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Orland Park, IL on Oct 11, 2012

I painted my awful underlayment to look like hardwood floors! I <3 it!

So I had this crazy white and textured ceramic tile in the foyer and I hated it. Minutes after washing it, it would show dirt and it was so.... well, white. So I chopped up the tile with a hammer and chisel and was left with underlayment. I can't afford hardwood floors but I sure wanted the "look" of them. So I primed it, painted it, and faux woodgrained it. After it dried, I added some gloss and they look pretty amazing. I am thrilled with them for now until I can get the real thing. Here is progress so far...

http://generalsplendour.blogspot.com/2012/09...

35 Comments Displaying 25 of 35 comments | See Previous

Elizabeth Madden Irmo, SC

Impressive, great job!

on Oct 12, 2012 · Like 0
TaniaC Fairfield, IL

Wow Tracy W What an amazing transformation ...Now that's some talent!!

on Oct 12, 2012 · Like 0
Terri J York, PA

ONe of the best and most economical ideas I have seen. I am totally blown away by the geat job and detail you did on the flooring. One year, decades down the road, I may have to try this.

on Oct 12, 2012 · Like 2
Pat aka Queen of Thrift Scottsboro, AL

Wow! Who would ever know this is not wood. Love it.

on Oct 12, 2012 · Like 1
Maureen H Blairsville, GA

AMAZING!

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 0
Therese C Greenfield, IA

Very nice! Did you do the wood grain with silk cloth? That is what I used when I did an old plain white door into faux wood.

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 0
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

Thank you everyone for the nice comments. To Therese C: No - I actually bought a woodgraining tool for $5. Wasn't sure if it would work - but It did.

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 0
Therese C Greenfield, IA

Well I would say your did a "class A job"...very impressive!

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
Mary Ruth Palm Bay, FL

Great project with incredible results! Great color choices and detail you added to the project's success! Good tutorial as well.

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
Sandy Holler Taylor

Very nice, Great Job!

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
Andrea R Westminster, CA

great use of time and talent.

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
The Bold Abode Forest, VA

Wow. Just wow.

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
Debbi W

you rocked it, way to go! love them, they look amazing.

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
Kevin M. Veler, Law Offic... Alpharetta, GA

If this was posted on April 1, I would be sure it was a joke and could not be true. Great job.

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
Rose Hattiesburg, MS

Where did you get the wood graining tool?

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
Elizabeth Madden Irmo, SC

Rose you can find those at Lowes, Home Depot, pretty much anywhere they have materials for faux painting.

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 3
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

Martha Stewart makes one at Home Depot which was $5 for just the roller. But at Menard's in the midwest, I found a big roller, small roller and a three sided graining tool for only $4. Shop around - you will get more for your money. :-)

on Oct 13, 2012 · Like 1
Jan Gerston Bryan, TX

Genius: and probably more durable than wood.

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 1
Sherrie Nixa, MO

So smart!

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 1
Sandy Wiseman

Love it, I'd like to do it, but husband is not adventure minded.

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 1
Becky Blair, NE

Same here Sandy Wiseman. Maybe if he takes a trip without me I'll do this to the garage floor......ya think? That he might love!

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 1
FunkyJunk Interiors - Don... Canada

WOW!!! You did an amazing job... I couldn't tell they weren't real! I lived with plywood floors for a few years and know what? Once the hardwood went in, I missed them. :) NOW I have all kinds of quirky ideas I could have done. Glad you got to enjoy yours. :)

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 2
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline Frederick, MD

wow!

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 1
Chris Murphy

Love this idea, thanks for sharing

on Oct 20, 2012 · Like 1
Kristie Louisa, KY

Oh my gosh! I love it!

on Oct 22, 2012 · Like 1