masonry tools, concrete equipment I happened to be watching an episode of Martha Stewart the other day, and she showed how to create a beautiful brick floor using nothing more than sponges and paint. Absolutely no masonry tools were required, and since concrete is already the color of grout, the floor turned out to look amazingly authentic. She used regular cellulose sponges, cut them into the shape of bricks, and glued them to a plywood board. Then she used red paint that was the color of red bricks, and stamped the grey concrete floor. It turned out great.

And it is so much easier than laying a real brick floor with masonry tools that are heavy and require some skill to use. I'm always looking for alternatives to using concrete equipment because it's heavy, concrete can be tricky to work with, and the material itself is hard on the hands. People who have skills with masonry tools can lay bricks, whether they're for a floor or a fireplace, but for novices like me who want the look of brick without the expense or hassle, using sponges and paint is a fine way to get the look without the hassle.