I debated about how I was going to do my rug for a while. Should I buy a nice plain rug from ikea and paint it? Should I try and find it used and get it for cheaper than the site? Should I just man up and buy it new from Z Gallerie?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvCPWtXk52NQRrkVqZW64IBmaF27GTQiNJZhx451BFQg9lNzAoI8JKOOK6cHvBZq289ufK-9NTY2vVignq36nJqBVW0ddcZzLXGTtaJKv2uW7cQtM-hRFpPxHcC5I4TQTDmBrBBCyKITQ/s400/union-jack-rug-044823127.jpg)
So instead I decided to go to Home Depot and practice my painting skills on something a little cheaper than a rug from ikea. A $10 drop cloth. I've seen people painting drop cloths all over blog land. I even painted a pillow myself a while back
here. But I never got up the nerve to do an entire rug.
The day finally came and I actually really love it. So much, in fact, that I don't think I'm going to do it on a rug, I'll just use this drop cloth.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mN7h6aMlqM7W5dUS5ZcI5CvMWp7guaYYhfrekrZ_FfqmyeZLOClW3uKMFrBpGaaawGc_fhy-blrLONpqGcjBTf7vNQOn4ybRJzt_DDZu764m6zagzAcYw-sX4DZ62SKwm88467pbirHS/s400/photo+%25281%2529.JPG)
I used the lines that were already in the cloth from the folds to guide me. It was a really easy project and it'll be even easier for you if you learn from my mistakes which are...
1. Don't use a paint brush to paint it on. A roller covered it 10 times faster but I didn't realize this until I was half way done.
2. Makes sure your tape is on really good or it will bleed through the tape lines.
3. It WILL go through the fabric. I have a beautiful new union jack flag painted on my garage floor courtesy of my stupidity.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBeSYJmCpSx3l4xfypMi-l1utLp8GDuaj7mAg8TiTSofss4p8N9qDG-FQpBnKZg0zJpgtRH_NDknWRK66xx3oSyYplFL0QUGqDIzczo0pyQUS60AjeA7zArxv9XUTWpMbZYeohRHOZseX/s400/photo+%25282%2529.JPG)
I wanted the paint colors to be similar but still contrasting. I got a paint sample called porpoise and used the driftwood gray color from my bedroom.
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It took about a day to dry all the way. I'll let you know how it holds up to crayons, crackers, and cooties.