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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

You guys, it was time. Remember that I added some much needed curb appeal to the front of my house by painting the front door and shutters a gorgeous blue and gray last summer? That made a huge improvement, but it was still sadly lacking…mainly because of the ugly, stained concrete slab that we call our front porch. Well, you can’t call it ugly now!
When 3M Tekk Protection asked if I wanted to do a project that added some curb appeal to my house in time for the Fourth of July, I knew immediately that it was time to tackle this concrete mess.
Ugh. I decided that since removing the concrete wasn’t a possibility, I would paint it with what else? Stripes! Painting concrete is not difficult, but you need to make sure you prep the surface well and get the right materials.
Here’s what you’ll need to paint your concrete step:
Concrete Primer
-Patio and Porch Paint in your desired colors
-Scotchblue Edge Lock Painters Tape
Paint Odor Valved Respirator
-Paint brush
-Paint Tray
-Roller
-Broom
-Hose
I hadn’t ever tried this painters tape with edge-lock but had heard good things, so I was excited to give it a try!
I’m not usually one who worries about painting while pregnant, but I have been doing so much more painting than usual for Knock It Off that I’ve been super careful and have been wearing a mask. I really like this one from 3M TEKK Protection– it’s comfy and light and does the trick, especially with the special epoxy primer needed for concrete.
I love that I can actually breathe through the special valve, instead of feeling like I’m suffocating.
Cute, huh? Anyhow, let’s get started:
1. The first thing you need to do is prep the surface. Make sure you sweep away all dirt and debris from the step and then spray down with soapy water. Let dry completely,
2. Roll the primer onto the step, making sure to cover the entire surface. Concrete primer is really thin, so keep this in mind as you roll it on. It’s designed to soak into the concrete, not sit on top, which actually helps the paint to adhere to the concrete better. I actually poured the primer right onto the step and rolled it out instead of putting it in a tray. Less mess! Don’t skip this step! Trust me. Otherwise you’ll be scraping paint off the concrete instead of enjoying your pretty new front porch. (Not that that happened to me or anything….)
3. Roll your base color onto the step. Repeat with a second coat, if necessary.
4. Determine the width and placement of your stripes and place the Scotchblue tape in the appropriate places. I liked the look of the stripes coming out from the door, but horizontal stripes would have been fun too! Run a credit card along the edges of the tape to create a nice seal. Then, using a paint brush, paint the edges of the tape with the base color (in my case, white) so that if any paint bleeds under the tape, it will be the color that’s already there. This is our fail-safe way to get perfect stripes every time!
5. Roll your second color over your pre-taped areas. Repeat as necessary. Then pull that tape back at an angle and take a look at those crisp lines! I’m telling you, there is no better feeling out there.
Finally, I added some new house numbers, a DIY wreath, a chalkboard American flag and some pretty potted plants to complete my porch makeover.
Check out the simple tutorial for this Nautical Rope Wrapped Wreath HERE
I’m thrilled with the way it all looks, but still have one more ummmm, kind of big, item on my house exterior to-do list: paint the siding! I’ve never loved the yellowish siding and would really like to go with a darker color (maybe gray?) and white shutters, but my hubs is not quite on board. Don’t worry, though, I’ll convince him soon enough! 😉
How about a little before and after action for you?
I’m so relieved that our guests don’t have to look at that ugly concrete anymore when they come to my front door. Now they get a taste of what the rest of my house looks like!
.

For lots more DIY inspiration and information, following along on the 3M DIY Twitter page and Facebook page!

*This post is a collaboration with 3M™ TEKK Protection™ Brand, but all words and opinions and extra baby weight are my own. 
-Jess

The comments +

  1. I’ve been wondering what to do about our concrete steps; I could KISS you for this idea! Stripes!!!! Ahhhh!
    I’m so thrilled too; I was on the facebook page for your show and just noticed we could watch it online. That made my heart so happy; we don’t have cable and I was bummed.
    Oh you guys; way too entirely thrilled for y’all.

  2. Super cute! It really looks fresh and clean and very welcoming!

    Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life

  3. Spittin-Toad says:

    Your porch looks great…but I just LOVE your chalkboard with the flag on it!! 🙂 I’m so easy to please. 🙂
    Denise

  4. Sherry Miser says:

    Super cute! Your house looks great 🙂

  5. Carol D. says:

    Wish I had seen these idea a few houses ago. Could have improved some ugly views!

  6. Jesse Bodine says:

    I love this, Jess, especially the two smaller stripes that act mimic a runner. And are you kidding me? You look fabulous!!!! So excited for you and your family. 😉 Jesse @ Scout & Nimble

  7. What a difference! It looks so great. It totally makes your eye lead right up to your door now.

  8. Linda S. says:

    That is a huge improvement. It’s just plain ugly the way plants and Welcome mats leave stains on concrete. Just curious, is painted concrete slippery when it gets wet from rain or misguided sprinkler heads?

  9. BJewelryBox says:

    Wow, what a great job you did! It’s beautiful!

  10. Lynn Bennett says:

    Adorable…just love it!

  11. Cindy Katuin says:

    I was thinking of painting faux flagstone, but I might just do this instead! And, I love, love, love the yellow siding, personally.

  12. Shannon Fox says:

    Paint never fails to amaze me! The porch looks so pretty, fresh and inviting! So smart of you to wear protection while painting, just in case.

    PS: you look darling 😉

  13. Lauren says:

    Just to let you know, if you do decide to paint your house a darker color. If your siding is vinyl, your siding will warp. You can read about my terrible experience with painting our dirty white vinyl siding here. http://www.ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/house-painting-debacle.html

  14. Michelle says:

    Hi ladies! Porch painting question: I am hoping to paint our front porch as the current paint is peeling off. Do I need to scrape off all of the old paint first or just put the primer over the old paint? Thanks for your help!

  15. […] post about something I did at my own house these days. The last little project we tackled was our front porch makeover and I was so inspired by that, that I decided to add some backyard appeal to my deck. There are […]

  16. Meg says:

    I might be missing it,but I do not see any video. Do you still have it on your site somewhere?
    Thanks

  17. Doreen Adair says:

    Hi all:
    Just a warning. I have a huge nightmare with my concrete porch. Once painted there is no going back and if it is not totally covered it is subject to the weather and it will peel and peel. I have tired everything. I can’t tell you how frustrated I am. I want to dynamite my front porch and start over. I now have three coats of peeling paint that I have been scraping off all day. Short of using paint stripper there is nothing that works. I purchased Restoleum Restore thinking I had a solution only to read that it will only adhere to broom swept concrete and will not work over paint. Now I have two gallons I can’t use. Anyone want to buy. lol
    Just a warning never a good idea to paint a concrete porch.

  18. Great job! I have a similar situation on mine. This is a great solution. P.s your disclaimer cracks me up.

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