PATTERNED MDF TILES

Create your own encaustic tile-effect floor with a simple design to suit the style and colours of the room. Geometric shapes work well to make decorative patterns.

YOU WILL NEED

Sheets of 0.9cm-thick MDF Shellac-based primer, such as Zinsser Mini roller Linen and Shutter Grey Vintage Paint by Grand Illusions Sheet of plastic or old plastic placemat Masking tape Scalpel and cutting mat Stencil brush Newspaper Acrylic satin varnish Simply Varnish by Grand Illusions Sheets of 0.9cm-thick plywood to line the floor (if necessary) Grab adhesive (quick-dry) such as No More Nails or equivalent Tile spacers Flexible tile grout (powder form) Grout spreader Sponge

1 Ask your DIY store to cut a 244cm x 122cm sheet of 0.9cm-thick MDF into 29cm squares. This will give you 32 ‘tiles’ per sheet. 2 Prime the top and sides of each square with two coats of the shellac-based primer, leaving the first layer to dry before applying the second. 3 Using a mini roller, cover the top and sides of each square with paint (we used Linen). Leave to dry before applying a second coat of paint. 4 To make a stencil, cut a square from a sheet of plastic the same size as the MDF tile. Print out the silhouette of a shape, such as a star, onto the centre of a piece of paper. Stick this in place with masking tape on the plastic square and, with a cutting mat placed beneath the plastic, use a scalpel* to cut out the design carefully through the paper and plastic mat. Remove the tape and paper. 5 Place the plastic stencil on one painted tile and gently stipple over the design with a small amount of paint (we used Shutter Grey) – dab the brush on newspaper first to remove any excess paint. Hold the stencil in place securely with the palm of one hand, or lightly stick each corner with masking tape to ensure it doesn’t slip. 6 Once dry, remove the stencil and repeat on as many squares as you need. Leave to dry and then cover the top and side of each one with an acrylic satin varnish, followed by a coat of Simply Varnish on top for a matt finish. 7 Line the floor with 0.9cm plywood, if necessary (if it’s uneven). Glue the tiles in place onto the plywood base with a quick-dry grab adhesive, using tile spacers as you would when laying a ceramic tile floor. Leave to fix in place and then remove the spacers. 8 Mix the flexible grout powder with water and, with a spreader, use it to fill in the gaps between the tiles. Remove any excess with a damp sponge. 9 Once dry, varnish the floor with either the acrylic satin or Simply Varnish.

Floor tiles in Linen and Shutter Grey; walls in Vanille; door in Linen: all Vintage Paint range by Grand Illusions. Basket and striped tea towel, from a selection, Grand Illusions. Other fabrics, bowl, soapdish and brush, fleamarket finds