What the Faux?!

What the faux?! Kitchen tiles gotta go!

True story!  I "fauxed" my kitchen countertop tiles to look like granite!  This blog will take you step by step through my kitchen transformation - from the day we bought the house, until now.  All done by my husband and I.

First things first:  "I HATED my kitchen!"  I literally was repulsed by this room every time I walked into it.  We purchased our home as a Bank Owned property "as is" and it was nothing short of a dump.  It had been run down, pool was 3/4 empty, full of tadpoles, algae.  The appliances had been removed from the house.  Light fixtures gone.  The back sliding doors had been mutilated by, what seemed like, millions of dogs that ran the place.  Dog hair was plastered all on the kitchen cabinets, top to bottom.  Literally - it was stuck to it - ew. Greasy handles, dirty doggy sleep spots and years of uncleaned grout littered the tile countertops.  Puuuuuuke.  Ugh, I cringed whenever anyone put anything edible on my counters (like my husband when he'd make his PB&J's).

Its only taken us two and half years, but I can finally say I let out a sigh of relief every time I walk into my kitchen now.  FINALLY!

So, here goes nothin!

BEFORE:

Before - LOVELY wallpaper, dirty cabinets and LOVELY space invader tile work - which Im sure may have been popular at some point in time, but, not my taste.

More lovely tile design work (NOT)

First things first - REMOVE THE WALL PAPER (which I will do a sep blog on soon!):

Scraping, scraping away!

Then came the floor.  The kitchen counters and the kitchen floor were the exact same tile design.  Hideous.  The tiles themselves - they did an OK job bullnosing on their own, and laying the tile somewhat evenly, it's just they chose the oddest style.  AND, it didn't matter WHAT I did - I could not get these floors to look clean.  I cleaned, and scrubbed, and triple washed the flooring and the kitchen counters and they were so stained with who-knows what, that nothing worked.

To keep costs down, we just opted to go with vinyl flooring and cover the existing tile, instead of ripping it all out and redoing it - since once day, we will completely gut our kitchen from top to bottom. The result was great!

Kitchen flooring before: Love the tile, hate the colors. 

Kitchen Flooring After: Vinyl plank flooring - the new age linoleum.
We just covered up the tile.

Here comes the faux - da na na na!

Since I cannot afford granite, and cannot afford any time soon to do a major overhaul in my kitchen, I started looking into faux painting my tile counter.  I saw all these blogs where people had faux painted their laminate countertops, but I could not find anyone that fauxed their kitchen tile countertops.  Until one day.  I came across a picture on the internet of a tile countertop faux painted to look like granite.  I WISH I would have bookmarked it.  It was that photo that made me realize, yes.  I will do it.

Hey, if they can do it, why can't I?  The problem:  HOW did they do it?  I decided that, it couldn't be much different than painting laminate/formica countertops, so I searched the internet again until I found a blog that came with a video on technique.

I give major props to Creative Kristi - thanks for posting what you did!!  Without you, I don't think I'd ever had the guts!.  Here is her link to her countertop transformation:

http://www.creativekristi.com/painting-laminate-countertops-part-two/

The only thing I really did different was I did use sea sponges.  And because of that, the design of mine came out a little "chunkier" than Kristi's.  Play with the design.  Test it out on everything before you do it.  And remember - layers!  The main thing with getting what you like, is layer upon layer.  Made a mistake?   It's OK.  You can add layer on layer until you get what you like.

FAUX 'NUFF!

Step one:  Clean, Tape off, Sand & Prime: 

As you can see, I hadn't taped off my cabinets yets here, but we did after a bit.  I read somewhere to use 220 grit sandpaper, and honestly, I'm not sure what I had laying around, but, I used it to lightly sand my countertops, cleaned up the dust, and then applied this Primer & Sealer I had from when we painted red walls in our house, using a regular ol' paint roller (small).  CAUTION:  Make sure you don't leave paint lines and its smooth.  There a couple spots that I missed and now, they are there forever (thankfully in the corner!)


Step Two: Base coat - Cover the entire area with your base color (whichever you use, Im using Brown) using the same method/sponge technique from start to finish.  Be sure to get as much white covered as you can, but, not too much (unless you dont want white showing at all from the primer).  Since I was covering tile & grout, I made sure to cover it pretty good.

 I let my all my kids get in on the action.  They just love helping me out :)

 I cannot lie.  After the base coat was on, I thought - EW.  This looks like outdoor brick.  LOL.

Step Three: 2nd Layer: Darkest (and scariest) color.  - Apply the darkest color of your favorite granite color on this layer.  Don't fret - it will be covered by a gagillion other layers so it wont be so dark, and of course, if you dont like how dark it is once you apply your color - you can always cover it up with either your originally base color, of lighten it on the next coat :)

Truth:  I was mortified after we finished with the black/buttermilk mixture.  I thought "faux" sho I had just screwed up everything and it was the end of the world.  I wanted to re-prime and paint my counters a solid color.  But, my lovely hubby talked me into continuing on - and I also remember reading on another bloggers page that "you will think you made a mistake - but keep going!"  So, therefore, I shall repeat:

YOU WILL THINK YOU MADE A MISTAKE - BUT KEEP GOING!

(dont worry, you can always re-do if you hate -its that easy!)

 Step Four:  Layer 3 - Lighten it up, baby! - With my technique so far, this layer/color HAD to be put on using the "honeycomb" side of the biggest sea sponge.  (Pics of sponges & colors at the bottom of this blog).  This made that color bold, stand out, and really made the difference

  

You can tell how much this color lightens up the counter. (That's my daugher Marijane getting in on some fauxing action.)  Again, I was still terrified that I had made a mistake.  Must. Keep. Going.

Step Five:  Layer 4 - Masking.  Next up:  Espresso!  This step is to darken up all the light color from the previous layer. Because its so much light, I had to mute it down.  And espresso worked perfect for me.  You just dab it on....all over. What I did was pretty much dabbed it anywhere I had dabbed the previous lighter color to cover it up, but, I didn't press as hard, that way it could be seen.

  

Here you can see the darker espresso spots.  Gives it some dimension, I say. 

Once you have all the main layers down (layers 1-3 above), then its time to add in those lovely details.  I chose gold accents, and fresh black small accents - that I put on with a toothbrush.  Literally they were tiny spots of black. LOVE!

Pic of the gold accent in it - Love this!

Now that I had the technique down, it was time to finish the rest of the kitchen!

Step Six:  Apply the semi-gloss.  Once you have all your colors down, its time to seal!  All I can say is coat upon coat upon coat. I think I put about 8-10 coats, just because I was nervous that it would chip or scratch.  I used MinWax Water Based  Polycrylic protective finish, clear semi gloss sealer (Bought at Home Depot for $17.99/qt (I bought 2 qts and used 1.5) and applied with a foam roller.  I didn't use the thick jelly coat stuff that some other people have used, but that's not because it doesn't work - I just didn't want that look.   :D

YOUR COUNTERS WILL TAKE ON A WHOLLLLLEEEE DIFFERENT LOOK ONCE YOU APPLY THE GLOSS! NO JOKE!

THE TILES ON THE LEFT HAVE GLOSS.  THE TILES ON THE RIGHT DO NOT.  YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

Be sure to follow the instructions.  You apply the first coat.  Let it dry for about 2-3 hours, LIGHTLY sand, wipe up and then apply the next few coats - letting each coat dry about 2 hours in between.  I literally was applying and reapplying for about 7 whole days.  I would do it at night when everyone was in bed and I knew no little hands would touch it.  And I also had to do in stages so we had a place to prepare our meals and such.

When you are sealing, Im sure you will find spots where you will be like "man! i missed some color here" or "i used too much color there."  Its OK!  Just lightly sand (lightly!), wipe clean, apply the color with your sponge, and re-coat with gloss.  I did this A LOT, as I noticed little differences here and there - and also remember - these differences make it look more authentic!


Now, let me remind you what it looked like before:

BEFORE

AFTER:

Simply an amazing and cheap transformation. I'm extremely happy with the outcome :)

SUPPLIES:

1.  Simple solution cleaner and rag
2.  Primer & Sealer & a paint roller to apply it with
3.  220 grit sand paper \
4.  Sea sponges - all sizes and shapes (or you can use papertowels like Creative Kristi does!)
5.  Acrylic Paints in the colors that are most like the granite color you are trying to match.  I used the following colors:  Craft Smart: CS147 - Brown, CS149 - Espresso and Black (I dont have the number).  The following colors are DecoArt Americana: DA164 - Light Buttermilk, DA191 - Camel.  Accent color was from Deco Art Dazzing Metallics: DA 263 - Splended Gold
6.  Paper towels, gloves & toothbrushes
7.  MinWax Polycrylic Water Based Semi-gloss ----->>>


I dont think I've forgotten anything, except something to put your paint on while your dabbing it, but, I used paper plates, and rinsed what I could and re-used until I couldn't do no more.

All in all, the paint itself cost me less than $20 total at Michaels (that was going back 2x for refills) including the sea sponges.  It was the Clear gloss that cost the most! - But soo worth it!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

1.  You will think you made a big mistake - either half way through, or once its all done.  Rest assured, once that gloss goes on, a big sigh of relief comes over you.
2.  If you leave a cup with a water ring, it WILL cloud up your counter top - HOWEVER - it goes away in less than an hour - maybe not even that long.  I didn't time it.  I just remember seeing it, and then later when I wiped done again, it was gone.
3.  Its ok if you just absolutely  hate it and want to try over. Re-sand, re-prime.  You are good to go.

Pinterest Project: Laundry Room

First I'd like to say, Yes...I did a blog about my crazy laundry remodel.  LOL.  And yes, it did cost alot more than I thought it would - but it was worth every penny :D  And yes, that IS a chandelier hanging there.  LOL. 

This was my first pinterest project.  My "p"inspirational pinner/blogger had mentioned it cost her about $50 to redo her laundry room - and I was like YEAH, I CAN AFFORD THAT!  But, in all reality, it cost much more than I had thought.  Total cost was about $370.00. <--- well worth every penny!

I also want to thank my wonderful husband for pretty much doing all the labor and putting up with my craziness during the remodel and a BIG thank you to Cindy of Cameras & Chaos: Laundry Redo (http://camerasandchaos.blogspot.com/2011/02/laundry-room-redo.html)  for posting her remodel of her laundry room and being the inspiration behind this entire project :)

8 weeks ago while browsing through Pinterest, I came upon a turquoise laundry room that I absolutely fell head over heels with.  I had purchased brand new Maytag appliances about a year ago and everything about my laundry room was WRONG.  It was dark, dreary and just not making me happy.  I hated (HATED) walking in there to even change the clothes from the washer to the dryer.  It was a quick in and out, and shut the door.

After pinning this "inspiration" laundry room photo to my "ye old house" board - I was seriously on a mission to make my laundry room practically identical to the one in the picture I found.  It was bright, cheery and made me smile every time I looked at it.  I knew I had to do it.  And - the layout of the room was 99% on point. 

FYI:  This laundry room required a total overhaul, so my cost is alot higher than my inspirational blogger's cost did - but I figured what a great way to learn how to do everything that could possibly be done to a room.  :) 

And so it started....

Laundry room pics before:

 The picture above is the picture of the laundry room completely empty when we bought the house.  Notice the wonderful linoleum, dark contractor grade cabinets and white walls.

This picture here shows the laundry room a few months after moving in and the purchase of the new Maytag appliances.  Nothing in this room makes me feel happy, except the beautiful washer & dryer.  The dark curtain, the dark laundry mat on the floor.  My poor appliances are shouting for a redo!

Now, here are my inspiration photos & the link:
 

My Inspiration <3

http://camerasandchaos.blogspot.com/2011/02/laundry-room-redo.html

Everything about this laundry room is FABULOUS! The blue colored walls, the shelving unit holding shabby chic items, the white cabinets and of course the CHANDELIER!  The board & batten is so fresh and clean and really brightens up the room. The coat hangers - gorgeous. EVERYTHING! LOVE this! I knew I had to have it!

And so it begins...

DAY 1:

Day 1 started with removing the cabinet doors, sanding and painting - along with the cabinet drawer on the left hand side and the tiny counter top it had as well.  I didn't do anything special except sand down the bottom of the cabinet doors because after 20+ years of being used without handles, the bottoms were pretty worn.  We decided to flip the cabinet doors upside down when we put them back on so the bottoms had that "new" look to them.  We used Home Depot Speedwall 1-Gal. Semigloss Interior Paint Model # 1456-0100V-01

Store SKU # 631369 - $13.97 for the cabinets, ceiling, baseboards & window sill.

Before - Cabinet doors & door jamb removed
and replaced due to previous damage 

After - Cabinet doors & facings have been painted white
(doors not present)

DAY 2:

Day 2 started with the painting of the walls & ceiling.  It took me forever and a day to settle on the blue I wanted. But, I finally found the perfect color (for me): Cloudless (love!)

BEHR Premium Plus 1 Gal. White Satin Enamel Premium Plus Interior Paint
Model # 705201

Store SKU # 926104
$24.44/gallon

Here is the paint can label :)

I have to admit, once the first coat was down and I took a step back and looked at the room, I was terrified that I had chosen the wrong blue.  I was certain that I had totally messed up and now we were stuck with this whole gallon of Smurf blue paint and wasted $25.  My husband kept reassuring me to just wait until it was all put together before I went writing it off :)  Glad he's around :) 

Total cost for wall & trim paint: $38.41  Total project cost to date: $38.41

Also notice how we were very limited in space. To save time and energy, we just moved the washer and dryer forward then back when we were done.

DAY 3:
We did 2 coats of the blue, then caulked the edges around the cabinets and the baseboards.  We also painted that little square yellow box where the pipes come out of and we painted the water softner hose (not being used) the same color as the wall to try and make it seem like it wasn't there. ;)

2
coats
of
paint

Walls, cabinets and ceiling finished. The color of the paint really changes with the time of day/lighting. It can look very very blue, and then it can look a very pale blue. Either way, the color is fantastic :)

DAY 4:

Day four consisted of installing the flooring and the new door & doorjamb.  We opted to go for the cheaper route and put down resiliant vinyl flooring planks.  We had used 12x12 vinyl tiles in our master bathroom, laying it down like regular tile using spacers and grout.  For the laundry room we opted to go for the vinyl plank flooring that is designed with the grout "look" in it already.  The transformation was amazing.  Due to this being our first time using this material and the shape of our laundry room/entry way, we ended up buying 2 1/2 boxes (our HD just happened to have an opened box with 1/2 missing that they sold to us for 1/2 price (score!) - otherwise you have to buy a full box.  Total cost for flooring: $125.40 - Total project cost to date $163.81

We brought the flooring into the entry way as well

New floor & door/jamb installed

TrafficMaster Allure 12 in. x 36 in. Corfu Resilient Vinyl Plank Flooring (8-Case)

Model # 21191

Store SKU # 731735 Sto

ore SO SKU # 954912

$50.16 /CA-Case Covers 24 Sq. Ft.

DAY 5:

Now it was time to pick out the hardware for the cabinets.  Who would think that it would be so hard to pick out hardware?  At first I looked all around town for hardware, and it seemed all anyone carried was brushed nickel, and for this laundry room I needed something that would POP when you looked at the cabinets.   I decided to go with chrome scroll cabinet pulls.  I was able to find them indivdually at Orchard Supply Hardware for $1.79 per knob, compared to $19.99 for a pack of 10 at Target.  This was fantastic since I only needed 6. 
Cost for knobs: $10.74 - Total project cost to date: $174.55
 



I am very happy to say that I installed the cabinet hardware all by myself - yay!   

DAY 6:

Board & Batten time!!  I could not wait for the hubby to install this.  I originally had planned to do this myself, since my inspiration blogger had basically done hers all by herself, but, I left with my BFF to the mall for a girls day out, and on my way home I got a text from my wonderful hot hubby with a pic of the wall completed <3 <3  I was SHOCKED at how fabulous it looked!  The board & batten was probably the most expensive of all the remodel (besides the appliances), but, it really really made the room come together.  We used one white flat panel board for the back board (4'h x 8'l), (6) - prefinished 5 foot flat moulding base pieces (3 1/4"w) for the "batten" and (2) - 8' prefinished brick moulding pieces 1 15/16"d for the top and bottom pieces (we replaced the old baseboard with the new brick moulding for that wall only).  Hubby applied the back board with liquid nails, added in the bottom base bard, measured & nailed in the batten boards evenly - added the top piece all the while making sure everything is level - then wood puttied the nails, painted the entire thing and waited for me to add in the coat hooks - which I picked up at OSH. 

Material costs for board & batten: $97.52  Total project cost to date: $272.07

I take credit for installing the chrome coat hangers :)

Shelf with nic nacs.  - I had absolutely NOTHING that I had laying around the house (well, except for 1 thing) that I could move into the laundry room, so I grabbed all the kids and headed to Goodwill to find some cool 2nd hand things.  One persons junk is another man's treasure, right?  I left there spending under $25 for some really cool pieces.  It took me about an hour to finally find what I thought would fit the room.  Hubby installed the white shelf with scroll brackets for me, and I fully enjoyed perfectly placing the pieces :)
Cost for shelving & nic nacs: $48.28  Total project cost to date: $320.35

My most favorite piece on the shelf is the glass house with my great-grandmothers pearls, my kids' hand & foot mouldings and the doll my mother made for me.  Perfect place to display them, as they were just hidden away before <3

THE CHANDELIER:

The INFAMOUS chandelier.  HOLY cow.  Can I just say that the chandelier had to be one of the biggest decisions I made throughout this entire transformation.  The light we had in there was a standard contractor grade golden bulb that was simply just not going to work.  I looked for SEVERAL different options.  Went to MANY different home stores looking for alternate lighting since a chandelier in the laundry room seemed to be 1) a bit too much and 2) a bit pricey.  It didn't matter where I looked, how much I tried - nothing else could work but a chandelier.  I finally found the perfect chandelier online for a little more than I was will to spend, but my BFF said she'd go in 1/2's with me for my birthday - so how could I pass it up???  I'm so happy I stuck with  my gut, and ordered the chandelier, because it is really the finishing touch.

Cost for Chandelier: $39.99 (1/2 off $79.99) Total project cost to date: $360.34

Last thing to buy was the window covering, and I just opted for the cheapest thing I could find, but, kept the theme going.  I found some lace 1/2 panels at Kmart and bought 2 spring rods - total about $10.

Total material costs for window: $10  Total project cost: $370.34

THE FINAL PRODUCT: 

I AM 100% SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME OF MY LAUNDRY ROOM!  There's nothing like having a room you absolutely love, and I am very very much in love with this room <3

BEFORE

AFTER