*Options I considered for this project:

It's a high-traffic area on a farm, so it needed to be durable and washable.

*Questions and unexpected events that arose during the project:

How to apply the !@#$%^&*() little diamonds without taking hours to tape them out. Using the Milk Chocolate paint for the diamonds was actually my mistake - I had picked up the wrong can of paint! However, my sister thought the "mistake" was a great idea, especially when she painted the vanity with the "Biscuit" (intermediate color, the color of the small diamonds). We agreed that the vanity would have been overwhelmingly dark in the Milk Chocolate, and having that dark color on the floor actually made the small room look larger.

* Cost Comments:

My sister had selected the color combination to harmonize with paint already on the walls. She used Sherwin Williams Porch and Floor paint, a quart each of Bisque, Bisquit and Milk Chocolate, as well as picking up the painter tape for masking.

*My motivation to do this project:

The floor in my sister's master bathroom desparately needed a new look, but she and her husband couldn't agree on what product to use. After he passed away, I wanted to do something special for her, so I suggested this project. I offered her several ideas (a variety of painted floor effects from magazine articles); the one chosen seemed most suited to the small space.

*Project Steps:

The floor had already been painted with a couple coats of the lightest color chosen (the entire project required three different colors of paint) when I arrived to do the large diamonds. I created an elongaged diamond template to the desired size from kraft (brown bag) paper, then washed the floor and drew out the diamonds using a straightedge ruler and pencil. Once there were diamonds drawn on the entire floor, I used Sherwin Williams yellow "Frog" tape - which gives a crisp edge but can be laid over fresh paint after 24 hours without damaging it - to mask the areas to be painted. Then I painted the appropriate diamonds with the selected color and allowed the coat to dry (at least 4 hours a coat; overnight is better). As it was a dark color (Sherwin Williams "Milk Chocolate" over SW "Bisque") over a very light color, three coats were required. After the final coat had completely dried, I removed the yellow tape, using a hair dryer to help loosen the adhesive. This step of the project was done over a 4-day weekend; I returned at a later time to paint the small diamonds to finish the job. I used a "stamp" cut from a cellulose sponge for this step. There also were a few spots that needed touch-up from unexpected paint runs.

Advice:

If I do this job again, I'll take the time to tape out the small diamonds, as the stamp didn't give the crisp lines, points and edges I would have liked. The homeowner was pleased with the overall job, however, so that's all that mattered. This job can't be rushed! Paint dries however long it takes, so be sure there is another bathroom to be used while it cures. Also, next time I'll use a small foam paint roller instead of a 1 1/2 inch craft foam applicator. I wasn't please with the streaks the foam applicator left.

#NewYearsResolution

details using a color still visible from one of the original paints on the door.

#Bestof2012

walnut from the neighbor's barn that was torn down. Using only a circular saw and a Kreg Jig, we finished the table in record time. We cut off the ends of the table for the legs at 15" tall, leaving 50" for the top. We measured the width and used scrap furring strips for cleats on the legs, then nailed walnut planks into the cleats. With a quick trim piece of walnut on the lip of the shelf, we were done! Our only cost was in screws and nails. Since then we've found several discarded doors on the curb in our town, and have built door tables for friends! For step-by-step instructions visit my post: http://www.killerbdesigns.com/reclaimed-door...

stand and the drawers would be great for storage, but the orange had to go. This was such an easy project because it was actually well painted. I just torn up an old book and decoupaged it right onto the orange drawer fronts. I lightly sanded the edges smooth and put two coats of poly sealer over it. She wanted the same knobs, so I just painted them black. Easy and it works great for her little place. Total cost was $8 and the chest is all wood and very solid!