I loved the whole process and outcome of my faux granite bathroom counter so much, so I was happy to do it again in the kitchen. The counters were an ugly, boring cream-colored Formica...and since I have a LOT of counter space I was stoked I could redo them all for a measly 60 bucks.
I bought another Giani Granite Kit, but this time in Bombay Black. I had already repainted the drab oak cabinets a light gray-ish/taupe color, and the rest of the colors in the kitchen were pretty light too, so I wanted some contrast. I was a little nervous about going so dark at first, but I'm totally glad I took the plunge.... The counters are so gorgeous in person and for about a week afterwards I just kept walking into the kitchen to stare at them. That's normal, right?
Prepping... I used leftover contractor's paper from my paper bag floors to protect my freshly-painted cabinets. And I used FrogTape to protect some of the walls, the sink and the window trim...but since I was planning to add a tile blacksplash like I did in the bathroom, I didn't have to be careful everywhere. Thank goodness, because I'm a messy do-it-yourself-er...
Before I could primer the counters, I had to fill a couple of holes in the Formica... Giani recommends using sandable/paintable wood patch. All I had to do was smoosh (yes, it's a word) some wood patch in my hands to warm it up, spread it on the holes with a puddy knife and let it dry. I think it took an hour or so...and then I just sanded it smooth and level with the rest of the counter. Easy.
Primered counters.... These photos feel very sneaky. I cropped out other parts of my kitchen that you are not allowed to see yet!
During sponging. I know it looks like a really bad kid's art project at this point, but just keep going! You won't regret it....
Okay, okay... I guess you're getting a sneak peak of my top-secret kitchen shelving anyway.... Apparently I forgot to take a picture of the whole kitchen in all its faux granite glory (I suck at this), so I'll do that later (after I clean it!) and add a photo of all the counters on here...
Ahhhh.... I love how shiny they turned out. They even FEEL real...
I also used black caulk around the stove and along the walls to give it a really seamless look. Notice the textured wallpaper...post coming soon!
I couldn't be happier with how the counters came out... They look stunning in person and no one can believe that they're painted. They are super glossy and multi-dimensional and expensive looking and I LOVE them.
Gotta go...another DIY project awaits me.
I like the look that this gives, but I think that in the end, I would probably want to have actual granite. I have heard that they are really nice because they are difficult to damage. Since I have kids that help me in the kitchen, this would be really nice to have. I do think that your counters look really great, and they might be a good separate option if I don't end up getting the granite countertops! http://www.kitsapkitchenandbath.com/services/
ReplyDeleteThey look awesome. I am also deciding g between the three brands. How did the Giani hold up. It had bad reviews on amazon with pics about peeling. But I thought maybe they were from user error. Crystal top overlay is 225.00 and the rustoleum doesn't really have the granite look. Your pics have the look I want. Please let me know about the durability. Thanks Shawn
ReplyDeleteHi Shawn! Unfortunately, I don't live in this house anymore...but when we moved, both the bathroom counter and kitchen counters still looked great after a year. No peeling whatsoever. BUT, you do have to be careful with them because it is still paint. There was one scratch on the kitchen counter that a house guest caused from dragging a very heavy ceramic bowl across the counter. :( And you can't let water (or a frosty glass) sit on the counter or it can cause a ring (I had a few rings but luckily they went away the next day.) They're a little more high-maintenance, but it was totally worth 60 bucks versus $4,000 for granite! I reused Giani materials I had leftover to do my half bathroom in my new house and it too, looks great after a year. Highly recommend!
DeleteHi Alissa, I am getting ready to start my bag floor in my laundry room. Out of site out of mind, lol.
ReplyDeleteI am using new a brand new floor, had to replace it all because of age and rot from the previous owners. Do you put the glue mixture on the floor before you put the glued paper down or is it necessary to put glue mixture on the floor?
I am going to be ripping paper tonight and hopefully be done by next weekend. I would love to share pictures of the floor in stages with you if you would like.
Thanks for the advice
Shawn
Hi Shawn! No, you don't need to put the glue mixture on the floor..but if it's super dry plywood it might help to spritz an area with a water bottle before laying the paper just to dampen it a little bit. I did my laundry room floor last summer while it was really hot and dry outside and the paper had a hard time sticking to the subfloor because the floor was soaking up all the glue/water mixture too quickly. I ended up having to use a lot more glue mixture than I planned on...but once I started dampening the floor with water, it stuck better.
DeleteGood luck!!
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I am on the point of start out my own bag floorboards in my laundry bedroom. Out of website out of intellect, lol.
ReplyDeleteI am making use of brand-new a new floorboards, were required to replace all this due to get older and decompose on the preceding owners. Would you placed your glue blend on the ground when you placed your glued papers along or perhaps is it necessary to placed glue blend on the ground?
I am about to always be ripping papers this evening and ideally be performed by means of subsequent weekend. I would like to write about pics in the floorboards inside levels together with you if you wish.
Thanks for that guidance.
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