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10.17.12 / DIY Painted Rug

Curious about the fate of the IKEA rug that I pulled from the boys’ room?

Bada-boom…

Bada-bing…

I gave him a makeover and a new place to live. This must be what it feels like to be Oprah. New cars for everyone! Oh, wait. Sorry. I’m getting carried away. But if I had cars to give away, I’d give them to you guys. Thanks for having my back over on Apartment Therapy. It seems I’ve hit a nerve there. Ah well. The negativity gets me down for about 5 minutes then it makes me want to win even more. Keep spreading the word about Mabrey’s room!

Now back to more bada-booming…

…and bada-binging…

I’ve been itching to layer a patterned rug over the 9’x12′ sisal in the family room. While the sisal is really durable and holding up well to our young family, it isn’t the coziest thing to rub your bare feet on.

So when the flatweave rug got booted from the boys’ bedroom, I brainstormed a way to make it work in the family room. As-is it was pretty plain Jane. Just an ivory cotton. It would have gotten lost on the sisal without some tweaking. I decided some bold stripes were in order.

I vacuumed the rug then laid it out on top of a plastic drop cloth in the mudroom, smoothing things out as best as possible. I cracked the door and window for ventilation.

After browsing striped rug images online, I chose to go with 4″ stripes running width-wise and taped them off. Luckily, the rug inherently has woven lines running width-wise so it was easy to measure every 4″ and then run my painter’s tape all the way across. I made sure to press the edges of the tape down firmly so paint wouldn’t seep underneath. I also curved the tape around to the back of the rug at the edges to hold it in place better.

The hardest part – which wasn’t even that difficult – was placing the tape so that the stripes to be painted were fully revealed while the stripes to be left untouched were taped appropriately. Basically, stripes getting painted got taped off outside of the stripe and the unpainted stripes got taped off inside of their 4″. Make sense? Then I marked each stripe to be painted with an “X” so once I got to painting I wouldn’t get confused and flub up the entire design.

I had HH get some low VOC paint mixed up at Home Depot since he was going there anyways for another project he was working on. {The suspense!} As far as the color, black would have worked but HH and I decided that it would be fun to step outside our neutral comfort zone and go with a bold blue. It’s Benjamin Moore’s down pour blue and we had it color matched in flat Behr Premium Plus. I guessed that I would need more than one quart but less than two quarts so I had HH get two quarts for good measure. It ended up being a pretty good estimate. I painted twelve 4″ stripes about 6′ long and used ~1 and 1/3 quarts of paint for <$25.

I used a small foam roller to apply the paint to the rug.

I quickly learned that it was best to roll the paint on perpendicular to the stripes to fill in the tiny crevices of the woven rug. Then I would go back parallel to the stripes for added coverage.

I painted in my pajamas and HH thought it was necessary to take a picture of me in action. I didn’t soak the rug. I just applied enough paint to cover the stripes. Still, it was a good thing I had the drop cloth underneath because paint did seep through in a few spots.

When painting was complete, I stepped back and knew right away I was going to love the results.

I carefully removed the tape while the paint was wet. Then I told everyone to stay out of the mudroom. Easier said than done. In 24 hours, it was dry and ready for layering.

I slipped one end slightly under the couch and the other end under the upholstered chairs to anchor the seating area within the sisal rug.

The tacky texture of the sisal does a good job of holding the striped rug in place. No rug pad is needed.

I know someone will ask so… the painted stripes aren’t stiff. If you run your hand over them you can feel a slight difference between the painted and unpainted stripes. It’s less noticeable under foot. Low VOC and no VOC paints have a higher content of acrylic which makes them more flexible when dry. At least, that’s what a paint guy told me once.

Our family loves the ‘new’ rug. The bold blue stripes feel modern, masculine and preppy. It feels very Nate Berkus-meets-Dash & Albert to me. But less expensive. If I were looking to buy an already striped flatweave in this size, I’d be looking at $200+. This one cost me ~$85. Most of the big pieces in our family room are neutral so this non-black/gray/brown item is fun. It makes me want to add more pops of color.

Just what I always wanted. My own little striped rug. I will name him Rugby and I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him and pat him and pet him and rub him and caress him and have him for my very own.

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

 

65 Comments

17.October.2012

I love it. We have this rug in my daughter’s room and it needs something to spice it up. I keep thinking of stenciling it with a lacy pattern, maybe evening layering a few colors.

I love it!! I’ve wanted to paint a plain rug but as soon as I mentioned it to my boyfriend he laughed at me. I’ve seen it done many times and think they all turn out great though! BUT how did you get the lines so straight?! I think that’s where I would have the biggest issue. Maybe it’s because I don’t have the patience to make sure they are straight..haha.

This looks awesome! Spacing things out for stripes can be a headache, can’t it? You did well! I love the pop of bright blue in the room. And now you have 2/3 of a can in the exact same color–perfect for adding in more accents down the road!

17.October.2012

I’ve had that same IKEA rug just sitting in a closet waiting to be painted. Think I might do similar stripes–just in orange!

Also, where is your coffee table from? I’ve been looking for one similar!

I love it! The color is so perfect. What did you do with your last painted rug from your old house?
P.S- I saw how negative people were about the nursery- ridiculous! Don’t let them get you down. You and Mabrey (and all of us here at H*T!) love your nursery and that’s all that matters

17.October.2012

I love it. Come do my house?? lol

17.October.2012

Okay, I need to go find a rug to paint now.

17.October.2012

Don’t let the A.T. comments get you down! I really do think your room’s colors are my favorite out of all the other “dark” rooms!

Love it! What a great idea and I love the pop of color it adds to the room! So fun!

17.October.2012

I love it! That bold blue is a perfect compliment to all of the neutrals you’ve chosen. I tried this technique on some IKEA curtains for my kids’ room but the curtain edges rolled back a bit when the paint dried (I did over-sized grey stripes and only painted enough to block the light from coming through but didn’t soak the fabric). After months of constantly trying to straighten them out, I took the curtains down and put up a fresh, unpainted set. Any tips for how to avoid this on my next try?

17.October.2012

You are the best! You bring me joy and I’m not even in the rug-painting era of my life. Don’t take the negativity personal, your followers love anything you do.

17.October.2012

The coffee table was a West Elm outlet find years ago. It was $43 and a red-orange color. I primed and painted it white.

17.October.2012

People over on AT sure do get their knickers in a twist over the weirdest things. I think Mabrey’s room looks fabulous and I love the choice of blue for the rug. Great job!

17.October.2012

Do you mean the seagrass rug in our dining room that I stenciled? If so, it stayed with the purchase of the home.

17.October.2012

The rug itself already has straight lines that run across because it’s woven. It was very easy…I measured every 4″ and used woven lines as guides.

17.October.2012

It looks terrific. Love the blue that you chose! Wonderful!

Yes, that’s the one!

17.October.2012

Awesome Idea!! I’ve always wondered if this could be done, now I know. Thanks for proving everyone wrong and coming up with such great ideas.

17.October.2012

I love your ‘new’ rug, but even more so I love how you closed out that post… pat him and pet him and… Genius.

17.October.2012

oh that looks pretty! i love it that you chose a bold color!

17.October.2012

Ooh I like it! Keep us posted on how it wears. I know you will ;) Although if it ends up looking scrappy in several years, you have a good clean side, right? Or is it not a flippable rug?

Can I go way OT and ask you about Mabrey’s room? You did bring it up a little bit, so maybe it’s not too OT. ;) Do you really like that IKEA crib? We are having twins for baby #2 & 3 and we had already handed down our hand-me-down giant oak crib with drop sides before we got pregnant. We have a teeny house, so I wanted a lower profile crib. I had picked out that same crib, but I’m just worried about the paint holding up. How is it looking? I’m assuming it gets bumped occasionally with two big brothers around!

PS I love Mabrey’s room! Sorry people are getting all cranky on you at Apartment Therapy!

17.October.2012

I love the rug & I have to say – your nursery made me regret not going dark. I think it’s genius, cozy, and sweet. You’ve an amazing eye…been following your blog since apt therapy tour back in the day. Can’t wait to see all the fun things you do in your home.

17.October.2012

This looks wonderful. I love that you 1. painted the rug, and 2. placed the rug over another rug. I have been contemplated a diy chevron painted rug for my son’s room. I do not own a single thing in chevron, so I thought it would be a good way to get in on a trend that I sort of like (of course, it probably won’t be a trend at all when I get around to it.) Great job, as usual!

17.October.2012

I did something similar, chevron stripes, way more labor and for some odd reason I decided it was a good idea to do it outside in the summer sun! I loved it, but being a high traffic area in our living room it is ruined after one season. Very sad, but it was great while it lasted! Need to have more strict rules for the living room with eating and shoes off!!

17.October.2012

Love, love, love it, Dana! Such a nice touch to your living room.

17.October.2012

I was so confused because I couldn’t understand why anyone would not like this room so I went to AT website and read the comments and they aren’t anything to be upset about. Its a beautiful room and while it might not be for everyone the majority love it. I read your blog regularly and you have not fished for votes so keep your head up and smile.

Looks great Dana! I’ve seen fabric painted before, but I’ve never seen it work out as well as this carpet.

The comments over at AT are largely positive and I’m glad you’re shrugging it off!

I’m curious to see how the rug holds up with time. I’ve thought about painting a rug before, too, but I’m worried about the long haul. Since the paint didn’t bleed through, I guess there’s always the option to flip it : ]

17.October.2012

That looks so fantastic! I love the pop of color and pattern it adds to that area!

17.October.2012

LOOOOOVE THIS RUG. LOOKS AMAZING! BUT I WOULD EXPECT NOTHING ELSE FROM YOU. YOU HAVE A GIFT.

17.October.2012

You are just too cute.

We just moved in to our place, (well, last December!) All I’ve done is paint the walls. Come to my place, and give me decor tips and ideas? Please and thank you. ;)

Love your blog. Thanks for sharing.

17.October.2012

Look at you layering rugs! Snazzy ;]

And I love your couch more and more every time I see it. Like I want it. Now.

17.October.2012

I like the stripes. It gives me an idea for my living room.

17.October.2012

Great “tweaking” on a plain Jane rug. Love the color–bright but not in the neon range. And I always enjoy your writing as well. You seem to be getting more comfortable being a blog writer, not just a “blogger,” and I hope that means you’re finding it more of a pleasure and less of a chore. Good for you all around!

17.October.2012

Don’t let Apartment Therapy get you down…so many negative comments on every post over there! Such a bummer.

18.October.2012

Wow, I like how you transformed the rug! You inspire me to “tweak” things in my home. Btw, I think you did a nice job with Mabrey’s room. It’s so mundane when many parents resort to pink or funky children’s decor. Don’t let other people’s negative comments get to you. People always have something negative to say. But, you had the vision/guts in knowing how to decorate your baby girl’s room. I’m sure those other people wouldn’t have had a clue where to begin. You keep on tweaking with your bad self. ;)

I absolutely love it!! The color you choose was an excellent choice, it really makes the room POP! And, don’t worry I’m always doing something in my PJ’s. ;-)

18.October.2012

Hey Dana. I am crossing my fingers you win over at AT. What is all the hype (negativity) you mentioned in an earlier comment? I thought that was just a fun contest? I am out of the loop.

18.October.2012

Love the bold stripes! Would love to hear an update on how it wears. I have 3 kiddos too and am wondering if it will hold up to them.

18.October.2012

Love the blue you chose.

18.October.2012

I love the splash of color! Looks great!

18.October.2012

Didn’t you buy an IKEA cowhide rug for the living room way back when? I remember that post because I also bought one when they were on sale and have been loving it over our seagrass rug in our den?

18.October.2012

The rugs look fantastic. I love that pop of color! I am curious about clean up, though? I have never done this before, so I’m curious would the the paint bleed or smear if it got wet?
The comments over on AT are just bonkers. Like someone said….sour grapes. I don’t generally comment on a lot of blogs, but I had to throw in my support for Mabrey’s nursery and you as a blogger.

18.October.2012

Awesome!!! There’s nothing like a low-cost, high-impact project to get the ol’ creative juices flowin’!!!
Thanks for the inspiration – and information..: )
Leah
P.S. LOVE that you did what you really wanted to do in Mabrey’s room – I think it looks so very warm and cozy..

18.October.2012

Wow, I love the rug! It really makes a huge style impact. Great job.

19.October.2012

The painted rug looks so nice, but what I really love about your room is the leather sofa. It adds a very nice rugged and natural element to your space. And it is masculine, and I think its nice to balance the masculine with the feminine in a house. Nicely done.

19.October.2012

We are thoroughly enjoying our sexy man sofa!

19.October.2012

Thanks for the support!

Once the paint is dry on the rug, it’s permanent. It’s just like getting paint on your clothes when painting…it’s not coming out even if it gets wet or washed. To clean the rug, I do what I was doing before. I vacuum it on the lowest setting without the brush turning on the sweeper. For spills, I can spot clean it just like I did before it was painted.

Love the new rug! The stripes look great, and really add some pop to your living room.

And I just need to say WOW to all the negativity on the AT contest! I had no idea it was going on because I just headed over and voted when I heard about the contest. I didn’t realize people were leaving such ridiculous comments. You are an amazing designer, and your daughter’s nursery is fantastic. I truly love that it is not a “typical” nursery…and it deserves to win, hands down. Good luck! :)

19.October.2012

I did buy a cowhide. Good memory! I still have it but it’s going in the master bedroom now. Whenever I get to working on that room…Ha!

19.October.2012

I LOVE the crib! The boys are in there all the time bouncing around and playing when I’m tending to Mabrey and, so far, no scratches or dings whatsoever. I’d highly recommend it!

20.October.2012

Awesome. The stripes look so good!

21.October.2012

I love it! L O V E IT! I have been thinking of doing something similar to a pair of white curtains, and this post confirmed that I should just go for it.

22.October.2012

How have I not seen your blog before?? Love the rug and off to read some more posts! :_

23.October.2012

OMG I just found your blog and not only do I love your decorating style (that rug is amazing) but your writing style is just hilarious! Your last paragraph “I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him…” oh man, love it. Can’t wait to go read more…

24.October.2012

my question is where did you get your white flatwoven rug to start with that size that was under $100? we are redecorating

25.October.2012

IKEA!

25.October.2012

I love the rug but am dying to know more about the sofa. Where did you find it?

25.October.2012

It’s the Soho from Elements Fine Home Furnishings. We bought it this time last year but try googling the name + brand for the best price. We love it!

Love it, looks great! I did something similar by taping a zigzag pattern onto a smaller rug years ago, but yours looks amazing–great color and love the big stripes!

27.November.2012

I love the two chairs in this room! Would you mind sharing where they came from? I tried to go back though some of your archived posts but couldn’t find a source list. Thanks!

27.November.2012

They were a score from Ballard Designs outlet in West Chester, OH.

27.November.2012

thanks for the quick response! we have one of those here in atlanta and I will have to keep an eye out for something similar!

14.January.2013

I love what your did! The blue looks great there. I was wondering if you follow any ‘rules’ on choosing the size of the rug, furniture on it or not? Or do you just go with what looks good?

18.February.2013

the color tone? I want to ´paint a wal of my room of that color, and the rest in white