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

It's a Great Day for Reclaimed Brick Tiles

Seriously, reclaimed brick tiles are having a moment right now. I have seen them everywhere!
From kitchen backsplashes to bathrooms to radiant heat flooring - they are definitely having a moment.
Brick tiles that are cut from reclaimed bricks, like ours from www.VintageBricks.com are made to withstand the test of time, because they already have withstood the test of time.
These brick tiles are not perfect, they are pitted and weathered, unevenly colored, a look that you just cannot recreate.

 Here is just a glimmer of the reclaimed vintage brick tile goodness that is out there:
Looking for an option that is hardy, will withstand anything you can throw at it, looks timeless, is eco-friendly, and is super affordable? Look no further, Vintage Bricks may be the brick tiles for you. Sliced from salvaged common bricks from demolished buildings that WE demolish, our tiles are each one-of-a-kind. www.VintageBricks.com

Fifty Shades of Savannah Gray - The Most Sought After Bricks in the South

Savannah Gray bricks, would you know them if you saw them? They are a brick lovers dream and those who can salvage them, could earn a hefty profit. Savannah Gray bricks are 200 year old hand-formed bricks from Savannah, Georgia and are extremely rare.

historic savannah gray bricks

Not everyone is aware of the rarity of the Savannah Gray bricks and they have been found in trash piles from buildings that have been demolished, without consideration of where there offset materials go. Our demolition company, Southern Demolition, offsets many of our materials to divert them from landfills to find new uses. These uses include historic restoration projects and home renovation, with things such as antique mantles and housewares sold through our sister company The Deconstructed House; and our brick and thin brick tile company, Vintage Bricks. Vintage Bricks sells authentic salvaged brick tiles that are cut from reclaimed bricks to be used in applications such as kitchen backsplashes, flooring, walkways, etc. Vintage Bricks is still actively searching for our Savannah Gray bricks to add to our collection of historic thin brick tiles.

handmade history

The historic Savannah Gray bricks were each hand-formed by slaves at a plantation called the Hermitage, which stopped making the bricks during the Civil War. Without knowledge of the importance of preservation, many of the historic bricks in Savannah were destroyed during the 1950's. We now know the importance of saving reusable materials from landfills is vitally important historically and environmentally. To support the diversion of reusable materials from landfills please visit us at www.VintageBricks.com 

Fixer Upper Loves Vintage Bricks!

Do you guys love the HGTV show, Fixer Upper, as much as we do? The goofy antics of Chip and the crazy good stylings of Joanna Gaines are right there at the top of our list.

HGTV's Fixer Upper Season 2 Episode 2 "The Dutch Door House" 

We revisited some episodes from season 2 and noticed something interesting. Chip and Joanna sure do love reclaimed brick tiles! In season 2, episode 2, featured below; the Fixer Upper stars used old reclaimed brick tiles in both the laundry room and on the gorgeous front walkway.

BEFORE 

AFTER - WHAT A DIFFERENCE !

The new reclaimed brick tile walkway, which was the special addition chosen by the couple, adds dramatic curb appeal to the 1940s house. To recreate this look on your own home, get your own reclaimed brick tiles at www.VintageBricks.com

The reclaimed brick tile flooring featured here in the laundry / mudroom is a great alternative to traditional stone tiles and much more cost effective and easy to maintain.

Fixer Upper loves reclaimed brick tiles and so should you! Our reclaimed brick tiles are sliced from authentic salvaged bricks. Get yours today at www.VintageBricks.com