Shed Floors- One Room Challenge Week 4
Psssst… this post *might* contain affiliate links: see my disclosure here.
It’s 9:30 p.m. and I kind of want to go sit in my shed. In fact… I want to invite everyone over to come and SIT IN MY SHED! I’m kindasorta obsessed. And it’s not even finished!!! I left you last week and the walls were painted. The amazing lights were installed. But aside from a few projects completed, the shed was very much in disarray. But not this week, folks! This week, it’s taking shape!
Here’s what’s changed. The FLOOR. It has paint. I’ve officially submitted my application to the Home Shopping Network so I can sit on stage, take calls, and generally pimp the hell out of the paint I used for the shed floor. Painting the shed floor was no small endeavor: the concrete slab in the shed is thin which means it ‘sweats’ with a change in temperature so moisture is coming up through it. Also the two back corners leak during big storms… all to say, this floor will get wet from all angles which is a deal breaker for most paints. The talented Rachel from Shades of Blue Interiors suggested a chalk and clay paint because it’s porous. Any moisture will pass through the paint rather than getting trapped below it. Turns out my friend Evey is a brand rep for Cece Caldwells paints. Their paint is legit chalk and clay paint so I took the gamble that it might hold up.
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Disclosure: Cece Caldwell provided me the paint for free, but guys… it’s like a bag of magic beans. This stuff works miracles.
I contacted the amazing peeps at Cece Caldwell and they agreed to ship me paint…the blessed day arrived and Fed Ex delivered what I assumed would be cans upon cans of paint. I ran to the front door and this is what greets me: four 16.9 ounce cans of paint. FOUR. I sent a nervous text to Evey, emailed Cece Caldwell… generally tried to keep my cool but was frustrated beyond belief that I clearly didn’t have enough paint.
1/2 the shed floor was clean and clear. (I used a concrete cleaner (affiliate) first and then went over again with TSP just to be safe.) With half a clean concrete floor… I decided to see whether the paint would work diluted. I did the quick math and figured that 2x the paint I had miiiight work for a single coat, so I added 1 part water to 1 part paint for my test swatch. To say the coverage was absurd would be an understatement. This paint went on like a wash because of the watery consistency, but had the coverage of any regular paint. And trust me when I say this floor did NOT clean up real nice in preparation for paint. It was ‘clean’ but still SUPER discolored and blotchy. Even diluted 1:1 with water… this paint covered 99% of the ick on this concrete floor. Like any good HSN host, I made a video to show you:
I’ve been pushing around furniture on the floor… the painted half got wet in a few places when I was cleaning and prepping the other half of the room, and the paint hasn’t FLINCHED. It’s hardcore… this diluted chalk and clay paint will not budge and I AM PUMPED.
With floors painted, I’ve been able to set up furniture and begin to install some of the design details.
- I painted all the shelves white so those will be great for showcasing accessories/ photo props.
- My spray paint is now unpacked so I won’t keep buying “Glossy White” just in case.
- I spruced up an armoire that was passed along to us AGES ago by a beloved friend.
- The rattan chair is FINALLY hung.
- I hung curtains across the middle of the shed so I can pull them to conceal the storage and act as a backdrop for video.
Boom.
Next steps? Hanging artwork. And getting my storage loving butt in gear. It’s been a great week for the shed!! See my vision for the shed in my Week 1 post, and of COURSE head over to Calling It Home to see all the other inspiring spaces being made over by my fellow bloggers.
What a cute little space – the painted floor makes a HUGE difference, and I love all the natural accents you’ve got going on – that combo is just perfect!
THanks, Lizzie! The painted floor was KEY! I’m SO happy I took the gamble! #winning 🙂
Charlotte it looks incredible, and to think that so little covered so well. I guess chalk paint is the magic ingredient to make everything perfect. The space looks great and I love that hanging chair.
Right?! I do too! Wondering if I smack it on my face if it will make me look 30 again! 🙂
Oh Charlotte, it is looking fabulous! All that white makes it look so fresh. I’m starting to see the direction our headed and I love it!
Right? That white was HUGE. I can’t believe it’s the same shed!!
Such a happy and bright place now!
I agree! I just want to go sit in it! 🙂
Looks great! Did you have to seal it?
Hi Melinda! I don’t think I will… The chalk paint has really soaked into the concrete and a sealer would ultimately block the moisture from escaping through the slab!
I was nervous about your shoes during that whole video. Girl, you gotta get some BEATERS to paint in next time. You’re going to give me a heart attack. I can’t BELIEVE how well that paint did on the floor. I’m getting tempted to try ours! Looks SO great so far!!!
Haha! These are pretty trashed. But I’m a nimble painter. 🙂
It’s looking amazing so far! Paint is so amazing!
Isn’t it though?! THe easiest makeover you can do!
can i move in? those lights! that chair! that floor! this is going to be epic.
I just want to keep playing with the styling now! Sadly… children have to eat and stuff. 🙂
ONE coat??? Unreal. It looks incredible. Would this work on a concrete garage floor, do you think?
I KNOW! Isn’t that crazy! One DILUTED coat!!! I don’t see why not! Sometimes a garage floor might have a sealant which could effect things, but our concrete was a rough ol’ slab. Perfect for chalk paint.
I absolutely love your hanging chair! I’m still trying to figure out how to put in some type of swinging chair somewhere (anywhere) in my house. Also, love the curtain going across. Looks very artsy!
Thanks, Andi! I’ve been sitting on that chair for YEARS! SO excited I finally have a place to stick it! 🙂
Looks Awesome! The floors look amazing and that rattan swing is to die for. Can’t wait to see the finished product in 2 weeks!
Your curtains look great too! Now I just want to go an hang things out there! 🙂
Oh I love this and I am suffering from extreme jealousy because I desperately want to hang a swing SOMEWHERE in my house but nothing is spacious enough. So I’ll bring the wine and let’s have a party in your shed! With those beautifully painted floors!
I’ve had that chair forEVER! Just shows that perseverance is key when it comes to hoarding. 🙂
The floors look amazing. I love how bright and fresh the space feels.
Me too! My little bit of calm! -Written from a couch as I look at piles of toys- 🙂
This looks so amazing!! I can’t wait to see it when it’s done!!
Thanks, Jenn! I’m SO excited to finish up in here!!
Holy cow, it looks amazing in there! What an awesome space you’ve got!
I know! It used to be so dark and scary… I can hardly believe it’s the same space!!
Hahaha! Gosh I heart you! You are a GREAT HSN host! HA! SO glad that the paint worked out for you! The stuff IS magical! The shed looks AMAZEBALLS,too!!!
Hahaha! It’s truly remarkable how little paint I used!
The paint highlights the seams in the concrete that lead to the central drain, but now they look like intentional design elements — so cool!
I agree! I *almost* went over the seams with paint, but decided I kind of liked them as is!
What a lovely idea, thanks!
THanks, Ivory!!
Oh man, I feel like painting a floor would be such a challenge- but it turned out so beautifully! And that rattan chair- JUST. PERFECT.
Thanks, Jen! The nice thing about floors is that you don’t have to worry about being neat and drips!! Just slap it all on! 🙂
Definitely putting this in my “good to know” diy handybook! Awesome job! I’m crossing my fingers it holds up to your expectations!
Ha! You and me both!!!! Good news is that if I need to touch it up… it was SO easy that I could go back over pretty simply. 🙂
Hi Charlotte! I’m thinking about painting our garage floor and I’m wondering how yours is holding up? Do you wish you’d sealed it? Is it wipeable? Our garage is a hard-working space for all our DIY projects, so I need something robust.
Hi Norma! I only did these floors in October, but… they are DEFinitely holding up. The texture is still similar to concrete so I don’t know that they’ll be *super* easy to clean, but… they’ve gotten wet and the paint is definitely absorbed right into the concrete so moisture made no difference. I’d say this was a great cost effective solution for us!
Thanks Charlotte. Good to know. 🙂
Ready to paint my basement floor with same brand. You inspired me… What type of roller did you use?? Foam?
Thanks for the inspiration!!
Oh yay! It was SO easy! I just used a regular old fuzzy roller! I was amazed how far I was able to stretch the paint… Good luck!
Hey! I’m thinking of painting our basement like this? Do you feel its heLd up well and has it been fairly easy to clean up spills? Would you do it this way again? (Tia!)
Hi Kayla! I’m so so sorry this slipped through! My floor is in PERFECT condition. I’ve spilled things and scuffed it in places, but the paint has held up perfectly. I was worried that the few places that flood when we have big rain storms might get discolored but the water just evaporates and you can’t tell! Hope this helps!
Hi ! I am about to paint a concrete floor with same paint! what did you seal it with? It will be a traffic area so I can’t jut leave unsealed…or can I?
Hi Nadine! I sealed it with NOTHING. As I understand it… because concrete is porous, the beauty of the chalk based paint is that moisture, etc. can pass through it. A sealer *might* block prevent this from happening!
Hi Charlotte!
so you are saying not to seal Even if the concrete floor is inside a well sealed off building from outside elements?
i am doing this for a dental assisting school …so there will be some traffic… the floors will be broomed daily and washed 2x a month
Hi Nadine! Sorry for the delay! I didn’t do anything but paint mine! The chalk paint allows the concrete to ‘breath’ so it may be OK inside a building as you say! If I were you I’d see how other people treated their concrete floors. I know Mandi from Vintage Revivals has painted concrete… perhaps search a bit on her site!
Hi Charlotte!
so you are saying not to seal Even if the concrete floor is inside a well sealed off building from outside elements?
i am doing this for a dental assisting school …so there will be some traffic… the floors will be broomed daily and washed 2x a month