DIY Home Project: Drawing Marker and Penny Floors
You can use just about anything around the house to update your home decor. But, did you know you can DIY your floor? Two designs that have hit international headlines are proving that all you need is a little inspiration to create floors that are do-it-yourself works of art.
“We’d been looking up options and were thinking about being green when I said we should just tile the floor in pennies,” Ryan Lange told NBC News this week. He was explaining the inspiration behind his and girlfriend Emily Belden’s penny floor, a masterpiece of bedroom tiling made up of 59,670 pennies.
Painstakingly gluing their change jar’s contents to the 324 square foot floor and sealing it with a clear coat took a total 128 hours, and many dirty hands. “Once we were halfway done, we were kind of over it,” Lang said. But the final product was worth the penny pains.
“We fell in love with the variation in color among the pennies. Some are bright and shiny. Others are weathered with a unique teal hue to them. Some are dark and antiqued,” Belden told local the Chicagoist newspaper.
Their idea is pretty groundbreaking on the home-front, but penny floors have been seen popping up in shops and bars across the country, including the swanky Standard Grill in the Standard Hotel in New York City. But the fact that you can create a space that high profile designers spend millions on is worth the hard work – and the penny saved!
How do people create penny floors in their homes?
Creating a penny floor in your home is a creative and labor-intensive DIY project that involves several steps.
Here’s a general overview of the “penny floor” process:
Materials and Tools Needed:
- Pennies (enough to cover your floor area)
- Plywood or a suitable subfloor
- Epoxy resin or clear polyurethane sealer
- Adhesive (e.g., construction adhesive or epoxy)
- Grout (optional)
- Trowel or putty knife
- Sander and sandpaper
- Bucket and mixing paddle (if using epoxy resin)
- Measuring tape
- Grout float (if using grout)
- Sealant for the edges (e.g., silicone caulk)
- Safety equipment (gloves, goggles, mask)
Step-by-Step Guide To Creating Your Penny Floor:
- Prepare the Subfloor: Ensure that your subfloor is clean, dry, and level. If needed, sand or repair any imperfections.
- Sort and Clean Pennies: Sort your pennies to ensure you have enough in good condition. You can clean them using a mixture of vinegar and salt to remove tarnish.
- Layout Design: Plan your design by arranging the pennies in the desired pattern. You can create patterns, shapes, or simply cover the entire floor with pennies.
- Adhesive Application: Apply adhesive (construction adhesive or epoxy) to the back of each penny and press them into place on the subfloor. Follow your design layout, ensuring they are snugly placed together.
- Allow Adhesive to Cure: Let the adhesive cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This may take several hours or more, depending on the type of adhesive used.
- Fill Gaps (Optional): If there are gaps between the pennies, you can fill them with grout using a grout float. Wipe off excess grout with a damp sponge.
- Seal the Pennies: To create a smooth, durable surface, you’ll need to seal the pennies. This can be done using epoxy resin or clear polyurethane sealer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and applying the chosen sealant.
- Edge Sealing: Seal the edges of the penny floor with silicone caulk to prevent moisture from getting underneath.
- Allow to Cure: Allow the sealant to cure completely. This may take several days.
- Final Touches: Once the penny floor is fully cured and dry, you can add additional coats of sealant if desired for added durability and shine.
Keep in mind that creating a penny floor is a time-consuming and meticulous project. It requires careful planning and attention to detail. Additionally, the choice of sealant is crucial, as it not only provides protection but also enhances the appearance of the pennies. Proper ventilation and safety precautions should also be taken when working with adhesives and sealants.
But, penny floors have nothing on the intricate design of the permanent marker floor!
Cafe Bodenlos in Prague boasts a trippy red-lined floor guaranteed to mesmerize. Drawn in undulating waves, the design is a captivating modern style that’s as much a floor covering as installation art.
It takes some serious level dedication and hard work to create DIY floors. If you find a design you are passionate about, seeing it finally take a place in your home is priceless. But for those out there who are craft challenged like me, an antique rug is all the art we’ll need to keep art underfoot!
How do people create permanent marker floors in their homes?
Creating permanent marker floors in your home is an unconventional and artistic DIY project that involves using permanent markers to draw or design on your flooring. This type of project is typically done on surfaces like hardwood floors, concrete floors, or even tile floors.
Here’s a general overview of how people create permanent marker floors:
Materials and tools needed:
- Permanent markers (various colors)
- Floor surface (hardwood, concrete, tile, etc.)
- Clear polyurethane or epoxy resin sealer
- Paintbrush or roller
- Rags or towels
- Protective gloves
- Respirator mask (if working in a poorly ventilated area)
- Cleaning supplies (to clean the floor surface)
Step-by-step guide for creating your permanent marker floor:
- Prepare the Floor: Ensure that the floor surface is clean, dry, and free from dust or debris. You may need to sweep, vacuum, and mop the floor to prepare it.
- Plan Your Design: Before you start drawing on the floor, plan your design. You can create patterns, abstract art, geometric shapes, or any other creative concept you like. Sketch your design on paper if needed.
- Draw Your Design: Begin using permanent markers to draw your design directly on the floor. This is the creative part where you can let your imagination run wild. You can use various colors and create intricate or simple patterns, depending on your preference.
- Allow the Artwork to Dry: Give your marker drawings some time to dry completely. This may take a few hours, depending on the marker brand and the thickness of your lines.
- Seal the Artwork: To protect the artwork and make it more durable, apply a clear polyurethane or epoxy resin sealer over the entire floor surface. You can use a paintbrush or roller to apply the sealer evenly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the sealer you choose.
- Multiple Coats (Optional): Depending on the level of protection you want, you may apply multiple coats of sealer. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.
- Final Touches: Once the sealer is dry and your permanent marker floor is fully cured, you can add additional coats for added durability and shine.
Keep in mind that creating a permanent marker floor is a unique and artistic endeavor. While it can be a fun and creative way to personalize your living space, it may not be the most practical option for high-traffic areas, as marker ink can wear off over time. The sealer is essential for preserving the artwork and making it more resistant to daily wear and tear. Additionally, proper ventilation and safety precautions should be taken when working with sealers in enclosed spaces.
This interior design blog about DIY Home Projects: Fabulous Drawing Marker and Penny Floors was published by: Nazmiyal Rugs located in the heart of Manhattan, New York city.
