My BFF's Counter top Make-over

After seeing how awesome the counter top in my kitchen turned out my best friend decided to do hers.  She went with more of the browns that will compliment the flooring and the rest of her house.  She purchased her rustoleum and put the base coat on one night.  I stopped by and helped with the sponging the next day and she completed the project the next morning with the application of the Envirotex lite.  I believe she came out at about $80 in her kitchen makeover.  I love the new look and think she did an awesome job!

A little more inspiration for anyone thinking about doing it.  

Before - white on white

Wheat tinted Rustoleum counter paint

 The sponging process - copper, brown, tan and a few specs of black were used

The awesome finish!  

Kitchen Laminate to Faux Granite!

I am one tired mama after this past week.  I think I will take a few days off of projects to recover.  I feel sort of guilty that I've broken my own rule I've had since my son was a baby of no fast food but about twice a month.  We've had stromboli, pizza, and sushi this weekend alone!  Hopefully, I worked off some of those calories. But on the bright side, I will now have an awesome looking kitchen to prepare some healthy meals!  

As promised, I am posting the photos from the Kitchen counter makeover.  I'm going to include the supply list again as well so no one will have to switch back and forth from this post to the bathroom counter makeover.   I am thrilled with the outcome.  Again, for less than $150 to refinish two baths and a kitchen is a deal!  If you decide to do it and don't have a bathroom you're willing to sacrifice if it goes bad, I suggest using a piece of wood or something to practice your sponging technique.  My advice, GO FOR IT!  I am amazed at how good these turned out.  I was almost blinded by the sun from the shine it made on the island when we came back from having sushi for Mother's Day Dinner.  It really shines!

Supply list:

Rustoleum Countertop paint  - I had them tint mine to Granite color. ($21)

Acrylic paints (I picked up about 6 or 7 colors from Michael’s $1.39 each)

Paper plates for different paints (use to dab onto sponge)

Glitter ($1.69)

Heavy Grit Sandpaper

Sea Sponges ($4.99 can break up a large one into smaller sizes for variety)

Toothbrush

Feather(s)

Trim Paint Foam Roller ($3)

Kiddie type paint  brush with thin bristles

Masking Tape

Polyurethane (non yellowing also on sale for $4.99)

Envirotex Lite (use the 40% coupon - it’s the most expensive part of the project.  I made 3 trips to Michael’s to get enough to do my counters for $60.  Reg price is $32.99 ea so that saved close to $40)
latex gloves for painting and final coat

Alcohol for clean up of Envirotex
Utility knive to score base of tape before removing.  Do this BEFORE the envirotex dries competely.  I did it around 3 hr mark.

Wine (Gotta celebrate once it's finished!)

1. Clean counters really good and lightly sand with heavy grit paper.  Wipe them down again to get rid of the dust from sanding then dry.
2. Tape off the countertop.
3. Roll on your Rustoleum base coat then let it dry.   Be sure to open some windows, the smell is pretty strong.  Also, this is when I thought to myself, “Dear God, what in the hell have I done?!”   No point in stopping now.
4. Wet your sea sponge and squeeze all the water out.  Now start dabbing into your first acrylic and randomly sponge the countertop.   I started with my Metallic black, then gray, then a little cream color.  After that dried I went back over it with a little of the copper color with a feather to make the granite veins.  I dabbed the toothbrush into a little red paint and flicked a few specks as well onto the counter.  Then you will spread a coat of polyurethane then sprinkle a small amount of glitter if you choose.  Let dry.
   

   
   

   
   

   Supplies

   

   
   

   Kitchen Before - outdated laminate counters

   

   
   

   After sanding lightly add the rustoleum paint as your base/primer (smelly, scary looking stuff)

   

   
   

   When that dries, start dabbing your darkest color onto the counter to begin creating your faux finish. 

   

   
   

   

   
   

    You will begin adding your other colors in as well.  I started with my darker then went to the lighter shades.  If you get too much of a light color, simply go back over with one of the darker colors until you achieve the look you like.
   

   

   
   

   

   

   
   

   

    Rex guarded the supplies for a while, then decided he wanted to try lounging on the plastic used to catch drips. He may be getting senile...he's over 15 now. Don't worry, he didn't get dripped on.  I made him move.
   

   

    Cover your cabinets and put something down to catch drips.  I used cheap trash bags.
   

   

   Now, follow the instructions for the Envirotex lite to add your topcoat.  I did my counters in 3 separate mixes.  1 box for the island, then split the sink counter into two different applications back to back. 
   

   

   
   

   

    Love Love Love, my new countertops!  And on a Dimestore Budget!
   

   

   
   

   
   

Faux Real Ya'll! Granite Countertops for Less than $150!

I just up and decided to paint my countertops this week.   I have been in the house I live in now since 1997 and didn’t really like the countertops when I bought the house to begin with, but they were already there and the builder wouldn’t switch them out.   My son who was 5 at that time has watched me do one crazy makeover after another over the past 16 years!   He and my friends are never surprised to find some things changed or a new creation from upcycling.  I think the LR has been about 4 different colors already and I lost count on my BR paint colors.  The best part of all is I do everything on  a DIMESTORE BUDGET!  For $121.52 I purchased enough to faux finish both bathrooms and the kitchen. Actually, it's probably less if you factor in I will be able to use leftover acrylic paints for a future craft or project.

I admit I watched a few Youtube videos and surfed the net for granite to get an idea of the look I wanted and helpful tips.  Thank you to all those wonderful people who take the time to video their projects so others can DIY too.  Over a couple glasses of wine, my friends said I should start blogging my DIY Diva projects, so here I am.

I decided to start in my bathroom before I ventured to the kitchen.  Since I'm one of those Happily Single girls, I figured at least no one would see it but me if I screwed it up.  One of the great things about being solo is you don't have to consult with anyone else to make a change. :)

Supply list:

Rustoleum Countertop paint  - I had them tint mine to Granite color. ($21)

Acrylic paints (I picked up about 6 or 7 colors from Michael’s $1.39 each)

Paper plates for different paints (use to dab onto sponge)

Glitter ($1.69)

Heavy Grit Sandpaper

Sea Sponges ($4.99 can break up a large one into smaller sizes for variety)

Toothbrush

Feather(s)

Trim Paint Foam Roller ($3)

Kiddie type paint  brush with thin bristles

Masking Tape

Polyurethane (non yellowing also on sale for $4.99)

Envirotex Lite (use the 40% coupon - it’s the most expensive part of the project.  I made 3 trips to Michael’s to get enough to do my counters for $60.  Reg price is $32.99 ea so that saved close to $40)
latex gloves for painting and final coat

Alcohol for clean up of Envirotex
Utility knive to score base of tape before removing.  Do this BEFORE the envirotex dries competely.  I did it around 3 hr mark.

Wine (Gotta celebrate once it's finished!)

1. Clean counters really good and lightly sand with heavy grit paper.  Wipe them down again to get rid of the dust from sanding then dry.
2. Tape off the countertop.
3. Roll on your Rustoleum base coat then let it dry.   Be sure to open some windows, the smell is pretty strong.  Also, this is when I thought to myself, “Dear God, what in the hell have I done?!”   No point in stopping now.
4. Wet your sea sponge and squeeze all the water out.  Now start dabbing into your first acrylic and randomly sponge the countertop.   I started with my Metallic black, then gray, then a little cream color.  After that dried I went back over it with a little of the copper color with a feather to make the granite veins.  I dabbed the toothbrush into a little red paint and flicked a few specks as well onto the counter.  Then you will spread a coat of polyurethane then sprinkle a small amount of glitter if you choose.  Let dry.
   
   
   
   

   
   

   Before - Those plain, drop in, one piece so many subdivisions use. 

Step Two - Painting your Faux Granite design

Note!  Don't forget to protect the inside of the sink if it's one of these contractor type that is all one piece by taping plastic to the inside.  The envirotex will drip down into the sink as well when it does it's self leveling thing.  

Next is another scary step…the Envirotex lite!  I read a lot of reviews that said it was messy and starts to set very fast (about 20mins) but when applied gives the look of 50 coats of varnish!  The reviews were spot on... This crap is messy, drips and stays tacky for a while, but the end result is awesome!  You will need to cover your cabinets and flooring so that it doesn't drip onto it. You will need to wear gloves because it's also very sticky.  Follow the directions on the box and it is very cool to see that it really does self level.  There will be drips over the edges, so you will need to babysit it for a while after applying.  It also takes about 36 hours according to the directions for it to fully set.  I put it on 6:30 pm and it was dry to touch and hardened by the next morning.

The finished Faux Real, Faux Granite Ya'll!

 A close up of the corner - it actually does look more gray like this photo rather than the picture above.  I will try to get one of the entire top with better lighting later.

What a difference a little paint and elbow grease can make!

I plan to start on the main bath and kitchen this weekend!  I think I need new faucets now too.  Funny thing about DIY projects, once you finish one thing, it spirals and you find many more things to do. Release your DIY Diva and have some fun! 

Stay tuned... I plan to post more detailed steps/photos when I do the kitchen!
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May 11, 2013  -  Take 2 

The Second Bath Vanity Before and After Pics!

As I mentioned above, I purchased enough supplies to do both baths and the kitchen.   After a day of yard work, I think I will start on the kitchen either tomorrow, next week, or next weekend.   Just for reference, it probably isn't a good idea to put the Envirotex lite on at 7am then start doing yard makeover projects at 9am.  I have come to the conclusion, no matter whether you wear gloves and use rubbing alcohol to remove,  you hands will still be sticky for quite some time. My hands may have dirt permanently adhered to the cuticles and under the nails.  I look like a mechanic.  To top it off, I did yard work in flops.  I may also have permanent grocery store feet.  I scrubbed and scrubbed, but I still see remnants of today's labors.  Oh well, there's always tomorrow to scrub some more.  I've showered, smell better now, and have a nice glass of malbec to keep me company for the evening.

This is the "Dear God, WTH have I done?" moment I mentioned earlier.   The smell of the oily base is terrible.  Sadly, because I've kept the windows open most of this week, I am stocking up on Claritin D for my son and I.  Gotta love a Netti Pot as well.  Claritin D and Netti Pots are a must with all the pollen we have here!

This is the final with the Envirotex lite.  I'm loving it!