Elegant black bench and pillows on the front porch

I’m painting the porch.

Well….actually I’m painting the cement floor of the porch to make it look like a rug.

I wish I could tell you that it has been easy or that it only took an afternoon or that stencils and porch paint worked seamlessly together.

But I can’t.

*sigh*

It has been an arduous journey.

I’ll keep you posted.

And until I figure it out…..here’s a little porch project that I did last year that was much more successful.

How to paint stripes on your porch steps

How to Paint Striped Porch Steps

 

Paint for front porch steps : $34.70

Paintbrush to paint front porch steps:  $6.97

This porch transformation was so easy- I didn't even need to change my earrings

Totally transforming your front porch steps for $41.67 while wearing these:               

……priceless

Seriously.

I think my favorite thing about my new porch steps is that I went all Genevieve Gorder and painted them wearing giant silver hoop earrings.

Actually…..I think I was one step away from cork wedges and a pair of leopard skinny jeans.

Design Star would have been so proud.

The completed paint job on the steps- easy and impactful

Supplies:

Concrete Paint

Frog tape

Pencil

Measuring tape

Paint brush

Frog tape, tape measure and pencil are the only supplies you need

Step 1:  Discover Debbie’s blog featuring Debbie and her amazing painted stairs

Immediately decide that Debbie is one of the premier stair painters on the planet.

E-mail Debbie and ask her all kind of questions about stair painting.

Marvel at her patience and understanding.

 

Step 2:  Paint steps and porch with base paint

Wait for it to dry.

Get impatient.

Walk on it before it’s dry.

Touch up and try to curb your impatience by watching Duck Dynasty.

Determine how wide you want your runner to be and place your Frog Tape

Step 3:  Determine how wide you want your runner to be

My front steps measure 9′ 9″.

I measured in two feet from each side, which means the entire width of my runner (including the stripe) is 5′ 9″.

I marked the two feet down the side and lined up three pieces of Frog tape.

Debbie used a DVD movie case to measure her stripes.

The girl is brilliant, I tell you.

Remove the inner piece of tape for a perfectly measured stripe

 Step 4:  The best stripe painting tip EVER

After I taped down three pieces of tape, I just peeled up the middle piece of tape, leaving a perfectly spaced stripe…..without ever having to measure.

I’m not sure where I read this tip.

If you told me this tip or I read it on your blog, my perfectly spaced stripes applaud you.

Or it could have been just the giant silver hoops whispering in my ear.

Apply the paint to your steps

Step 5:  The second best stripe painting tip EVER

Paint a strip of the base coat to seal the edges of the tape.

#majorstripepaintingtimesaver

Then paint the area between the pieces of tape and the center of the stairs with a lighter paint color than your base color.

For example, my base color was a light gray.

I painted my runner with a cream concrete paint for contrast.

When dry, peel back the tape

Step 6:  Peel back the tape

I did it right away while the lighter paint was still wet.

Pull it slowly back towards you for a clean crisp edge.

Here’s what my finished steps looked like after I painted them!

Here's another look at the final painted porch steps- love it!

Total front step transformation brought to you by Debbie and a pair of giant silver hoops 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Sally Sally

    I've always loved these porch steps. What a fabulous look. Good luck with your current project. Hope everything works out Rock Star! (Don't forget to put on some great earrings!)

  2. Image for Susan Susan

    Karianne if you can pull off the Genevive Gorder thing then go for it girl! I've been accused of using a few power tools with bracelets 1/2 way up my arm myself.... LOL! Your steps look beautiful, I love grain sack stripes on everything and yours is a subtle masterpiece! Susan

  3. Image for shirley@housepitalitydesigns shirley@housepitalitydesigns

    Projects always turn out so much nicer when wearing bling...and you added great bling to your steps...love the stripes! Have a great weekend!!

  4. Image for Courtenay Courtenay

    I have some back door steps that are in need of this treatment, like, right now! Can't wait to see your painted rug too once you get it figured out! :)

  5. Image for Gloria Ray Gloria Ray

    It is always in the details.....and these stairs are certainly an example of that!!!! What a great look! Enjoying your blog! Gloria

  6. Image for stacey stuwe stacey stuwe

    KariAnne, you are a hoot!! The steps look wonderful and silver hoops are my fav!! You make me want to transform everything in my home, inside and out!! Love ya Gal, Keep up the good work! Keep Looking Up, Stace

  7. Image for Kathy Kathy

    Hi! To tell you the truth, I skim over diy's because I wouldn't get those lovely results, but I laughed over your earrings, wedges and jeans story. Thanks for starting my day off with a smile:)

  8. Image for Donnamae Donnamae

    Gorgeous...love those stripes! Remember Trading Spaces...Genevieve went barefoot half the time. So, keep the earrings, put on your red lipstick, skinny jeans, and no shoes....then you'll be able to paint the rug! :D. Enjoy your weekend! ;)

  9. Image for Linda @ it all started with paint Linda @ it all started with paint

    I went through like three rolls of painter's tape when I painted the rug on my front porch. And now I need to repaint the porch this summer again ... which will include a new porch rug design. And maybe some stencils. And definitely lots of hair pulling out ... :) me

  10. Image for Nicole Nicole

    What are the trees that are at the base of the stairs? Are they Inkberry Holly? I have only see it as a shrub, not a standard.

  11. Image for Becca Becca

    Isn't it amazing what power big hoop earrings can give a girl? The steps look fabulous ... look forward to seeing your painted porch!

  12. Image for Bliss Bliss

    I'm gonna start calling you Midas, because you've got the golden touch - it looks great. I especially like the earrings. The only thing I do different is wear my big hoops with my jammies when I hold the paint brush. Bliss

  13. Image for bj bj

    O, yes, I do remember this beautiful step runner...adorable. The whole porch....??? Wow, what a huge job... maybe you need to go get a tatoo to tuff'n you up for such a big job....:))

  14. Image for Regina Regina

    That is gorgeous. We have a wooden porch, but concrete steps that look AWFUL. It's on my list of things to do this summer. Paint them, I mean. And a stripe would be amazing. :) Loved the earrings, and I loved the black "orb" that you had in one of your planters. Did you make that, or buy it? and if so, where did you GET it! It looks so pretty! Happy sunshiny Friday! Yay!!!!!!

  15. Image for Marian Marian

    I am so glad to hear that you have confidence inspiring earrings. And that you like to ask a ton of question before starting a new project. I knew there was a reason I liked you so much. We need to go out to lunch to talk about our most capable looking outfits and where to buy great silver earrings and where to get the best deal on spray paint and stuff.

  16. Image for Gee Gee

    Geez! Now I want steps... Steps leading to a porch that I can paint in skinny jeans, wedges and silver hoops. I have everything except the steps. Hmmm. They look wonderful. Good luck on the 'rug' painting. Awaiting the reveal. Hugs, Gee

  17. Image for gina gina

    I paid someone to paint my porch and it doesn't look as good as yours! You mention curbing our enthusiasm by watching Duck Dynasty. Fun show! I have a duck hunting husband, but no dynasty. But the Gator Boys do live in my neighborhood when they are in Florida! This is a bragging right for my son, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. At least I know who to call if a gator turns up in the canal in my back yard!

  18. Image for Pinky Pinky

    I am thinking maybe the whole porch will require some MAJOR bling:) I remember when you did the steps, they look awesome and I love,love, love your porch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great weekend. XO, pinky

  19. Image for Haley Haley

    I love this!!! I have two hairy beasts that lay on my porch all day maybe they would appreciate a nice paint job?! Love your Genevieve inspired hoops!!

  20. Image for Michele Michele

    HUGE APPLAUSE TO YOU AND TO DEBBIE! (And to those fabulous earrings!) That looks so amazing, I adore it - your curb appeal just went up 10 notches!

  21. Image for Sharon Sharon

    Ahhhhsome!! Looks amazing. Just a couple of ?'s : are they real, or fake...I am referring to those wonderful spiral trees on either side of your door. They are kewl! AND, where did you get those wonderful black orbs that encircle the rounded bushes? Luv!

  22. Image for amy amy

    The steps are great. Now I know why I can never get anything done around here--I don't have any beautiful solver hoop earrings! Love it!

  23. Image for Patty Patty

    I love this transformation, and if I didn't comment on your prev post I will - are you superwoman?! How the heck did you get that armoire done in a day!? It takes me a week just to get a breakfast tray painted, distressed, sealed, decoupaged and sealed again. And then I when I'm finished I need a vacation from it. Of course, that doesn't include the 14 trips to the AS store or Michaels either. I think I'm getting too old for this creative stuff, but you keep bringing on great ideas and you do them with fancy earrings and red lipstick and I start getting delusional that I can do it too! Sigh. Maybe I need a glass of wine before I start my next project - the hutch. Wish me luck, this one may push me over the edge. By the way, all your projects are fab, love your armoire.

  24. Image for Debbie Debbie

    I wish I could take credit for the advice for your steps...but no, I can't. But I can pin it and use the real Debbie's and your advice when I do mine! What a great way to add curb appeal! I love it! Another Debbie :)

  25. Image for Lauren Lauren

    One, that looks amazing! I would have never thought of something like that but it's gorgeous. Two, when I'm using Frog Tape or 3M's Edge Lock (which I personally like better than Frog Tape) I run a damp, clean rag along the edge to start the gel activation. That way there isn't even a remote chance that the first coat of paint to activate the gel will get under the tape.

  26. Image for Beckie Beckie

    That looks so regal girlfriend. Someday I am going to make it down to your neck of the woods so I can ooh and ahhh over your talent. Hugs love!

  27. Image for Linda Marsh Linda Marsh

    Hi, Could you please tell me where to find the trees that you have in pots at the front door on each side? Your porch is beautiful! I need those trees at my door in Florida:) Blessings, Linda

  28. Image for Amy W. Amy W.

    Amazing project!! Would love it if you would share at my {all things creative} linky party! https://www.theblissfulbeeblog.com/2013/04/1-year-blogiversary-linky-party.html xo amy

  29. Image for Little Bit Little Bit

    well, first of all, the steps look amazing! I love the restrained style! very classy. And secondly, I'm so glad to see you acknowledged your source for help and inspiration. I had a similar experience, but I was the one being asked tons of complicated drapery questions... holding their hand through the entire project... and then when they posted on their finished product... silence.... not a single word. But really, that's ok, it's just nice to see it when people do say 'thanks' and acknowledge we're all helping and inspiring each other. BTW: thank you, you really inspire me! Little Bit from www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com

  30. Image for Diana Diana

    Inspiring! I'm about to redo my unsightly side steps and wanted to know how this paint project has help up for you now a 2 months later. Any additional tips? Thank you.

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