Saturday, May 30, 2009

Painted kitchen counter tops



You girls guessed right! I am working on my kitchen counter tops!

This has been the scariest but most rewarding project ever. See my boring island? It doesn't look like this anymore! It looks more like this....



So, what do you think? Doesn't it look wonderful? I love how it turned out. They will look much better once I paint the cabinets.

I sold a few of my creations and was able to do this project with that money. Yeah! Hopefully I can sell more things so I can buy materials to paint the cabinets! Cross fingers!

Really, I only spent about $30 to do this project. Thanks to coupons! That was the greatest part of it! I can't afford thousands even hundreds of dollars to change my counter tops so I decided I would paint them.

I came across this post and she totally inspired me to do it. That same day before I read the post, I went to Home Depot asking for advice on which paint to use, how to do it etc.. I really didn't know what to do. I was scared! So I came back home disappointed because no one really helped me. They had never heard such thing of painting counter tops, but I knew you could do it.

My prayers were answered when I came home and the first thing I see when I log in is that post. Its funny how things work out!

I just wanted to know what kind of paint to use and what kind of coat for protection. Sara from Whimsies & Whatnots did a splatter effect with the paint. It turned out beautiful. I did a different effect only using the faux painting sponge. Both ways look beautiful!

I used:

Faux painting sponge
Variety of acrylic paints (depends on colors you want)
Paper plates
Brush (if you want splatter effect)
Paper towels to clean your hands (might get kind of messy)


1. First thing I did was to clean the island counter top really good. I cleaned mine with warm water and soap.
2. Next, I needed to see all the colors. I was only going to choose 3 colors for the counter top. I did this by putting paint on a paper plate and writing the color name. Doing this will be much easier to decide on colors.


3. After you decide what colors to use, using the sponge I started to paint the counter top. I painted lightly and I had to make sure not too have to much paint. I first used Burnt Sienna and let it dry. Then on top I used Burnt Umber and let it dry. At the very end I painted antique gold to give it a final touch. There were some spots that came out too dark and you couldnt see the original color of the counter top. There is a solution! I mixed white paint with a light brick color and painted over the dark spots. Problem solved!

4. After its completely dry, (dries quick) comes the most nervous, terryfing step; Envirotex Lite. I was so nervous to do this step so my husband helped me. After we were done, I thought its really not that hard. You just need to make sure to read the directions carefully and follow them exactly. We used a foam brush to spread the varnish. We used a propane torch to get rid of bubbles, but Sara used lighters.

It does take time to paint and get the effect you want. Overall, its an easy project but takes a good couple of hours to complete. I promise if you try it, you will love results.

Here is my husband using the propane torch.


Make sure you tape off everything because it will be messy. Envirotex Lite is Hi Gloss you could even see the reflections. I accidentally poured a lot of varnish in this corner. Can you tell? ha ha.. For it to be the first time, I did good! :)



So $30 for this project is not bad at all! I am working on the rest of my counter tops today and hopefully I can finish them in a couple of days. Pictures coming soon!

Information:
I bought the Envirotex Lite at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon. They are originally about $30 a box of 32 oz. and I will be needing 3 more. So if you have the coupons use them! Each 32 oz box will cover 8 sq. ft.

I cant wait to see my kitchen completed!

Well thanks for stopping by and hopefully this will help. If you have any questions just send me an email!
Have a great Saturday!

36 comments:

  1. I LOVE IT! They look gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the technique!

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  2. wow, i'm impressed! they look great! good job! can't wait to see the finished kitchen

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  3. Wow! I can't believe they are painted. It turned out beautiful.

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  4. gorgeous!! i so wish i could do this in my apartment!

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  5. I'm so glad you went for it! Your island looks amazing and I LOVE the colors you chose! I'm happy that my little old blog helped you out! I can't wait to see your kitchen when it's all finished!

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  6. i linked you on my blog after i stole some of your crafty ideas! :)

    thanks for the inspiration

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  7. Wow, it is beautiful and I love how glossy!!!

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  8. They look amazing! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  9. Wow, your counter tops look amazing!!! You are so talented at making ordinary things gorgeous.

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  10. I am so trying this!! I have horrible wood grain counter tops.boo! haha Thanks for the tutorial!!!

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  11. This is simply beautiful! I am now totally inspired to do this to my own kitchen. I got a quote recently to replace the laminate and it was well over $1200 and thought I would just have to suffer with my stain prone white countertops. Thank you so much for posting this!

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  12. Thanks for sharing this with me on my blog - GORGEOUS! I'm now inspired to do the Envirotex. Thank you!

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  13. They look so amazing! Good for you braving this one. I would have been a little scared also, but it looks like you are doing an amazing job. Cant wait to see the finished project!

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  14. That looks incredible! When I painted my countertops once upon a time, I just used a melamine paint. But wow.. that gloss is amazing..

    Donna

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  15. These turned out great! I'm seeing more and more people do this and I'm impressed with how well they turn out. Glad there are options out there other than replacing the countertops!
    pk @ room remix

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  16. WOW it is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing.

    Kathy :)

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  17. Beautiful!!!


    I have a linky party going you may want to link up: http://theshadesofpink.blogspot.com/2009/10/room-month-great-pumpkin.html

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  18. It looks wonderful! I've been considering painting my countertops too because they are plain white and show every stain or crumb. Rustoleum does make a new countertop paint, I've seen it at lowe's and Home Depot by the spray paint.

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  19. It's gorgeous! That was very brave, I dunno if I would have had the guts to torch it.

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  20. They look AWESOME! Everytime I see someone's kitchen counters painted I'm more and more anxious to do my own!

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  21. Great job! Your "new" counters look AWESOME!

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  22. Your countertop looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! You did a fantastic job on it. The before and after are a night and day difference!!

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  23. I really enjoyed looking around your blog! What a great project!
    *Eliza’s blog*

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  24. They turned out so pretty, you do an amazing job. THANKS FOR SHARING AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

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  25. I don't remember how I found your blog but all I can saw is WOW! Your counter top turned out beautiful I can't wait to see the rest of the counters. I have ugly black formica counters and I may have to try this.

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  26. Amazing transformation...love it!
    Looks like it cost a lot more than what you spent...great job!

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  27. I LOVE THIS! I have been wanting to redo our counters forever and my husband keeps saying it can't look good painted, I'll have to show him this post!

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  28. Your countertop is so beautiful! I can't believe you used craft paint! Oh, I'm so proud of you and it looks like a million bucks!
    be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  29. Looks totally awesome. I must admit, I got worried when I saw the envirolite product specs and the baby counter, you gotta be really careful what you inhale in the first trimester. You might want to use a paint mask or have hubby do it; better safe than sorry! Enjoy the beautiful kitchen.

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  30. Catherine said:
    I have wanted to do this for-EVER! But I m a big chicken.
    Two questions-
    1) Are there varying degrees of shine available? (I have high gloss floors so I need more matte or semi-gloss onthe counters)
    2) Also worried about the durability- how careful do you have to be with them? Do they need to cure for awhile before using?
    If you don't mind answering in email, I'm at catherine@creativejam.com. Thanks!

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  31. Good Job! They look great! I must try this sometime. I don't have the money to redo my kitchen, but collecting great ideas like this really encourages me that it is possible!
    Your newest follower. Hope you can visit me sometime.

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  32. I just found this post on Better After. Your counter is amazing! I am so glad that you went for it. Really enjoyed following your process and decision making. I do not have a counter or table top to try this out on right now, but I will definitely keep it in mind. :)

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  33. Its Awesome blog, Really i like your work, You are doing great work with your kitchen. I think,Use different surfaces of the sponge, or different sized sponges, to create variation and pattern details. Tap the paint-covered sponge on the surface lightly, and keep turning your wrist for variability.
    painting toronto

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