DIY Faux Zebra Rug

Don’t worry vegans…no animals were harmed in the production of this rug.

Before I saw them popping up all over Pinterest, I first saw a gold zebra hide rug on One Kings Lane.

I swooned.

I craved.

I noticed the $739 price tag and hung my head in defeat.

BUT a few weeks later I came across this post on Home Depot’s blog about a DIY faux zebra rug that looked amazing and cost less than the tax on the OKL rug.  JACKPOT.

I made this large rug for a client’s baby shower and nursery for only $54!!

Granted, it did take some sweat equity.

I geared up for a night of painting and planted myself and my supplies in front of the TV for a Real Housewives marathon. (Don’t judge me…I am fully aware that the entire franchise of shows is total rubbish. But it’s entertaining rubbish…And I watch them ALL.)

The baby shower I planned had a “Posh Safari” theme. Full post with loads of details coming next week. (I know…what a tease, right?)

The rug was planted under the “Mama Chair”, so the mom-to-be could be center stage for games and presents. It will also be used in baby boy’s nursery. Can you imagine newborn pics on this thang’?!?

Last weekend was baby-shower-pa-looza in my lil’ world. Sunday was the work “safari” shower, and Saturday I helped throw a shower for one of my closest friends expecting her first baby. (See a pic on my Instagram.) More on that later, but it’s just the rug DIY today.

DISCLAIMER:  I did not use a template for either the shape of the rug or drawing the stripe pattern. (No, this does not make me Super Woman. My talents show up in odd places, and there are ENDLESS things I don’t do well…Like iron clothes. Or work out. Or follow cardinal directions.)

DIY FAUX ZEBRA RUG
SUPPLIES:
-*2 yards faux suede with felt backing
-Martha Stewart Gold “Multi- Surface Metallic Acrylic Craft Paint” 6 oz. bottle
-gold gel ink pen
-scissors
-large and small flat tip paint brushes

DIRECTIONS
STEP 1 Trace the outline of a hide on the back (felt) side of the fabric in chalk. 
STEP 2  Draw a line down the middle splitting it in half vertically. Fold in half and cut out shape using one side as your guide. This ensures that the shape is symmetrical.
STEP 3 Turn the rug so that the suede side is facing up. Starting with the “legs”, begin drawing the outline of stripes. I freehanded using Brittany’s DIY as an example. She has a trick using kraft paper for a template you can check out. (Don’t over-think this…zebra stripes are not perfect and vary.)
STEP 4  Starting at the top and moving downward, evenly brush on gold paint using large brush to fill and the small brush to outline. 
STEP 5  Allow to dry for several hours before handling.

* I purchased fabric from a local discount fabric store. I think the suede feels more like a genuine hide would, and the felt helps the rug to stay in place. You could use less expensive options like a drop cloth or vinyl. See other bloggers’ posts below for more info.

I’m just one of many bloggers who tackled the DIY faux zebra rug. Here are several other ladies who had different methods or supplies but gorgeous results:
-First seen on… Caroline’s post for Home Depot
-Brittany of Brittany Makes
-Molly at The Poor Sophisticate
-Kristin at The Hunted Interior

I’m thrilled that the client loved the rug, but it makes my heart a little sad not to have it in my home anymore.

Like the kind of lovesick sad you felt when a middle school crush moved away.

I miss it SO much that I’m considering making a smaller version for our entry. I even thought about using the same materials and technique  to make throw pillows…

Lord knows I can always use more of those.