Hand-painted Floor

In the decorative/faux finish line of work we get to see some amazing properties and stately old mansions on Long Island.

With this project we were in an adorable, original Chauffer's Cottage on one of the largest privately owned properties on Long Island. Truly a Gold Coast gem, its a neighbor of the Old Westbury Gardens. The Chauffer's Cottage is just full of charm, and all original floors and walls. This made finding anything straight very hard. Painting the floor pattern, with its two inch wide border was a challenge! Nothing is perfect and it fits right in with this charming home.

  

For more photographs of completed hand-painted floor projects check out my website:

Bella Terra Designs

How to Paint a Checkerboard Floor, Part 1

I first started doing painted floors about six years ago. Thinking back I can't remember what floor was my first, but I remember stressing out about it.  My husband and I put rosen paper down on our driveway to practice how I could measure this out. I looked online for help and found very few directions ... maybe now its different.

I learned that you make your marks along the outside walls and snap lines. Well, I tried that. Thankfully it was a tiny hallway, because by the time I got half way down, the squares grew by an inch.

I wanted to share some helpful videos on how I measure out the room and make my squares.  Below is the first video in the series.  Please allow time for "buffering."

Keep in mind, I don't have Hollywood lighting, or a makeup artist, and I am in my studio ... it's late at night, and I am a bit forgetful. And I am also the cameraman! But hopefully this will help someone out. Oh, and it's a 5 part series ... so I will post the next part later.

Quick Notes on What you Will Need:
1. An Assistant
2. Patience
3. Measuring Tape
4. Pencils
5. Chalk Line
6. 3M Safe Release orange core tape
7. Straight razor blades
8. Illustration board or Polystyrene board

Check back for Part 2