DIY Network

Decorative Floor Plan Create a decorative floor plan using vinyl tiles. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-138

Guest Leslie Neblett, decorating expert, joins host Stephanie Lydecker and shows how to plan a decorative floor pattern using peel-and-stick vinyl tiles.

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	Why have ordinary tile floors when you can create a unique look by changing the pattern?
	Figure A

Materials:

enough peel-and-stick vinyl tiles to cover floor
graph paper
utility knife with very sharp blade
T-square
room measurements

Decorative Floor Plan

• Once you decide on a color scheme or palate, the next step is to create a pattern using graph paper, and then cut the tiles accordingly.

• Before you create the pattern you should measure the space you are going to tile. Transfer those measurements to a grid, or graph paper.

  Note: Since most vinyl tiles come 12" x 12", four squares on the grid should represent a piece of tile. You can also have your graph paper enlarged using a copy machine.

• Use a T-square to align the corners of each tile before you cut them (figure A) and then score the tile a couple of times with the utility knife without using a lot of pressure. If you are pressing too hard and are using a lot of force, the blade could slip and you could get hurt. Use this same method to cut smaller and smaller triangles.

• Bend the tile at the score mark and the tile should snap in two.

• Cut through the paper backing and set the pieces aside. Continue to cut and stack tiles until you have enough to complete your design.

• Find the center of the room and mark the floor with an "X", find the center on our design and begin to lay out the pattern. Use your graph paper as your own personal "blueprint," and keep referring back to the design.

• When you reach the wall, you may have to trim the tiles to fit under the baseboard. Removing the baseboard will give you a more professional look.

GUESTS :

Leslie Neblett
E-mail: leslieneblettarchitecture@gmail.com