10 Summertime Uses for Reclaimed Bricks

It's that time again - spring is in full swing and that means it is time to DIY ourselves all the way to summertime! Here are 10 fun ways to use VintageBricks.com authentic reclaimed thin brick tiles all spring and summer long :

1) Transform your Florida room

2) Edge your pool

3) Edging for your garden

4) Find your chill space

5) Fancy up a fire pit

6) Frame a garden bed

7) Lay a pretty pathway

8) Line your garden

9) Fancy up a chicken coop

10) Give your ride a brand new drive

What are your favorite DIY projects for spring and summer? 

How would you use Vintage Bricks thin brick tiles around your home?

Our thin brick tiles are cut from whole common bricks salvaged from our own demolition company. Vintage Bricks reclaimed tiles are half the weight of common bricks and as easy to install as regular tile.

www.VintageBricks.com

DIY Herringbone Brick Garden Path HOW TO GUIDE

The following tutorial is courtesy of our friends over at The Home Depot - as published in their e-newsletter.

In a simple afternoon you can create a beautiful simple DIY herringbone pathway from Vintage Bricks thin brick tiles. Using old bricks creates the look that your pathway has been there forever!

Supply List:

• Measuring tape
• Vintage Bricks thin brick tiles
• Gravel paver base
• Paver sand
• Wheelbarrow
• Marking chalk or landscape paint
• Tamper or 4- x 4-inch board, approximately 3 to 4 inches long
• Flat-headed shovel
• Broom

Step 1: Measure the length and width of your desired garden path to determine how many Vintage Bricks salvaged tiles you will need. Add 2 inches to your length to find the amount of gravel and sand you will need.
Step 2: Dig a 4-5" deep trench along your desired path, adding 2 inches to the width. Square the sides with a flat shovel.

Step 3: Spread your gravel 1-2" deep along the path, tamp down the gravel

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 with sand
Step 5: Lay your Vintage Bricks thin brick tiles in a herringbone pattern, adding and removing sand to keep brick tiles even. Tap bricks into sand with a 4x4" piece of wood

Step 6: Pour sand over bricks fill the gaps

Step 7: Fill in edges around the bricks with dirt and pieces of grass to create a natural look

Step 8: Clean up any excess sand and enjoy your beautiful new old pathway.

www.VintageBricks.com for 100% eco-friendly authentic old bricks cut into thin brick tiles. Brick tiles delivered to your door!

The German Schmear / Smear : A How-To Guide

Photo by Corynne Pless

Do you have Vintage Bricks thin brick reclaimed tiles in your home and want to give them a fun new look?
Want to cover your boring dining room wall in German Schmear delight?
Look no further than the winning combination of our Vintage Bricks upcycled historic brick tiles paired with the "German schmear/smear " technique!

 Here's what you'll need: 

1.  2 Buckets
2.  Nearby hose 
3. Sponges (look for concrete sponges) or grout float (like this one)
4.  80 lb bag mortar mix 
5. gloves (heavy duty)
6. wire brush 
7. inexpensive concrete mixer, like this 
8. electric drill 

 To get started: 

Bucket 1 : Clean water
Bucket 2: Mortar and water. It should be soupy but not too runny, like batter. More mortar than water. Mix together with your mixer

 Wet the surface area of the bricks that you are working with, apply your mortar to the bricks with your sponge while they are still wet, in an upward motion.

Use the wire brush to wipe away any bricks that you want to expose, to create your own unique look. Every ten minutes or so rinse your sponge, changing your water bucket as needed.

 Your mortar will begin to dry and turn the correct color within a few hours. It will appear darker at first and lighten up as it dries. The mortar takes a few days to officially "cure".

To purchase reclaimed thin brick tiles for indoor and outdoor use on fireplaces, kitchen backsplashes, floors, patios, you name it, head on over to www.VintageBricks.com 

Photo by Corynne Pless

Photo by Anna Braund

Credit : Source

Does your home have "Hygge" ?

Hygge. What? Hygge (pronounced "Hoo-gah")! Hygge is a Danish word that doesn't quite translate to English. The people of Denmark are said to be the happiest people in the world. We all would love a slice of extra happiness, I'm sure, and one way that the Danes create this happiness is by instilling their lives with "Hygge". So what is this "hygge" and how do you get it?

Hygge loosely translates to coziness and thoughtfulness, putting the extra steps together to create a more pleasant cozy space for yourself and your friends and family to have a good time together. It means setting the scene with candles and being intentional in how you plan out your space and your time. Truly being together with friends, separated from your cellphone, and making the extra coziness a priority in your life. It means cozying up in a special chair with a blanket, good book, glass of vino, and a little bit of homemade cake.
So, what are some steps that you can take to add more hygge to your home?

1. Have a cozy nook - Create your perfect reading, relaxing, hot tea drinking spot. Vintage Bricks reclaimed brick tiles bring in that extra bit of cozy warmth to any wall or floor with less weight than a regular brick and the ease of a regular tile. Start with your backdrop of thin brick tiles, add in an overstuffed arm chair, fuzzy blanket, side table for your hot drink (or wine!), have books in reach, set up some candles, and don't forget a furry friend. 
   
2. Candles & Fireplace - The Danish phenomenon of "hygge" was born out of the necessity for light and warmth during the long dark winters. The Danes still adorn their homes (and schools!) in candles for that extra bit of hygge that the candles bring. Don't forget your roaring fireplace. A well kept fireplace adds extra coziness once the cold weather starts to really kick in. Reclaimed thin brick tiles from Vintage Bricks can turn any fireplace from hideous to hygge-ish.
   
3. Blankets, soft pillows, slippers - Layer on the warmth this winter for that extra bit of hygge. Be intentional with putting on a nice pair of warm winter socks or your favorite slippers. Put out soft pillows and snuggly blankets to really encourage yourself and others to relax and enjoy life. 
   
4. Baked goods, hot coffee, red wine - Partake in a glass of wine if that's your thing or just enjoy a hot coffee or tea. Hygge time is not the time for worrying about your waistline, but it is the time for taking extra time to be intentional. Instead of buying a some muffins, spend some time enjoying the act of creating a nice little treat for yourself and your friends and family. 
   
5. Friends and family - Hygge is about togetherness as well as just being cozy. Haven't seen your friends in real life in a while? Invite them over to your house for dinner and cake. Friends invite you over but you always have an excuse? Take the time to visit and see them face to face. This is something we all take for granted in this digital world! 
   
6. A good book - Set aside time for yourself to read a good book, no distractions, in your little cozy nook. 
   

Enjoy the simple pleasures in life, be intentional, and snuggle up with a loved one.

We hope that you have enjoyed lots of hygge this holiday season.

www.VintageBricks.com

You Wont Believe the Reason Behind These Bricks!

Photo - Kansas Historical Society

Yes, this brick is real. The "Don't spit on the sidewalk" brick has a unique history from the early 1900's. Back when diseases like tuberculosis were running rampant, Dr. Samuel Crumbine, a public health figure, tried to combat the spread of communicable diseases. He fought against common things such as the public drinking cup, where people shared the same cup without washing it. Most famously, he spoke out against spitting on the sidewalk. His campaign against the spread of diseases included having bricks printed with the message as a friendly reminder.

To get your own historic bricks, go to www.VintageBricks.com and check out our genuine reclaimed thin brick tiles, to use indoor or out.

A Vintage Bricks Fireplace Installation

A wonderful Vintage Bricks customer, Alexis, sent in some great photos of her recent Vintage Bricks reclaimed brick tile project. Check it out!

The before picture

Here, she's removed the old mantle and blue tiles and is getting everything ready for the bricks!

Bring on the thin brick tiles!

The beauty of the patina really stands out the more brick tiles go on

Our Vintage Bricks never looked better, Alexis!

Down the side and putting the mantle back on

Now it's really coming together

Outlets and new tiles go in

So beautiful!

What an incredible transformation - we are so pleased to see our reclaimed thin brick tiles turn into such special places in our customer's homes. Thanks, Alexis!

To create a special nook in your home using thin brick tiles, go to our website at www.VintageBricks.com

A wonderful Vintage Bricks customer, Alexis, sent in some great photos of her recent Vintage Bricks reclaimed brick tile project. Check it out!

The before picture

Here, she's removed the old mantle and blue tiles and is getting everything ready for the bricks!

Bring on the thin brick tiles!

The beauty of the patina really stands out the more brick tiles go on

Our Vintage Bricks never looked better, Alexis!

Down the side and putting the mantle back on

Now it's really coming together

Outlets and new tiles go in

So beautiful!

What an incredible transformation - we are so pleased to see our reclaimed thin brick tiles turn into such special places in our customer's homes. Thanks, Alexis!

To create a special nook in your home using thin brick tiles, go to our website at www.VintageBricks.com