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July 4, 2010

DIY Mat(ters)

Have you ever been over to Canadian House & Home’s Online TV? You really should because they showcase some fun, doable DIY projects!

Early in the month they shared a painted rug project that I HAD to try!!

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DSCF0759So I purchased a grass outdoor door mat and set about transforming my front door… I wanted our entrance to DSCF0761say HELLO and WELCOME! Of course I’m talking figuratively ;-)

I’m Crazy about my red door by the way… Sundried Tomato from Benjamin Moore!

It’s a lovely entrance way… it just calling out for a little something.

 

First… I taped off the edge of the mat… then, with narrower tape and using my three fingers to measure the spacing between stripes, I applied more tape.

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Now my mat is ready for the house numbers I’ll put in the middle.

I created the numbers on my computer, printing them so that they were 7” tall. The biggest challenge with this part of the project was choosing the font!! In the “B’s” alone I found a few I liked!!

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DSCF0786In the end it was a toss up between Gill Sans Ultra Bold (top) and Poor Richard (bottom).

I’ve always loved Gill Sans and use it often… but it has a very distinct style that doesn’t really suit the age of our home.

So… Poor Richard was the font I chose!

 

I printed out the numbers, backed them with some painter’s tape and placed them on the mat. If you try this yourself, I recommend placing a few pebbles on the numbers to help keep them down. You see… painter’s tape doesn’t stick very well to the mat.

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Next came the fun part… spray paint!!

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Okay… I lied… spraying the paint wasn’t the fun part…

Removing the stencils was!!

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Here’s how my front door now looks with my new mat in place…

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As I mentioned above, if you do this yourself I encourage you to find a way to hold down the numbers (or letters) better… I love the new mat, but there was a little spray that migrated under my stencils.

Butterfly I’m sharing this project with the readers over at Between Naps on the Porch. Susan is hosting her weekly blog party Metamorphosis Monday and Kelly and I love to participate in the fun! Be sure to make your way back to Susan’s place to see the other projects shared today.

sigv

24 comments:

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

Cute idea...you make it look like a fun project!

Shannon @ What's Up Whimsy said...

I saw this project and have been wanting to try it! It worked out so well for you!! I think I will have to do one very soon!

One Cheap B*tch said...

You did a great job! I think this would make for such a cute house-warming gift!

Jeanine

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

What a great idea. I will be needing a new doormat come fall. Thanks for the idea.

the cape on the corner said...

really great idea! good for you... i think i'd be too afraid to try this.

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

That looks so cool! Your mat looks great and your idea is very do-able.

gena said...

Great idea ! Those monagram/personalized mats are usually a fortune - I may just have to try this too !


Thanks for stopping by Lavender Hill !

gena
www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

Marcus Design said...

Lovely project Victoria! I think the font you chose was awesome, and as you say, in keeping with your homes style. You make this look like a fun and easy little project, and the results are fab. I always love the H&H DIY projects!!
Nancy

Tiina said...

it looks great!

Steph@TheGraniteGurus said...

Awesome rug! I love your DIYs. I think I'm going to have to give this one a try.
Your porch looks great!

blueloom said...

Your project turned out great! Very elegant doormat and it complements your front door. Thanks for sharing.

Atticmag said...

That's a fun project. I'm all for getting house numbers to be bigger and more legible. LOL. Nice to see you at Atticmag Victoria. It's always nice to see the latest thing you're up to. Thanks for stopping by. Jane F.

TheCraftInMe said...

Great job, looks awesome!

Debbie said...

This looks great...it finished up your entry perfectly.
Debbie@houseatthelake

Lisa said...

Great Job Victoria! I saw this episode and thought I'd like to try this out myself - glad to hear your tips on the numbers.

kimma said...

The whole entry looks great. I am in love with the art deco glass.

Vanessa@decor happy said...

Looks great Victoria and I love the font you chose!

Staci Edwards said...

Love that idea!

Susan said...

I really like this idea. That you can personalize it with your house number is genius.
cheers
Susan

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Great idea to personalize a mat, Victoria! I like the font you went with, too!

Emma said...

I saw this project too! I'm so glad someone tried it. Will you be attempting their latest d.i.y. - the ruffled shower curtain? I think it looks great.

Barbara said...

What a great idea! My mat need replacing. I may try this.

theLENNOXX said...

Great job! I need a new door mat too, maybe I'll try this!!

Michael Penney, Style Editor said...

Hey, great job! It's fun to see what people try from our DIY segments - you never know what will stick! I think one way to have crisper numbers would be to trace the computer font onto shelf lining contact paper and cut that out, then stick to the mat, then spray. Then you won't get leakage probably.

Thanks reaching out and for trying the projects!

Michael Penney, House & Home

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