Design Your Own Welcome Mat

Southern Living, Apr 2005 by Fitts, Mary Leigh

These doormats are sure to be an inviting sight when placed on any front steps.

Put a little pep in your step with a personalized mat for your entry. Begin with a ready-made coir mat, and dress it up with some paint and creativity. Make your own stencils to create pretty patterns, or use tape to mark off stripes; then fill in with spray paint. They are so easy to make that you can craft one or two in a morning. There's only one problem-these decorative doormats are so pretty it's almost a shame to muddy them with your feet. MARY LEIGH FITTS

Going In Circles

Step 1: Apply exterior primer to the entire surface of mat. Allow primer to dry completely according to manufacturer's instructions.

Step 2: Create doughnut-shape or dot stencils from a sheet of craft foam. (Trace around various sizes of glasses or bowls with a grease pencil or pen.) Use a craft knife or scissors to cut out the stencils.

Step 3: Place stencils on mat (see photo at right), and then apply enamel spray paint in desired colors. Allow paint to dry according to manufacturer's instructions.

Making Stripes

If you're more in the mood for stripes than circles, follow these instructions.

Step 1: Apply primer to entire surface of mat, and allow it to dry according to manufacturer's instructions.

Step 2: Create stripes by placing duct tape on the mat. Do not worry about evenly spacing the tape; stripes with different widths are more fun.

Step 3: Apply spray paint in various colors, and allow it to dry according to manufacturer's instructions. Remove tape, and repeat process until the entire mat is covered in colorful stripes.