We use a standard piece of hardybacker as a floor protector over our wood floor in front of the stove insert. I just left it the ugly light grey, but when this season is over, I'm going to give it a paint job to class up the joint a little bit (hah!). I've been leaning towards a brown, but thought it'd be fun to consider other ideas, including the flecky and textured stuff they sell in cans of spray. What do you think?
I think this would be frustrating to clean unless you were vacuuming it every time. A faux marble look might look great. Lots of videos to show how it is done and if you don't like it, you can paint over it.
It's funny you say that, I'd had that idea before, and even talked about it, but had totally forgotten until you mentioned it. I think it's a great idea, I believe I saw them do it on this old house a long time ago, and I remember thinking that they made it look pretty easy. In other words, something even I could do. If I recall correctly, it all started with a base coat of some color, with subsequent thin, uneven layers of color, finished with the veining with a tiny brush and a little technique. I'll definitely do some more research on it.
Artist I presume myself to be I'd paint a compass on the slate ....then slather on a protective coat......N...E....S....W. live a little
North East West South, all in the same house? I really love this idea. I might have to find someone to help with the artwork, it'd probably be embarrassing if I did it. So, regarding the protective coat, I do need to worry about it being slippery when wet (sorry, second 90's rock reference in one post). What would you recommend to solve that issue?
I was leaning towards this from the start. I still might go in this direction, although it does seem a little more technical. But not for the purpose of messing with my insurance guy. He already doesn't like me and threatened to cancel my coverage a couple of times already. He made me cut a couple of trees down that were right next to the house right after we bought the place. I started this thread just to get some color ideas, and am instead getting all kinds of creative suggestions. I think that is so great!
I'm grateful for a good insurance guy/team myself. They have helped me out a couple of times where they wouldn't have had to...…
The black Stove Brite with specks in it did not show ashes as much as the flat black at our previous house, and might blend with your stove.
What kind of paint ? A polymer paint that is combustible when dry ? I would tile it with a non-combustible tile . Or maybe stove paint.
Good point. I'm not familiar with the combustion issue with paint. But I'll look into it. Maybe enamel would be an option? Stove paint is always a good option, and I think it's a good idea. The color choices will be more limited with stove paint, but too many options is not usually a good thing. I won't be tiling it, but under different circumstances, not a bad idea.
A good idea, I have a can of it right in the cellar. This would be the simplest option, and I bet it would be a vast improvement to the current look. It would match the stove exactly!