I was so 50/50 on the chevron floor angles (and the vote in the comments was a close split too!), but it was time to make a choice this week, so I just went with my initial thought and chose the 30-degree cut. I’ve been getting reeeeal friendly with the miter saw ever since.
We set up the saw so there is a blocker right at 24″ away from the blade. This way, I never have to measure or mark a single plank of wood. I just cut one end and then slide the plank down and butt up the cut end to the blocker and cut again. It’s still slow-going, but I think we’re about halfway through the cuts at this point.
The floors in the kitchen got a little update this week as well. I had painstakingly painted every single one of the tile squares about a month or so ago and
left the grout lines exposed.
The plan was to regrout sometime soon, so that the grout looked clean and new (see how dingy it looks in the above photo? I think the old sealer had started to wear off). But as I’ve been brainstorming backsplash options, I just kept feeling like there were block patterns and grout lines everywhere in the kitchen, with all the brick on the floors and the arched brick range surround. I wanted to do something to minimize all that. So on a whim I poured some new paint on the floor and rolled on a top coat, completely painting over the grout lines.
I’m not quite finished yet (I’ll share after photos when I am), but I am thrilled with the look so far. It’s about a million times more clean and new-looking.
Sour grapes are not my thing, but I’m sort of kicking myself for not doing this sooner and for spending like 15 hours before, painting all the individual tiles in the dining, kitchen, pantry and mudroom. (grumble)
I love the new painted floors!
The painted floors look awesome Jenny. So clean and the texture of the grout lines pretty much disappear. So excited to see the chevron floors.
Your apparently endless energy never ceases to amaze me. I have to psyche myself up just to mop our floors, never mind paint them. TWICE. I also know I'm going to have massive flooring envy once you get your herringbone in. Thanks for sharing.
Ha! Ditto on the mopping
Your creativity and ability to create lemonade from lemons is endless! Did you use a particular type of paint on the floors?
I currently have a 1940's tile floor in my kitchen that needs some love and attention. It is the color of stomach bile and the grout is black. You have given me hope!
I love the painted floors! you're right, so much more clean & crisp!
http://www.ahealthymrs.com
Looks fantastic! You didn't mention what kind of paint you used and how you will (safely) clean them to keep paint from coming up. Did you have to prime the tiles with anything before the grey paint?
The painted floors look great and I can't wait to see the finished chevron.
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
It's all looking so great Jenny. I went back and read your post about your kitchen update plans and interestingly, I just painted my basement Gray Owl. Unfortunately it reads very "baby blue" on a few of the walls so I'll be changing it very soon. I'm sure you'll do test colors before painting your cabinets but I just wanted to give you a heads up
LOVE painted brick! Live and learn on the paint job…take consolation that you've saved time for many readers who may do the same treatment. :)
I've been thinking of painting our hardwood floors. Yours are looking great!
Gorgeous! you are saving your family so much money w/ your DIY skills there is no need to worry about time lost ( which happened more than I care to remember during my reno w/ paid professionals)
Enjoy the new floors!
YES….love.
Really glad to read that you decided on the 30 degree cuts. I think that will be really beautiful and subtle. Much richer look. Thanks for continuing to be such a wonderful DIY inspiration!
It does look awfully nice and clean just painted like that. How does it wear?
The floor is going to be epic. I think you will end up loving it because it is going to be so beautiful and unique!
I'm SO tempted now to paint our tile floor in our kitchen now. I dislike it so much (ok, I hate it!) but it's not in our budget to rip it out.
We have very similar granite counter tops – and we painted our uppers White Dove and our lowers Iron Gate (BM). Can you tell me what paint you used on your tile? Even the color – because it might work perfectly in our kitchen. Did you use a special type of paint? Thanks in advance!
I hope you're feeling better! I can't wait to see your new floors. You're so inspiring!
I'm going to steal that "sour grapes are not my thing" line :) I hate, hate, hate wasting time, but wasting time hating it doesn't make it any better!
Brilliant idea! Love the painted floor and I love reading about the renovations-can't wait to see the finish product!
I wonder if you could paint the granite? Is that just out of the question?
you amaze me at what you get done!
Much better. I like the painted brick in the laundry room, but these needed to be in the for now/ quick and dirty fix category. Brick and grout on kitchen floors is just kind of gross. On the vertical though, I think the painted brick arch might end up looking kinda cool and textural. Next time you can't sleep, how about splashing some paint up on that faux painted wall, its distracting from the nice updated desk area! ;) Glad you're feeling better.
Much better. I like the painted brick in the laundry room, but these needed to be in the for now/ quick and dirty fix category. Brick and grout on kitchen floors is just kind of gross. On the vertical though, I think the painted brick arch might end up looking kinda cool and textural. Next time you can't sleep, how about splashing some paint up on that faux painted wall, its distracting from the nice updated desk area! ;) Glad you're feeling better.
What a great update!!!! Your creativity and energy continue to inspire!
I have an ugly color tile laundry room that I might attack. Was there a special type of paint you used?
Please explain how you painted your tile floors? What kind of paint did you use, did you prim, how is it holding up? I love how it looks!
Hi guys! I just used Porch and Floor paint from Home Depot. BEHR is alkyd I think but Glidden's is oil-based and seems to wear a little better. I'll probably do a top coat with the Glidden.
I used tinted Kilz as a primer and it always works really well. I'm super happy with the floors and think painting them is the perfect stop gap measure until we can redo the whole kitchen.
xo
Awesome floors! With you on painted floors! Have you considered doing a heavy mortar rub on the brick souround? You're so talented, I'm sure you've considered it. In the South we do that a fair amount. It maintains the texture and the character, but would soften the colors.
Loving this ride with you!
Oh, the painted grout looks sooo much nicer! Anticipating those chevron beauties :)
I laughed out loud at Kim Barth's comment about her tiles being the colour of stomach bile. Oh my goodness, I know how she feels. I am living in an 80's rental that hasn't been updated at all and every.single.day think of more things I would like to do and can't. Having to stare at things like bile coloured tile is hard! Jenny, could you do a post about what you would/wouldn't do to update a rental? We are expats and will be living here for at least another 4 years and I just know I would enjoy it more if the horrid, worn oak cabinetry in the kitchen was painted white! Just not sure if the work is worth it for a rental (luckily my landlady is very flexible and lets me do most things – I just don't because it is money that is gone). I also have a small living room with black shag carpet (really) that I would love to replace. What would you do??
Hi guys! I just used Porch and Floor paint from Home Depot. BEHR is alkyd I think but Glidden's is oil-based and seems to wear a little better. I'll probably do a top coat with the Glidden.
I used tinted Kilz as a primer and it always works really well. I'm super happy with the floors and think painting them is the perfect stop gap measure until we can redo the whole kitchen.
xo
World Most popular Upcoming Latest cars and vehicles, Latest Mazda Models, Racing Cars, International Sport Cars, Concept Cars, PS-Pod, Strange Vehicles, Nissan, Royce Corniche, Ford Concept Cars, Strange Vehicles, Mercedes and More Sport Cars and Vehicles with Pictures and Info
WorldLatestVehicles.com
Hey! Love these painted floors! Could you please share the paint color used?
What is the best floor paint to use and how well does it hold up. I wanted to paint 2 bathroom floors.
Thanks