SWMBO has decided that she would like some tile top plant stands. My challenge is that I haven't been able to find any tiles for sale that she likes. Here is one tile she likes although she would prefer a different color. Does anyone know of a source for similar tiles? Thanks.
smaller than what ?? smaller than the standard 4×4" ?
have you checked your local floor and tile stores ? they are all over the place.
I bought some off of E-Bay: put Vintage Wall Tile in the search box
Edit: I would make this a 50/50 project with Miz. SWMBO . . . .
she finds the tiles herself and you make the wood stand part.
end of problem.
Pratt and Larson tile in Portland is a good source for tile like that. Motawi also sells field tiles that are beautiful. They come at a premium, but you don't need many square feet.
I like john's answer, "let her pick out the tile" and when she brings it home, you know exactly what size to make the table … My wife went to one of the tile stores near us and spent three weeks getting just the right ones … It's really a tough decision and guy's just can't make it.
Willie, Tung & Dark, thanks for the excellent suggestions. I am familiar with Motawi's art tile, but had never looked at their field tile.
I apologize if I gave the impression that I would have any voice in the tile selection. That is decorating and way above my pay grade. My job is, simply, to provide options for her consideration. My perspective is that it is a shame to hide beautiful tiles under a pot, but that is why I don't do decorating.
Here is one to look at. I agree with the others, gently inform your SWMBO that this is a collaborative project and that as soon as she acquires the tiles, you will start the plant stands.
MIght suggest she take a ceramics class, design, and make her own, right up to glazing, as it would certainly put an appreciation of what goes into not only designing, and making the desired product, but the issues that go along with it.
I learned stain glass this way, took some craft classes, and well, while i enjoyed it, just wasn't my cup of tea, but it did help me with future projects, understanding, who why when and how long.
Rj in Az
Bondo, thanks for the DuQuella reference (your link didn't work, but this one does). It is another new one to me with wonderful tiles and colors.
Knock, I have relayed your suggestion.
Willie, it depends how many and what size(s) plant stands she wants. The cost will be a factor in her decision making process. I will happily make whatever is needed.
Another thought- when I put an addition on my last house, we bought standard 4" tiles, and were able to have the company fire a pattern on them. It didn't cost all that much, IIRC. I think it was a Color Tile store (memory from '88-'89). Maybe they have 12" square tiles, too, idunno.
I would also suggest that you find local artisans who do pottery, local art galleries and possibly Farmers markets may have vendors who could customize for the wife.
Art, I was looking for some nice, nautical plates when my wife surprised me with a gift certificate for a local pottery store where you go in and paint your own items and they fire them for you. I printed out the pattern that I wanted and using graphite paper, traced my designs onto the blanks. I then hand-painted them. They fired them and a couple of weeks later, we picked up an awesome set of custom nautical plates.
You might consider this an opportunity to get creative with SWMBO and make a date-night out of it or something. You could probably do an amazing job on making your own tiles, which would only offset the great tables you'll be building underneath them. I can't wait to see this project. Good luck!
If you are over 50 and have some weekday time on your hands, you can go to your local senior center (if it has one) and take a low-cost pottery class to make your own.
Suggest she take up ceramics or pottery and she can easily make her own with any color scheme she likes. It's not a difficult hobby and not expensive. Any shop or class would have the critical part - a kiln to fire them.
ajh, this suggestion fell on deaf ears, but thanks anyhow.
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