If you are just stopping by, I am working on a floor painting project this week. Our boys decided one day while we were in IKEA that they would like to have white floors and I jumped on it. I had been wanting to do this for a while. After seeing it in IKEA for themselves, they realized they liked it too. To give more back ground, these floors have not been refinished in more than 30 years and they are spotted and orange in appearance. $28 for paint sounded better than $300+ for refinishing.
Yesterday I began the process. The before picture shown above is a shot from the hallway where you can see the two bedrooms. Our boys chose the wall colors.
- While oil based paint is more durable, it will no longer be available in this state within the next few years. I feel certain that touch ups will be necessary and I needed to use a paint that will be around in the future.
- I have used latex in the past on the landing and stairs and it performed well.
- The little fella at Lowes wasn't very chatty and I needed to make a decision, so there.
- Easy clean up.
- Low odor.
- Dries in 1 hour.
Day 1 Steps:
- Thoroughly vacuumed the floors and baseboards.
- Cleaned floor with damp mop.
- Began painting by cutting (painting) the edges first with a brush.
- Rolled paint onto floor using a roller with a long extension handle painting my way out of each room.
This is what the floors look like after the first coat. I'm not worried about the gap at the bottom of the baseboard; shoe molding will be added as a last step.
Don't the red fuzzy dice add a nice touch?
I am really happy with the results and last night we were able to walk on the floors. I tried to scratch them with my fingernail just to see if I was going to become a neurotic "don't scratch the floors" mom. The paint stayed intact. My fingers are crossed that this continues to be the case. Today I will apply the second and final coat of paint.
It takes a brave woman to paint the floor white, so kudos to you! Love it, it looks stunning! Such a clean crisp look, so nicely done.
ReplyDeleteRene, lots of hard work, but it looks good. I was worried when you said you didn't prime first. I hope it wears well. Are you going to put quarter round down? Can't wait to see it finished and yes, the dice do add a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteoh it looks great! i can't wait to hear how they hold up. i am thinking of doing this in my home, but am very very very .... VERY nervouse about it. but it would certainly cost less than refinishing...
ReplyDeleteLove them!
ReplyDeleteYou are brave! And it looks so good. This is such a great idea. Big impact for not much money! Looking forward to seeing the rooms with the furniture back in them.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see them once they're finished! Are you putting some sort of protective coat over the paint or just leaving the paint as-is? I think it's going to look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThe Hip Hostess is right - you are a brave woman. Good for you! The white looks great, so fresh and updated. Looking forward to seeing the finished floors.
ReplyDeleteBrave, ok. Crazy, most definitely. Thanks everybody :)
ReplyDelete-Rene
Great job Rene, they look clean and fresh. And(as I put on my Realtor hat for a minute), it is totally reversible and could always be sanded and refinished in the future.
ReplyDeleteThey turned out beautifully Rene! You sure take charge....I was only on a mini holiday for what, about 5 days and you've already started? WELL DONE! Looking forward to the complete After pics. Cheers, Stacey
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh at painting the hardwood floors!!! ( can you tell i am a oldtimer) now i could easily do this if it would be a porch area or even a brand new addition to my home but good old time wood floors GASP....i would love to hear after a month or so on the cleaning and maintence of the floors.....great job great guts....
ReplyDeleteChris, I am sort of like you, not big on painting hard woods, but we have painted the landing and stairs before and it is totally reversible as Janet said. No worries.
ReplyDeleteYOU say your going to do it and you do!!! Awesome...I am now getting motivated. Taking everything out of the room is what is stopping me :)
ReplyDeleteSherry
I like the look of painted floors myself. I have done a checkerboard on mine and I love it. I did it in more of a whitewash so that the wear and tear just fit in. I have been told by a friend that you can coat over the floors in a non yellowing poly to protect them even more.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! We painted the floors in our kitchen at the old house...I sometimes miss them. Have fun!
ReplyDelete--Gretchen
It is looking good! How many coats will you do and how will you transition into the hallway? I like it with the colors they have on the walls. Give it a bit of a modern edge to it.
ReplyDeletegirl, you are brave! i can't wait to see it all finished and furnished, and i am sure it will look fab. it already makes it so much brighter!
ReplyDeleteWay to get to work! I need some of your energy! Those will look great.
ReplyDelete-Trish
The rooms look ok, but the hallway which was recently refinished isn't adhering. I will have to re-do this part and prime first. Learn from my mistakes everyone :).
ReplyDelete-Rene
It's looking so good so far. The white is really popping against that wall color. Love it! Keep us posted on the progress and if they keep standing up to the scratch/chip test!
ReplyDeleteYou are truely a girl after my own heart! I love it when people say they would do something and DO IT! I love it! Can't wait to see them finished!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's really looking great so far.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Wish I could do this.. but our floors are some cheap look-like-wood-but-are-vinyl. I hate them. Maybe I can paint the leftover ugly brick floor patter vinyl? haha
ReplyDeleteI love it when parents are willing to bring their childrens ideas and wants into the design of their spaces. I'm still bitter that I had to grow up with a Pepto Bismol pink bedroom!
ReplyDeleteIt's looking lovely. I can't wait to hear how it performs. You are gutsy, but I don't blame you. What do you have to lose?! I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks GREAT!
ReplyDeleteAdd me to the throngs of commenters who are commending you for your bravery ... white floors take courage. I admire you for jumping in and getting it done. They're lovely!
ReplyDeleteConnie
Wow! I have never seen a white floor like this (or at least noticed it). It looks amazing! I stumbled upon your blog today, and I'm your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteThey look amazing. Thanks for taking us along step by step :)
ReplyDeleteWendy
I have been wanting to lighten my wood floors, too. I have been trying to come up with a way to white/gray wash them so that the wood grain still shows, but what a lot of work. There is a LOT of floor to do and these 100+ degree days are sapping my energy!
ReplyDeleteI do love the ways yours looks. I know you are going to be so glad you did it!
Maybe, I will take mine on this winter. We'll see!
Rhonda
It looks fantastic! Love the contrast to the walls. It will really open things up visually.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Nicely done, taking them to Ikea. That worked out well and your floors are looking great.
ReplyDeletePam
I love this idea!!! We live in a 100+ yr old house and I don't think it has had the floors redone in at least 50 yrs. Most of the rooms are okay but the girls' room is in real need of attention and we just don't have the money. I think I might have to go out and get some white paint when they start school! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteTerrific look! If you check out my blog, http://oursearskithome.blogspot.com/2010/06/painted-kitchen-floor.html you'll see on this post where DH just painted a white and black checkerboard on our kitchen floor. Love it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, really holds up well and we have several painted floors in our home.
Looks great! I painted my kitchen floor using latex and got those fuzzy stick-on pads to put under the legs of my chairs so they wouldn't scratch. They work great as long as they stay stuck on. Eventually you will probably get some scratches, but they should touch up easily.
ReplyDeleteRene, this is so going to be worth all your sweat and tears! It already looks great and I can't wait to see it when it's all done! Well Done!
ReplyDeleteThat's the EXACT paint we used! I love the white paint with the white trim! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love this! It looks so beautiful with the trim and against the wall colors!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love it. Can't wait to see it all done with the furniture in the room.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are doing this! You are such a brave girl! The white looks great!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Cathy
Wow! The floors look fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteI know it's a lot of work but, my goodness, they look wonderful!
Great job.
How did I miss this post, love this! Very brave...I know the thought of painting wood floors would probably scare a lot of people! The result looks great and fresh, also appreciate the tips in today's post. Janell
ReplyDeletei'm too big of a chicken to do this, but i love the look. can't wait to see the final look!
ReplyDelete