hi y'all. i am super excited to share this fun little project with you. it's a do-it-yourself faux bois rug. i purchased all the supplies for this project for under $10 (YAY!) and it took me about 2 hours to complete. this is one of those ideas that was sitting in my journal for WELL over a year, glad to finally make it happen!
what you'll need: a tan rug (any plain & simple rug is cool. i purchased mine for $5 at Target.), 3 pieces of poster board, brown spray paint, a warm (& not too windy) afternoon.
step 1: draw a woodgrain pattern on one piece of poster board (although, if i were doing this over i would use contact paper instead of poster board for better adhesion!). drawing a woodgrain pattern is surprisingly easy, the trick is the include lots of 'knots' in your wood so that it doesn't look like zebra stripes.
next is the most time consuming part of the project. cutting out and adhering the mask over your rug. if you use contact paper for your mask you will probably have a more difficult time adhering it, but i much cleaner/sharper line when you spray paint. if you choose to use poster board just remember to take down your edges and tape down any parts of the paper that are bubbling or sticking up with a small roll of tape. when you cut out your pattern you will basically just be using one 'row' and throwing one away as you are applying it to your rug. it's an easy pattern once you get started!
next up, spray painting. take your time and get a nice even coat all over the rug. examine it closely and make sure you don't have spots before you pull your mask up.
this step took me about 7-10 minutes.
let it dry for about 5-10 minutes and remove your masking. ta-da!
(thank you erin for taking photos & for posing with your cute red shoes!) XOs. elsie




Elsie, this is really awesome!!! I think I'm going to try this too! Thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: Anita | November 04, 2009 at 01:43 AM
It's clever and unique, I love how it came out. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jenny | November 04, 2009 at 01:48 AM
Such a great idea! I would love to do a bigger version for my room...
Posted by: DaniDannyDanielle | November 04, 2009 at 01:48 AM
Love it! Just the kind of thing I need for my matless house! x
Posted by: Jaqueline | November 04, 2009 at 01:49 AM
Brilliant! IT turned out fabulous!
Posted by: Twinkie Chan! | November 04, 2009 at 01:55 AM
CUTE!!!!!
Posted by: Leigh-Ann, Freckled Nest | November 04, 2009 at 02:11 AM
It's so cool! It's one of my projects for next year when it's warmer again :-)!
Posted by: Fee | November 04, 2009 at 02:16 AM
Genius! Totally doing this!
Posted by: Amy E. | November 04, 2009 at 02:18 AM
it's so simple & looks gorgeous!
thanks for an inspiration! (:
have a nice day, miss Elsie!
XOXOXO.
Posted by: miss sunflower | November 04, 2009 at 02:18 AM
Wow! That is really easy..
Posted by: Sophie | November 04, 2009 at 02:25 AM
Coooool ! I just wonder if it can be wash or support wet feet ?? Does this paint resist to the washing machine ?? When your rug is dirty I guess you don't throw it in the garbage ??!!! I'm sorry to ask such stupid question ahahahah !
Posted by: Sandrine | November 04, 2009 at 02:33 AM
That's amazing! I don't know how you think of these things, but I'm so glad you do! :D
Posted by: RachelM | November 04, 2009 at 02:37 AM
That's really cool!
Posted by: Emily | November 04, 2009 at 03:21 AM
ooh, i love the rug! once my current one is ready to go to rug heaven i'm definitely gonna give this a go!
Posted by: stina | November 04, 2009 at 03:53 AM
if the giveaway were that cute door mat that'd be rad!!!!
xo.
Posted by: tiffany. | November 04, 2009 at 03:58 AM
this is great!!! Thanks!
Posted by: ooty | November 04, 2009 at 03:59 AM
your outfit is adorable in this post. & thanks for the project! I have been hooked on woodgrain patterns since i saw that super cute journal in the red velvet shop.
Posted by: Anna D. | November 04, 2009 at 04:20 AM
This is really cool! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kim | November 04, 2009 at 04:21 AM
So awesome, i think i may give it a go this week end :D
Posted by: Newo | November 04, 2009 at 05:08 AM
awesome!
Posted by: Drea | November 04, 2009 at 05:26 AM