Painted Mudroom Floor

Summer is here and I'm so glad I had the time to squeeze in my painted  floor project!!  When  planning to paint our mudroom floor I knew I was going to use oil based paint, so that met I had to find the perfect week that wasn't too humid but warm enough to open the windows.  I posted pictures on Instagram of the process and had so many nice encouraging comments.  Not knowing exactly how it was going to turn out I felt a little pressured but I must say I'm pleased and wanted to give you a peak.....

Here is our before picture of the floor, just plain plywood. More of the before pictures ....HERE

And Here is the after.....
I had many ideas of what I wanted for this space.  My 1st thought was a gray tile. But the more I looked at tile the more I like the mixture of tile and wood.  The wood added a touch of warmth and class.  I knew we didn't have the skills nor the money to hire someone to get this look.  Then I thought why not try painting it.

So during the winter months I began to draw a design on paper...

I have found the times I draw things out and get a clear vision, the less trail and error I have.   I feel more at ease with a plan and it's so fun to see it come to life from paper to room.  

I plan to do a DIY post one day, but for now here are some pictures of the process. After drawing out the diamonds. I began staining the part I wanted to be wood.  

Then lots of taping....

Followed by lots of layers of paint and waiting for it to dry.....

Then it was time to add my beloved hunter green.....

It's all coming together. It's not perfect, my diamonds got slightly off and the wood it very rustic looking, but that fits in a mudroom.  The diamonds are very glossy, my boys didn't want to step on them at 1st because they looked so wet. Wasn't sure about my thrift rug but I think its complementing the floor nicely.

Baseboard is next on the list but for now I"m dipping back into the boys room working on window treatments.

I just love summer. Our days are longer and midnight project oil is burning brighter.  We are still focused on finishing the 1st level of our home.  We had quite of few outdoor projects last year with, growing grass, putting fence up, installing a place set , and adding a rock patio.  So we are just maintaining the outside this year, and  I'm excited to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  

I hope you all are taking advantage the these longer days!  Summer is a magical time.  My son was so cute the other night.  We were catching fireflies, and he said "they are sparkling and having a party for us!" 

Blessings,

Julie

Blue October (Fall Decor)

Growing up in Iowa you have a mixture of sports fans with no pro sports here.  So when I moved to KC and lived in Raytown, MO (thee sports "town" of Kansas City),  I got hooked!  I have loved baseball since I was a kid.  My stud little brother was rippin it up when he was in Tball, to AAU, to high school.  So I learned the game young and began to love it.  I've been a Royals fan for 16 years now.  It was a long 13 years watching the boys in blue struggle and even longer for those Royal lifetime fans, but now we are all over joyed as we see this team come together and now playing round 2 in the postseason!!
Last Sunday afternoon we decided to head to KC to watch the Royals play the Angels.....

We were listening to the Chiefs on the radio but all I could see and think about was Blue! I love our Chiefs but at this point is anyone thinking about football?!   It was a gorgeous Sunday drive!

So the last time we came to KC to watch the Royals they played the Angels, it rained, the game got delayed 5 hours, we left, they got beat bad.  So my superstition started kicking in, and I thought we were going to mess the whole game up.  Like I have that kind of power!:) 

But as we pulled up to the Kauffman Stadium, all was well.....we were in Royal heaven!  

Scotty took me to a Royals game on our 1st date!  This place has always been special to us.  For us, who needs the beach when you got Kauffman Stadium!  I guess you could call us Royal!

 It did rain that night, so I guess my superstition was a little right, but the Royals reined down on the Angels harder!  They played the most amazing game!  Home runs, diving catches, stolen bases, and to end it all for the win an MVP strike out!! The Royals fans were and are out of this world along with those KC BBQ nachos!  Celebration kiss was in order for sure!!

 So when I came home I did a little fall decorating.  And since we are playing the Orioles next I said "no orange pumpkins"!  Superstition kicking in again!  I must admit I'm a postseason, world series virgin.  I mean I've watched other teams go and  I get excited, BUT when it's your team, it gets crazy.  Like thoughts of painting my house Royal blue with Gold shutters crazy!

I wanted to make our entry a Royally festive, so I painted our little pumpkin white with red baseball stitches on it. Topped it with a hat that we had BBQ nachos in, threw a yellow mum in and a baseball bat.

I been wanting to make a sign for a long time for the Royals.....and I thought, it's time!

 I completely copied a sign I found on pinterest.  I free handed it, so I guess in some ways it's mine!:)

Now I'm ready for Blue October!!
It's such a fun time to be a Royals fan.  We have nothing to lose at this point!  I see a team that is in it for their fans and fans that are in it for their team!! One happy mid west family!
For the love of the game, GO ROYALS!!!

Do you get all festive for your Team?
Do you buy into superstition?

Blessings,
Julie