My Studio's Checkerboard Floor Revisited

It has been almost two years since I gave my home studio a little face lift. And I have yet to grow tired of my favorite part --- its painted checkerboard floor.

The lower portion of my studio was an addition to an existing den that we added on back in 1992. To keep costs down, I decided to carpet both levels of the space. (The den, located one step up, had a very worn hard wood floor.) Sixteen years later, the carpeting had to go. We pulled it up, refinished the hard wood and mulled over what to do with the lower portion's plywood sub-floor. I always wanted to have a painted checkerboard floor, so I figured this was the perfect place to give it a try. And since Carlos, my fabulous house painter was already on hand, I had him help me out.

First, I carefully measured out a checkerboard on a diagonal. It took me quite a while to figure out just the right size squares for the space. Too big and the pattern might be overwhelming; too small and I might feel dizzy! Then Carlos taped off the design and applied two coats of paint.

For the paint colors, I chose a light warm gray and an aqua that is one shade darker than the walls . By keeping the contrast down between the two colors, the pattern is subtle and doesn't overpower the small 13.5 by 10 foot space. We used porch and patio paint that is an epoxy reinforced latex enamel. It has held up very well.

Carlos wanted to fill the floor's seams and nail holes but I chose to leave them as is. I think all of these imperfections give the floor more character.

My studio's checkerboard floor caught the eye of another blogger. Denise, who has a blog called First a Dream, was inspired by my floor and decided to paint her loft's floor just the same way. You can see its twin sister here. Then she painted almost every floor in her house, from faux wood to painted area rugs. Pretty clever!

Back when we painted my floor, little did I know how versatile it would be. Not only has it perked up my studio, I used it for the background of this blog's banner. Plus, I shoot all sorts of items on it for my Etsy shop. It's very photogenic, don't you think?

Susan

Comments

[Kathy Carbone]

Thanks for the tips! We're already looking at some stores for the materials. Is that tile flooring or wood flooring? I love the color!

[Mom Wald]

Thank you! I have been trying to get Hubby to do this with our living room floor for years. Now I have the perfect example to show him. How delightful!

[Susan Freeman]

I love the checkerboard floor. It is just so friendly and cottage like!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

[Heather]

I love your floor, it is absolutely wonderful!

[Lemony Renee]

Really pretty. Nice job.

[Denise]

I thought I knew all about your fabulous floor, since I was so inspired by it... but I never realized that it was part of your banner. How could I have missed that? How clever!

[kimberly shaw]

Love your floor!!! Thanks for the tour, it's inspirational, and now I will look for it in your photos, too.

[Crafty Ann]

Really nice. I love the color. I can't wait to get my own studio. I have limited space, but I'm inspired by your creativeness for your studio.

[Jill]

I'm in love with your little studio. It looks like such a wonderful creative space!
Hugs,
Jill

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

I would find it so hard to leave that room! The floor is just perfect, and I bet it's real easy to get inspired and be creative in there!

[Elsie]

Love your Lil' studio and the floor if just perfect. Great
idea,it turned out well for
you.:O)

[Sandy McClay]

PERFECT!!!!! I just love it, I have the traditional back and white ( with colored specs) in my craft room and it picks me up every morning when I go in! You had a very good idea and it turned out wonderful! Great color combo!