Big news gang; our friends over at the very savvy design*sponge blog, are featuring one of my painted floors, and I am super excited!! Thank you Kate!!
Take a peek at some of my painted floors from the past.
I know that many of you think a painted floor is big doings, but the truth is, if you can accurately read a tape measure, and have a sound pair of knees, the work that remains is more mechanics than art. My knees are completely shot, and I’m not the sharpest pencil in the drawer when it comes to math, but I manage to get these beauties down, because the results are always worth the effort.
Here’s a painted border in a very young, Princely baby boy’s bedroom.
I love the sophistication the design lends to the room. When the little fella learns to walk, he can host Parcheesi, checkers, or backgammon tournaments. Maybe Renaissance Fair re-enactments on Sunday?
The simplest painted floors are actually the most challenging-every line needs to be precise. This floor is simply a black check on a maple floor-I could have used a stencil, but I fussed the design in to fit perfectly all around, because, I can be a little zealous about the fit.
This beauty is gigantic high gloss tone on tone with a chocolate border all around. LOVE the gloss. I did this floor over 15 years ago-it was big-30’x18′ as I recall. I’ll try to dig up a better photo if you need more inspiration.
This is easier-no boxes to tape! Instead of paint I use glaze for this style, and the transparent glazing creates the pattern, as each toned color passes over the other. Quick-cheap-easy.
Here’s one of my all-time favorites:
The maple floor is flat white latex, and a rather arbitrary placement of color and line creates a relatively relaxed and colorful grid. It’s a good way to use up leftover paint, plus there’s no need to calculate the hypotenuse of a square, which I can’t do without the photo guy within shouting distance.
If you need some tips or an all out how-to on any of these, I’m happy to oblige. Hope you’ll check out my design*sponge debut, and don’t forget to look for my posts over at the Benjamin Moore blog!!
Beautiful work. I’m sharing the link on my facebook page.
Thanks Dana-so appreciate that-send me over the link and I’ll be sure keep in touch!
You are SO clever. I think I will try this in the bathroom.
Loving loving!..nothing more beautiful than a painted floor!!
It’s about time for you to be on DS!!!! Very excited for you Lu
Wow! first time I’ve read your blog, absolutely Love the flooring, just wish I had the time and patience…:)
Gee I never think of myself as clever-I like that! A bath would be a great place-just be sure not to get the finish to slippery-no sanding!
I agree-makes me especially happy when i can save an old floor from the crow bar with a a painted finish.
Such a loyal fan Elisa! just think-I’ll have lots of great ideas to test out in your “DREAM” house.!!
Welcome Kara!! thanks for reminding me to share my quick and fabulous ideas too for you busy ladies!
your floors are awesome
Thanks for the idea! I really wanted to do something with the plainness of my bedroom. I’ve tried wallpapers, but they didn’t work. I guess I’ll try painting the floors whenever my folks are gonna plan a major house remodeling.
Thanks Lynn-next week I’ll have some walls for you to see.;)
Great idea! keep in touch-maybe you can send them on vacation! we’ll plan up the whole house-lololol
Wonderful assemblage of beautiful painted floors Lu! I’ve done several also – and, it’s true – you need good knees plus a thick pad for your knees. I’ve used Modellos to create very intricate patterns for the floors I’ve done (great for ceilings and walls – and concrete too!). It’s a one time use stencil – are you familiar with it?
Keep up the fabulous work – and keep me posted on your “doings”. Next time – remind me that Brimfield is happening!! I usually try to go – but this month was very hectic for me! And I just now signed up to do a Designer Showhouse for the Vanderbilt Museum…it will start on Labor Day through mid-October…if you plan on making a home trip!!
Linda Leyble
http://www.studioofdecorativearts.blogspot.com
Love, love, LOVE your work, beautiful job! What do you finish your floors with? Poly? How would I do a concrete floor same way?
Thanks,
Julie