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Oct 2, 2013

DIY: custom front door mat

When I started decorating our front porch for fall, I wasn't loving our front door mat that I settled with for lack of finding something better. It was kind of summery and pretty colorful. I cleaned it then put it away in storage because it was taking away from my rustic look and fall colors.

Ever since we moved into our new house, I've been on a quest for the perfect neutral front door mat. You may think I'm crazy, but it's the little details that make me happy. A front door mat is kind of a way to greet people or introduce yourself to guests. The first impression, if you will! Or maybe you don't even notice them and you think I am a weirdo :)

Unfortunately, every front door mat that I've fallen in love with is too thick for our outward swinging door.

I finally found just a thin, plain, basic good old rubber and coir door mat at walmart for $6-7. 


Hmm. I still wasn't thrilled. Although, some things are better off as less is more, I felt like this mat needed a little something more. 

I thought about painting pumpkins on it or something to do with harvest but then I thought it would make more sense to have an all-season theme then it will be one less thing I have to change out at harvest and Christmas time. Don't get me wrong... I love decorating for the seasons but sometimes all the details can be a lot of work. 

I thought and thought and thought for days over what I wanted to put on my mat. You would have thought with how hard I was thinking that I was a highschool student trying to figure out what college I wanted to go to. Or you may think I need to get a life. But hey, that's just how I am. It's all about the details. So anyways, I decided to do our name in our farm logo font and a silouhette of a tractor. 

Yet another easy DIY project that you guys can do too! Here's what I came up with and how I did it.



I started off by selecting a font and a clip art for my pattern. I formatted them in Illustrator. You can use Microsoft word or whatever program you can get your hands on! I printed them off onto cardstock.


I cut my patterns out with an exacto knife and scissors.


I then arranged my pattern how I wanted it to look on the mat. I took a black permanent marker and traced the outline of my pattern. The coir is not the easiest surface to work with but you'd be surprised on how well you can trace an outline. It doesn't have to be perfect; just so you can get an idea of where to paint.



Now that my pattern is traced on, I am ready to paint. I just used a basic acrylic paint. I am going to see how well it holds up. They also make an outdoor version of these acrylic paints. Maybe I will use that on my next mat!  Since my mat is under a covered porch, I wasn't too worried about it getting weathered by the rain.



I took a reall stiff brush with a smaller tip and just tapped it up and down like a stencil brush to fill in all the grooves of the coir. I would get a stencil brush just to make this project a little easier. I really didn't have to use any kind of technique to get smooth edges. You will find that the edges just kind of create themslelves on the coir as you fill in the shape. That's why using a smaller brush helps.



Don't you just love that feeling when a project is all done? Now, we can just wait for the paint to dry for a day or so and it will be ready to go! You don't want to toss your mat outside right after painting... it would just be your luck that the milk man shows up right away! Milk man? Do they still have those? Okay, maybe the Schwan's man!

Tractor Door Mat

I just love how it turned out! What do you think? Did I take away from the simplicity of the mat or do you like personlized things?

Tractor Door Mat

I think this would make a great Christmas gift! What do you think? I apologize to my friends and family in advance... looks like everyone will be getting customized door mats for Christmas this year! Just kidding... But no, maybe seriously... or am I? You'll never know.. 

Tractor Door Mat


Customized Front Door Mat with Tractor

Who wants to be the first guest to stop by and wipe their shoes on my mat? I'll even make you coffee :)


This project was a top 5 feature at :

15 comments:

  1. Stopping by to say hello and that you did a really good job on your door mat. It would make a unique and wonderful gift! Hope you have a wonderful day!

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    1. Hi Amber! I am glad you stopped by. Thanks for the comment and the compliment on my project! :)

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  2. I just found your blog! I love it, I'm a new follower!

    agirlandhersparkles.blogspot.com

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  3. This is such a great idea Kelly!! Love!

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  4. Wayy cute! And LOVE your boots too! I have a boot fetish, BAD!! Please come share this on a party I cohost, DIY Sunday Showcase! It opens at 5pm today!! I found you on From the Farm Blog Hop!

    Shelly
    minettesmaze.blogspot.com

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    1. Shelly, I have a boot fetish too....... I've had to downsize this last year! These are by Double H. I am on my second pair. I was going to get my old pair re-soled but decided to reserve them for farm work. Super comfy!! I will be sure to stop by your party in a few minutes. Thanks for stopping by and thank you for the comment :)

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    2. Hey thanks for sharing this on DIY Showcase!! I'm gonna pin this to our board!~!!

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  5. I love this idea and now I need to hunt for a mat like that to do a unique one too, except we don't have Walmart in Northern Ireland.

    Sandra
    Sandrasark.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Hi Sandra! Good luck searching for your mat :) Consider yourself lucky to not have a Walmart! Sometimes it's our only option around here as a lot of our mom and pop stores are closing down. I've always wanted to go to Ireland. I will have to check out your blog!

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  6. Love this. I to have been in search for the "perfect" door mat. Everything I find is either to cutesy, doesn't match our theme or not the right material. I love the idea of customizing it. Thanks.

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    1. Thanks, Tammy! I hope you find the perfect design to put on your door mat. You'll have to share when it's done :)

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  7. Sorry for the delay in notifying you but Congrats! You were featured on Friday’s Five Features over on DIY Vintage Chic. Stop by and grab yourself a button! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/10/dont-forget-to-stop-by-and-like-my.html

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