Have you ever kicked off your shoes and waded across a cool, stony creek bed with a few inches of water? Just thinking about it brings back some of my most treasured childhood memories. Even now, I can still feel the smooth, water-worn rocks massaging my soles and the wet sand squishing between my toes. It’s memories like these, and my inherent love for nature, that have inspired me to incorporate elements of the outdoors into my home.

For example, I recently added natural beauty and a touch of nostalgia to my home-spa space by creating a river-rock bath mat. I’ve seen similar mats in high-end catalogs and at online stores, but their high price tags ($60 for a bath mat? I don’t think so!) sparked my DIY spirit. With a few common materials and tools, I was able to craft my own for a fraction of the cost. Here’s how to do it:

1. Measure and mark the HardiBacker cement board to the desired size. Use a utility knife to score and break the board at the marks.

2. Wipe the HardiBacker clean with a damp sponge. Using a trowel, spread an even layer of thinset mortar (about 1/4 in. thick) along the top surface.

3. Gently press the rocks into the mortar. (Note: For an eye-pleasing look, start with straight lines along the edges; then fill in the center with any pattern.) Let the mortar set completely.

4. Use a grout float and your fingers (wear gloves) to spread grout between the rocks. Before the grout dries, wipe the rocks clean with a damp tile sponge. Let the grout set completely.

5. With a dry cloth, wipe off any leftover haze on the rocks. Apply a couple of coats of grout sealer to the grouted areas. To protect your bathroom floor, attach a few felt furniture pads to the underside of the mat.


Hooked on River Rock
To make a matching river-rock towel knob, start by selecting a rock that is about 1 in. thick and has at least one flat side. Using a hand-held drill, a right-angle drill guide and a 3/8-in. diamond tile bit, drill a hole about 1/2 in. deep in the flat side of the rock. (You’ll need to chisel out the center of the hole.) Next, spread a small amount of construction adhesive into the hole and insert a 3/8-in. dowel that you’ve cut to the desired size.

Cut a piece of 1x3 hardwood (I used red oak) to size and drill a 3/8-in. hole through the center. Glue the dowel-and-river-rock piece into the hole and let it dry completely; then finish and seal the wood. – JS

SOURCE
James Hardie Building Products (HardiBacker), 888-542-7343, www.jameshardie.com