- Base Coat: Apply 2 coats of gray [your grout color] and let dry for 2 to 4 hours
- Cut the upholstery foam into a square; 12" is a good size for a floor. Slice off one corner. This will create a diamond pattern in the center of the 4 tiles. Then cut a diamond shape to fit in the center. The diamond should be 1/4 smaller on each of the sides than the diamond space left by the large square. This allows for the grouting space
- Mark guidelines on the floor where the tiles will go, leaving a 1/2" gap between each tile for the "grout"
- Pour some of the terra-cotta paint onto the aluminum tray. Dribble a little of the red/brown over the Terra-cotta.Swirl a paint stirrer through the paint, but do not overmix or the result will be muddy
- Place the foam tile into the paint. Press down firmly to make sure the bottom is completely covered. Dab off any excess on the paper towel.
- Begin in a corner. Press the foam into place on the floor, then lift. Turn the foam 90° and press again. Repeat until you have 4 tiles with a diamond shape left unpainted in the center. Reapply paint to the foam every other square. Each tile should look different than the others. Repeat the pattern over the whole floor surface
- If the foam square does not fit in awkward corners, cut a small piece of foam to size or fill in this area with a brush
- Let terra-cotta tiles dry. Then use the smaller diamond sponge to stamp in the centers with the cream paint
- Apply 3 or 4 coats of semigloss varnish
Tip:
Test out the pattern and color on newspaper first
Topics covered by this article include: Decorating, Design, Painting...
