This giveaway is officially closed. Keep scrolling to see if you’re the winner!!
This post was brought to you in partnership with The Home Depot and ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape.
Even though we are well out of school by this point, there’s still something really special about the summer season. But without the luxury of an OFFICIAL break from responsibility as adults, we have to put forth a conscious effort to make those summer time memories more than just wishful thinking. So John and I agreed to a special pact starting last Friday that we would do something summery every single day. Today’s project is the perfect kick off to that promise!
I am also proud to be partnering with ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape and The Home Depot on this simple DIY project as part of their Ready, Set, Paint event and blog hop, featuring tons of fun DIY summer painting projects by some super talented fellow bloggers. We’re talking updated patio furniture, a GORGEOUS Ikea hack, a dip dyed wooden bench and much more. See all of the fun links at the end of this post.
So let’s start with the inspiration for this project. I’ve been teasing you guys with a certain HomeGoods purchase for what feels like months. As soon as I saw this metal Moroccan style table in the store, I knew that it was “the one.” The scroll work around the sides of the piece was really interesting, and the vibrant orange color really caught my eye. Plus, the smooth flat table top seemed perfectly suited to summer time game playing on the back porch. But why stop with a place to rest our game boards when I could turn it INTO a game board?
Enter ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape. When approached to participate in the Ready, Set, Paint event, I knew just what to pitch to the team. Believe it or not though, I had never actually used ScotchBlue tape before. As you know, I tend to be a bit impatient when I actually start working on my projects and usually grab for the nearest material in our closets – namely cheapo masking tape that we already have on hand.
Well let me tell you (and this is my honest feedback…) I have been missing out!! There’s a reason why this stuff has made such a name for itself – I’ve never used anything like it, and sufficiently feel like a dud for not giving it a try until now.
To begin making my game table, I grabbed my supplies (table, painter’s tape, ruler, straight edge, pencil, scissors) and parked myself in front of the TV. This project is just a TINY bit tedious, so it’s good to have something on in the background to keep you occupied/entertained.
Since my little HomeGoods table isn’t big (it’s only about two feet wide) I knew my gaming squares couldn’t be very big either. So I intentionally chose the 1 inch painter’s tape so that I could cut out 1×1 inch squares. To measure, I unrolled a length of tape right on the tabletop itself and, using a ruler and pencil, marked every inch. Then I grabbed my straight edge (i.e. a Dwell Magazine subscription postcard) and turned my little tick marks into nice straight lines to use as guides for cutting.
Once my lines were traced, I cut out the squares one by one and stuck them to the side of the game table. This process went on until I had a nice collection ready for placing. Then I carefully laid them in a checkerboard pattern on the tabletop. I didn’t have any qualms about sticking and re-sticking the painter’s tape, because it turned out to be really resilient, holding its adhesive after several placements.
Once I was finished with the design, I carefully lined the edges with four long lengths of tape, and then masked the rest of the table to prepare it for painting using none other than a handful of trash bags. Doesn’t look very fancy, but it definitely got the job done. And we have since reused all of the trash bags just by turning the painted sides outside in, so don’t worry about wasting any materials if you try this at home.
Next up – The paint. I used a can of Valspar white paint that we already had in the garage, one with a nice flat paint+primer finish. I had initially debated using a color for the checkerboard pattern – something like blue, or even hot pink – but eventually decided on a clean white since I didn’t want it to compete with the orange table itself.
A few thin and even coats later, I let the table dry for a few hours and then removed the trash bags and painter’s tape, happily revealing a perfectly crisp pattern underneath. The tape was super easy to remove too – Just a little pull at the corner and the pieces came right off without harming the surface of the table whatsoever. Although the pile of used tape below looks nasty, I’d swear that I could have moved it right over to another table and reused every last bit. I am a convert, for sure.
Before calling this project “Done,” I gave the table top 2 thin and even coats of a clear, glossy sealant just to make sure my paint wouldn’t chip off in the long run. I also managed a quick DIY game piece project on the side. To make those, I bought two packs of 1/2 inch wooden button plugs at our local craft store for $3 total and spray painted one set a soft mint color and the other gray. They came out exactly as I’d hoped and fit nicely within my custom checkerboard.
We’ve had a blast playing a game or two after dinner each night. Although it lives in our living room, the size of the table makes it a cinch to grab and take out to the back porch if we’re having particularly nice weather any given evening. This was a really affordable and simple project, and one that I know will come in super handy throughout the entire season.
Now for the fun part for YOU guys. The Home Depot has generously offered to give away one $75 Home Depot Gift Card to one of my lovely, crafty readers!
To Enter:
Leave a comment with a link to your favorite summer DIY or paint project – Could be one of your own, or something you found on your favorite blog, website or on Pinterest. The winning commenter will be chosen via Random.org at the end of the day Thursday, June 27th, and I will announce the winner on Friday, June 28th. (U.S. residents only)
And if you were inspired by today’s post, be sure to visit with all of the other fantastic bloggers in the Ready, Set, Paint Blog Hop:
Centsational Girl – Textured Panel Dresser Makeover
Thrifty and Chic Framed Stencil Wall
The Design Confidential DIY Concrete Color Block Painted Tables
Sand & Sisal Faux Etched Glass
The Girl Creative Summer Chalkboard
PB & J Stories Dipped Effect Outdoor Bench and Front Patio Makeover
In My Own Style How to Paint Outdoor Furniture
Making this Home Embellish with a Paint Border
Rustic Bench Gets Modern Moroccan-Inspired Makeover
Want even MORE DIY summer paint project inspiration? Check out the ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Pinterest Page, The Home Depot Pinterest Page, ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape’s Facebook Page and The Home Depot’s Facebook Page.
My favorite summer diy so far has been a picnic blanket I made with a painters drop canvas. It’s got canvas on one side, vinyl on the other. The original project inspiration involved painting it, but I decided I wanted canvas on one side, and bright fabric on the other with the plastic in the middle. I might still go back and paint something on the canvas though because why not? 🙂
Sounds like so much fun!
I found this post on how to make a Gourd Bird House.
It looks pretty easy too.
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-make-a-gourd-bird-house/index.html
Nice! Let us know if you try it!!
Congrats Carrie on all this exciting stuff happening on your blog! This table looks great! How fun to make it into a game table!
I am going to try painting an outdoor rug!
Thanks, Megan! Glad you like the table =) Good luck with your rug!!
Here’s the project I think is awesome:
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2013/05/textured-panel-dresser-makeover/
Very nice! Thanks for sharing!!
Great job on the game table. I would use the 75.00 gift card to buy more spray paint for my next front porch remodel. I used three cans of rustoleum spray paint in grape for each purple chair on my porch. And check out my purple front door. So sassy!
http://afternoonartist.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/making-an-entrance-part-iii-colorful-porch-makeover/
Thank you! How cool is that?!
I am working on painting the patio furniture. http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-clean-and-paint-a-wicker-chair/index.html
Fabulous!! I’m jealous =)
I love how the table turned out, great idea! I would really like to make one of these maps. http://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/2012/07/pinterest-challenge-gilded-map-art.html
Thanks! And very cool!!
Maybe because it reminds me of middle school Summers where the days seemed endless, but I am loving friendship bracelets right now. I can’t wait to tackle this one http://lamanufacture.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/spread-the-love-heart-pattern-friendship-bracelets/
How fun! Love that idea.
This DIY painted peacock chair is beautiful!–http://pinterest.com/pin/400046379370526761/
Oh, it is!!
These coasters are fun and simple, and can be brightened up with some paint or colored string!
http://hickorytrailblog.blogspot.jp/2013/06/diy-coasters.html
Definitely!! Cool idea!
I love how this Ikea cart was repainted! I have the same one and kept thinking that it needed a definite pick-me-up. http://pinterest.com/pin/128985976800883608/
So cute! Now I want to try!! =)
http://www.krylon.com/projects/seasonal/summer/bird-houses/ is something we have planned to make this summer!
Fun!
I had a fun time making the DIY chalkboard project you posted. I love how it turned out.
https://www.dreamgreendiy.com/2012/08/20/pinspiration-monday-quotable-chalkboard-art/
I put up a note yesterday that said “I love my family.” I woke up with a note that said. “Please pick up the dry cleaning.” 🙂
Haha, awww…So cute!!
Love me some summer DIY projects! Ours are all wood based this month – one of my favorites so far has been a growth chart that I gave my Dad for his birthday and Father’s day. We’re moving houses and this allowed us to transfer all of our wall-marked heights to our new home, so fun to put my own spin on it! (and SUPER easy!)
http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2012/02/20/daily-delight-oversized-ruler-growth-chart/
That is so sweet…Love the idea!
Something I’m going to do very soon http://www.designsponge.com/2011/07/diy-project-chevron-pattern-fan-blades.html
We are building a house and saved some money with some very plain ceiling fans for the guest bedrooms, one of these ceiling fans will get a very special chevron treatment 🙂
Oh, how cool is that?! Send pictures if you do it!
I like this DIY project:
http://pinterest.com/pin/362680576212236427/
Perfect for summer (and fall!)
I just saw you in BHG and decided to stop by and say “HI”. Congrats !! Now I have to enter this giveaway by sharing my most recent favorite paint project done by…me. You can see it at http://www.saving4six.com/2013/06/wardrobe-makeover-with-homemade-chalk.html
Thanks for this opportunity. I’m always at Home Depot and would love to win the Gift Card!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog! Hope you’re enjoying it and good luck with the giveaway!! Love your project 🙂
We just bought our first home with plenty of this gold…..eh. I think it’s one of the best uses of paint with BIG change!!
http://stylewithcents.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00:00:00-06:00&updated-max=2012-01-01T00:00:00-06:00&max-results=8
Woa – You’re right!!
i love using stencils on canvases from a craft store and just making simple fun art to change up around the house!
Great idea =)
I would love to make this dog “house” http://pinterest.com/pin/86975836526575448/
So cute!!
I am dying to do this in a baby’s room someday 🙂
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2013/05/textured-panel-dresser-makeover/
I love the checkers table! And I still am obsessed with your yellow floral chair, the table looks awesome next to it!
Great idea! That would be so cute…And I’m glad you like the table!!
Oh, I love that idea 🙂
I just love this idea
http://pinterest.com/pin/116178865360236883/
I found this blog to recover outdoor cushions. So this summer I am going to paint & revive my furniture with a fun, new cushions to give it a whole new look!
That sounds like such a great project!
I like this summer DIY project for building seats/swings around a campfire
http://pinterest.com/pin/56365432809196332/
Oh, I love that idea!
How fun! I fell in love with this DIY map lantern: http://nothingbutbonfires.com/photos/4895769997. We made them for our wedding!
So cute! I know that must have been a hit at your wedding =)
I found this blog post showing a unique way of decorating a pillow by using tumeric to tie dye it, I thought it was really cute, I didn’t know you could use tumeric as a dye!
http://www.thefrisky.com/photos/whered-ya-find-that-15-awesome-diys-you-can-do-at-home/aa_diy_pillow/
I had no idea either! May have to try it out myself…
Great room! What’s the wall color?
Thanks!! It’s Halcyon Green from Sherwin Williams.
What is the color of the wall?
Halcyon Green from Sherwin-Williams.