Sitting pretty

With a bit of creativity and tender loving care, Marilize turned her old ball-and-claw chair into a stunning side table, perfect for outdoor use.

Before

Here’s how Marilize did it

• Removed old paint using sandpaper.
• Removed the seat by simply lifting it out.
• Painted the chair in French Jewel from Plascon (Polvin) and left it to dry.
• Then protected it with a sealer such as Harlequin’s.
• Took the measurements of the inside of the chair to create a new base to work on.
• Cut a piece of hardboard to size and glued it into the chair.
• A fresh coat of paint and a creative turn with mosaic give this old chair a new lease on life as a side table.

For the mosaic

You can create any pattern you like using old china. Draw inspiration from Marilize’s tasteful mosaic creation.

• Choose the plate you want to mosaic and put it in a plastic bag.
• Use a hammer to break the plate into pieces.
• Glue the pieces to the hardboard to create the mosaic of your choice. Marilize recreated a place setting for one, using a dinner plate and cutlery set.
• Once you’ve glued the pieces down, you need to grout. Follow the instructions on the packaging to prepare the grout.
• Use the prepared grout to fill the spaces between the pieces you have glued down.
• Remove excess grout with a wet cloth and leave to dry.
• Once dry, seal your mosaic artwork with a grout sealer.