Meet the Bee

When I decided to paint my dining room floor I knew I wanted to add a bit of whimsy to the floor.  I settled on this cute little bee.   He sits by the window and is there to make me smile.

Here is how I got him there.....

First, I found an image.  I printed and enlarged it to the size I wanted.

I used some tracing paper I had in my sewing kit and a fine tipped marker (you can use a pen or pencil).  I placed the tracing paper in the location I wanted the bee to sit.

and placed the image on top of tracing paper.

I traced the image, leaving an outline of the bee on the floor.

I used left over paint and painted in the image.

I cleaned up the remaining chalk and applied poly over the image.

Painted Sub-floor: The Process

So after all the hard work, I am happy to say I have successfully painted the sub-floor in my dining room.  (check out the more detailed How to paint your sub floor post as well)

The reality is, I really want hardwood floors on the main floor of my house, however, sadly we are unable to swing it at this time. 

So then the question became, what can I do in the meantime?  I was absolutely NOT going to live with a cream carpet in my dining room.  Not only was it under the table to capture the little nuggets of food and drink my little darlings dropped through out the day, it was also the spot where all the mud, dirt and grime collected from the back yard.  I am OK with sweeping and mopping, but I detest having to pull out a vacuum cleaner 3 times a day.  So I decided to paint the sub-floor until we are able to get the hardwood flooring.

It took me about a month to finish the project from start to finish, however, it can be done in much less time than that.

I first started by removing the carpet, tack strips and staples.

Next, I applied wood filler to the floor.  I am not sure if this step is necessary, but I was able to get a great deal on the filler, so I went ahead and used it.  (If you are able to get a good sanding than you may be able to skip this step.)  I did need to fill some rather large gaps between some of the boards.  Some of the smaller joints I should have used a caulk as well. 

Then I sanded the snot out of the floor.  I only used a hand sander.  Next time I will rent a sander that can collect the dust.  It got very, very messy.  This is one of the longer steps.  You need to make sure the floor is smooth.  

After sanding I put down 2 coats of Zinsser PrimeCoat2.

Followed by 2 coats of Sherwin Williams Porch and Floor paint in Gray Repose (SW 7015).

I attached the roller to a pole.  It made it very easy to get the paint on the floor.  However, using a roller leaves the orange peel finish.  I wish I had, some how, brushed out the finish so it was smoother.

After the paint dried I applied 2 coats of a floor poly.  I am not sure if this is overkill since I already used a floor paint.  But like my hubby pointed out.  If I am taking the time, it won't hurt to go ahead and apply the poly.  I really think he doesn't want to he me bitch later on.....

I then let the floor cure for 7 days before we walked or placed furniture back in the room.  I also needed to add quarter round to fill the gap left by the carpet.

We have lived with the painted floor for about a month now.  I am confident that the paint is going to hold up.  Already, I have dropped plenty of items onto the floor, including rocks, and so far no damage.  The only issues I have are some small cracking between joints (will better caulk and/or tape next time) and a  nail head cracking the paint.  I had one squeaky board that I tried to secure.  In hindsight I should have pulled up that nail before painting.

Currently are plans are to continue the paint into the living room.  Needless to say I am happy with our temporary solution.

Sub-Floor project revealed

The most frustrating part of this project, for me, was waiting to post up my finished project.   Well here is it.

I was able to pull up the carpet, sand the floors and put down a lovely gray color on the dining room floor.  Initially I was thinking of painting a pattern or rug on the floor, but in the end decided to keep it a bit more simple.  I did however, add one little touch.

a bee.  Here is a closer look...

I am very happy with the finished project.  Ultimately, I am waiting to put down hardwood floors, but until then this gray beauty will make my life much, much easier.

confession- Yellow is driving me crazy

When we moved into our house I knew, just knew I wanted needed to paint the walls yellow.  And before we closed on the house, I was at the paint store collecting samples of yellow.

Now I feel I should confess, yellow has always scared the hell out of me.  Yellow can be so harsh and bright and obnoxious.  So when I needed to select the "right yellow" I started to panic.  I know all yellows are not neon, and there are many soft and pretty yellows, I am just not sure I am able to pick one out of a line up.   So I got on line and  followed the advice of random posts and went to gather paint samples that were more squash-like in tone.  I brought home some samples and ended up with this....

A nice enough yellow, but not the yellow I was hoping for.  I wanted a cleaner, friendlier, yellow.  More like this....

image

or like this....

 image

or this...

 image

Now I am ready to re-paint the living room, but I am feeling almost paralyzed on making the yellow decision again.  I have a few samples pinned and painted on my walls, but I am so unsure of what is right.

I want a lighter yellow, but I am so afraid of getting that horrible ugly color that looks like it is suppose to be cream, but has yellowed due to age, dirt, and smoke.

I also don't want to spend a fortune on sample pots.  I some times wonder if the more I think about it the more complicated I make it.  I sometimes think going with a first impression may be the way to go.

I guess I need to sleep on it, look at the samples again in the morning and talk to my local paint specialist to see what they suggest.  Man I hate doing that.

Floor update

The paint is down on the floor and is now taking its time to dry.

I have taken the kids and left the house for a week.  Luckily the floor takes 7 days to cure.

I am waiting to really reveal the project when the furniture is back in the room.  Until then my family and I will be enjoying the cherry blossoms in DC.

See you next week.