So, what happens when you combine the desires of an artist and a mad engineer into a single bathroom renovation? In this case, a soaker tub surrounded by a literal colour wheel of tiles, each hand painted in one of 34 different colours. That's what! For our basement bathroom renovation, my wife and I decided to go all-out with our colour palette, and the result is gloriously bright, fun, and happy. When the sun comes through the window just right, the bathroom lights up with bright, bold colours that scream, "DRAW A BATH AND PLUNGE INTO THE RAINBOW!"
Our design was inspired by a smattering of bathroom tiling ideas I found throughout the web, though none of those designs had gone to the extent of custom painting 34 different shades onto their tiles. The product that made this possible was the FolkArt Enamels line of ceramic and glass paint, which is scratchproof, waterproof (and dishwasher safe!) once baked.
The main focus of this instructable will be the painting and installation of the tiles themselves, though I will go over the installation of the tub and vanity a little bit as well. I will purposefully gloss over the details of the plumbing since I am not a plumber and don't want to lead anyone astray. I'm sure I did a fine job, but a mistake made while plumbing can lead to an expensive disaster. If you're not comfortable doing plumbing work yourself, then hire a certified plumber.
This is the second of three phases in my Epic Basement Renovation. The first phase cleared out the space and granted me an office/electronics workshop. The third phase will complete my wood shop.
Our design was inspired by a smattering of bathroom tiling ideas I found throughout the web, though none of those designs had gone to the extent of custom painting 34 different shades onto their tiles. The product that made this possible was the FolkArt Enamels line of ceramic and glass paint, which is scratchproof, waterproof (and dishwasher safe!) once baked.
The main focus of this instructable will be the painting and installation of the tiles themselves, though I will go over the installation of the tub and vanity a little bit as well. I will purposefully gloss over the details of the plumbing since I am not a plumber and don't want to lead anyone astray. I'm sure I did a fine job, but a mistake made while plumbing can lead to an expensive disaster. If you're not comfortable doing plumbing work yourself, then hire a certified plumber.
This is the second of three phases in my Epic Basement Renovation. The first phase cleared out the space and granted me an office/electronics workshop. The third phase will complete my wood shop.
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Signing UpStep 1: Tools and Materials
Simply re-tiling a bathroom can be pretty inexpensive. The white tiles we used were only 33 cents each from a home improvement store. The floor tiles were better quality and cost a bit more. In total, I'd estimate the tiling portion of the bathroom renovation cost about $500-600.
Materials
If you're building a bathroom from scratch, you will also need additional materials like lumber, plywood, drywall, drywall mud, concrete board, plumbing fixtures, wall paint, construction adhesives, screws, etc.
Tools
Again, if you're building a bathroom from scratch, you'll also need various construction tools like saws, drills, screwdrivers, levels, plumbing tools, etc.
Materials
- Plain white 6x6" or smaller wall tiles, quantity as necessary for the size of the bathroom
- Floor tiles, as necessary, to complement the wall tiles. We used 8x8" white floor tiles.
- FolkArt Enamels paints, in as many colours as you need. We basically used half the available colours, and mixed them to the right shades.
- Wall adhesive
- Wall grout
- Floor tile mortar
- Floor tile grout
- tile spacers (1/8" for wall tiles, 3/16" for floor tiles)
If you're building a bathroom from scratch, you will also need additional materials like lumber, plywood, drywall, drywall mud, concrete board, plumbing fixtures, wall paint, construction adhesives, screws, etc.
Tools
- craft paint brushes
- an ordinary kitchen oven
- a wet tile saw (just go ahead and buy one, they go for as little as $50-60 new, which is less than renting)
- a tile hole cutter and drill press (optional, depending on the fixtures you use)
- a notched trowel
- a few putty knives
- a tile float
- sponge and bucket
- a shop vac for (lots) of cleanup
Again, if you're building a bathroom from scratch, you'll also need various construction tools like saws, drills, screwdrivers, levels, plumbing tools, etc.
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Also, how easily does the paint come off? Does it come off with a single swipe of the grouting sponge, or after some scrubbing?
Great (and long and detailed) ible, as usual... but -- i really wish you'd put in some sheet rock screw here and there... especially in those areas where you only glued them. that concrete board is heavy and the liquid nails might start to sag or 'creep'. but a really good (and whimsical and neat) job!
But to see your achievement gives me a bit of courage! Well done!
In your case the tiles are already on the wall. If they can be kept safe from water and damage during the curing time, then you should be ok. But I wouldn't recommend painting the tiles inside a shower stall. One other member recommended spraying the painted tiles with polyurethane - perhaps that would work for you!
I'd try experimenting with the paint to see what kind of results you'd get. Paint a tile and allow it to cure. Paint another and coat it with polyurethane. Then place both in the same location as the other tiles. If they hold up, then go ahead and paint the rest!
A friend was talking to me about this paint some day ago!
Just paint what you like, and once the design is complete you can bake it. Be sure to let the paint air dry for half a day before baking.
Very nice.