I know ya’ll are thinking, “didn’t they just make wood countertops?” And you would be right.
But I still had this breakfast bar. Remember…a couple years ago?
As convenient as it is, it is like a big gigantic elephant in here. I have wanted to take it apart and make it into a rectangular shape forever because it uses more space than it provides. But, we just don’t have time or budget to do anything with it so I really wanted a quick, temporary and low cost fix, at least for the top.
So I decided to spray paint it. Oh yes I did. I had seen several pins on pinterest where people used textured spray paint, and I thought I might as well try it as it could not get worse than it was, right?
See how awful it looked? I sanded, and sanded, then primed with two coats of Kilz, then two coats of latex enamel, letting it dry completely between coats. Better already.
Then, I put plastic drop cloths everywhere and started to spray.
I used plain textured spray paint first, and even with a fan and all the windows open, there was too much overspray and the fumes were horrible. So we got the “Stone” version instead and it worked much better…even inside. I only needed two cans, and I let it dry for 24 hours.
I was really pleased with the look. At this point I *should* have sanded, but I didn’t.
I started putting on the same floor-grade Varathane I used on the wood counters (which I love BTW) letting it dry in between.
And voila…it really looks like quartz or solid surface.
But, after 5-6 coats, I still had this texture coming through that looked like bubbles. So I sanded it down and started over with the polyurethane. I probably coated it seven times.
I did not let anyone near it for a week. Yes, you read that right…my family of three children, husband, and parents right next door. We used the dining table…imagine that:-) After a week, I still didn’t feel it was hard enough, so we actually waited two more weeks to really use it.
It really looks great…
…so far.
I really don’t know how well it will hold up, and I did not intend for it to be a permanent solution. So far, it’s not hard like an epoxy would be, so I expect dents, dings and scratches. It certainly looks better than it did, and the hardest part was not being able to use the island.
We still have one more little section of counter to replace with wood, but that won’t take long once we plane the wood. If you didn’t see the wood counters, you can see them HERE.
I’m really happy with my temporary solution, and all I am out is some paint and a little elbow grease.
I also made slipcovers for the counter chairs, and freshened up the finish on the cabinets, but I”ll tell you about that later.
Don’t miss the great giveaway I have going through Friday sponsored by Vanillaholics! You can enter HERE.
Anita
I’ll be joining:
wow we Anita it looks wonderful what a job you be careful with the spray paint i tell Debbie that to .I had a very bad thing happen when i spray painted i cloged my lungs up and woke up in the middle of the night and could not breathe.It was not fun always wear a mask i didt and i paid dearly 🙁
Linda, good grief, I bet that was scary! You are right though, definitely wear a mask or respirator.
Anita, I think the counter looks fabulous! I hope it holds up for as long as you need it to. I noticed the chair covers too, and love them also!!! Have a beautiful week.
Another fabulous job, Anita. You are so talented, you could do "webisodes"!! xo
It turned out just beautiful Anita! I would never have thought to do that. I have contemplated the Varathane but choke at the price every time I pick it up but if you say it is the best then it must be. I will just bite the bullet and buy me some.
Thanks Pamela! I choked when I saw it too… I had actually picked up a gallon of marine varnish which was a little cheaper, but decided I didn't want oil-based, and there weren't really any options. I love it so far and I wanted it to be durable too.
Anita,
The kitchen and counters look beautiful! I love the shelves up instead of the cabinet! I love the chair covers too did you make those?
Yes Megan, I made those, and I'll have a post about them:-)
You are one brave woman, Anita! 🙂 I can't imagine attempting something like that but I've heard it's been done and you did it too. You were very patient with your family waiting for it to dry and harden. It looks really great! I guess for a temporary 'fix' it will last a while and hopefully your'll get your dream island one day. Great job!
Hi Anita, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/
It looks great and I would have never thought to use the texture can paint. Great idea. I love your wood countertops. I wished we could make one for our kitchen, but I think that is out of our comfort range for diy.
Nice makeover!
You won my giveaway, please contact me.
Catherine
I need to do something like this. I will be interested to see how yours holds up, Anita. Good job!
XO,
Sheila
I love the look, it looks amazing and I think you are genius to even try this. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
I love the color on the cabinets. I hope you post about them soon. I would consider painting my counters but I don't think that will help with the parts that are warped. Yours do look really nice. I like the lighter color. The slip covers look really cute too.
Candy
This is such a fantastic makeover!!! I had no idea you could achieve that effect with textured spray paint – your counters look absolutely wonderful! The chair covers are beautiful – love the fitted look and the sweet striped skirt. All of your hard work has paid off – everything looks amazing – counters, cabinets, and all of your vintage accessories – enjoy!!!!!!
LOVE the new light bright look of it, the whole room really! Super cute sheet music place mat idea!
So beautiful Anita!!! I love the new look!!
It looks great!! Many years ago, I told my husband that we needed to get new counter tops, he told me to go ahead and start looking….that was all I needed to hear…to know if my plan did not work…we could get new counter tops. I painted mine using 3 different colors of plain walmart brand flat paint…and did a technique to look like granite. I used diamond verathane for wood floors as well…it held up great….those counter tops lasted 7 years before I decided they needed to be replaced, and I have to say that after about 2 weeks, I wasn't even careful with them! I think that verathane made the difference! Hopefully you will have the same luck I did, and they will be beautiful for a long time!
Sharon
sounds like what I want to do .. can you elaborate a bit ? 🙂 Did u sand the counter down before & between coats of paint ? love the idea of Verathane 🙁 is that urethane.) over the top.. guess it's too close to Christmas for me to start this kind of project … 🙂 thanks for posting ..
bravo!!
Lovely ! Couldn't you just use the floor grade paint rather then spray paint ? I'm wondering about doing that with my bar .
You can use whatever paint you like as long as you have several coats of varathane on top.
I just sprayed my countertops with valspar stone paint and no fumes at all. i must say the countertops are awesome. they look much better than the ugly formica color from the 70s. i also saved a lot of money and since im selling the house i didnt want to put granite in. im so impressed with the look, they look brand new.
How has the counter tops held up over the last few years?
Hi Julie, they have held up much, much better than I expected!! They do scratch, but it's hard to see and that is just in the many layers of varathane on top. I'm really pleased with how they have held up and we use them like normal. Obviously I don't cut on them or set hot pans. I could always freshen them up with a couple coats of varathane if anything happened and they would be as good as new, but they really look great as they are.
So I have all the texture stone spray down now I'm going in for the varathane did you just brush it on???
Yes, I did just brush it on and many coats. I would advise before putting that on that you sand the texture so it's smoother or it will take endless coats of varathane to even it out:-)
Awesome thank you!!!! Will sanding hurt the look???
No, not at all:-) In fact, I think sanded it looks better. You just really need to knock texture down so it's smooth when you finish with the poly:-)