How to create a custom wrought iron table

Here’s how to create a custom wrought iron table with an individually designed mosaic top, perfect for a Mediterranean-inspired dining room or patio.

Base

To create your individual and personalized wrought iron table, you will first need a base. Some retailers offer the option to purchase just the frame or wrought iron base without the table top. Try to contact a company that actually makes wrought iron furniture or offers bespoke furniture as they are more likely to be able to customize your order. Many wrought iron tables have glass tops that do not serve to personalize.

You can create your own top to personalize it, but securing it can be difficult. The best solution is to find a retailer of steel tables with a design or look similar to wrought iron. This is because; these will have veneer tabletops that are perfect for putting your own individual stamp on. In addition, they are strong, resistant and durable. You can also purchase a concrete backer board at a local DIY store. It is inexpensive and can be cut and snapped to size by scoring with a Stanley knife.

slabs

To create your design for the wrought iron table you will need tiles, these can be clay, limestone, glass, shell or mirror. The choice is yours. Cutting mosaic tiles can be expensive and the selection may be limited. You can make your own by breaking standard sized tiles inside a towel for a more casual table setting. Or use a utility knife and tile cutter to create even shapes. Non-uniform squares will make the tile much more visually interesting than uniform squares. You could even make your own clay roof tiles.

Other materials you will need

You will need tile adhesive to bond the tiles and tile grout; that you can buy in many different colors. Lighter colors can look impressive, but they are more difficult to clean. If you choose a dark color, make sure your tiles show up against it.

It’s a good idea to add a frame for the tiles to sit inside. Including a border will not only visually frame your design, it will give your wrought iron table a nice even edge. You can ask your table maker to custom make this edge for you, which is best. Alternatively, you can do this by using 1-inch strips of wood that you nail or glue to the surface before you start tiling. Then you will also need to stain or paint to match the frame to the table design. Finally, you will need a sealer to protect the tiles and prevent the grout from staining.

Planning your design

If you want to go for a particularly complex geometric design that incorporates motifs and symbols like a traditional mosaic, you’ll need to plan your design first. From this you can determine the style, color and size of the tiles and how many you will need. Of course, you can shop a selection of tiles in colors and styles that appeal to you and let your creativity take control. It’s best to first plan out your design on a full-size piece of cardboard. The tiles must not touch each other; you need a minimum of 1/8 inch of space around it.

Tiled and grouted

Make sure the surface of your wrought iron table is clean. Spread tile adhesive on a section of your table and start securing the tiles in place. Once the adhesive dries it will be difficult to remove, so be careful not to use too much. Allow this to set for 24 hours.

If you use porous tiles, such as rough stone, they should be sealed to prevent staining before grouting. Apply a coat of sealer. Apply grout to the table, smoothing it between the mosaic pieces and wiping the tiles with a cloth to remove excess as you go. Once the grout has dried, wipe down the tiles with a dry cloth to remove any haze left behind by the grout.

After the grout has set, to protect it from spills and stains, especially when using tile that is porous like travertine, apply a coat of tile sealer to the wrought iron table top. If you are going to use your wrought iron table outdoors, give it 2 coats for extra protection from the elements.