Project: Slate table mats

Food is one of our growing passions—if the number of cookery books and television programs is anything to go by—and the social importance of family meals is widely recognized, yet how much thought do we give to the presentation of the daily eating ritual? Making the table look as exciting as the dishes themselves takes just a little thought and effort, and here we suggest one idea to rejuvenate roof slates to make easy but chic replacements for melamine mats bearing images of Big Ben and the leaning tower of Pisa. These slate mats will give your table a new, crisp image, and by scouring skips parked outside properties in the process of being reroofed, demolished or restored, you are sure to find enough slates to make up a table setting for ten or more.

If raiding skips is not your style, another source of old roofing slate is your nearest reclamation yard. The slate will have suffered from exposure to wind, rain, snow and pollution, but it is still desirable. Newly cut slate can be purchased from any flooring contractor, tile shop or builders' merchant, where you will be faced with a mind-boggling choice of colour, size and thickness.

Damaged or chipped roofing slates can be cut down to the required size and the underside covered in felt or baize to protect the table surface. Once cleaned and polished, the slate's inherent insulating qualities, combined with its practical wipe-clean surface, make it a smart table accessory to be admired (and no doubt copied) when you next decide to hold a dinner party.

Equipment:
• Tape measure
• Straight edge
• Marking point or sharp nail
• Slate ripper
• Pliers
• Electric sander (optional)
• Medium-grade glass- or emery paper
• 12 mm (1/2 in) paintbrush
• Scissors
• Glue brush

Materials:
• Eight roof slates, overall size approx. 40 x 30 cm (16 x 12 in)
• Four larger roof slates, overall size approx. 50 x 35 cm (20 x 14 in)
• Satin finish or floor-grade varnish
• Approx. 2 sq. m (2-1/2 sq. yd) baize or felt
• Rubberized glue

The materials above are sufficient to make a set of eight table mats and four centre mats. Adjust measurements as necessary according to the size of roof slates available. Also bear in mind the size of the table on which they will be placed.

Safety note: We advise that you wear safety glasses or goggles when using any mechanical sanding equipment. Rubber or protective gloves are also recommended for this project.