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The Block’s Kyal and Kara reveal their top tricks for DIY tiling and styling

April 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

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The Blockโ€™s Kyal and Karaย have been travelling around Australia with Beaumont Tiles, hosting DIY Tiling and Styling workshops and sharing the tricks of the trade. But if you weren’t able to be there in person, here are their top tips forย helping you make the most of your renovation.

Kyal and Kara
Kyal and Kara

Dry surface

Before you start your surface should be dry, clean and smooth. If youโ€™re tiling in a wet area (bathroom or around the kitchen sink), the area must be waterproofed,ย straight and flush (no protruding nails).

Adhesive

Bottom line, donโ€™t skimp, and choose the right adhesive for the space. There are many brands of adhesive and theyโ€™re all designed for specific types of tiles and tile surfaces. Cheap adhesives may decay and cause tiles to crack.

Size matters for the novice DIY

Tiling with big tiles is tough, even for seasoned pros. Large tiles are heavy and are expensive to replace if mistakes are made, so DIY novices should stick to tiles no bigger than 300x300mm.

Layout

Draw up a plan forย your floor, wall orย splashback and map out where your tiles will go. Spending the time to mark out square lines and doing a dry lay will pay dividends on the entire job.

Laying

Tiles that are placed unevenly may create an uneven joint (or lip) which could be a trip hazard. Thereโ€™s a new product called the Simple Accurate Levelling System (SALS) which is perfect for precision tiling. It can help DIYโ€™ers achieve a flat finish with minimal lippage.

Grout

Wait at least 24 hours after laying before grouting and protect the tiles from any water or weather by covering them with old clean sheets. Donโ€™t grout where walls meet floors or where two walls meet, instead apply silicone when the surrounding grouted area is dry.

Grote Street 12-04-15 DIY Tile and Style Affair IMG_9751

Photography byย Yasmin Nebenfuhr

WIN

In the spirit of DIY tiling, Beaumont Tiles are giving away fiveย DIY Bucket Starter Tool Kits! Each bucket contains $200 worth of goodies, including two trowels, a levelling starter kit, knee pads and more!ย Complete the below form by 5pm AEST on Friday 24 Aprilย 2015.ย Open to Australian residents only.

Oops! We could not locate your form.

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I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scal I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scallop design and colour pop of these lampshades from new brand @soffle_lights 

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๐Ÿ“ท@the.palm.co
Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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