A better title for this post would be “Pinterest Challenge: Part II”, since Pinterest Challenge Part I was a big ‘ol flop. To jog your memory, here is the rubber mat I painted and ended up hating…
and here is the mat (from marthastewart.com) that I should have made…
Now if there is one thing I am good at, it’s perseverance. I keep at my projects until they look the way I want them to (like my white bed, hexagon table and penny countertop…though I did give up on my slipcovers…). Anyway, the day after I posted my ombre mat I was already buying supplies to replace it. Perseverance is a blessing and a curse, lol.
Martha’s website recommends using cedar or mahogany 2 X 2’s. At Lowes the cedar ones were $2.75 for four feet (two planks) and some quick math showed that it was going to cost more than I wanted to spend. Then I spotted some pine ones that were less than $1.50 for eight feet (four planks). Much better. My husband warned me that pine would warp and wasn’t the best choice for outdoor projects…but for half price I decided to throw caution to the wind and try anyway.
This project was really easy and my boys were all over it. Here they are trying to decide if I had bought the right amount of wood (I hadn’t).
I didn’t start the project for a few days after Adam cut everything down, but that doesn’t mean Elijah forgot about it…
And when I finally got around to working on it Elijah was right there with me. I drilled holes in all the planks and he diligently measured my feet.
I can’t believe I just posted a picture of my foot on the internet…they are my least favorite feature. Somehow I was blessed with super flat “flipper-esque” size tens to go with my 5’3″ body. My old nail polish doesn’t help things either, but it is what it is.
Moving on.
FYI for all you wooden mat makers…your holes may not be even. I measured and marked all mine at three inches in….the drill went in where it was supposed to, but where it came out on the other end was a surprise every time. Whatever, it’s fine…rope is flexible!
I gave them a coat of stain (English Chestnut by Minwax) and polyurethane. I polyed them pretty heavily in hopes that it would help them not to warp. I have no idea if the two are related, but I figured it couldn’t hurt.
Then I just laced them together with the rope, tying a knot between each plank. And yes, your fingers will hurt when you are done.
I kept knotting away, and the longer mat become the more I couldn’t get Dances With Wolves out of my head. “Good trade” …I think I feel a movie night coming on.
And here is my wooden welcome mat (aka giant indian chestpiece). It fit’s in sooo much better than the blue ombre one.
But wait, there’s more…I made two! When you have two front doors hanging out awkwardly on your porch you have to make two mats. Also, when you are scooping things out of the way for pictures, its good to remember that the glass on your front doors will give you away, haha.
The second one is smaller than the first, we want to make sure the real front door gets all the glory. (If you’re wondering where the heck this mysterious second door leads, it goes into our laundry room.)
And there you have it! I love them and will not be making a third mat :) If they start to warp I’ll update the post so that future tutorial followers will know not to use pine. (UPDATE 7/2013 – they are holding up perfectly!)
Melissa~ says
July 23, 2012 at 10:01 pmthese are great, i do still love the ombre mat though. where did you end up putting that one?!
also, what kind of rope did you use?
M~
Ashley says
July 25, 2012 at 9:19 pmThe ombre mat is now classin up the new garage. And I’m not sure what kind of rope I used…it was cheap and scratchy though.
Holly says
July 23, 2012 at 10:07 pmI love these! Nicely done. Pine may not be the best option but it looks like they in a covered area so that will probably help keep them looking better longer. Great job.
Jan Elizabeth says
July 23, 2012 at 11:46 pmThose are really nice! You did an awesome job, ably assisted by the world’s busiest little helper. Omg, he’s so cute! :) I like these better than the ombre mat as well. They are very striking and have that natural vibe that looks so good with the plants and colours.
I am trying to figure out how to show you photos of the stenciled dresser and I’ll let you know once I figure that out.
Cheers!
[email protected] says
July 24, 2012 at 6:51 amThose are awesome! I love using power tools so I might just have to try this. Thanks for the inspiration!
Roxie says
July 24, 2012 at 7:10 amCedar is another wood that is not expensive and will take the weather. I have seen one of these made for a bath mat. It was used in an old bathroom that had some uneven ugly floors. It turned out super cute.
Yours looks great. One idea too, if you want that 2nd door to ‘go away’ and blend into the wall. Paint it like the rest of the house. The windows. Not the front door. Then remove the mat. Put a plant in front of the door and it will come to look like a window. (I have one of those 2nd doors on my front porch too) Now no one will confuse what door to use.
Tina says
July 24, 2012 at 8:05 amThose are the best mats I’ve seen yet! Isn’t Pinterest addicting! Looks even better than Martha’s! I need your motivation to start a project that involves some type of wood! I hate to sand wood, it’s like fingernails on chalkboard to me! Hopefully I can talk my husband into starting my end tables so that I can do some stenciling! Great work!!! Your boys are adorable!
Karen says
July 24, 2012 at 8:30 amLove ’em ! Great job !
Tara says
July 24, 2012 at 8:42 amI gotta say, I was a little skeptical based on the Martha picture, but yours turned out gorgeous! They look so great , I hope the pine holds up well, it would be a shame if they warped.
Alexis S. says
July 24, 2012 at 11:27 amI definitely like this wooden mat a lot more than the other one. It would fit in so nicely with our own condo front door! I just need to get a drill…. Thanks for sharing!
Rika Mullins says
July 24, 2012 at 12:45 pmI love them! I will definitely be making a couple for our house. And just to let you know, I have flat, size 10 feet also. ;) Lol
Danyelle Franciosa says
July 24, 2012 at 7:46 pmIt is a great idea to make a wooden mat like this and very impressive. By the way I love seeing your kids helping you to make this wooden mat and they enjoyed a lot.
Brie - BreezyPinkDaisies says
July 24, 2012 at 8:11 pmHello there! I’m a new follower! Found you from Vanessa blog, Love Live DIY – love the post about how you paid off your home. Congrats! :) We just bought a home and I hope we can also knock our mortgage out sooner! OH – and I LOVE this mat. Adorable! If you want to make a third one, my new house will need one :) jk
Brie @ Breezy Pink Daisies
Brie - BreezyPinkDaisies says
July 25, 2012 at 7:13 amArgh! I meant Virginia not Vanessa! And her blog would be LiveLoveDIY. lol I hate it when I get things wrong and then randomly remember them in the shower…weird I know :)
Ashley says
July 25, 2012 at 2:46 pmLol! I knew what you meant! I remember things while in the shower too…it’s the only time it’s quiet and I have time to think.
Ellie says
July 25, 2012 at 12:51 amThis post gave me a good yuck!! Love your sense of humor and the mats look great. Your little guys are adorable! Something about boys…they love to “help” with everything :)
Teresa says
July 25, 2012 at 8:59 amIt looks like the ombre mat was a faster project but your wooden mat has a much more sophisticated look. LOVE IT!
Jets Jewelry says
July 25, 2012 at 9:04 pmI think those are wonerful. I would love to make some for my entrance from the garage to the house. It might be a good idea in the shower area.
Daniela says
July 25, 2012 at 9:40 pmI might have to try this one!! we ave a covered porch…so maybe pine would do fine!
Kathryn Griffin says
July 25, 2012 at 10:23 pmOh, wow! What a great job you have done! And, the little men…how cute!! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from The Shabby Creek. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-7.html Hope to see you at the bash. Wishing you a grand week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Bethany Marcello says
July 26, 2012 at 11:21 amThis wooden mat looks great, and we’d love to feature it on CraftFoxes.com as a how-to. Interested? Feel free to email me at [email protected].
Ashley says
July 26, 2012 at 11:49 amI’d love to be featured…e-mailing you right now!
Jess @ Spool and Spoon says
July 26, 2012 at 3:35 pmLove this!! New follower :) (Thank you BlogHer for leading me to you!!)
MJ says
July 26, 2012 at 9:38 pmLove the second attempt mat. It seems like all of my DIY tries always end up in disaster the first time around. I love the wooden mat, though. I might have to try one for our back deck. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
July 26, 2012 at 10:38 pmWow, those mats look AMAZING! I really wish we had a porch or outdoor area at all (we live in an apartment) cuz I would so be making one! I’ll have to pin it and wait until we move somewhere else :-) I’d be thrilled if you want to share this at my current link party: http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/07/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-9/
Lisa says
July 27, 2012 at 8:59 amThe mat is awesome! More importantly! I’m 5′ 4″, and I wear a size 9!!! I feel your pain. I call them ski feet. What’s worse, when I find really cute shoes, inevitably when I get to them in my size, they are big, awkward, and ugly!
Mom of A and a says
July 27, 2012 at 4:49 pmwow! That’s just great and I would love to have an update on how they’re doing!
Toodie says
July 28, 2012 at 1:58 amPERFECT!!
jacky @ small home love says
July 28, 2012 at 8:09 pmI love it! I’ve been looking for a cool mat for the back entry, I am so stealing this idea.
Malory says
July 29, 2012 at 10:30 amThis is amazing! You have such a knack for wooden projects. I would love for you to share it at Snips & Spice Sunday Slice.
Malory
http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2012/07/sunday-slice-its-party-5.html
Jo Linda says
July 29, 2012 at 9:37 pmlove this project! will be hitting lowes in the Am for supplies. Also love the feet I also sport lovely size 10 super flat paddles. Luckily I’m a statuesque 5’4″ so i can carry them off :)
Ashley says
July 30, 2012 at 7:50 amLol, that one inch makes all the difference!
Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside says
July 30, 2012 at 7:37 amI REALLY like this! You did a great job! I’m gonna do this and use the pine too! Thanks for sharing!
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
July 30, 2012 at 8:48 amYour project feels perfect for summer! Give yourself a huge pat on the back. Well done!
Susan @ Ready Home says
July 31, 2012 at 5:20 amVisiting from the link-up party at homework. Love these mats! And your little helper is adorable!
Judy says
July 31, 2012 at 8:13 pmYou did a great job. I love this mat! Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.
Jeri Niksich says
July 31, 2012 at 9:12 pmI love the matts, I think they are both perfect & I’m for sure going to make one for my size 10 Clod Hoppers. Course hubby wont be happy since he don’t trust me with a drill he’ll be the one drilling. Thanks for the great idea!
Kim (The Money Pit) says
August 1, 2012 at 10:22 pmWow! This is a great project.. I think I have to copy it too! Let us know how the pine holds up! (BTW.. I found this post via Sugar Bee Crafts!) Thanks for sharing!
Shannon says
August 1, 2012 at 10:32 pmWow. I’m speechless. Your wooden mats are gorgeous!! Very professional looking.
Aimee - It's Overflowing says
August 3, 2012 at 7:38 pmI have loved this cute wooden mat forever…now I have to get to it! It’s GORGEOUS!!! I’m featuring you tomorrow.
XO, Aimee
Roeshel says
August 4, 2012 at 4:42 pm{giggle} Showing your feet means we know “you” did it! Beautiful job, Ashley! I love the color and you sure made it look easy! Love them!
BeColorful says
August 5, 2012 at 2:53 pmA great looking project and some pretty good looking help to boot. :D Thanks for sharing this week.
p
[email protected] says
August 6, 2012 at 6:02 pmThanks so much for sharing with us at Someday Crafts! I am featuring your project tonight on the blog. Thanks for the inspiration!
Mandy says
August 6, 2012 at 9:51 pmWow, this looks great! I’m glad that you mentioned that the holes you drilled came out all uneven. That was one of my first thoughts about **why I could never do this**. After seeing this, I might just give it a go!
Christina @ The Murrayed Life says
November 4, 2012 at 9:20 pmThis has been on my list for well over a year, and just re-entered because of your beautiful success!! I love them, and they look more durable than the mats we currently use. Plus my german shepherd’s hair won’t stick like glue…
Ashley says
November 5, 2012 at 7:30 amYou know, they are holding up beautifully even though I made them out of cheap pine. No regrets…go for it!
Rachel O. says
February 12, 2013 at 2:42 pmI love the door mats! Have you ever thought of putting some kind of clever sign over the laundry room door? Maybe a chalkboard sign hung by rope and you can make it say “Mud Room” on uninspired days, or put a quote on inspired days, or holiday greetings when appropriate?
Naomi says
July 5, 2013 at 2:11 pmYour perseverance was worthwhile! These are fabulous *gets in the car to DIY shop*
nicole says
October 10, 2013 at 10:07 pmThis is very interesting, I’m might make one for a gift for someone I know who’d love this.
Lydia says
May 8, 2015 at 12:13 amDid you use anything for bottom nonslip pads.
Sheila Zeller says
July 18, 2015 at 1:24 pmI really love your 2×2 mats! They caught my eye in my Pinterest travels. We are in the middle of moving into a new-to-us (rental) home, and I’d really love to give these a go. We have 4 (not a typo!) exterior doors in one area, and I’m thinking this is the answer. Now, about tying all those knots! ;-) Thanks so much for sharing.
Ashley says
July 19, 2015 at 10:36 amI love my mats and they have held up awesome! They only thing is that the rope has stretched and I need to redo it. I’m thinking that this time, instead if tying knots I’m going to put metal nuts between the slats. That way I can just tighten he ends when needed instead of redoing the whole thing. Plus I think it would look cool :)
toplessfrog says
October 11, 2015 at 3:02 pmOK…. that blue thing that ‘you should’ve made’…….. NO WAY!!!!!!
You did beyond waaaay better with the wood.
I just love them and now have a bug-up-lower-rump to do the same!!!!!
…..exactly as you did —- stain color and all!!!!!
Excellent outcome missy!!!!
Thanks for the fyi/instructional (found you via google images)
Can’t thank you enough….. and ps: wear that old polish proudly just like the rest of most of us ;)
Curso Seo says
November 16, 2016 at 5:18 pmThat is amazing. I will work this weekend on that, just that I need to my entry door. Thank you for the tip.
The DIY Hubby says
January 9, 2017 at 6:20 amLovely idea! There is no end to what you can do with wood – That’s why I love it and always consider wood first when looking for material to fabricate something.
Kevin Smith says
May 1, 2017 at 5:22 amWhat a great wooden mat you have. I love your ideas and you have inspired me to create one for my laundry room :)
Jenn says
July 18, 2017 at 7:49 pmDid you use 1/2″ or 1/4″ Rope?
ToolVee says
September 21, 2017 at 4:44 amWOODEN WELCOME MAT, really an interesting idea. Loved it.
But don’t you think we would not be able to clean our shoes on that?
Carol Dias says
October 28, 2017 at 2:05 pmour these rugs are going to be beautiful in my house, thank you so much for these great tips. Really enjoyed !!
Carla Magalhães says
January 22, 2018 at 9:46 pmHi! Lovely ideia! I’ll try in my house.
James Draper says
February 24, 2018 at 10:22 amFantastic work Ashley and those progress shots are beyond cute. Never done wooden doormats before but your beautiful result got me eager to try it myself!
Eletricista em Osasco says
March 3, 2018 at 6:26 pmVery good, to be part of an electrical engineering company, more specifically we are Eletricista em Osasco
Anonymous says
April 25, 2018 at 9:27 pmI’m not really into woodworks and I only read your post for research purposes but I must say I love your sense of humor and writing style!
Adriano Lopes says
June 27, 2018 at 7:58 pmGreat item, thank you!
David Harper says
July 28, 2018 at 11:25 amFantastic work Ashley. Your project feels perfect for summer and those progress shots are beyond cute. Never done wooden doormats before but your beautiful result got me eager to try it myself!
Tiago Oliveira says
August 2, 2018 at 9:58 pmI really loved this post, right now im going to buy all the material to make one for me!! Hope this easy as it seem!
Paulo Roberto Da Costa Junior says
October 3, 2018 at 9:10 amWell! What an article! Really love it!
Sara says
October 3, 2018 at 9:11 amWell! What an article! Really love the way you wrote!
Aylen moema says
October 18, 2018 at 3:12 pmThis is a helpful post for making doormat. Thanks again for share an idea with us. I hope you will share with us a new concept for home.
Michael M Selby says
November 28, 2018 at 6:56 amI like your work and article you written was really awesome. I didn’t do any kind of work like you. But after reading your article now i would like do something like you. Thank You
Esquecer pessoa amada says
February 7, 2019 at 1:25 pmwow! amazing! I found it super creative !! Surely I will.
Stihl Chainsaw Sharpener says
May 9, 2019 at 7:15 amThe product where you have to buy because you can place it in front of your home where the dirt-there will be less dirt also it plays as doormat in the entrance of your door. The product is designed is made of wood where it has to make drill using the driller then joint those wooden bars in a vertical position then make all those things arranged. Quite an innovative product where you can place at the entrance of a your home looks quity catchy to the eyes.