We’ve all seen them, those wannabe-real grass mats. Have you considered designing your own template, tracing it on the back of the mat, and cutting your way to a new look?
Dutch magazine 101 Woonideeen has a template on their website (.pdf) that you can download, enlarge, and use to create a fresh take on an otherwise boring mat. You can also try animal shapes, from a bunny to a dog, or even insects, like a butterfly. The directions here are in Dutch, but I’m thinking you can use a silver metallic marker because the backing is usually black, and trace the outline of what you want the shape to be. Then cut it out. Presto!
Has anyone tried this project?
(images from 101 woonideeen)
March 2, 2007
March 2nd, 2007 at 4:22 pm
wow, so simple but that’s never crossed my mind! awesome! i can’t wait to try this project, i will email you the results :) thanks for sharing. i’m thinking about doing a dragonfly.
March 2nd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Now this I can do! It’s so cool! Like erin says, above, so simple, why didn’t I think of that? I’m definitely gonna do it.
March 2nd, 2007 at 9:13 pm
How do you post so much in a single day, I can’t keep up. I love it! Keep the feeds coming because you do this so well.
Jane
March 3rd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Erin said it well – it is one of those simple ideas that makes you wonder that you never thought of it. I am thinking about trying a Japanese crest design.
It also plays into my dream of wallpapering an entire room in Astroturf. It is probably a good thing that I don’t own a house …
March 4th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
WOW! I’ve been fixated on fake grass lately, and wanting to get some into my house. This is a GENIUS idea. I love it! I want to do it!
March 6th, 2007 at 6:24 am
Holly, you are a doll. I have been trying to figure out what sort of mat to get once we get our entryway redone and this might work! I will definitely try this–thanks!
March 6th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
I just linked over from AT:NY, wicked good project. I live in Boston, too. Great blog.
Alicia
March 6th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
ok… i have a stupid question :P any suggestions on how to enlarge the pattern?
March 6th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Anon – Print and enlarge on a photocopyer. Or print on a transparency and project onto whatever size template you want.
March 7th, 2007 at 1:38 am
Anon- That’s not a stupid question at all. Go to Staples or OfficeMax with a print out of the pdf. Ask them to enlarge it to around the same size as your mat. Honestly though, I think you could freehand this design yourself without using a template at all.
March 7th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
i love this!
July 17th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
A projector or print out is not necessary. All you need is a marker and a tape measure.
If you trace a light grid over your pattern and then a congruent grid onto the back of your material then you can copy the design on a per-square basis for a very accurate result.
May 24th, 2008 at 4:39 am
i love this idea…
will definitely try it once i’ve decided on the mat colour & material…