Over the last few weeks, I’ve been working on updating the powder bath in the entryway of our home. It’s always been unremarkably boring, but since it’s the bathroom that a) you see when you walk into the house and b) our visitors always use, it was overdue for a little revamp.
I have a few more things to finish before I can reveal the entire room to you, but I must say that it is pure bold, vintage quirk. Oooooh, that sounds like a perfect eclectic style mix, doesn’t it? However, I do want to show you a fun little piece that can be completed in under 15 minutes.
Well, hello to you, too!
The floor needed a small, textured rug, but necessity didn’t mean that it had to be plain and boring. The simplest process ever yields a “talking” rug. Besides, who wouldn’t want a little greeting when they walk into a room?
How to Paint a Talking Rug
1. Find a natural fibered rug, such as jute or sisal. The rug I used is a 2 x 3 jute rug that I picked up at Cost Plus/World Market for $16.99. As a side note, they have really great natural rugs for reasonable prices, so make sure you check them out when you are in the rug market.
2. Cut your word out of vinyl and position it on your rug. I used my Silhouette SD to cut out the word, but you absolutely do not need to have a craft cutter to do this. You could trace your word onto a piece of sticky vinyl shelf paper (i.e. Contact paper) and cut out the stencil by hand. The font I used can be downloaded here for free.
3. Dab your paint onto the rug with a cheap chip brush, using a up and down motion. The vinyl won’t stick incredibly well to the rug, so I wouldn’t brush the paint on to ensure that your brush won’t slip under the vinyl. Any craft paint would likely do, but I am using Martha Stewart craft paint because it is really thick and creamy. The color I chose is Wild Blueberry, which looks like a dark navy under the light in my room (remember that your lighting will effect your color choice!).
4. Keep dabbing until your stencil is completely filled in and only solid color shows through. For reference, it took me under 5 minutes to fill in my word.
5. Carefully remove the vinyl and put your rug in a place where it can dry. If you are in a hurry, you can use a hairdryer and it will dry more quickly.
I love my little “statement” piece and the fun that it brings my tiny bathroom. If the paint comes off after a lot of wear, I could easily touch up the paint. Or, for only $16.99, maybe I’ll buy a new rug and give it a new voice.
What say you? Could you use a little unexpected greeting somewhere in your home?
michelle says
Love it, how clever! Thanks for sharing.
Karoline says
Good morning Lindsay,
that rug is cute. I want to do one with the phrase “May you always have a shell in your pocket & sand in your shoes”. That will be a long stencil LOL! Anyways, I am just looking for the right size of rug for my entry way. I will have to see if I can find some kind of “top coat” to seal mine as it will get a lot of wear. Have a good day! I always enjoy reading your posts!
Diane@InMyOwnStyle says
How simply adorable chic! I love it.
I can see why having a Silhouette cutter can come in handy.
Jen @ a place 2 call home says
This is so simple and so adorable. I really love it. It’s like the friendliest rug I’ve ever seen lol
Jen @ A Touch of Lovely says
I absolutely love this idea! I’m definitely going to have to try it for my bathroom!
Nicole says
Another reason why I ‘need’ a Silhouette. Cute rug. I want to make a similar one for our entryway.
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
This is really such a cute idea. So fun. Hugs, Marty
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
I love this rug Lindsay!! Absolutely love it!
Dharma says
Hi! I like the simple homey feel that this welcome gives to guests. It’s cheeky and fun.
Anne says
I LOVE this rug! I want more of my home furnishings to talk to me. 😉
Cindy M says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! SO cute! 🙂
Xazmin says
How cute! I love it – what a fun idea!
Brianna says
That is unbelievably awesome! Thanks so much for this great idea! 🙂
lisa says
Can’t wait to see the rest of the room! 🙂
Stacie says
How adorable! I can just see guests pausing as they go into the bathroom and then smiling. It is those little things that brighten peoples moods. I just love it.
Dana says
I love inanimate objects that greet me! Cute stuff.
Amanda says
Love that and completely copying you.
Lisa says
In my son’s bathroom I would use, “If you aim to please, please aim.” 🙂
Kimberly@Colors Mixed Together says
So cute and such a nice surprise greeting for guests. In my bath that guests use I made a framed printable that says “You are the fairest one of all”. Nice job!
Christina says
LOVE this!!
Teresa says
LOL that is so cute!
Teresa says
I was going to add, you could put ‘Hi, you’re on Candid Camera’ hehe.
Rachel says
I want to make one for the front door that says, “Hey Y’all”
Lyndsey says
So cute, now I want to make myself a “talking” rug for my bathroom.
Nicole says
That’s a very cute idea!
Jenny @ Simcoe Street says
So cute! I pinned this 🙂
peggy says
Hi Lindsay, thanks for the great idea. I followed your instructions exactly and LOVE the result. I’m making them in all colors as gifts for my girl friends.
Jessica Rickman says
I LOVE this idea. I have recently stumbled upon your blog and I’m already in love. Cant wait to make this.
Lindsay Ballard says
Awesome! I hope you love make one, Jessica! I still love mine.
Elaine Simmons says
Have you ever cut down a jute rug??
Mel the Crafty Scientist says
Love your blog and this project – so fun and cute! Just wanted to let you know I featured you in my roundup of jute craft projects here. Feel free to check it out if you want and hope you like it! : )
-Mel the Crafty Scientist
Linda Schombert says
Reminds me of a Xmas gift I gave to a cranky friend many years ago – I stenciled a rug similar to yours with WELCOME on one side and “GO AWAY” on the back! He loved it and used it for many years…thanks for the fun memory.
Jackfamily5 says
Did you stencil the wall too? If so, where did you get the stencil?
La Costa Gaston says
I love this idea. My goal for my home this year is to make more personalized items for my home to put my personal touch in it. Thanks for sharing!
Allie says
So doing this for my bathroom makeover, coming soon 🙂