Category — decorating

Recently, I did a post featuring a painted floor I saw featured on Design Sponge. I was immediately drawn to the unique design of the pattern. Oh, how I would love to have a floor like this one in my home somewhere. Better yet, while I’m dreaming, how about a studio in the back with this floor. Oh, I would just be creatively inspired every day!

Since this post, I have seen painted floors everywhere. You all might think I am crazy, but I am instantly drawn to this. Maybe it’s the cottage feel it instantly brings to a room.

Photo: Cottage Living

I have been endlessly going through my mounds of magazines, tearing out sheets I have earmarked. I found this one I had saved from at least a year or so ago. This was before I realized my obsession with painted wood floors.

Photo: Southern Accents

Photo: Southern Living

The most common style for painting on the floor is the harlequin or diamond pattern. You can use two different colors of paint, as shown in the first picture, or you can opt for leaving the stain showing and using a darker stain for the second color as shown in the Southern Living kitchen.

For instructions on how to create this harlequin pattern on your floor, click here.

Photo: Cottage Living

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: Country Living

“Painted floors are a cottage favorite for many reasons: They’re easy to maintain, they cover up a multitude of flaws, and they add a light and cheerful quality to any room. ” - Jessica Shapard of Cottage Living

You all know what I think about painted floors. And the wear and tear that would come along with this with age makes it that much better to me.

How do you feel about this look? Do you dare paint on hardwood?

We recently found this incredible website while researching different types of flooring. L’Antiquario Antique Inlaid Tile is full of amazingly intrecate designs on tile. The artwork and colors are our inspiration for the week.

Have you ever seen a floor so amazing?

Catherine’s Patterned Floor, featured on Design Sponge, is a finalist for the lena corwin printing by hand contest. This was my favorite of all the other contestents, I just had to show you all!

If you would like to do this yourself, just find a pattern you like and create a stencil. The great thing is, you can make it however big or small you like. Paint the stencil in whatever color you desire and then finally apply a coat of sealer. Voila! A beautiful, one of a kind floor!

What do you think? I just love the boldness of the pattern on such a classic wooden floor.

This is a great insight to what our studio is looking like right about now!

We are still working endlessly on our re-do. Emptying it out completely and starting from scratch. You think this is a lot of paint? You haven’t even seen our paint closet!

How long can you store paint and how can you tell if it is good or bad?

The ideal place to store paint is in a temperature controlled environment. If so, the paint stores will tell you that it can be good for up to a year to a year and a half. But I will go on and tell you, Jaime and I have been able to save ours and use for almost up to 3 years.

A good way to tell if your paint is bad is by opening the can and smelling it. If it smells bad, almost like a mold, then it definitely is not good. Throw it out. Also, look at the consistency of the paint. If it has a jelly like appearance, you probably shouldn’t use it.

However, there are times when the can has been sitting for a while, some or most of the sediment will have settled to the bottom of the can. If you have some stir sticks, you may be able to give it a good long stir to mix it up again. You can also take it to your local paint store and have them shake it on there machine. This is a good way to mix all of the sediment up to the original consistency.

Got a faux or paint question? Need a little advice on a faux project?

Once a week, we’ll do a Q & A post to help you get your home decor painting how you want it. Email us your question and we will do our best to give you an answer! Just click on the Email Badge on the left column of this page at any time.

• Tomorrow on the OTW Blog: Exclusive interview with Kim Parker!

Yet another busy week for Off The Wall…

Jaime and I have been painting away on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, tub surrounds all the while building & painting frames and filling orders. Thank goodness it’s time for some weekend rest! Hopefully we will have some new pictures for your viewing pleasure next week of our faux work.

In the meantime…

Jen, a fabulous jewelry designer, has interviewed Jaime and I on her blog, JLC Studio. As a part of her Weekly Win It series, you could when one of our Zebra Table Top Frames. Click here to check it out. Hopefully you will enjoy the interview as well!

We also want to send Melissa over at The Inspired Room a big Thank You for featuring our shutters and garage door as a part of her post on Outdoor Rooms: Curb Appeal. Do you subscribe to her blog? Melissa has great daily reads on Authentic Living, wonderful decorating tips, and inspiring stories. If you stop by, be sure to tell her that Off The Wall sent you!

So once again, I might just be the last person to know about an amazing designer and artist, Kim Parker. I actually have seen some of her work before, I just never knew who was behind the art that I was always drawn to and wanted in my home. Her colors are so vibrant and bold. She’s not afraid to be whimsical and bright!

Now with a new book, Kim Parker Home, she offers an inside view into her creative process. And if you are a visual person like I am, you will love the abundant photos throughout the book.

For some time, I have seen and loved her prints like this one. I just love the mix of colors and the whimsical/bohemian style of her work. And wouldn’t you know, this one is named after one of my favorite colors, Turquoise Garden.

So, as I was searching the web for this print, I found a bundle of little Kim Parker lovelies that I never even knew were available. And wouldn’t you know, I really am in need of them all!

Currently, I am in the process of redecorating my bedroom. Okay, I’ll be completely honest, I am always in the process of redecorating!

I have been on the look out for some colorful, artsy throw pillows to go on my new all white bedding. Are these not perfect? I think I will take several of each one!

But just wait, check out these beautiful rugs! I have been looking for a rug too. No… really! I may just have to wait on one of these, but can’t you just imagine walking on these gorgeous rugs every day?!?!? For more of Kim’s rug design, go on over to The Rug Company.

And just recently, Kim teamed up with Spode and introduced her new dinnerware collection. You can find these at your local Macy’s Department Store.

A good friend of mine sent me some images last week. As soon as my eyes gazed upon them, my jaw dropped and I had an instant boost of energy! I just had to share my new found love with you all. It’s a company called Wisteria. I may just be the last one on earth who has heard of them, that seems to happen to me a lot now as I am discovering more and more wonderful creations here in Blog World.

I will share a my favorite painted furniture pieces with you now, but you must mosey on over to their online catalog and enjoy their full line!

Look at these mirrors!

I, of course, especially love the distressed, vintage quality. And you all know how I love turquoise. Oh, I am dying for this mirror!

I literally believe my heart stopped and sang at the same time when I saw this head board. I was so excited, I actually called my husband over to exclaim, “Look at this, is this not so me! Don’t I need this?!?!”

For a moment, he thought I had lost it. But then the sweetie enjoyed my love of all things painted and vintage!

One of our most requested finishes from our clients is our Antique White Cabinets. A theme we see often is the French Country Kitchen. It’s a classic style, inspired by the natural environment of the French countryside.

I know I have promised you pictures of the festival this weekend, and I will deliver! I haven’t had the opportunity to add everything to our website in addition to the blog, so for now, here is a little teaser for you.

A lot of our favorite frames and items come from what actually was a mistake. This happens a lot in our faux finishing as well. We originally intended for this frame to look much different, but in the middle of the process, we saw something else come forth. Does that ever happen to you artist’s out there?

The Cross Heirloom Frame was actually inspired by Amanda, the owner of Classic Trends. She had come to our studio a while back wanting a collection for her own home, and wanted several Scripture Frames and a frame with cross’s on it. Jaime actually designed the cross’s you see here for her and we fell in love with it.

Hope you enjoy this sneak peek. The sun is shining bright today and we are off to faux a garage door and shutters. Thank goodness it’s Spring!

Better Homes And Garden offers some great solutions for turning old trash or trinkets into marvelous solutions for home organization. And besides that, I just love the way these look.

Need to organize your desk drawer. Try using a muffin tin or a popover pan is even suggested for deeper storage.

“Fork Clips” to hold everything from photos to business cards. What a great way to show off your miss-matched utensils that are too pretty to store or throw away.

Have a favorite mug, tea cup or demitasse… display it on your office desk for inspiration. It can double as a holder for your pens, paper clips or thumb tacks.

I love this one. Old drawer pulls make excellent hooks for your reading glasses and keys. Curtain clip rings are pictured here holding papers and business cards. You could even use this to display your favorite photos.

I love finding beautiful silver pieces when I am out garage saling or flea marketing. Put these pieces to use on your desk to organize everything from mail, check books, stamps and spare change.