Painting a cement floor entryway

Years ago, I covered my steps in mosaic, on a whim.  Not much planning went into it, and very little skill.  My dad was ill, I was waiting to hear his diagnosis, and needed a big project where my fingers were busy, but my mind could wander.  I didn’t have a design or the right supplies on hand, I just used what I had, and then had to make runs for more marbles and squares to complete what I’d started.

My dad was a lifelong gardener, and I think the abstract vine pattern just sorta formed itself while thinking of him.  

Luckily, it hasn’t fallen apart, at least not too much.  Even though it wasn’t done correctly. There are a few tiny cracks in some tiles, and a couple marbles popped out, and were glued back in. 
The 100+ year old cement floor by it also had some issues.  The paint on it had started to peel.

So I thoroughly scrubbed the floor and while I was at it, I went after the steps with a brush and vinegar and got the tiles to sparkle again.  Then, I added a big scoop of plaster of Paris into some exterior latex paint and repainted the floor.

That gives the paint some “tooth” help it adhere to the cement.

I hope that it works, because I got carried away and started to paint vines on the floor to coordinate with the steps.  That won’t be an easy patch job if the paint wears off, it will need a total redo.

We are not able to use rugs on the floor here because of this critter, Dorothy happily tinkles on any rug she sees, thinking I generously supplied her with a pee pad.

My design makes this into kind of a painted, pee proof rug.  

Yep, I know it’s pretty busy.  Especially when you add in the hand painted roses on the wall.  But it is a very small space and not visible from the rest of the house.

(by the way, there is only a small window of time when the hooks are not layered four deep in jackets, backpacks, hats, leashes and more, I just did spring cleaning and the re-piling up has not yet begun)  

After the vines dried, I brushed on a brown glaze and wiped it off, let that dry and coated the floor with semi gloss Polycrylic.  I’d rather have used a stronger topcoat but I was worried about the odor and my baby puppies.  So, I stayed with water based.

Fingers crossed that the paint lasts a few years!

 

 

Comments

[Patty McDonald]

I really like the look and it goes so well with the tiles and marbles. It makes me think there is a creative and adventurous person living here. Thanks for keeping it real....pee pads and tons of things on the hooks.

[Ellen D. Bailey]

Great looking floor and steps! That scroll work is my kind of painting!

[robert wesle]

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