink is black, so black shiny tiles was my choice to accompany the pink rose. Plus the rose had a touch of black in the background so it worked together perfectly. Some vendors over ebay will even send you a piece of the tile to look at before you make your purchase, if you ask them nicely and perhaps pay the shipping. Just ask!!

My counter top was 24" x 24" with a small round hole in the center for the sink drain. This is a vessel sink that mounts above the surface.

Next do what I call a dry run. Using a piece of cardboard, cut the cardboard to match the shape of your counter, including all the holes. Lay the tile out on the counter top (which is really the cardboard but pretend). Lay the black tiles out covering the whole top of the counter, then one by one remove a black tile and replace it with a rose until the proportion looks great. Thinking ahead, and moving each tile where the roses looked like they were facing up and out either side but not upside down. Since these tiles are not symmetrical, move the shapes where they fit together with only a tiny gap between them, depending on the size of the mosaic tile you are using this can be between 1/8th and 1/4th of an inch. Keep this distance between tiles as consistent as you can get. Do not forget the sink cap pieces, they will take up some room so put them around the edges and draw a line where they stop. This will give you good graphical representation when the other tiles are in place. You may need to nip one or more of your mosaic pieces to fit flat on the sink cap pieces, because it is hard to get a good flat edge.

Once the tiles are placed, take a picture of the design with your camera, worse case scenario, at least you know what you had if you slip and wipe out the whole design, don't laugh, have done that!! Slowly and carefully remove the cardboard and lay it to the side on a flat surface where it cannot be knocked over.

What is the counter top made of? In this case, a bathroom sink, I went with treated plywood with a tile backer board on top. This is the most durable design and will work best with areas that are prone to water spills.

Draw a line on the counter top backer board with a pencil where the sink cap pieces will end. Apply the mosaic tile adhesive directly to the counter top starting in a corner and working to you. To start, just apply a small area first, then add adhesive as needed for new tile patches. Do not FORGET the edge line we made for the sink cap pieces.

Move the pattern on the cardboard, one tile at a time over to the new counter top, making sure there is enough adhesive behind each tile. Repeat until all tiles are moved. Add the remaining sink cap pieces until all are attached. Remember to press firmly but not too hard on the tile. The tile needs to "seat" if you will but not bottom out on the surface. Try to keep the top of the tile surface as flat as possible. I like to lay something flat on top, and gently press to keep the tiles at the same height.

Let the adhesive dry the recommended time and you are ready to grout. Grout color may not seem important, but darker colors like gray and light gray are better for not showing dirt. Some designs beg for white, and depending on the circumstances, go with white. I have children, with dirty hands. I chose plain ole gray and was very pleased. Mix the sanded grout according to the directions on the bag. You may also talk with the rep in the tile department at your favorite home improvement store for information. Using the plastic Paddy knife gently but firmly work the grout into the spaces between the tile. When firm use a damp sponge to wipe off any excess. Let dry completely.

Apply the grout sealer to the entire surface. This is great when working mosaics because sometimes the edge of the tile becomes porous and will mold later. The spray can type is the only kind I will use, as I have been disappointed with the other brands time and time again. The can is slightly more expensive, but it is pay me now or pay me later with this sealer, it is great.

Once the sealer is dry, take a water bottle and mist the top, wait and watch. If the grout changes color, or if the water does not bead up, then you need an extra application. To be safe, I would use three small applications. Test again, and go from there. Once the entire area beads with water, you are done!

Congratulations you have just done your first Mosaic counter top! Enjoy.