apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

If I so much as address a package with a permanent marker, the chemical stench lingers for hours. Won't a person get high on the fumes this must emit? Nothing green about that.

vinyl

While I find the idea of a faux zebra rug amusing, if I was doing this I'd probably do it as a painted floorcloth, since I too cannot deal with the odor of markers (can't even have a whiteboard in our house) But it could be done with heavy canvas and paint as well.

Although sensitivity is a different issue for everyone, I find some markers smell and some markers don't smell. Whiteboard markers, both dry-erase and wet-erase have something in them that is particularly smelly, so I wouldn't put it in the same category. I imagine any marker that's going to address this situation with any amount of coverage is going to smell like a can of spray paint. Also, don't mix up "green" with "cruelty free". They are often different things. Also, fumes aren't the ungreen part, that's just something your nose can detect. Although I have tried to research this, and all I am just finding out, it is proving difficult to find lists (aside from foods and clothing/accessories) of what is and isn't cruelty free unless it's cosmetic or directly related to housecleaning. Vinyl is ok. I don't know what's in permanent marker ink. I suspect urea.

I think these instructions are great. I don't much like the fake zebra for aesthetic reasons, but the concept can be used for other projects using materials on hand.

Cute idea, but the edges are curling up and creating a tripping hazard. Having made floor cloths in the past, I too would opt for a heavy canvas, paint and a couple of coats of water-based polyurethane.

What a terrific idea for a kids room, I mean it is great for adults to... But this could be a fun family project!


Thanks for the idea!
Melissa with Yourfurniturelink and Mortise & Tenon LA

I'd go with floorcloth (not that I've ever tried it) unless I really really needed a wipe-able surface.

Is there a good way to keep the vinyl from curling?

Also, on one of those home-makeover shows where they build out a wacky plywood set in your bedroom and call it an improvement, they used a similar technique to make a whole wall mural. I was watching on jet blue but it looked pretty good on the airplane screen.

I agree with Lori- cheapo vinyl fabric...will just look cheaper- canvas and paints though a bit more time consuming would make it a bit better looking.

I am worried about the permanent marker on vinyl though. It always came off with a little perspiration- not a lot but enough to leave a nice nasty line on some bare skin ;/

Cruelty-free! Yeah!!!!! More kind design please!!!

OMG! I've been wanting a zebra rug forever and have always been stopped by the $400 price tag. I am so going to do this!

I've always thought this would be a great conversation piece.
http://readymade.com/project/alpine_high/ Too funny!

i wish i had a projector, than i would make a rug like that!

I think it would be good on the back side of a linoleum scrap. I have made floor cloths from that and they turned out great and didn't curl up on the edges. Just use a lot of sealer to keep the design from wearing out too quickly from walking on it.

Looks awesome. I'm going to try it =)
What type of the pen was used?

Way cool. I will try it.

That's an amazing idea to go for. Cheap and worth it. zebra skin