Did you know I painted my vinyl floor in the fall of 2011 2010? Oh my gosh, it’s been over TWO years? Where does the time go? You can see the before pictures in the original post How I Painted My Vinyl Floor.
The picture to the left shows how it has looked since I updated the island and got new appliances. I’m really glad I didn’t seal the paint because I was ready for a change, and it was fairly easy.
Painting a kitchen floor
Apparently I didn’t take many “in progress” pictures. I used Scotch Blue painter’s tape on each square. The paint I used is my new favorite, Behr Premium Plus Ultra. It is an exterior satin—the color is Honest Abe. 🙂
Because of the way I painted the floor originally, I had to skip a row of blue along the way because of taping. This is the way it looked after a few days.
This is how it looks now. The light gray is Empire State.
Well, this is actually how it looks now. I’m not quite finished. I have a few more blue squares to paint. I still can’t believe it’s been over two years! It has held up so well!
This is the next step. To paint this blue wall. I’m thinking gray. Probably the light gray although I love the dark gray, I think it would my my kitchen look too dark. Then I’ll be looking for something new to put on the wall. I would love to add some red to this room.
A dark glazed red like this bench.
I’m really clueless about décor. I’d sort of like to paint this like the bench and hang it on the all, but even if I did, I wouldn’t have a clue if I should put anything else on the wall with it. I’m open to all suggestions.
This light fixture will be changed out very soon to this:
It’s from Home Depot.
I look forward to hearing what you think.
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Missy
What did you do to the countertops? are they painted, Formica, stone, or what? In the most recent picture.....
Korrie@RedHenHome
The floor looks great! I love the idea of bringing in some of your signs for color.
ledamewood
Here are my thoughts - paint the wall the darker gray, keep the clock, but mount it inside a huge black frame. inside the black frame, use a smaller, narrower red frame or mat. You could actually use the wall as the background, or make a fabric background for the clock to hang on. Hope I'm explaining this well enough.
Barbara Hiatt
Beautiful update Gail! Great job!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Love the floor update Gail It looks brand new! And the wall and light update will have a big impact!
Suzanne
Love the gray floor. Just beautiful!
Nova
I think Grey on the wall would be nice. If you are wanting to put red into the kitchen, you could put it on the backsplash area, the accent wall or the islander (not all, just one area.) I am sure whatever you do will be beautiful; and it will be great when you post "after" pics.
Gail Wilson
Nova
I'm guessing that I need to do the wall first and then see how it goes from there. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
Laurel Stephens
I admire the hard work and patience behind your painted floors. They're beautiful, and I'll be using your fantastic tutorial to paint the ugly brown vinyl floors in my guest bathroom soon (although my husband gave me the strangest look when I mentioned it to him; now I can show him your blog, and he'll come around!). I wasn't sure how to figure out the scale I wanted, and your folded newspaper idea is genius. Also, it's good to know the paint held up so well. I've been seeing grey, white, and red a lot lately in room design, and it looks really fresh and contemporary. I'm looking forward to being inspired by the rest of your kitchen update.
freddyandpetunia
Forgot to add that--dark gray base cabinets will make your appliances look more "custom!"
And I lOve your new light selection for the room!
Catherine--again ; D
Siggie
Nice paint job! Painting a floor is one of those things I consider very brave!
I think the above idea of painting the wall piece with chalkboard paint is great, I love that in a kitchen. I would paint just the inside panels with chalkboard paint and leave the outside a distressed red. But alas, it's your decision.
Thanks for sharing your project!
Gail Wilson
Thanks Siggie--I love a great chalkboard... I already have two hanging in the kitchen. ohhhh--one of those is blue.... I guess I need to change that. lol
freddyandpetunia
Gail--I really luv the gray and white floor! Who knew you could paint vinyl floor!?!
Don't ring my neck for the extra work, but. . .if you paint a darker gray on the base cabinets and leave the wall cabinets white, the red you love so much would be a fabulous punch of color on the island!
Then you can play with all kinds of colors--even seasonally--to refresh the feeling of the room from time to time!
Btw--have you ever considered an overlay of 1/2" MDF to create a paneled effect over the bead board? Very easy to do and maybe I need to come back for another shopping/workshop visit! ; D
Catherine
Gail Wilson
ohhh girl! NOT painting the cabinets again. lol but I do see what you are saying. 🙂
overlay? hmmmm 1/2" that seems like a lot of weight and expense. I'm not really seeing what you mean.
We put that tongue and groove up over 30 years ago because the plaster wall was cracking... or I'd take it down. 🙂
freddyandpetunia
Oh no--an overlay on TOP of the bead board. Depending on the color you choose to paint, it can look cottage-y to contemporary.
Ya chicken--on the painting the cabs. You could recruit some help (maybe even me)! : )
Cat
Suzanne@Meridian Road
I love the changes! That gray is perfect. I think light gray on the wall would be pretty, and that wood piece would make the most perfect message center. There's even a little ledge in the middle for chalk! I'd say just redo the clock and add some red to it.
Gail Wilson
I like the idea of adding some red to the clock! 🙂
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence
The floor is amazing. I recently painted my kitchen wall a taupe/grey--I really like it. It changes with the light and is a great neutral color.
Stephanie
I love the new gray squares! I think you could bring in red on your table base. It would be fun to paint all the chairs a different color..but I know that is out of your comfort zone 🙂 You could add cushions in a fun fabric to compliment the red table base. I like the idea of a darker gray wall. Then you could put floating shelves either in a wood tone {reclaimed} or paint them white. Add art work {thrift shop finds} and decorative dishes to the open shelves to give it depth, texture and some color against the gray. An oversized piece of artwork would be a great statement piece on that wall if you didn't want to put floating shelves.
Gail Wilson
Stephanie--you know me really well. Thanks for all those thrifty suggestions. 🙂
no cushions because I have two cats.
if I did the shelves, they'd have to be shallow because of seating...then I'd stress over what to put on the shelves like I do in the living room. hehehe
Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking
Like the grey floor much better. Paint the wall light grey. Then just put some of your red things there, the bench (if you still have it), some signs, just to see if you like it. The thing about keeping the wall neutral is you can change out the extra accessories whenever you want a new colour.
Vintage Prairie Style
Love the painted floor - I am shocked that it stood up so well and for as long! looks amazing!
keya
dholt
Just an idea for the piano front...paint it the dark glazed red then on the inserts modge-podge some scrap booking paper or fabric that ties the dark red to the new wall color. Finally add a shelf to the bottom for adding decor items such as candles, antique kitchen utensils, or whatever.
Gail Wilson
thanks for your input! I was actually thinking about putting mirrors in the side inserts. A shelf would have to be narrow because on occasion guests sit back there.
Katherine Malone
I really like the gray! I recently did an overhaul of all the walls in my condo -- lots of greys and grey-blues. The dark walls aren't as "dark" as you might expect/fear. It's fun to have the dark accent and then be able to add in lighter pops of color. I have done some bright yellows and corals against the greys. I am excited to see how yours turns out!
dccash
Just a thought, paint the wall. Add some accent with white shelves for placing decor.
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/query/Bright-red-accent-wall-in-kitchen-area
dccash
That should be paint the wall RED
Gail Wilson
I like those kitchens with the red. I had thought of painting the island red instead of black. hmmmmm
red wall? I'm not sure I'm ready for that much color. 🙂
ohiofarmgirl
I love the gray. What a nice update! It looks fab! Dianntha
substitutionqueen
Nice work, Gail. That piece on the wall... chalkboard of course! or Mod Podge some vintage ads/posters. Gotta say, I really liked the floor with the alternating blue and gray :0)
Gail Wilson
yeah... I contemplated leaving the floor that way, but after several days I decided I was over the blue. 😉
Sue Marrazzo
GREAT idea...he colors are very livable too!
Susan @ homeroad.net
I love the way it came out and I'm sending this to my daughter, she lives in an apartment with a vinyl floor. This is the perfect answer and it looks awesome Gail!
Susan
Terri
Sounds like a tedious job, but well worth your efforts...the floors look great!
Full Circle Creations
I'm loving the new floor color. You could make some kitchen signs and bring in that pop of glazed red that you want. And the light fixture is great! Good luck!
Gail Wilson
Holly,
I already have several signs in my kitchen... what do you mean by
"kitchen signs" ? 🙂
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
love the color update, and LOVE the new light!
Sue
Like the new look Gail. A bright red would probably look good too. I'm decorating challenged, so sorry, no creative buzz from me.
Hugs,
Sue
Anonymous
I cannot believe the paint on the floor was that durable! Anyways, I love the idea of vintage signs with red hues to add red. Also you can sew red chair pads and placemats..or paint those chairs red. You can also paint the new light fixture red and if you really wanna go nuts, make all your cabinet knobs red. I also see a wood trim at the top and bottom...paint it red, after you go gray on the walls. That will draw everything together. You are almost inspiring me to tackle some wall painted jobs around here! I hate painting walls but love doing details and decorating. ~Trish
Gail Wilson
I'm just the opposite Trish--I don't mind painting but HATE the details and the decorating.
Katie
My friend recently painted her kitchen, living room, and hallway Cathedral Grey by Behr. It is the perfect grey (I think anyway) Not too dark, bright, etc. and goes wonderfully with her bright accent colors. 🙂