Hi Friends, earlier this week I shared my tween son’s bedroom reveal. Most of the work done in that space was completed over the past several months. So I’m doing things a little bit backwards today, sharing progress made over quarantine, and of course–where we started in that room. A lot of what was done were little DIY’s that I jumped into without doing any great documentation(will I ever learn?) but worth sharing nonetheless. So today I’m sharing some before photos of his room, some shots of the progress, how I painted his wood floor and the DIY potato stamped wall I added on a whim!
Let’s start with the befores:
This is what the space looked like when we moved in (Above). A wall had been taking down between the bedroom and the center hallway.
And During Demo
This is what it looked like during demolition (Above)–Straight out of a horror film! The roof had been repaired so we needed to get rid of all that gross paneling and plaster.
Then, we finally got walls!
—and things started to look up.
Ummm, until we looked down—the floors were awful. So I painted them!
I decided to paint the floors after the idea of having someone come in to refinish the floors during a pandemic was not really an option, and honestly even if someone *could* have come in, would we want that dust in all of our bedrooms?
I stirred up a mixture of porch paint and another latex paint that I had on hand—it was hideous! Because, well . . . it looked like . . . a porch floor . . . ***sigh***
So I went ahead and painted over it (in my pajamas, naturally).
I tried a few different paints that we had on hand (all latex, in eggshell) and decided on SW Repose Gray. (Excuse the crappy iPhone pics).
I simply sanded any rough areas, or lumpy paint spots, cleaned the floor of all dust and debris, poured out some paint and began rolling–making sure to plan my path and not paint myself into a corner. I used my favorite Wooster shortcut paintbrush to cut the paint into the corners. Painting a floor is really no different than painting a wall, it’s actually even a bit easier! No need to worry about drips!
Once I got the coverage I was looking for, and the paint cured (after a day), I decided to go over it with Minwax Polycrylic in clear satin to seal the paint. Applying the polycrylic was simple, but a little scary because it initially changed the color of the paint, so I got frustrated, but it’s not a step you want to skip!
Becasue the floors flow into the hallway, I simply applied painter’s tape in the doorway in a way that when the door is closed you cant see the painted floor. I then used a paint brush to seal the tape, by painting the repose gray over the tape, (painting away from the seam so the paint wouldn’t seep underneath). And then I peeled up the tape.
Voila! Ignore the fact that the hallway floors needed some work as well. Overall not too bad!
I know some people might freak out about a painted floor, but with a large enough rug and rug pad, I had no worries. It’s really been fine over the past few months and then of course I keep some extra paint on hand, if I want to keep it looking sleek. Sometimes though, the beauty in painted wood floors are the imperfections.
Next up in this room was the DIY Potato Stamped wall.
I promise you guys, going forward I am going to be a better blogger when it comes to documenting my process—this was sort of a trial and then I just got carried away with it:
I poured some black latex paint that I had on hand onto a plate and grabbed a small paint brush (which I didn’t end up using). My thought was that I could control the amount of paint better if I painted it on the potato, but nobody got time for that! lol!
I cut a large potato in half, cut the ends off, and then with a paring knife, I began carving out irregular sections to make random stripes. To stamp I dipped it in the paint, then rubbed the potato around a clean paper plate to remove some of the excess and stamped away, allowing it to look a little organic and imperfect.
Here I started playing around with the stamp-testing it out of course (above)
And then I went crazy, here’s how it ended up:
I dig it y’all! It’s not perfect, but it sure added some interest to this section of the room. Head on over to this post to see the full room reveal.
So would you do it? Paint a wood floor or do a potato stamped wall?
Let’s chat below!
I’m not sure what I love more that wall or the shape of that mirror!
Author
Thanks so much Michelle! I think the wall ended up being the perfect backdrop to that cool wardrobe 🙂
I love that potato stamped wall!
Author
Thank you!!!
Great timing, I’ve been having a long running internal debate about refinishing my original 1950s hardwood on the main floor (huge pain to remove all the furniture and so messy) or painting until I I get to a point where I’m ready to replace it. Still no closer to making a decision it it’s nice to see someone else’s work. Looks great!
Author
It’s such a struggle, I definitely was concerned about resale, but again, with 6 family members, it’s hard to disrupt life with all the dust, etc…I even contemplated painting the hallway too, but gel stain is another great option!
Author
Also, if you’re almost at point of replacing them anyway, maybe its worth trying the paint in a small space to see how you like it, you could be saving yourself some money 🙂
I would definitely do this it looks wonderful Carli your so creative. You just get in there & get it done. I Love the way the stamp turned out.
Author
Thank you so much! The best part about it is it’s just paint, so if we get tired of it, we can just paint over it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Hanifah!
I would totally paint a floor! I love his closet set up, and that mirror 😍!
Author
Thanks Marchel! Painting the floor was definitely the best option for us, so glad it turned out well!
I must admit that when you first started I was sceptical but I love the way it turned out. The whole room looks amazing.
Author
Haha! I was skeptical too haha! I’m really happy with how it turned out 🙂
Carli such a gorgeous transformation I mean right down to the painted floor has caught my attention
Author
Thanks so much Malisa! <3
This is such a fresh idea for the floor, and amazing! I love the potato paint wall, too. What a huge job from where that room started! Wsy to go!
Author
Thank you so much Kathy!I’ve seen the painted floor in a quite a few historic homes and I love how it still keeps the character as opposed to adding a vinyl, laminate or carpet even. I appreciate you stopping by! 🙂
That is so amazing! When I first saw the picture on Insta I thought it was wallpaper! I have painted the floors in my kitchen. They’re not holding up great but I love the look. I think since you did it in a bedroom and have rugs in the floor it will hold up much better. Great transformation!!
Author
It’s amazing, the power of paint! Thanks so much!
This makeover is amazing…been putting off painting and updating my master bedroom but I think I have found my motivation…and that potato stencil is brilliant!!! Thanks for sharing.
Author
Yay!!!! Thanks Debbie!
I painted my vinyl bathroom floor! It has held up well for 2 years. It’s the tiny attached bath for our owner’s suite.
I really love the potato print result. It surprised me how a potato and paint can change the look of a room!
Author
Hi Jennifer! Thanks so much for stopping by! I love easy projects that pack a big punch and I think they both do 🙂
I just found your blog and I can already tell it’s my new favorite!
Author
Awww you’re the sweetest! Thank you so much!
I think painted hardwoods look great in smaller rooms with old hardwood floors (I think you need some wear for them to look right. Yours look great! I get to the “potato stamp wall” and I’m wondering what that means. My next reaction is “Ohhh! She’s using an actual potato! Haha” Great idea and finished product! 🙂
I love the potato stamp idea! It looks just like wallpaper. It makes me sad to see wood painted, whether its on the floor or trim. It works here, though!
Did you all do the demo yourself or hire someone? Any concerns/apprehension with demolishing the plaster?