How To: Countertop Makeover!

Update: I’m giving away a quart of Rust-Oleum Countertop Coating…the same stuff I used on my counters to make such a huge transformation! Go to this link to enter the giveaway: http://pinteriordesigner.com/2013/11/19/giveaway-rust-oleum-countertop-coating/ The giveaway lasts from November 19-26, 2013. Good luck!

So there’s this. THIS is the MLS picture of our kitchen. I guess its ok, but honestly it’s 100% NOT my style. I like modern. Black and white. Sleek finishes. Pops of bright colors. Not whatever this is.

The oak cabinets, oak blinds, outdated light over the table, mismatched appliances, the color, the wood over the sink window, the beige countertops and  back splash, the random closet in the kitchen… None of it was working. I do love the size and that it’s open to the living room.

The first thing on the to do list was to paint the cabinets white. My mom and I tackled that the first week we moved in. Spoiler alert- painting cabinets SUCKS! Shortly after, she helped install brushed nickel handles. Nate and I replaced the fridge and dishwasher with stainless steel appliances and are hoping to upgrade the stove and vent in the next year or so.

The kitchen went through this awkward middle phase where it still looked too country for my taste. Exhibit A:

One week after moving in.

A few months later.

Eventually, I DIY’d valances out of cardboard and hung black and white 8 x 10s of my nieces and nephew. All good ideas, but the kitchen still wasn’t coming together. Finally, the blog Vintage Revivals inspired me to paint the kitchen a dark grey. So dark it’s basically black. That’s when things started to fall into place.

I LOVED the dark color. It lends itself to the modern feel that I gravitate towards, but it only made my countertops look even more blah. I want to eventually replace them with a marble-esque quartz, but I’m still saving my pennies. I looked into the countertop transformation kits, but they cost a minimum of $150 and there was no way I was spending that much cash on a project that was just supposed to hold me over until I could afford what I really wanted. Luckily, a friend said Lowe’s sold countertop coating, not the entire kit and it cost just $21.99. Sold! Rust-Oleum Countertop Coating  have 10 color options and I chose the darkest black. Surprise, surprise.

To coat your countertops, you’ll need:
60 grit sandpaper
A rag
Painters tape and drop cloths
Foam roller and paint tray
Rust-Oleum Countertop Coating
Patience. Lots of it.

Begin by quickly sanding down your countertops with 60 grit sandpaper (and back splash if you for some reason have laminate on your back splash like me. ugh). Use a rag to wipe your countertops down. Next, begin rolling your ugly laminate countertops with the coating. The coating is super thin and will be runny. That’s normal. Using the foam roller makes the finish appear smoother than a roller with a nap. The back of the can said it would only take one coat, but mine was wayyyy too thin and needed two. DO NOT touch up once you finish an area. Walk away from the counters! I repeat: Walk away from the counters! A few times, I would come to a spot I did a few minutes earlier, notice an imperfection and would roll over it. Good news, that made the problem look worse. Since it was starting to dry, the re-roll never smoothed the area out, but made it look bumpy. Resist the urge to touch-up. I waited an hour and then rolled another coat which smoothed out most of the messy spots.

For the back splash, I used leftover white paint and rolled it on with the same foam roller as the countertops after I sanded and wiped them clean. The countertops and back splash need replaced simultaneously  since they’re basically connected (yay), so I don’t want to sink a ton of cash into them while we save.

The worst part of this process is that the counters take 3 days for the coating to cure. You can’t put anything on them and you aren’t supposed to even touch it. For someone who doesn’t actually cook, it wasn’t a big deal, but for those of you who do need your kitchen, that could get old quickly. BUT! I think you’ll agree that the wait was totally worth it…

Pros:
Cheap! $22 well spent.
It only took me an afternoon to complete the entire project (I did have help though)
Totally updates the look of the kitchen
I’ve had them since July and they’ve held up well. Food and liquids wipe right up!

Cons:
The 3 days the counters took to cure tested my patience.
Little things stuck in the counters as they dried and I had to carefully pick them out, like my golden retriever’s hair. Thanks Sam.
There are a few spots from my crock pot that left a mark. I guess the heat affected it? The marks are small though so I’m probably the only person who would notice.

Would you ever coat your countertops? Have you tried any quick fixes to hold you over while you saved for what you really wanted? Share in the comments!

Stay tuned next week for a tutorial and tips on how to build your own banquette like the one Nate and I designed and built!

P.S. I’m linking up some of my recent posts at these blogs:
SNAP!
Made in a Day
Hi Sugarplum!
Posed Perfection
www.remodelaholic.
Six Sisters Stuff