'R' for Rugs Crafty (& Handy) Outside

The Porch Rug (Revisited)

I thought I’d talk about painting the porch rug in a bit more detail today. So many of you loved the project (thanks!), and it really is something that can be easily done in your own home if you’re so inclined.

front porch before and after

I started by sketching the pattern on paper first. As I had mentioned before, I was inspired by a rug from Urban Outfitters (no longer available) and the flower petal patterns my Grandma Rose used to draw with me.

Gathering Ideas for the Front Porch

Once we were ready to begin, Brandon and I cleaned the porch and marked off the area for the rug with painter’s tape. We didn’t sand the floor first, though I’d recommend it if you have the time. Two coats of the base color (green) came next, and then it was time to figure out how to get the pattern drawn out on a large scale.

Painted Rug in Progress

I ended up putting in some rough guidelines with white chalk. I focused on placing the flower centers where I wanted them and then sketching out the general movement of the petals from there. I then painted everything freehand, stepping back every so often to make sure that the petal shapes and sizes were remaining consistent.

Painted Rug in Progress

If you’re considering a similar project, I’d say just go for it! It’s just paint — you’ll get a huge impact for very little money. And painting the rug while nine months pregnant was difficult (to say the least), but if I was able to handle it then the more able-bodied among you should have no problem!

Front Porch

If you liked my porch redo (all done in 48 hours with just $500), please take a moment to vote for it. There are two and a half weeks left, and I’d really appreciate your support during this time. And remember, you can vote once each day!

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  • Reborn
    May 25, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Wow! I’ve looked at this porch several times (voted almost every day!) and somehow I didn’t realize you painted directly onto the wood. I thought you hand painted a canvas rug or something. That’s awesome! I’d love to do something like this on my floors inside the house! :)

  • puck
    May 25, 2009 at 11:46 am

    keep reminding me… i won’t remember otherwise!

    go nicole!!

  • Nuit
    May 25, 2009 at 11:54 am

    I keep voting for you. I do love your painted rug and will do something similar out in my patio as soon as I have the chance :) thanks for the inspiration… and HAPPY Anniversary!

  • robin
    May 25, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    i love the painted rug. and i’m going to home depot to see if they still have that table set. it’d be perfect for our small porch dining area too.

  • Emily
    May 25, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    I saw that your patio table and chairs set was on sale at Home Depot this week for $99 and convinced my sis-in-law to purchase it based on your photos. She spray-painted hers teal. So cute! But I was wondering if you primed or sanded first? The paint didn’t come out as well as we hoped.

  • Making it Lovely
    May 25, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Emily, we used spray primer first on the table and chairs.

  • Jen Lula
    May 25, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    It came out just wonderful!! I love it! Its hard when you are painting something so large scale and you have to be so close up to it to paint. I just freehand painted birch trees on the wall behind our bed and I had to keep stepping back to make sure the lines weren’t all crooked- most of the the time they were. hehe. I would agree though- just do it!! Congrats on an amazing front porch!

  • Kate at Centsational Girl
    May 26, 2009 at 1:08 am

    You are always a source of constant inspiration ! At first glance, it looks like you painted a canvas rug, but you just went for it, right on the floor. I love that. I recently painted a cherry tree on my daughter’s wall by just going for it too. That was a fun project !

    You’re welcome to check it out:

    http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/04/cherry-tree-in-3-d.html

    And I must say, of all the things that you’ve made lovely, your daughter wins the prize for sure. :-)

    Kate

  • Amanda
    May 26, 2009 at 11:16 pm

    This is jaw-droppingly stunning. I could live on that porch! I love the simple, clean lines and pops of color.

  • beth
    May 27, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    i wanted a painted porch rug, it’s awesome!

  • Kiddlebug
    May 28, 2009 at 9:57 am

    You must be an extremely patient person. The results are amazing!

  • Jennifer DeDonato
    May 28, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    I love the after…it looks wonderful!

  • stitches.and.tulips
    May 29, 2009 at 9:38 am

    This porch is amazing. Great job!

  • Vote for Your Favorite Weekend Project at BHG 48-hour Challenge | At Home with Kim Vallee
    May 29, 2009 at 11:13 am

    […] can vote for your favorite. The recipient will get a $5,000 bonus! The talented Nicole of Making It Lovely! is one of the contestants. I like her green and white divider. She explained on her blog how to […]

  • Shauna
    May 29, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    Firstly, congrats on your beautiful baby girl! Welcome to the most amazing journey – motherhood.

    I wanted to ask about your painted porch rug – it is beautiful btw. Did you use a special paint or varnish over top? I am wondering about the wear factor with a lot of traffic on it.

    Thanks Nicole – keep up the inspirational work! I envy your talent!

  • Jaime
    May 30, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    I keep voting! I want everyone to know Nicole is currently in 2nd place (As of 5/30/09 @ 10:25am Pacific) by 123 votes!
    Good luck Nicole!

  • Sarah @ Different Dog
    June 1, 2009 at 12:39 am

    I posted about you and left a link for my readers to vote for your cute porch redo! I love it and want to try something like that on mine. I love your baby pics too! Good luck!
    Have an awesome week!

  • Jessica
    June 3, 2009 at 1:18 pm

    I love the painted rug idea! How awesome!

  • Heidi
    June 4, 2009 at 11:12 am

    Wow that is absolutely amazing! I cannot believe you painted that! That is beautiful. I will be following your blog!

  • Andrea
    June 4, 2009 at 7:10 pm

    Your porch is absolutely gorgeous!

  • Lisa~
    June 10, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    I just found your blog. It’s so sweet. Your home is lovely and your first baby…how darling! You are me 20 years ago. I will enjoy watching your home change and your family grow. Lisa~

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    […] the blinds with a simple floral pattern after seeing how Nicole Balch over at Making It Lovely painted a gorgeous rug directly onto the floor of her front porch — when she was nine months pregnant, no less. So […]

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    June 29, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    Boom art and nature! What a wonderful green living space to experience…

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  • sharon m
    April 4, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    hello. How did you make the cool green and white divider? Love it and the floor!

    • Making it Lovely
      April 4, 2013 at 8:12 pm

      Thanks! I cut strips of Luan down to size, drilled holes at each end, painted them, and attached them with S-hooks.

      • sharon m
        April 9, 2013 at 10:51 am

        Thank you! Very very nice all of it.

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