Hi Everyone!!
Lets start off with the good stuff shall we? The winner of the Mini Isabella courtesy White Faux Taxidermy is Caroline Nolazco! Congrats my dear. Shoot me an email with all your info so we can get her sent your way. Thank you so much to everyone who entered. Another One For Me One For You giveaway is coming soon.
I gotta tell you, Tuesday night was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while. For the first time in over 3 weeks I was able to rest my mind and not think of a mile long to-do list. At the top of that list was getting something done to the ugly, boring linoleum floors. I decided to try my hand at painting and stenciling them and for the most part I’m super happy with how they turned out.
I say “for the most part” because of one detail that almost caused me to have a heart attack, anxiety attack, and jump off the nearest bridge all at the same time! While the painting and stenciling went off without a hitch, there was a serious problem with the poly coat: it went on clear but dried a yellowish/brown color and super blotchy. I used a water based oil modified formula and after HOURS of painting when I laid down what I thought I was “protecting” my work, actually completely ruined it. I was devastated, embarrassed and so so angry. I’m not easily brought to tears, but that did it.
Naomi said they were fine and that they just look “aged” “like I did it on purpose” Really!! Aged?!! Thank you babe, but your words of encouragement are totally NOT working this time. This is by far the biggest DIY fail I’ve had. Why oh WHY did it have to happen two days before one of the most important moments in my life so far!? You can’t imagine the stress.
Yeah!! Now picture THAT all over my ENTIRE FREAKIN FLOOR! Not good my friends, not good. Thankfully this monstrosity didn’t put a wrench in the photo shoot.
So my friends listen to me very carefully when I say this: if you paint your linoleum floors use a WATER BASED poly coat ONLY!! Do not be tempted to use the water based oil modified formula because you figure it’ll give you the durability of an oil, but work like a water. Remember this post and JUST SAY NO! If you happen to be putting a poly coat over hardwoods you’ve stained a dark color, though, this may be a good option.
The good thing is I’m totally NOT the kind of DIY blogger who strives for perfection. I always relish the imperfections throughout our home. I feel like they help makeup why our home is so comfortable. And while 99% of my projects turn out really well, I’m also grateful for those, like this, that don’t. It keeps me grounded and I walk away much more aware about a process than before.
Ill be back tomorrow with a full on step by step tutorial on the actual painting and stenciling process. So do you have any DIY fail stories? I love to hear them. Until next time…
Xo-Shavonda
belinda says
yellow or not, they look great! And I’ve had a million DIY fails – first attempts at gold leafing, stenciling… and i will almost always knock a tin of paint onto the floor when painting walls! your home is lovely x
Brandi says
I’m so sorry the process didn’t go as planned. But you kept a positive attitude and used it as learning experience. Your floors look gorgeous to me though. Well worth your efforts.
House Envy says
The pictures look amazing – even if it wasn’t the finsh you were going for:-( You did an awesome job and the entire kitchen rocks!
Jan says
Love the color of the floor – I would never have thought to pair that with dark gray but it’s beautiful. GREAT job! The stencil pattern is so intricate. I’ll say it again, “You’re so brave!”
Kenz @ Interiors by Kenz says
Oh dear… I have definitely been there with the tears following a DIY fail. The stencil on the floors looks so beautiful. From the picture, it doesn’t look bad. It looks antiqued. It has a really nice vintage cottage look. Just recently I shared one of my DIY fails on my blog about a light fixture gone wrong. Crap happens. But I”m SOOO happy your photo shoot went well!
Caroline Nolazco says
Oh you poor thing! I’m so sorry about your floors 🙁 So is the life of a diy-er huh? I have weekly fails it seems lol. I’m surprised at this point when things do work out lol.
… I’m really excited for senor Isabella to arrive 🙂 I may take him out to dinner and talk to him like a buddy. But we wont’ go hiking. It’s hunting season…
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I think you did an amazing job and they look fab! Great work!!!
Carmeon Hamilton says
I’m with Gabbi on this one! Your floors (just like you) are amazing! Now, just call it vintage!
Bethany DeVore says
oh no, I hate it that that happened. Those poly coats can be so frustrating sometimes.
Katrina ChicLittleHouse says
The floors turned out amazing!! Love how much color and pretty they bring in your space, just love can’t wait until you share a full short of your amazing dining room table with your kitchen & the floors! 🙂
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
I’m sure it’s a little different in person, but from what I see here…your floor looks amazingggggg!!! Great job, girl!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
i had that happen years ago on a dresser i painted pale pink… not good. i learned my lesson! failures are teachers. 🙂
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Oh no!!! All that hard work! I am so sorry that happened. Those top coats can be really tricky!! Can’t wait to see you in print though 🙂 xo Kristin
Sarah AKA The Thriftress says
Oh I am so sorry! The floors do looks aged. You could totally go with it.
Kim @ Plumberry Pie says
I love the stencil. I’ve read horror stories of the yellow poly after glow! Ugh. I would be beside myself. I embrace imperfection too because I would lose my mind w/3 little ones running around trying to keep it perfect. Imperfection is good. 😉