Tips for Painting Bi-Fold Shuttered Closet Doors
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Tag Archives: Painting
How To Paint a Floor Tutorial
When we first moved in, we had to remove previous owners’ carpet. There was so much work to be done (there still is), that I covered this floor with an area rug and we moved on to other more important projects. With out of town guests coming, I wanted to give this room a fresh new look. We painted a floor in our guest bathroom with amazing results, so I knew that painting the floor would be a great solution.
With the help of True Value, we came home with these materials:
Zinsser 123 Bulls Eye Primer
True Value’s Easy Care Paint (color = Ticker Tape (a beautiful medium turquoise), flat finish)
Frog Tape (different widths will give you different results)
Paint Tray
Paint Brush (I recommend Purdy)
Paint Rollers
Minwax Polycrilic
For my participation with the DIY Club, I received these materials:
Deco Art Acrylic Craft Paints (Porch and Patio Paint in Terra Cotta, Dazzling Metallics in Gold)
Cutting Edge Stencils – Ikat Samarkand
Dutch Boy Refresh paint (Fountain of Youth)
Other items needed:
Sandpaper
Paintable caulking or wood filler
Pencil, ruler
BEFORE -yikes!
After:
See the complete guest room before and after here: http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2011/10/guest-bedroom-reveal-and-100-bhg.html
(The guest bedroom painted floor where it meets the guest bathroom painted floor. See the tutorial I did 2 years ago on the bathroom floor for more tips/information: Painted Bathroom Floor Tutorial.)
Here is How I Did It:
PREP:
1. I removed the old baseboards. They lacked character. I wanted something more in line with the character of our home. I include more information on our baseboards in this tutorial as well.
2. At this point, filling cracks and nail holes and sanding is recommended for longer term plans but since this is a temporary solution for us, we didn’t invest the time or money in doing this step as we will be covering this floor in 6 to 18 months. (See details on filling cracks/sanding at painted bathroom floor for more information on this step.)
3. Make sure the floor is clean (sweep/wipe up sawdust/etc.).
4. Apply a coat of primer to the floor. It’s best to do the edges first using a brush and use a roller for the center of the floor (utilizing a broom handle with roller is also easier on the knees). Don’t trap yourself in the room, plan ahead and paint in a far corner working your way towards the door, where you can escape while paint dries.
START:
1. Once primer is dry (if it’s applied), I used a yard stick and measured in from each wall. I came in 2 1/2 feet because I wanted a larger “area rug”. I marked my “area rug” with a Sharpie. (I originally came in 3 ft., but that made the “area rug” I was going to stencil 5×8. I changed my measurements to allow for closer to a 7 x 9 foot area rug.
2. Tape inside of the Sharpie line.
3. Smooth and seal tape using a credit card.
PAINTING SURROUNDING FLOOR:
Using a brush and porch and floor paint, paint from the outside perimeter of the room. Roll on paint from that edge to the tape. We used a dark brown.
Let dry.
PAINTING AREA RUG:
Now onto the “area rug”. Using a Purdy paint brush and steady hand, I was able to paint the base color without taping onto the brown ‘floor’. I edged right next to the brown and filled in using a roller.
Allow base color to dry completely. Paint a
second coat if desired and let dry.
second coat if desired and let dry.
Use painter’s tape to create a border. I measure from the outside edge with a pencil and apply tape. Get decorative in the corners!
STENCILING:
Using a tape measure from corner diagonally to corner, I marked the center of the ‘area rug’ in order to know where to start my stencil. I used the Ikat Samarkand stencil from cuttingedgestencils.com and Dutch Boy‘s Refresh (color = fountain of youth). Refresh paint has exceptional durability and zero VOC/Greenguard and is mildew resistant!
Place stencil in the center and work outwards. I used a foam roller. Apply paint to roller and roll onto paper towels until roller looks dry. Roll paint over stencil. Lift stencil. I keep working with the stencil. Using the guides on Cutting Edge Stencils’ stencil keeps the pattern consistent.
When center of ‘area rug’ is complete, I painted the border between the taped lines the same color.
Isn’t the stencil pattern gorgeous? I love it as it is (so soft and pretty) but decided to add color. Keep reading.
Let dry.
DETAIL:
The painted area rug in the bathroom is only two colors and I wanted to get a little more creative this time and coordinate the area rug with the room I was planning. I used paint from my craft stash including Deco Art Dazzling Metallic in gold and Deco Art Patio Paint in terra cotta.
I used the stencil and went over specific areas of the pattern, keeping it consistent. I used Dutch Boy Refresh (color = Lake Camplain) for the border. I also used the shorter stencil (which is included for stenciling the top of a wall). For the border, I found the center and worked left and right from there.
Let dry!
FINISHING:
Once all paint is dry, apply a coat of Polycrilic to protect the entire design. I applied one layer. Applying more is recommended for durability.
RESULT:
The walls have been painted and baseboard trim painted and installed.
Baseboards before were cheap and scratched up. I like chunkier (and no miter cuts). I used 1x3s. I measured around the perimeter, cut, primed then painted and put them around the floor.
REGISTERS
With new dark floors, the heating and a/c floor vents stuck out like a sore thumb.
A quick coat of Krylon and they blend right in…
How to Paint a Floor video tutorial.
(Please know in advance that I’m not a natural in front of the camera and I lack professional videography skills!)
Sorry! Acting classes are on my bucket list! haha!
Have questions? I’m over at True Value’s Ask the Blogger series this week!
“Like” True Value and submit your question.
Speaking of True Value, I wanted to let you know about a great program that the True Value Foundation runs to support schools around the counter in need of a “makeover”. The program is called Painting a Brighter Future.
Schools in need of painting can seek out a local True Value store to sponsor them and they can apply for a grant. If they’re selected, the local True value store will supply and deliver pain tot he school, making this a wonderful opportunity for community involvement.
Find out more at http://truevaluecompany.com/about_true_value/foundation-painting-brighter-future.asp.
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I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
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I’m joining this party today:
Painting a Bathroom Floor (a DIY painted rug)
A temporary bathroom floor makeover (temp likely meaning a few years) until bigger renovation with tile is in the budget can make a HUGE difference. Look at the transformation, using paint. I love it! I may never want to tile this floor!
When we bought our old farmhouse, there was carpet in the bathroom (gross!). So we immediately tore it out before moving in. But that’s as far as we got (so many projects, only so much $ and time). We have big plans for this bathroom. It sits between my office/guest room and the family room so even though there is a powder room on the first floor too, this bathroom gets used just as often by guests and family. It needed SOMETHING!
Before
I filled in the cracks/seams with wood filler.
Sanded. (It’s not completely smooth and perfect, but we were okay with imperfections. It is an old farmhouse, after all.) You could also lay down a fresh new base but we were cutting corners.
2 coats of Zinsser Primer
2 coats of Valspar Porch and Floor paint. I chose a color called Journey. It’s a nice dark chocolate brown.
Then, a lot of measuring to create a painted rug base. I used Frog Tape. It is amazing and really cuts down on touch ups. Actually when I used it on the walls, NO touch ups were needed. I did need to do a bit with the floors though. Anyway, I also used the Frog Tape to create a border by covering up some of the base. 
I painted my ‘rug’ color twice using Benjamin Moore (eggshell finish) in Smoke Embers.
Then immediately pulled off the tape, pulling away from the paint (some of the tape was completely covered though so fingers do get paint-y). I had newspaper laid out near by so I could throw the wet-painted tape on it (pushing into a garbage bag = bigger sticky mess).
I painted my ‘rug’ color twice using Benjamin Moore (eggshell finish) in Smoke Embers.
Then immediately pulled off the tape, pulling away from the paint (some of the tape was completely covered though so fingers do get paint-y). I had newspaper laid out near by so I could throw the wet-painted tape on it (pushing into a garbage bag = bigger sticky mess).
Once that was dry, I continued with measuring, taping and using a stencil to complete my design.
My big center area is 3 x6, so using a pencil, I drew a grid with 12″ squares in order to keep everything symmetrical. I learned that a Magic Eraser is quick and easy for erasing pencil! But, when all was said and done, most of the penciled area was covered by paint and what wasn
‘t, I painted over when doing my final touch ups. I considered using a chalk line, but intimidation got the better of me. I’ve never used one and with me being down on the floor…I was worried I’d smear it all.
I even painted over the gray area one time because despite drawing some ideas on paper, I didn’t like the first design. It’s just paint and it really doesn’t take too long. Right under this room is a wood stove, so the floor is warm and helps to speed up drying time.
I did use acrylic craft paint for the stencil (that happens to match the dark brown perfectly) because it is thicker consistency than the brown floor paint I used. Also – my stenciled areas “bled” a little – anyone know how to get a perfect stencil? Anyway – it actually gave it more character and I like the effect of “fuzzy” edges with the stencil rather than “clean edges”. It really does give it more of a “rug-look”. And honestly – can you really tell? Not unless your nose is 6 inches from it. 🙂
(It’s not a pretty job – painter’s butt! And since I can’t stop once I get started, dark circles.)
Ta-da! 
Next, a couple of coats of water-based polyurethane to seal and protect. I used Minwax Water Based Polyurethane. I’m applying 3 coats by using a brush along the border and against the wall and a foam roller for the rest of it. Now it’s waterproof and protected.
Last part coming up! Replacing the baseboard trim, re-installing the pedestal sink and then the fun part – decorating! I know everyone wouldn’t pair the striped walls with a doily-designed painted floor but the best part about decorating for yourself is doing what you love, right? I promise I won’t hang a polka-dotted shower curtain and crazy wall art. 😉
See DIY and bathroom progress in our
Materials: {affiliate links}
Large Wall Damask Stencil Faux Mural Design #1015 5″ x 7 3/8″
Large Wall Damask Stencil Faux Mural Design #1012 9″ x 7 7/8″
FrogTape 1358463 Multi-Surface Painting Tape, Green, 0.94-Inch Wide by 60 Yards Long
Flower Stencil Zinnia Grande size Med – Reusable wall stencils better than wall decals
Shur-Line 4-Inch Foam Mini Roller Refills, 2-Pack #04940C
Minwax 63333 Satin Polycrylic Protective Finishes, 1 Quart
