Sunday, October 28, 2012

Ta-Dah. . . .The Checkerboard Floor Is Done. . .


"By George. . . .I think we got it. . . ."


Well, it's been a long time coming. . . .but FINALLY we have a finished checkerboard floor. . . .


 I know that many of you probably thought we'd never finish. . . .We began to question it ourselves. . . .
We certainly didn't do it quickly. . . .but, we kept pursuing the look we wanted. . . .
"Patience--Patience--" we kept telling ourselves.
Eventually--It Worked!!!!!

Want to hear the whole story?
Well, read on. . . .



First came the inspiration. . . . 


Then the "blue print". . . .

Since our keeping room/ kitchen is 26 feet long, we decided
checkerboarding the entire floor would be way too much. . . .
So, we went with an "area rug" in the keeping room, 
to help divide the eating area from the kitchen, 
without interfering with the wide open space. . . .


I had the idea to follow the cupboards, instead of squaring it off. . . .
While it turned out to be a wonderful styling choice. . . .
It caused us a lot of problems--hard to get the squares to come out right. . . . 



Then came the black paint. . . .really liked it and thought we'd leave it that way. . . .
but when we replaced the table and chairs, it looked like one big mass of black and wood tones.
 Not the "pop" we wanted. . . . .

Many of you liked this look, but it just did not work for us with our furniture--
the camera made it look a lot better than it did in person. . . .


Back to the drawing board. . . .
Loved this black and off-white floor that had been my inspiration through the whole project. . . .
so we painted the remaining squares with Antique White. . . .
chosen so the white squares wouldn't be too glaring.

It took some time, since we had to tape the squares in sections.

Finally, we polyurethaned it. . . .
To our dismay, the poly was suppose to NOT yellow but it did. . . . . 
yellowed the white squares. . . . also, the poly was lifting the stain from the original floor. . . .

Very ugly. . . Very disappointing. . . .Very frustrating. . . .


 Boo was the only one who was calm and content for the next few days. . . .
  while I thought about it. . . .
I decided there was no choice other than purchasing a primer and start the white again. . . .
It took over a week to redo--two more rolls of painter's tape--a different brand of poly. . .
 
tape a little. . . .paint a little. . . .let it dry. . . . paint a little more. . . .
"Patience--Patience--"

Then. . . .Saturday morning. . . . .when the sun came up. . . .
John's first words were,
"By George, I think we got it!!!!!"

Thankfully, the floor turned out exactly as we'd envisioned it in the beginning--
We have a beautiful floor that we both love. . . .


We're letting the finished floor cure for a week or so before we move the table back in.
All I can show for now is the floor--
Sorry ladies, we're not finished with everything in the room. . . .
We still have the cabinet tops. . . . the fireplace. . . .and a few other small things.
We're on the down side of it, though. . . .

It won't be long before I can reveal the entire project to you. . . .


If you should decide to checkerboard your floor, please learn from our mistakes:
1--An "area rug" is tough sectioning off unless it's a square or rectangle
2--Stacked squares are a lot simpler than those on the diagonal
3--Use a primer on the entire area first
4--Then paint the lightest color over the primer
5--Tape and paint the darker squares last
6--Be sure the polyurethane is CLEAR and non-yellowing--
7--Do a test board along the way. Poly WILL change the color--
including the clear--so test first


Was it worth it?
OH! YES!
We LOVE everything about it. . . .

. . . . Now that it's done. . . .
  

It's the "POP" we wanted to transform and emphasize the keeping room area. . . .

Don't you agree?


In the next few days, I'll let you peek inside the farmhouse cupboards,
as I fill and organize them with family items and farmhouse finds. . . .
This might be your only chance to see inside. . . .

Til then. . . .

blessings from my farmhouse to yours. . . .

70 comments:

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

Wow... what a beautiful job you did; it looks fabulous! So sorry you had to redo... but I'm sure you are happy that you did. It does look amazing. Pat yourselves on the back!! :)

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

I do love it Dru. It's perfect with your farmhouse style.

Julie Marie said...

It looks absolutely fabulous!... thanks for sharing your photos of it... hello kitty!... xoxo Julie Marie

Anne said...

Wow Dru it looks amazing! You did a wonderful job and that floor! How frustrating that the poly was turning yellow! I think I would have pulled my hair out! You are very patient and it paid off.I am not so patient LOL!
xx
Anne

Ruby and Arthur said...

Wow, it looks great! Can't wait to see the finished room, good job! Jean

Pamela Gordon said...

It looks really beautiful! Hard work, patience and perserverence paid off. ;)

Pam said...

WOW! It looks absolutely beautiful! What a fantastic job you did!
Pam
scrac-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Oh my sweet 'checkered' goodness.
I love this floor. You certainly had a lot of stick-to-it-ness! and y'all got it done!
Yay!

It looks so wonderful. Great job! Pat

Anonymous said...

It looks gorgeous! What a beautiful job y'all did!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

It's GORGEOUS!! Can't wait to see the rest of your beautiful kitchen. You must be so thrilled! Your kitty is cute.

ANNE said...

FANTASTIC!! I know how much work this must have been, good for you getting exactly the right look.

xox

The Cranky said...

Oh this is stunning; beautiful job!

Junkchiccottage said...

Oh my gosh it is beautiful. What a wonderful job and it looks amazing. I bet it feels good to have the floor done!!! I can't wait to see the rest.
Beautiful Job.
Kris

Old Time Cindy said...

Well, I have farmhouse envy. It's fantabulous!!!

cynthia lee designs said...

I love it!! All your hard work and patience was so worth it in the end. That's how I feel about my kitchen remodel too. I can't wait to see more of your kitchen.
~Cindy

Unknown said...

Amazing job!
I love it.
Tam

Barbara Jean said...

it is gorgeous!!!!

blessings
barb

Melanie said...

That is awesome, I love it!! You did a lovely job, it is perfect!!

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Oh WOW! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Hate that about the poly, I just stay away from it all together because of the yellowing, but this turned out fabulous, just like I thought it would. I know the diagonal is harder, but it looks so much better this way. From the small peeks that you have allowed us, I can't wait to see the entire kitchen. Great job!

Heide at ApronHistory said...

I love it!! You guys did an amazing job. Unfortunatly, home projects always have a way of turning out more complicated or taking longer then expected.

Thanks so much for sharing tips. I really want to paint my kitchen floor, make it look like old lino.

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Wow! That is absolutely stunning! Truly a labor of love with all the trouble you had, but so worth it in the end! Great job...and thanks for all the tips!

Deborah

Laurel Leaf Cottage said...

I do so love checkerboard floors, AND hardwood floors, AND painted wood floors, so I especially love this floor!!! You did a fantastic job!! Thanks for sharing the journey! =) Deanna PS I'm glad you added the white!! It's just perfect!

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Hi, I forgot to ask earlier. Is it ok if I pin your floor onto my farmhouse wish list?

sweetvintageofmine said...

Hello there, The farmers daughter! Cindy at old time pickers/farmhouse said we MUST visit your blog to see your checkered board design floor. It is quite the LOVELY and I'm so happy you have it finished! Lots of hard labor but the outcome is BEAUTIFUL! Your kitchen is outstanding and will look forward to seeing more! I really enjoyed my visit so I am following! From one sweetie to another~~~Roxie

Anonymous said...

Amazing, simply amazing!!! So perfect for your farm house! When I was very young, in the 50s, our floor was (tile) exactly like this, sure brought back some great memories. Thanks for sharing, I found you through your feature at Brenda's Tweak It Tuesday. Mary

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

So glad you came over to say Hi! The floor looks FABULOUS!!! So creative, I wish I had wood. :(

Anonymous said...

Well, well worth the wait Dru. Wow. It is beautiful!

blessings, jill

Florida Farm Girl said...

Dru, that floor is outrageously gorgeous!!! To think that you had those wonderful wood floors to start with. Wonder what it'd take to get floors like that in my builder tract home? Just a wonderful job. Congrats to both of you.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

It is so beautiful! So worth the effort and work!

Tanya Breese said...

just when i think your home can't get anymore beautiful, you go and add a checkerboard floor! wow, your patience and perseverance paid off. i absolutely love it!

Beca said...

Your floor turned out beautiful! What a job that must have been but oh so worth it in the end. I love your blog. I am your newest follower. I'm anxious to see more of your lovely farm house.

mah said...

Beautiful!!!! It will make you happy every time you walk in the room. I LOVE it.

Crystelle Boutique said...

I must agree with you! Your floor IS beuatiful! I am a bit jealous, but when I read about how much work it was......
Oh my! Well, you deserve to have the prettiest floor in town with that much work!

Have a very great fall! But don't fall on that gorgeous floor. heeheeheehee!

hugs ~ Crystelle
http://www.crystelleboutique.com

Anonymous said...

Hy! Today I discovered your blog and i like it a lot. My mumm painted once a floor like yours in the bathroom and indeed it was a hard job.Hugs Cristina

Debra@CommonGround said...

Your hard work paid off, it's absolutely gorgeous and adds so much character. Great Job!!

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Oh it does make a big splash for sure! New to your blog, Awesome! I will be back~Cheers Kim

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

We have a few projects like that too :) But it was worth it, your floor is fabulous! Great inspiration.
Cheers, Andrea

Susan Freeman said...

Looks fabulous and I love the area rug effect! My, you certainly do have patience.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Noble Vintage said...

wow, what an ordeal!! It is so beautiful now though, and I know you will be so happy with it for years to come. I've always wanted a house with checkered floors! :) It turned out awesome.

Carolyn said...

Wow! That looks amazing!!! Thank you for the tips as I am hoping to do this in a small greenhouse later on.

Carolyn

Divine Theatre said...

I cannot imagine anything more frustrating! Been there, however!
Your patience payed off in spades!
Take a lesson from Kitty and relax now..

Andie

L'Heure Bleue At Home said...

The checkerboard floor looks stunning! You did an amazing job.

Linda @ it all started with paint said...

Just stunning! Well worth all your hard work!

:)

Linda

Chenille Cottage said...

SPECTACULAR...MAGNIFICENT...A MASTERPIECE!!!!!
Wow...Wow...wow! What an incediblely beautiful floor! You and your husband's patience sure paid off. Your country farmhouse is so full of warmth, charm and friendliness.
Thank you for sharing the "how to's" and the "don't dos".
Enjoy and I can hardly wit til you share more, my sweet friend.
Blessings,
Carolynn xo

Unknown said...

Oh! My! Gosh! This is fabulous! You did a great job.

~Liz

Donna said...

I absolutely LOVE it!!! What a sense of accomplishment you must feel! And your kitty is ADORABLE!... Donna

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!!! I've been wanted a painted "rug" for years, but Hubs hasn't and now it would be impossible with 3 large dogs, one adult with autism in the house with us. No way could we keep all those feet off the floor long enough, lol. Your P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E. sure paid off.
Janet

Karen said...

You did a beautiful job, it looks gorgeous. I love a checkered floor.

Pam Kessler said...

Your floor is gorgeous. At first I thought it was linoleum, because it looks so perfect. Sorry you had a few bumps along the way (or hair pulling out sessions), but it looks wonderful.

Unknown said...

Oh.My.God. I'm drooling over this - what an incredible job!!! And just love how you trimmed it out following the lines of the cupboards!
Serious floor envy overcoming me in waves lol
XOX

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

This is just beautiful ~ I love it!
Popped in from VIF and so glad I did!

Angie @ Knick of Time said...

DROOL! Thanks so much for sharing this at Knick of Time Tuesday - I'll be featuring you this week and there will be an, "I Was Featured" button waiting at the party for you!
Blessings,
~Angie

❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ said...

Having a checkerboard floor has not been something I have ever considered but I may be rethinking it. I love the border that you created around your existing pieces and the overall finish. Very, very nice! Actually, downright beautiful. ;)

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Wow! I'm impressed! I wouldn't have the guts to try it- I know I'd blow it! It turned out wonderful! Too bad you had some missteps along the way, but heck that's how we learn! Beautiful job!

Art and Sand said...

Oh, my! It is absolutely beautiful. We did a blue and white check linoleum floor several years ago, but I could never keep it shiny and glossy. We ended up pulling it up and having 1" hexagonal tiles installed. I love the tile and it is so easy to keep clean, but I miss my blue and white checkerboard.

fiona anderson said...

This is absolutely stunning, you did such a great job. I love the look of your whole kitchen, and it works perfectly with the floor.
Found you at The Dedicated House and now following !

foreverdecorating said...

If I would have seen this first, I would have predicted that this would be a very, very popular post. Who doesn't love black and white check especially in a farmhouse kitchen area! You all did a great job. Really a fantastic job! My favorite and most reliable poly is Minwax Polycrylic it is water based therefore won't yellow. If it's not water based it will yellow!

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

Wow! I admire your vision and perseverance. I was visiting from Knick of Time, but am now following you. Love your farmhouse style!

Jeanette @creatingalifenow.blogspot.com

Jann said...

OMGOSHES!!!!
Your floor is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!! and so well done...you guys did a FABULOUS job!!!! I know it took you a while...but OMGOSHES it is FABULOUSLY BEAUTIFUL....so so glad that I found you on The Deditcated house links....Thanks so much for showing us this project...and all the patience it took...I am just in AWE!!!!!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh!!! Your floor is awesome! You did a fabulously job and it looks great. I know it was a lot of hard work, but it was so worth it!! Thank you so much for sharing again this week at A Bouquet of Talent. So thrilled to have you. Hugs

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Love love love it! Just beautiful~ sharing at the party tonight~ thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

The Charm of Home said...

Gorgeous! Love this transformation! Will be featuring at Home Sweet Home today! Thanks for linking up!
Sherry

Pamela said...

This is GORGEOUS! Can you come and do my stair landing next!?;)

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Oh, Dru, it is absolutely beautiful. What a lot of work you went through but it certainly paid off for sure. I bet you can't wait to get it all done now. A true farmhouse will be the result. I love that baking powder cabinet at the end of your island. Since you did it as a rug, the narrow black stripe around the edge is just perfectly done, with leaving the foor show through between that and the checks. I can't wait for the unveiling of it all..Happy Thursday..Judy

Cassie Bustamante said...

beautiful job! it looks amazing!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Dru,
This is truly a masterpiece! Love it with all my heart! By George I think you got it for sure!
Hugs,
Jann

Jen said...

Wow!!! This is absolutely spectacular!
I've been trying to talk my hubby into trying this & now I can't wait to show him yours!!!

Unknown said...

Looks amazing! Great job! You should come share at my link party going on til midnight tonight!

www.shecookscraftsruns.net

Unknown said...

fabulous job it looks amazing

ScrappyMama said...

Holy Moly, that is BEE-U-TIFUL!!!!!!!! It's stunning, it's gorgeous...it's actually nothing short of breathtaking & I am soooo jealous that it's in your house & not mine!! With that being said, I know in my heart of hearts that as much as I'm droolin' over it & coveting it, it really wouldn't "fit" my house...it looks absolutely perfect in your house though, so, if I can't have it...I'm glad that you're going to be enjoying it!!!! This is my 1st visit to your blog & I'm looking forward to many more!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...