DIY Projects & Crafts DIY Furniture Projects How to Turn Vintage China Into a Mosaic Table Give a tired china pattern new life with this unique display idea. By Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland is a contributing writer with more than a decade of experience as a freelance lifestyle writer. Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 15, 2023 If your collection of antique china spends more time collecting dust on your shelves than it does on the table at dinner parties, consider upcycling it into a gleaming accent with this tutorial for a china mosaic table. This project was inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi, in which imperfections are considered beautiful. Shimmering gold leaf highlights the flow between small pieces of broken china, drawing attention to the negative space and complementing the china pattern. (If taking a hammer to your heirloom set just feels wrong, source colorful vintage pieces from a thrift store instead.) This tutorial lays out the process of safely breaking the china, carefully arranging it, and delicately adorning the resulting mosaic to create a beautiful and practical decorative table for your home. Martha Stewart Succulents What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Hammer Safety gloves Protective eyewear Sponge Towel or cloth (large enough to wrap the dishes during breaking) Materials China plates, cups, saucers, or other pieces Grout Small side table Gold leaf Gold leaf adhesive Instructions Break your dishes: Martha Stewart Fold a towel around your a piece of china, completely enclosing it with fabric so that all the pieces will be contained after you break it. Wear protective goggles and gloves, and use a hammer to split the china into small and medium-sized pieces. Remove the pieces from the towel; repeat with the rest of the dishes. Plan your layout: Martha Stewart Still wearing gloves, lay the small pieces of broken china on your tabletop, arranging them to fully cover the area while leaving space between pieces for the gold leaf accent. When you've confirmed which pieces will be used in the finished product, remove them from the table and place nearby. Set the pieces: Martha Stewart Cover the tabletop with an even layer of white grout, and then set the pieces of china back into their spots. When all the pieces are arranged, cover with a second layer of grout to fill in between the china fragments. Immediately remove excess grout from china pieces with a damp sponge and let dry. Add gold leaf: Martha Stewart Use a small brush to apply gold leaf adhesive to the grout lines in between the china pieces. Working in sections while the adhesive is still wet, apply sheets of gold leaf and use a clean, dry brush to remove the extra.