Eventually we are going to renovate in here but I'm not ready for that kind of investment just yet so I'm putting my mind to a few cheap and simple fixes that will make a difference.
You guys gave me a ton of great suggestions on how to improve the space but this post is about just one. Quinn suggested I paint the countertops. I didn't even realize you could paint countertops. But evidently they make a special paint just for this very thing. Hooray.
Hubs pulled off the metal trim and we sanded it down lightly. We taped off the walls and other parts we didn't want to get painted. The windows got opened wide because this stuff is pungent! And then roll, roll, roll, brush, brush, brush.
(It doesn't look so bad in this photo but take my word for it...nasty)
Tada!
The paint is still wet - it takes 3 full days to cure - so we high tailed it out of there before the fumes damaged our brains forever. It looks so much cleaner now, I'm already feeling so much better about it. Granted, its never going to be a replacement for investing in beautiful counters but for $20, I was happy with the outcome. I can't wait to see what it looks like dry.
No clue how durable this will be but I'll report back on that over time.
And if you are wondering about the other projects I have coming in up here, there are a bunch. Im sure you remember that I'm having a fabulous light fixture made by the talented Jeremy Pickett. Its almost ready and I'm soooo excited about that. (More on that later) Now that little goodie is on its way, its time I clean up the rest of the joint so I want to paint the cabs, change the hardware and make some window treatments for the windows. Lots more work but spring will be here before I know it so I best get cracking.
Im undecided on what color to paint the cabs. White is the obvious answer but since its only a temporary thing Im thinking maybe I should go bolder? What do you think?
Ooohh Looks SO great!! I agree - it is a good fix for now and until you are ready for an expensive change, $20 is perfect :-)
ReplyDeleteOMG that looks awesome!! I knew you could paint countertops but wow!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Regarding the cabinets, I say bolder is better. I really want to say red or turquoise, but I'm not sure how that would sit with you. I'd like to not be "that scary commenter." Have you tried playing on ColourLovers? Here's a link to color schemes featuring gray: http://www.colourlovers.com/palettes/search?sortCol=rank_allTime&sortBy=asc&publishedEndDate=02%2F07%2F2011&publishedBeginDate=12%2F27%2F2004&query=gray&userName=&hex=&hueOptions[0]=&hueOptions[1]=&hueOptions[2]=&x=0&y=0
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
OMG - LOVE LOVE LOOOVE the new counters! And for a mere $20.00, how can you go wrong!? The new look is so sleek and modern -- perfect! Amazing job!!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea painting countertops were an option either! It looks so good!
ReplyDeleteNice! I'm so interested in this product, it's great to see it put to use! Your galley kitchen will be fab when your dreams come true, you have the magic touch!
ReplyDeletexo
Kate
Are the countertops wood? I'd never have known to use a countertop paint advertised for laminate. I would've probably blindly put wood stain on it and called it a day, oops! Is the countertop paint better for food safety?
ReplyDeleteGreat transformation! White's too safe for a temporary stop gap change. I'd love to see you paint the cabs something like SW Sea Salt. It's a greyed down blue-green that would look great at a shore house. Thanks for sharing about the counter paint. Maybe I can revive my laundry room counters.
ReplyDeleteGo for something fun and colorful on the cabinets - maybe you'll like it! It's only temporary so you might as well see how you feel about colored cabinets. Agree - white is the obvious choice but I think charcoal may be the second obvious but still safe choice.
ReplyDeleteCountertops look great! I would go with a color for the cabinets since temporary. Either something bold or a blue/green color that matches the current scheme and maybe you could distress a lil?
ReplyDeleteSince I am living vicariously through other people who get to paint their cupboards, (we're renting) I will suggest what I want: Shiny navy blue on bottom and white on top. Can't wait to see what you do!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so much better. I hope you like the results when the paint dries.
ReplyDeleteWOW, what a transformation to your kitchen. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love them! I wonder if the same thing works on ugly laminate...
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic. I can't wait to hear about how it holds up because if you give it the thumbs up I'll be all over that for my temporary kitchen.
ReplyDeleteLove the countertops!
ReplyDeleteGo bold on the cabinet color. There is not a whole lot of architectural interest in the room so making a statement with the cabinet color will really make the room a 10! Plus it's only paint so worst case...you try again.
Yep, I did this in my house, too. Same color I think! Just be careful because it chips/scratches easily.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Will be interested to hear how it holds up.
ReplyDeletexx-Gina
I love the look!!! And it will probably be just as durable the little bit you're there. Besides, just 'touch it up' with the paint :D
ReplyDeleteI am also in the "go bold" group for the cabinet color, but that could be because we painted our kitchen cabinets red:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/kimba714/4182149367/in/set-72157622994585098/
Painting was a lot of work, so I wish you well on that adventure! (That's another reason I think you should go bold: make it something fun so that the long hours with the paint brush are a little more exciting than standard white!)
I like the countertops!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this done before, but I wonder how well it will hold up to frequent use? Let us know!
I actually like the Ikea freestanding lower cabinet!
ReplyDeleteI'd go RED with the cabinets.
Am interested in hearing about the painted counters once you've used them a little bit - love the look.
Do yo plan to put back the metal trim? I love that look.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. I can't believe you can paint your countertops!
ReplyDeleteGood job on the countertop, much, much better. I totally love white cabinets, your kitchen actually inspired my current kitchen (thanks btw), but I think you should just take a leap into something different on this one. I mean, just get inspired and go outside of the box. I know you can make this amazing. Just do it!!:)))
ReplyDeleteGreat work! I'd be scared to try that but it looks like you are going to get good results.
ReplyDeleteCounter looks great! I say photo shop your little heart out. Turquoise or gray would look fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of white. I know it's cliche and a bit boring - but it's a shore house and so less is more. But on the other hand, I honestly think you could pick the perfect turquoise color without it looking clownish and rock that too. The counters look awesome.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Such a great solution for that space. The cabinets will be fabulous after you paint them, the doors are a nice shape.
ReplyDeleteThere is a new product called Cabinet Coat that I used on a table and it went on great - dried absolutely smooth and is durable and scrub-able. The only drawback is that you can't tint it very dark, but other than that it worked out great.
ReplyDeleteGo bold. It's only paint, you don't live with it every day and you are going to change it out eventually. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you should go bold! This is a fun place!
ReplyDeletedefinitely color on the cabs ... maybe something soft on the uppers, something more colorful on the bottom. and my immediate thought was: remove those white doors and velcro a little "skirt" inside the opening. soften that lower section of the lower cabinet. how cute would that be?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a big difference $20 made- it looks great! Perfect for a shore house that is not lived in all the time, I really love it!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Who knew?? Seriously, I don't think there's anything that CAN'T be painted! Looks great, can't wait to see the final (before the major reno!)!!
ReplyDeleteI once painted my laminate counters and they lasted a good while! Good luck with yours - sure looks a lot better!
ReplyDeleteThe counter looks great! How about leaving the cabinets alone (I like the blond wood and grey counter together) and painting the floor (and maybe the white cabinet doors) instead. Maybe a nice yellow-green that would go really nicely with your new light fixture.
ReplyDeleteLove the countertops. I vote for some color (not white) on the cabinets. Have you thought about open shelving where the upper cabinets end?
ReplyDeleteWhat a tremendous difference!! Looking great! Janell
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm the dissenting voice here - I like the colour of the counter, but I miss the metal trim. Is it going back on?
ReplyDeleteI recently painted my countertops with the same paint (except I had mine tinted to black). Its been pretty chilly here in Texas and it took my cabinets almost 3 WEEKS to dry. It was a pain, as they were my kitchen cabinets. I like to cook. Preparing food on my washer and dryer for 3 weeks was no fun.
ReplyDeleteSo how did the durability go with this project? I was reading reviews at Amazon and there were a number of complaints. Most said it never really dries and one said that it started coming off right after it was applied.
ReplyDeleteI'm just so hating mine that I'm near desperate. I did see your post-Sandy post (sorry to hear that, we have a Katrina roof house, so I feel for you) where you mentioned them, but I wasn't clear if you had any problems or not.
Do you mind sharing how it worked out?
I think the product works well as a temporary fix. It does take a long time to dry so I'd suggest doing it when humidity is low and you can not work on the surface for a few days - more if you can swing it. But all paint is like that - even regular paint takes a month to fully cure so this part was completely expected.
DeleteWe didn't have any issue of peeling and it seemed quite durable to me but we don't use it everyday. (If someone doesn't let it fully cure, you are sure to have peeling problems so perhaps that is what happened with the people that aren't happy with it).
For my purposes, I just wanted to hide the stained/warped countertops until I was able to get around to renovating. I thought it would be more years down the road than it was (thanks to hurricane Sandy) but if I were in the situation again, I would use it again.
On the other hand, if you are going to have to live with this for 10 years of everyday use, I don't think it would work that well for such a long period of time but that is just a guess.