Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Porch Painting Diamond Pattern 101

I was finally able to finish snapping and taping off my porch yesterday for the diamond pattern I am going to be painting. Between the weather and feeling sick from the spider bite it had held my progress up. The painting will now go very quick. I thought I would post a "tutorial" (if you will) for those that are interested in doing something similar to their floors; inside or out.

LEVEL: Intermediate

STEP 1: Clean your surface. Make sure you are working with the cleanest surface you can possibly have. Remove any loose paint by scraping, sweeping, scrubbing. Clean surface using cleaner such as TSP (this is the BEST for removing and grime and giving you the best surface to start with) power washing is also a good idea.

STEP 2: You will be using 2 colors for the diamond pattern so you want to roll your lighter base color down first over the entire surface area. I find it best if you first use a paintbrush to "cut in" or paint along the edges like walls and corners first before rolling so you do not have to bring the roller close to your walls.

STEP 3: After letting the base coat dry for at least 24 hours we are ready to start marking and snapping lines for the diamond (or checkerboard) pattern. Start at one corner of the room, using a speed square, mark a line at a 45 degree angle.

STEP 4: Using that 45 degree angle take your chalk line and bring it across the room at that 45 degree angle and snap your line. (you will need 2 people for this)

STEP 5: Measure the length of that line, in the middle at a 90 degree angle to your snapped line, snap another line, intersecting the first. These will be the lines that you measure and snap the rest of your lines off of.
STEP 6: Decide what size your squares will be (mine were 22") and using a square mark lines at 22" along your snapped lines, first vertically then horizontally or vise versa. As you move along and snap your lines you may want to check and make sure your squares are all 22" (in my case) many times you can be a hair off in the beginning and by the time you are in the middle you could be 1/2" off, so it's always best to check and compensate in the beginning if necessary.


Once you finish snapping lines, you can stand back and admire your pattern.

TAPING

I don't know WHY but I didn't take pictures of the taping progress. D'OH! Let's see if I can explain it anyway.


First you need to decide where you would like to start. I chose to start against the siding. Then you need to decide what color you want against the siding. I decided to start with the sage green which is also the same color as the house, the cream is my base coat and is already on the floor so I need to protect that color while painting on the green.


The square I chose that would be green, I taped the outside portion of the square, so that way the cream or the base color will be protected as the green is painted. Using that green square, alternate every other square taping the outside. When you are finished you will see that you will have large squares and small squares taped off. When tape is removed all squares will be the same size.



Next I will be painting the squares and you will see the finished project. :)

Have a wonderful day :)
*muah*

12 comments:

blessings said...

You did that for me, didn't you?! You know, I had to teach geometry last year (homeschool) and I never even took geometry! I'm still not sure that I could pass. =) I seriously can't even read sewing patterns very easily. Which part of the brain does that? Obviously, I'm dysfunctional in that part!

I am working on doing a handbag or two. I haven't actually started yet, but I'm planning on it - really! You know, John (Mr. Magnolia Pearl) is a lawyer. He and I have talked on the phone because he was pretty upset that I had used her name on ebay in my descriptions. So... I'm not supposed to do that anymore. Although he did say that I was free to make them and sell them but I just couldn't use her name (even as a comparison). As a paralegal, I appreciate his position. As an artist, I wouldn't want to be copied either (although it's the sincerest form of flattery) but in the end it's because I'm a Christian that I agreed to not use her name in any way. I have to represent Christ all the time and even if it's an argument I can win, it's not worth it if I've portrayed Him in a bad light. --Let me just say, that was NOT a fun way to meet the Mr. of my most absolute favorite designer!! =) Blessings... Polly

Jenny Froh said...

Oh my gosh! I can't wait to the it finished! Hurry Hurry!!!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Michele, I can't wait to see the finished product. I did this once on a cement floor. Then when the
tile" was finished, I painted on an area rug including tassels...

I will email you some pictures...
Penny

Meggie said...

Can't wait to see photos of the finished project. Don't hurry on my account....but please take photos and post when finished. How's the spider bite?

Anonymous said...

Michelle ~ It's like watching Martha Stewart...we know it's going to turn out beautifully. Your precision is impressive. Can't wait to see finished photos.
Alexandra

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Michelle, I tried to email you pics but it came back...can you email me at lavenderhillstudio@mchsi.com and I will email back with pictures...
Penny

Anonymous said...

Oh, can you come and do mine? My head is spinning!Thanks so much for the tutorial. I'll have to print it out and read it again and again and again.... I'm going to be doing my patio next month so this is very much appreciated! Can't wait to see your finished project!

Manuela

Flea Market Queen said...

Wow...what a project!
Can't wait to see the final results...it will be fabulous I'm sure!
Priscilla

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

You must have the patience of Jobe! Looks like a lot of back breaking work, but I cannot wait to see the finished photo! In answer to your ??, yes the 4th shade is like Penny's. I love that fabric!! Infact, my friend covered a gorgeous bench with it last year and I should have bought it when I bought the shade. grrr..

Keep on keeping on!

Becky

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Shabby needs your address!
pcovington270@bellsouth.net

Anonymous said...

I am amazed at that diamond pattern, I would love to do that in my house but I have carpet not wood floors.
I have one room where I painted the concrete sage green that I could do but that room is so cold when I have to step on the concrete I want to put down a wood floor in there.
It's going to look so wonderful and your going to be so proud of your hard work.
I can't wait to see the finished product.
:) Bren
Visit me!!

Anonymous said...

Your porch project is "to die for". I love it and appreciate your instructions. I may be using those in the future. :) Very nice blog. It was fun to read. ~ Lynn