I absolutely love the way this turned out, but it was not without its aggravations. Big thank you to my friends that put up with my whining, moaning and groaning during the process. I don’t know what it is, but lately I seem to be picking projects that look simple, but have loads of issues.

This is the way the bistro set looked when I started. I loved it. Even in its cracked-tile glory.

Let me explain the tile. Originally the tiles were one piece. Due to the elements, they had cracked. What looked like stone or ceramic tile was actually a really hard plastic.

Using brute force and a few power tools…I love power tools…I finally removed the tile and adhesive from the table top.

It wasn’t pretty. I had marred and dented the surface of the table top. My original plan was to paint the top, but that just wasn’t going to work. It was a horrible mess.

With my husband’s help, we cut old boards for the table top.

My next problem was that green paint on the boards. I kinda liked the look, but I couldn’t stain over it. I couldn’t varnish over it. It just wouldn’t cooperate with me. The paint had to go. Finally, after sanding the paint away, I stained and sealed.

Next problem. Probably the biggest one. The tiles on the chair backs. This problem could make or break the whole project. I couldn’t get them off without risking visual damage to the chairs. I tried every kind of solvent you could think of (and many you would never guess), but they wouldn’t budge. When I was just about ready to throw in the towel, I got out the power tools.

Have I mentioned that I love me some power tools?

I cut the tiles and their metal foundation out of the chairs…

…then filed around the opening to remove any sharp edges.

Woo Hoo!!! In the home stretch! A little paint…a little sanding…and this cutie patootie bistro set is finally done. I would love to keep it (especially since it was such a headache), but it will go to the shop for sale.

I was featured!!!