Painted Patio Rug!

Now that it's done

I can say,


"It's really pretty but,

Oh my aching back!"

I painted this 'rug' directly on the concrete!



Here is what I started with. Our back patio...

It has a lovely pergola and that makes it feel cozy with the surrounding rock wall and it's also lower than the yard. But it was boring. So I decided to paint the concrete to make it look like a rug was under the patio furniture. Easy care and will last for over 10 years. See that bit of brick border above? I did that with the same paint almost 13 years ago and it is still there. I have power washed this patio yearly too.

I spent four hours a day for a week painting this rug with the tiny bottles of 'Patio Paint Outdoor'  by DecoArt that I purchased at Hobby Lobby.

Since it was a huge area to paint right on the concrete, I elected to leave part of it the concrete as the accent blocks instead of painting a huge blank space first with a single color then adding all the detail. This choice saved me a lot of work.

 I chose to use only three colors, gray, black and white. The center area is white with black painted"Welcome" and gray polka dots plus a black border.

The center around that area is simply, gray and raw concrete squares, with a tiny black diamond connecting them.

This picture was taken right after a rain. We keep our cushions in a vinyl deck box to protect them from weather and only get out the cushions when we use the area. You can see the outer border is a stencil and then I tied in the polka dot in the inner border as well. I put a few gray polka dots randomly in spots just to be different. I also centered N, S, E, W (North, South, East, West) on each side of the border just for fun.

Now it is a more interesting space, easy care...just blow off the leaves and no worries. Glad that project is done!

These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Monday
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple 
Show and Share Party @ Coastal Charm
Tuesday
Create Link Inspire Party @ The Crafty BlogStalker
Show & Tell Party @ Flamingo Toes
Project Inspired Linky Party @ Cupcakes and Crinoline
The Inspiration Board Link Party @ Homework
From Dream to Reality @ The DIY Dreamer
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home 
Be Inspired Party @ Elizabeth & Co.
Wednesday
Vintage Inspired Link Party @ Knick of Time
Fall into Fall Wednesday @ DIY by Design 
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Work It Wednesday's @ The Happy Housie
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts
Thursday
Link Party Thursday @ Bloom Designs Online
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours 
Create It Thursday @ Lamberts Lately 
Wildly Original Wednesday @ I Gotta Create!
Share Your Style @ Common Ground
Friday
Home Matters @ Life with Lorelai
Handmade Hangout @ From Gardners 2 Bergers
What To Do Weekends @ Crafts A La Mode
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Flaunt It Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Creativity Unleashed Link Party @ One Project Closer/The Better Half
Freedom Fridays @ My Turn For US 
Shabbilicious Friday Link Party @ Shabby Art Boutique
Junkin Joe @ The Cottage Market
Fabulous Friday Party @ Simple Nature Decor

Saturday
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello 
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
Sunday
Share It One More Time @ One More Time Events
That DIY Party @ DIY Show Off