Don't be a doormat...

Still working on our master bedroom re-do.  It’s coming along, but it’s been a slow process with Brian traveling so much.  There’s a limit to how much I want to attempt myself, when I’ve got Connor to watch. 

Our progress so far… furniture is finally in (19-week total wait!).  We absolutely love it, but I doubt we’ll be giving any more business to Ethan Allen after this ridiculous experience.  Bedding is completed.  Collage wall is nearly finished – everything is framed and ready to go, I just have to determine the arrangement and hang it all on the wall.  Piece for over the bed is on order and should arrive mid-October.  Accessories, which are minimal, are in place.  Once we’re all done, I’ll post a full reveal. 

 

We recently completed our doormat-stencil wall art… and I’m in love!  The project was so ridiculously simple, it’s silly it took us so many weeks to just dig in and get it done. 

My pictures of the process aren’t amazing, but the overall outcome is really cool and exactly what we were looking for, for that space – something muted and soft, with a simple 2-color palette.

We were inspired by the project seen here and here.  But, since I didn’t want to compete with the gorgeous wood tones already present in our furniture, we went with an artist’s canvas instead. 

 

 

Here’s how we did it:

1. Find ridiculously large rubber mat on clearance at Lowe’s for $10. 
2. Breathe a sigh of relief when you’re able to find a canvas at Michael’s the exact same odd-size (24”x48”), on sale.
3. Pick up a sample-size can of paint in the exact color you need from the paint counter.  Also buy a can of spray paint in a contrasting color.  (I decided that the contrasting color would be a basic cream, to simplify our paint process, since it would be readily available in spray can.)
4. Make husband remove some of the rubber pieces within the mat to open up the design a bit, with a utility knife and some cursing (on his part).  Apparently it was kinda difficult and took a lot longer than expected…??
5. Perform a tape job at a kindergartner's skill level with some spare packing paper to the underside of rubber mat.  The paper overhang will help you avoid spraying the sides of your canvas and having to painter’s tape it.
6. Paint-roller your main color to the canvas, covering all areas that will be seen once the piece is hung on the wall (ie. the sides, too).  Husband applied 2 coats, and we allowed it to dry overnight.
7. Center your prepped rubber mat on top of the painted canvas.  Your doormat stencil is now in place!
8. Spray paint away!  Husband tilted paint can in every angle to give the canvas an even coat, but stopped just short of saturation, because we wanted a softer look, not stark or uber-crisp.
9. Once the paint in the air has settled, lift and remove rubber mat from the canvas, to avoid paint from sticking while it dries.
10. Allow canvas to fully dry… and voila!

 

The piece is exactly how I envisioned it, and the colors coordinate with the bedroom perfectly.  I think the total cost of the project was just under $50.  For its size (24”x48”), I wouldn’t have been able to purchase something for the wall for any less than that… and it definitely wouldn’t look as good.  :)

 

LOCALS – Should anyone desire to give this project a try themselves, I know where you can find a handy-dandy, slightly spray-painted, rubber mat stencil to use for FREE.  ;)

 

 

I’ll be posting this project to some of the link-up parties listed here:

Under the Table & Dreaming	Kuzak’s Closet	I Heart Naptime
Heather Lynne/Raising Memories	The DIY Show-Off	Keeping It Simple
Sew Can Do	The Girl Creative	Sumo’s Sweet Stuff
Making the World Cuter	C.R.A.F.T.	Skip to My Lou
Mad in Crafts	I’m Topsy Turvy	Sugar Bee Craft Edition
Tip Junkie	Oops! I Craft My Pants	Crazy Domestic
My Delicious Ambiguity	Today’s Creative Blog	Hope Studios
Lucky Star Lane	Someday Crafts	Blue Cricket Design
Sew Much Ado	Bargain Shopping Paradise	Night Owl Crafting
Somewhat Simple	My Backyard Eden	Creations by Kara
House of Hepworths	Fireflies and Jellybeans	Beyond the Picket Fence
Everything Etsy	Tatertots and Jello	6 Inches of Ribbon
Fingerprints on the Fridge	A Few of My Favorite Things	It’s a Hodgepodge Life
Fun to Craft	Tidy Mom	The Shabby Nest
KojoDesigns	Chic on a Shoestring Decorating	Just a Girl
Seven Thirty Three	Beat Until Fluffy	A Little Lovely