Always by Your Side

The inspiration for this outdoor side table came from furnishings found in high-end décor boutiques. It's crafted from inexpensive clay pots and is so simple, you can create a table in less than two minutes. This is décor at its best.

Materials Required:

• 12" clay pot (2) 5059-704
• 12" clay saucer (1) 5057-546
• washers #5 (2) 2190-505
• bolt #5 (1) 2113-572
• hex nut #5 (1) 2147-572

Here's How!

Simply place two clay pots together, bottom to bottom, and fasten together with the washers, nut and bolt through the drain holes. Place saucer into top of one clay pot to make a table top. It is that simple!

Picture Perfect

Relax beside a table inspired by the latest trend of blending photography with a high gloss finish.

Additional materials required:

• Beauti-Tone latex Rust Coat black paint 1825-001 (this product offers a lacquer-like finish with superior adhesion)
• brush 1612-945
• EnviroTex® 1877-856
• white glue 2020-477
• 12" circle cut from 1/4" good-one-side plywood
• image of your choice (minimum 12")

Paint clay pots and saucer with the latex Rust Coat paint. Let dry. Assemble table using the using instructions on page 29. Trace a 12" circle on the back of chosen image. Glue image to wood circle with white glue. Let dry. Trim. Mix an appropriate amount of EnviroTex. Spread on top of image, smooth and blow on surface to remove air bubbles. Let dry 72 hours. Place the finished circle in the saucer to complete the table top.

Garden Bouquet

Gather fern and floral from your garden or farmers' market and insert into a wet floral oasis on the clay saucer. Line the saucer with plastic wrap to prevent it from changing colour when it's wet.

• plastic wrap 4490-857

Little Gems

Create a one-of-a-kind table top using Sparkle Stone mosaic glass tile and unsanded grout. Cut desired pattern from a sheet of tile and trim the backing. Mix sufficient polymer modified thin-set mortar to a firm, not watery consistency. Fill the saucer with mortar to 1/2" from the top. Jiggle to distribute mortar evenly. Set the tiles carefully in desired pattern on the surface of the mortar and leave to dry. Following the 'How to grout' instructions:

• Sparkle Stone mosaic glass tile, Coast 2778-477
• polymer modified thin-set mortar 2032-794
• unsanded grout, Moka 1690-815

Party Lights

Create a celebratory atmosphere with everyday items found in your kitchen cabinets. Place wine glasses, stemless and stemmed, on the saucer. Insert a votive holder with a votive in each glass. Place sand around glasses and stud the sand with seashells, if desired. Light the magic.

• stemless wine glasses 4256-479
• stemmed wine glasses 4256-450
• votive holder 4332-038
• play sand 2622-451

How To Grout

Tools:

• rubber grout float 1078-746 (for smaller projects use a rubber kitchen spatula 4140-249)
• grout finishing sponge 1610-073
• grout sealer 4574-278

Here's How!

1. Mix an appropriate amount of dry grout and water to achieve a smooth, but not runny, consistency (add more dry grout if it's too runny).
2. Apply grout with the rubber float, forcing grout into the joints between tiles and coating the edges. Reserve a small amount of grout to fill any voids that appear after sponging.
3. Remove excess grout and wait for it to begin to set.
4. When the centres of the tiles become hazy, wipe the surface gently with a damp finishing sponge.
5. Rinse and repeat the process until the surface is clear of grout. If any voids appear, fill with the reserved grout.
6. When the surface is dull and dry, polish with a clean dry cloth. Apply sealer.

Note: Typically, unsanded grout is used for wall applications, with thin tile and narrow grout joints (1/8" or less). Sanded grout is used for floor applications, with thick tile and joints larger than 1/8".