Thursday, January 17, 2013

Kitchen Tiles


Hello All,

Just a quick post today. I was recently very excited to come across a fellow Australia blogger of miniatures. We are few and far between compared to you Europeans and Americans, ooops not to forget Canadians, but you all get my drift. The most exciting thing is that , Emily from Architecture of Tiny Distinction is from Melbourne!!! Incase some of you weren't aware that is where I am from, down south.......

Any way, Emily asked me how I did my kitchen tiles and rather than take up a huge amount of space on her blog I thought I would explain here incase any one else wanted to know.

Firstly I followed Josie's direction were she explains in the Kitchen section of her Cannel House website . I painted some card stock the colour of my choice, then sprayed with several thin layers of Varnish.(more on that later) I then cut the tiles to the required size (I used a guillotine as I found it most accurate) I then stuck each tile to a piece of graph paper I had cut to the correct size of my wall and marked out where the tiles were to go. Once this was done I used gap filler to grout the tiles. This in brief is how Josje explains it but I made one VERY big mistake that cost me hours later. I was impatient to get it done and didn't realise at this early stage that it is important to do several thin coats by watering down the paint, this way you don't get brush stokes. I found it difficult to get the paint to level without brush stokes so I change course and used an Acrylic Enamel for house painting. This is were my problem began. The spray varnish reacted with the paint and left spots. SO, because there was already a gloss I decided to skip the varnish, only to find that when I filled the gaps in the tiles, instead of wiping away easily it grabbed and was very time consuming to remove. It then left my tiles dull with no shine. I then chose to paint every single tile again which took hours, I nearly gave up on miniatures all together. It improved the result but I am still not entirely happy with the finnish.

Well you live and learn!! I am currently painting my new fire surround and the white iron bed steads and how am I doing it???? With lots of very thin coats!!!

I am also doing another little miniature project as a gift for some one and I am really very happy with it so far. I will post about it in a day or two.

Until then, Happy minis every one!!

ML Fi xx

38 comments:

  1. Hi Fi

    Thanks so much for this great post! Am glad to have a fellow Melbournian on my blog reading list too! I am looking forward to trying out some tiles of my own, posts to come!

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    1. Hi Emily,

      I'm glad I could be of some help. I read your post on "The Dollhouse" it was funny to see it there on your blog. One of these days we will run into each other.

      Fi x

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  2. Hi Fi, Great to hear from you! Thanks for all of the great info. Can't wait to see the gift you're making. Your kitchen looks gorgeous! xo Jennifer

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    1. Hello Lovely lady,

      I'm having so much fun with this gift! It's always good to go off course sometimes!

      Fi xx

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  3. I love your kitchen too and I must remember your tips if I ever get around to doing some tiling. Glad you found a fellow Melbournian blogger!

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    1. Hi Margret,

      it's nice to see more Aussies popping up now, I think I have done a better job of finding you all!!

      Fi xx

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  4. Well, I am glad you didn't give up on miniatures after all your frustrations with the tiles! And your kitchen looks great.

    My oldest brother lives in Adelaide now, when they first emigrated they lived in Melbourne for a year so, one day I hope to go visit them and would love to meet you in the flesh.

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    1. HI Elga,

      You know I remember you suggesting I repaint them all and I'm so glad you did or I would have perhaps just left my kitchen to wilt......

      Now!! If you plan to come to the Land Down Under you know there is one person that would love to meet you in the flesh!!! And thats me!!! So you get on down here Girl!!!

      ML Fi xx

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  5. Hi Fi! I love your kitchen. Despite all of your problems during the making, the tiles look great! And I think the process of making things and making mistakes is when you learn and discover new ways of doing things. So even when it gets a bit frustrating, it can be a good thing.

    I do my tiling a little bit different from what you have described. The main difference is that I don't spray varnish them until they're all glued down to the wall(panel). In the last kitchen I made, the varnish gave me huge problems as well, as it just would not dry hard. Maybe it had something to do with the weather, I don't know. When I weighed down the panels while glueing them into the roombox, it left ugly pressure marks so I had to start again. So annoying, so much work and I had to redo it all.

    I have been to Melbourne a couple of times. The first time I remember it was really cold and I didn't have any warm clothes. I also remember seeing the most beautiful wedding dress in a shop window (not that I was particularly interested in wedding dresses, but I suppose that makes it more special), and my shortest stay in a disco/club ever! I think I was in and out within a minute. The place looked great, was full with people, but the noise....the volume of the music...it hurt my ears. I still don't understand how anyone could stand being in there. Anyway, great to read you have found someone in your area with the same interest in miniatures!

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    1. Hi Josje,

      I mixed up my replies....it's below Jonquils.

      Fi x

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  6. Thanks for the pointers Fi!

    Its good to learn from others' experimentation. I would love to know what filler you used - ordinary tiling grout? Or plaster. In know Josje talks about spackling, but I have no idea what the translation is into French, and the guys at the DIY store just stare at me like I'm a weirdo (grouting miniature card? What?)...

    Never been to Oz, but have a great many Australian friends who spent chunks of time in Europe - and quite a few from Melbourne too! I get the impression that there are quite a lot of Aussie mini-bloggers online though - LavenderDilly springs to mind...

    Have fun making your present!

    Jonquil

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    1. Hi Jonquil,

      Ah the filler! I had the exact problem as you, I couldn't find out what spackling was either? I don't know if I was right to go with gap filler. I didn't want to by a big bag of grout and there was nothing in small quantities. So I used gap filler for small gaps in a hand squeeze tube. I think part of the problem was it dried to quickly.

      Yes I am slowly finding them, Carrie from Lavender Dilly is from Townsville which is right up the top, so distance wise she may as well be in Russia as a comparative distance to you in France. We have Norma, who is in Sydney and Margret too, Jazz and Liddy, Susan and Mins, so I have managed to track a few down and I am still looking.

      So we are used to travelling long distances, I think thats why we have the Travel bug and you find so many of us in Europe! I hope those Melbournians behaved them selves!!

      Fi x

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  7. Hi Josje,

    Thank you so much for your added input!! It helps to know that you too experience difficulties, and it's these are the things that we learn from!! I'm sure I am not the only one that has the impression that your work is perfection and it's hard to imagine you have problems with it. I guess it is testimony to the fact that it is persistence that creates perfection. You are an inspiration!

    As for melbourne, yes we have some spectacular Bridal Couture, AND some noisy night clubs, our weather is horribly unpredictable.....if you are ever in town again, you know you have a willing guide that will be more inclined to take you to a quite rural winery where you can sip the nectar of fermented grapes whilst enjoying an ocean vista!!

    ML Fi xx

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  8. Good morning Fiona, allthough for me it is ;)! Thanks for sharing these information with us, I recently visited Josjes blog, I couldn't find it...! So I also read about the tiles. Her blog is fantastic and full of information! My kitchen in my canal house is still waiting for tiles since 11 years now....:(
    I agree with you and others: to make miniatures you need a lot of patience, time etc. I must confess I have made mistakes too, but then I start again and again and try to make it good. Miniatures making needs a lots of practice for the good results and persistence, but I love it :D!!
    Lovingly, Ilona

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    1. Hello My Dear,

      It is easy to miss on Josjes website, as you scroll down to look at her kitchen she talks about the little white Dutch tiles, then she talks about how she makes them.
      Can you explain what spackling is? Jonquil and I are a bit confused!

      Yes my dear, I think patients and determination is what makes a good miniaturist.

      Talk tomorrow......; )

      ML Fi xx

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  9. Hi Honey
    great tutorial, thanks. I'm going to use this in my new kitchen (when I eventually get that far!).

    xxx

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    1. Hello You!!

      I would like to see you get to the Kitchen.......I have seen some very Grand and Glamorous rooms from you Si, getting down to the Kitchen would be fun!

      ML Fi x

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  10. Hi Fi,
    Thank you so much for the tutorial. I LOVE your kitchen so much...I swear I'd have that kitchen in real life.
    Big big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Well I think that is the ultimate compliment!!

      Thank you my Dear!

      Fi xx

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  11. Hello! I love your blog, you make so pretty things =) Love that kitchen too! Take care!
    /Anna- annasminiatures.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Anna,

      Welcome to blog land!!

      Fi xx

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    2. Thank you =) And thanks for the help on my blog =)

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  12. THNX for the great tutorial! Love all the details in your kitchen.

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    1. Hi AM,

      Thanks for having a look! Your house looks great!

      Fi xx

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  13. You poor thing --what a story about your pretty tiles! You would NEVER know by looking at them that they gave you such trouble! Guess that's why I like to use spray paint whenever I can --no brush strokes or drips if you use thin coats. Anyway, I'm glad you got them looking so beautiful!

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    1. Hello My Lovely,

      Yes!! I should have use spray paint. The reason I didn't was i wanted to make sure it was the right white. But I guess in hind sight a slightly different white wouldn't have mattered!!

      Good to have back!!

      ML Fi xx

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  14. Hi Fiona,
    Spackle is the same as poly filler. A putty you can use to fill small holes in drywall/wallboard or wood. I use it a lot to texture things. It can be sanded down and painted over of course.
    It is true one makes some amazing technique discoveries when things go wrong. I recommend writing down trchniques, recipes etc in a Mini Book as it is surprising how one can forget how an effect was achieved.

    My Fathers family are from Gippsland!
    Regards Janine inear Vancouver Canada

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  15. Hi Janine!

    Yes Gippsland is a beautiful part of Victoria, lots of green grass for those lovely dairy cows!!

    Well, I'm glad some one knows (aside from Josje) what spackle is! Gap filler/ poly filler, at least I did use the right thing after all. I think thats a great idea about a technique diary. I know how easy it is to forget, I have one of those for paint colours because sure enough I want to replicate a colour I used in a painting from a few years ago, I don't remember how I did it!!

    ML Fi xx

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  16. Hi Fiona,
    I had a similar problem to yours trying to make painted cardboard look shiny, the solution I found is a product called Plaid "Mod Podge" Gloss Lustre available here in Australia at Spotlight stores. It is very easy to apply and dries really quickly allowing multiple coats in a very short time, it builds up to a fabulous glossy finish ideal for "tiles"!
    Hope this has been of some assistance.
    Deb, Maison Miniatures

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    Replies
    1. Hi Deb,

      Sorry for the late reply.

      Thank you so much for the tip, it's great to find another Australian Miniature lover! Especially one with tips for products I can by in stores I know!!

      I will have the opportunity to give it a go in our bathroom when I eventually get to it!

      ML Fi xx

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  17. Hello Fi, I have been thinking of you, sizzling in all your summer heat. It's been snowing here nearly all day (yes, I'll send you some photos as promised!) too cold to finish off clearing out the cellar (that's my excuse!) so catching up on all the posts and blogs I have missed! Love all your Iphone pics of the kitchen, and jay's artwork is awesome! I hope you're still taking things easy!!!

    Think I might hibernate this weekend!

    Love to you

    Andy xxxx

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    1. Thanks Andy!!

      It was a bit of a scorcher yesterday, I spent the day at the Tennis again yesterday and I'm over it!! A nice quite one at home today!

      Hows that cellar going?

      ML Fi xx

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  18. Hi Fiona, I'm in love with your kitchen-tiles! I'll be back soon for I like to read your blog from the oldest post till the newest one! Hoping to see a lot of your work in future!
    See you soon, Liduina

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  19. Hi Liduina'

    Thank you so much for your compliment. I am in love with your Dollhouse, I have had a good look over your blog and your work is exceptional.

    Thank you for taking the time to look at mine.

    ML Fi xx

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  20. Thanks a lot for the information. Kitchen tiles are offered in various designs that can make your homes to be more interesting and updated.

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  21. Wonderful blog & good post.Its really helpful for me, awaiting for more new post. Keep Blogging!





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  22. Great thoughts you got there, believe I may possibly try just some of it throughout my daily life.
    Kitchen Tiles in chennai

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  23. Hi Fiona, have to reply here, blogspot doesn't notify comment replies :D When I saw your profile pic, I thought Charlize Theron! Your definitely have that type of face. Look forward to seeing your new house, I'll be focusing on the conservatory mostly from now on (sorry house), so I'll be trying to work out how to make plants etc. I've been watching our real cucumber and french beans growing, and thinking string, wire, glue and paper :D I'll share the details of everything as I go along.

    p.s. your kitchen is gorgeous, i love those high shelves.

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