I'm back!
Hello everyone! I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!
I got back from our "adventure" in time to whip up some deviled eggs and peach crisp
to take along to our annual celebration with friends.
Before I left last week to see the sights with my girls
(more on that in a future post - I took LOTS of pictures!),
I finished this project,
the one I hinted at in my last post.
(Kathryn, you guessed it!)
This sisal rug had seen better days.
It was bleached out in spots, and looking tired.
I knew it could be brought back to life
with some imagination, and a little paint.
I taped off 2" lines along the length of the rug.
This part took the longest.
It was hot out there, taping on the driveway!
I made a measuring stick to help me tape evenly spaced lines.
I thought about doing the whole thing free-hand, but decided against it.
My hand gets a little too free sometimes,
and I didn't want my rug looking like a Salvador Dali.
Anyway, after taping and destroying my poor knees on the sisal,
I poured a bunch of many tiny bottles
of leftover blue acrylic paint together and mixed.
I wanted a nice, clean, deep ocean blue.
I thinned the paint considerably with water.
Then I rolled it on and let it dry.
Easy!
The result is exactly what I had imagined.
It's beachy and fun, and you can't see the bleached out spots anymore.
Because it is summer, and we do live near the ocean
I like a beachy look in my living room,
without going overboard and throwing surfboards into the mix!
rug: $0
paint: $0
tape: $0
massage to heal my aching back
after bending and taping and painting all afternoon: $80
Totally worth it, I think!
Now, does anyone have any ideas for the big, dark, non-beachy fireplace?
Let me hear them, I'd appreciate your input!!
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Until next time,
XO
Heidi
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Thanks one and all!!
36 comments:
Heidi, the rug turned out perfect. I really does look so beachy and like a really expensive one I've seen in the stores. As for the fireplace, the only solution I have is to paint the wood a crisp white. However if your husband is like mine, he would have a heart attack at just the thought. I rather like it dark myself. Hope you are having a super 4th. Hugs, Marty
Hi Heidi! If it were mine, I think I would whitewash the wood on the fireplace surround. It would lighten it up tremendously and it wouldn't be as stark as it would be if you painted the whole thing white. Just a thought from my perspective. Good luck w/it. I like what you did to the rug. I looks similar to a small one that I bought from a local gal going out of business last year. Happy 4th of July!
Sue
Heidi, welcome back and that rug looks fabulous. I love it. I know that stuff is rough on the knees. As far as the fireplace I would paint it white.
Heidi great solution!!Looks very beachy and perfect for your home. Try some white paint on the mantle, I know kind of obvious but it would look great, Happy 4th of July to you!!
Nice redo! I would never been able to do that - no way would my knees or back hold up.
Happy 4th!
I love what you did with the rug. It looks great in your beautiful living room....Kathy
Your rug looks wonderful and it goes perfectly with your pillows. Very nice work! I don't mind the dark wood around the fireplace but if you really are looking for a beachy feel it would also look nice white. You have a very pretty home.
Happy 4th of July.
LOL Heidi! That's how I started my last blog too...I'm baaaaack! Your rug turned out great!
Fantastic rug! I'm not sure from the picture if the wood is too valuable to paint, but since it is a different tone than the window/door trim you could always paint the wood white for a change.
Heidi, the rug looks great! I think it gives the room a real beachy feel along with your white furniture and new pillows.
The wood on the fireplace surround looks quite beautiful. Do you want a change just for the summer or permanently? I would hesitate to go with a stark white on it but that's just me. If you want a change for all seasons, perhaps a lighter color and a glaze?
Hope you've had a great trip and
4th celebration!
xoxo
Pat
LOVE how you did the rug! Looks GREAT! If you want to change the fireploace I think all you can do is paint it, but like some said....my hubs would literally DIE:):) Good luck! XO, Pinky
How about taking a piece of MDF and painting a scene, or some flowers or something, and then frame it with trim painted white and make a stand so it will stand on its own in front of your fireplace. If you're like me and can't paint a scene worth a darn, you could decopage something on.
I LOVE the beachy rug! It looks perfect. Ha, I also love your cost breakdown:-)
Lottie
Heidi, I love that blue striped rug. It looks quite summery.
Now, as to the fireplace, I'd die before I painted beautiful wood. Why not try different decorations on the mantle instead?
Happy Blue Monday!
You had a wonderful idea for the rug and it looks great and beachy! Have a great week!
Love how the rug turned out!That was a great idea to save it, too, by the way;)
I say paint the fireplace white!The other wood in the house(trim,furniture,doors) is all lighter-toned wood or...WHITE!White would definitely look pretty and beach-y and "go" with the room...I would paint it if it were mine, but it's a beautiful fireplace as is!Can't wait to find out what you choose to do:)
dear heidi,
what a gorgeous idea.....thanks!!!
i like your style.it looks very beachy!!!!!
liebe grüße aus deutschland,
regina
The rug's new look is wonderful! It is perfect in your gorgeous room. Glad I found you. I am on my way to look at your archives.
xo, Sherry
Who'd have thought you could paint a rug!?! What an amazing idea! And it turned out wonderful! I love it -- you did a really great job.
Very pretty.
Pamela
Ohio
It's positively precious! Love it! Now in terms of the fireplace, last year my carpenter took our plain brick fireplace and overlayed the brick with plywood, then painted it white. I think it looks beachy because the architectural elements he used was a rope motif. He actually took real rope and nailed it in places that curved. It's on my blog last year if you want to see. I believe just about a year ago.
Brenda
Well this is just about the coolest thing I've ever seen! Great job, the rug looks great!! Thank you for the sweet comment! I'm already a follower. :)
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love your posts.
How clever, love it! Such a pretty room too. Have a great week and Happy Blue Monday!
Hi Heidi,
So glad I dropped in...The rug is Delish! And I'm already drooling have a tour around your home. The bottle tree is brilliant, and I'm swaying over your birdcage (have a bit of a thing about them...about to turn one we picked up in Morocco into a fairy condo!) Thank you for a lovely tour, your kind comments and will follow you gladly.
Hey, Heidi, the rug looks fabulous! I've seen a few painted rugs recently & what a great way to update a tired old rug. Love it!
Hope you also enjoy being with BlogHer. I have totally enjoyed my relationship with them & have been given some great opportunities.
Love your rug. What a great idea.
Great salvaging of that rug! Perfect for summer too.
Have you thought about painting the mantle white? I would also put birch logs or driftwood inside and lots of white pillar candles for a summer/beachy look.
I miss the beach :-( We don't live near one.
Love what you did to the rug. Looks so easy but the impact it gave is priceless!
The room is very inviting, especially since were experience rain everyday here.
Belated Happy Blue MOnday!
Mizpah,
Li
Yeah me!!!!!!!!! I love it!
Hi Heidi-
I love sisal rugs and what you did to yours is fabulous. Not only the part that it hardly cost you anything, but it reminds me of the one in the movie, Something's Gotta Give. I hope your knees are feeling better.
I would paint the fireplace mantel white. Then accessorize it with a few oversize objects that have lots of shine and/or texture. That would make it blend seamlessly with the rest of the room.
I found you thru the Nester's Bird Watching post and so happy that I clicked over.
My best- Diane
So cute! I'd love to make one for outdoors!
You are way fun, nice to meet you :).
Amy
Your living room is darling! We're building a beach home in New Zealand and this is just what I like...lots of white and seagrass. Are you in Cambria? My mother is in Moro Bay not too far away.
xox
Nancy
It took me a long time to search on the web, only your site open up the fully details, bookmarked and thanks again.
- Laura
This is the first time I comment on your site, but I've been keeping up with your work for about a few weeks. I admire the passion with which you tell your stories and hope someday I can do the same. Love
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