This is my final porch facelift post and between you and me, I’ve saved the best for last …
After I painted and patched the front porch, I decided to create a diamond-patterned painted rug right on the landing. So I taped it off …
… and gave it two coats of a lightened version of the creamy yellow paint used on the railings and posts.
Once dry, I taped off inner and outer borders and painted them with a glossy black enamel.
Then I pulled up the tape and found a colossal mess: the porch is not a flat surface and the black bled into all the nooks and crevices. A change in plans was called for in the tune of stripes on the outer border to help hide my mistake.
I spent two very long and frustrating hours trying to measure out diamonds. I ended up with a giant ball of painter’s tape and a second change of plans in the tune of a checkerboard pattern.
The pictures of how I taped off the squares were lost when my laptop crashed yesterday. But this hand-drawn layout was invaluable as I mapped out the squares.
The #1 squares were taped off and painted in with a lightened version of the green. Once dry, the #2 squares were taped and painted.
As a final touch, I used a square stencil to add a black diamond detail.
The jury is still out about whether I should add a coat of polyurethane.
In the end, we now have a one-of-a-kind, custom rug on our porch. You can’t see it from the sidewalk, but it makes me happy every time I walk up the steps.
It’s like a secret surprise waiting for my guests …
Sorry for the picture overload; I’m just so very proud of this project …
Let’s keep in touch …
Year-End Link Ups
If you like my rug, please click the “like” button at the very end of the post. Thanks!
I was featured:
Hi there! My name is Linda and I’m a Jersey-born-and-bred Midwestern transplant who lives in Chicago with my husband and two children. We've lived in our home since 1995 and over the years our style has changed and evolved. I wouldn't call my home a work-in-progress -- more like a rework-in-progress as I refresh and remodel things around here ... one room at a time.
This is so Wonderful!!! Thank You for Sharing!
I REALLY like this painted porch rug. It fits your porch perfectly and adds a ton of character. Your pictures turned out great also.
Love love love! I give it a solid 10
Jessica
LOVE, LOVE, supper cute!! love the color & design you did. Newest follower, great blog!
Desiree
http://www.CamelotArtCreations.blogspot.com
Great idea!! I wonder how it would hold up on cement? Stop by my place anytime. I am a new follower.
I luv luv luv it, what kind of sealant is needed against scratches and peeling of the paint?
Would luv for my readers to discover your blog, will you please join our weekly party at
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html
have a great crafting week!
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com
AWESOME! I am totally enthralled…. LOVE it. Great job!
Warm Blessings,
Spencer
This is such a thrifty fab idea since some rugs are so expensive…need to explore more possiblitites with this. Thanks a span!
Veronica
Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds
SO pretty!! Would LOVE it if you would link this project up at my turquoise lovin’ party!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2011/11/turquoise-lovin-13.html
Welcome to blogging Linda! This project is genius! To even think about doing it requires a very creative mind!
I’m your newest follower. Please stop by and say hi.
Vising from Home Stories link party. Love this project! Also love your blog – I’m following you now! I’m a native of the Chicago suburbs, now transplanted to the Philly area, so I’m especially fond of Chicago bloggers!
Super cute and pretty..Your blog is soo awesome..adorable and creative..Love it.I’m Marilyn..Stopping in and officially following ya with smiles.Hope you can stop in sometime..http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com ..TY..Off to indulge a bit in your posts
).
I am in love with your porch rug paint job…being a fan of paint myself….I am your newest follower. Please follow me back and get in on my driftwood sailboat give-a-way. Looking forward to hearing from you, Sherron
http://smallholdings.blogspot.com
OMG, that was a lot of hard work and it turned out great. That is not a picture overload. I like pictures myself. Thanks for sharing at Wow.
What a great looking piece, My furniture ‘s Old White is almost gone so I think I will mix it with various colurs and make it more attractive. Will be best looking with combo of white and lavender.
Hi! I pinned this on Pinterest, posted on fb, tweeted on Twitter and stumbled on Stumble Upon. Thanks for linking up at the Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop
I don’t like it … I LOVE it! My front porch floor is painted too and I would love to add something like this … but how do you keep it clean? It’s so pretty I’d hate to step on it.
I’m now a follower.
This is so adorable. I’m impressed!
Warmly, Michelle
I’m a new follower and pinned your painted porch rug…just love it!! I’m also a new fb follower…I would love for you to stop by my blog…fb…pinterest or link up to my “Great Pinterest Finds” linky party @
http://mydailyphotojourney.blogspot.com/2011/11/great-pinterest-finds.html
oh my goodness! What a labor of love!!! This is amazing…if I had a front porch, I’d be doing it tomorrow!!
following along now!
I love it. I am now following you.
I love that you are a diy person like me! I too, am now following you.
From one Jersey girl to another – you totally rocked out that front porch! Love it and love your blog. You have a friend (follower!) in me. You know what they say – you can take the girl out of Jersey, but you can’t take Jersey out of the girl!
Happy Thanksgiving.
xoxo,
Kim
Well, this is just adorable and a great deal of thought and work went into it as well. The colors are perfect by the way.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Ha, Kim! You’ve got that right. I’m still drawn to shiny, sparkly things and continue to do my part in killing the ozone with my aerosol hairspray!
LOVE this idea!! It’s looks fantastic! I’d love it if you’d link this up to my Saturday Splendour Party at http://www.megandmums.com
That turned out excellent! Great job! I’m looking around thinking…hmmm..what can I do that to? following you…xo
I absolutely love this. It came out so great. Nice job!
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog
When I first saw the thumbnail, I figured you had painted a canvas rug or something, but this is AWESOME! I just love how it came out, it looks so welcoming. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love the colors and the design on the painted rug! It is just the perfect touch for your welcoming entry!
Sharon @ mrshinesclass
I’ll be featuring you tomorrow.
Thank you so much for visiting my link party!
Love the rug. I featured it on “My Favorites” today!!! Stop by and check it out!
What a great porch!! Thanks for sharing at my party. I can’t wait to see what you have next week.
What an awesome idea! This one is going on the list. Thanks!
I have been wanting to do something like this to my front porch for a long time. I was thinking just painting diamond shapes but your painted rug is just so awesome, I want to try it too. My mind just doesn’t think logical when it comes to squares and marking the rug off so I am scared to start but it’s only paint right?? You should be very proud of your project. It should win an award. It’s just AWESOME
Great job! This is a great idea. I love your blog, btw.
So pretty! For someone who hates math, you sure did a great job on the pattern
Thanks for linking up.
this is such a great idea! i have been mulling over what to do with our back porch as the paint keeps wearing off and showing the 3 other colors we’ve painted it! i think i will paint a “runner” on it and seal it. it will be grand…just like yours.
judi
One of the best ideas in Blogland!!!
Eva
Love the many pics. You should be proud!
What a great project! You should be proud. I can’t wait to try this in my upstairs hall. I’m thinking a soft yellow and gray. Thanks for a great tutorial.
What a great projects.I really like this idea.Thanx to share with us.I really try it.Such a inspirations idea.
shop news
Love, love, love, love, love. Did I mention I love this?
Great job!
I absolutely love this. I have a little concrete square (porch entry to a brick home) Ugly space…would love to do something similar but on concrete….suggestions
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If you follow this link you’ll find some great advice on how to recreate on a concrete surface …
http://www.hometalk.com/162658/painted-on-front-porch-rug?se=rep&tk=di8681
And if you scroll down one of the readers included a link that is concrete specific about prepping the surface first with appropriate primer.
Hope this helps!
Linda
Hi Linda! Thanks for stopping by and following my blog. I agree that paint makes all the difference. I love this painted rug. I’m going to try this somewhere around the house. If I do you’ll know that you were my inspiration:) Following back! Jamie
wellnessandfamily.blogspot.com
Linda I love it! Thanx for showing us all how to make our own painted rug and for partying at tHT!
I’ve been reminded of your great front porch painted rug over at Southern Hospitality’s Summer Porch Party. (I’m sitting on my front porch looking at front porches. : ) I love this project of yours!
Had to pin this one as a “must do” project for this year! Great work, Linda.
I am so going to do this on my front porch! Thank you for sharing this project.