A closer look

I like this. Is it paper clay?

Thank you. I've not worked with paper clay, but see it mentioned a lot, would like to try. The base is basswood, the slate is faux painted mat board, cut into tiles and grouted. I used that method for all the tile in this house.

Gorgeous! Much nicer and dressier than the original DC stairs.

wow, I didnt know you could do that with mat board...thanks for sharing your technique

wow, I didnt know you could do that with mat board...thanks for sharing your technique

After you glue the tiles in place you need to seal them really well around the edges and on the tops. I use Liquitex gloss varnish, it's acrylic based. After that dries I grout with Lightwieght Hydrocal, a Woodland Scenics product, or, just plain spackle compound. After the grout dries, another coat of acrylic over the surface keeps the grout in place much better,