Kitchen Counter: Rust-Oleum Redo

The sneak peek at the kitchen counter redo doesn't even begin to tell the whole story. The paint-based product we used is the Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations (on this website); there's also one for cabinets. The kit comes with three-fourths of the total materials you need; additional purchases include paint brushes, small paint trays, mini rollers, dropcloth, gloves, and painter's tape. Some of these extra purchases we already had, so it makes sense that they not include it in the cost of the kit. (Anything to keep costs down is a good thing!)

An instructional DVD was included, and the same videos can be found online. We viewed the DVD three times: Once straight-through to see the overall process and to get a sense of the timing; again straight-through to note the finer details; and again, short chapter by chapter, before each stage. We found the DVD to be helpful and clear.

The process took 7 to 8 hours of actual work, and we did it over the course of three days. There's basically 4 main stages.

First, the prep work: clearing off the counter, cleaning, and some sanding of the metal strips on the edges. Using the sanding tool, there's a full round of sanding/de-glossing, vacuuming, and wet wiping. We did this in the evening and it took about an hour. Here's what she looked like after the sanding:

Saturday morning I did some more caulking so we had to wait until lunchtime to get started. So, after taping and sheeting, we dove into the next main phase and applied the base coat and chips, which took 2 or 3 hours.

This second phase was the one that had us most concerned about doing it right. Even though we could do touch-ups afterward, we felt compelled to be careful the first time around. You roll on a thick even coat of a medium-brown paint, doing the backsplash and edges first, then all the flat parts.

And you have to keep it wet, no dilly-dallying! There's a wetting agent that you spray on to keep everything wet. We were quick but could have been quicker, and we probably should've used more of the spray than we did.

Sneak Peek: Kitchen Countertop

When I watch all those design shows on HGTV, the best part is the Big Reveal! and not necessarily how they got there, which is of course interesting, but doesn't provide the "wow" factor. Well, here's the Big Reveal on the countertop! I'll do the in-depth analysis later on.

Here's the Before:

And . . .

Bathroom Update: Fixtures

The previous pics of the bathroom (here) highlighted the changes in the floor. You may have noticed the gaping hole for the drain. Well, it's now all sealed up with the fixtures! Over the weekend, we installed the sink, vanity, and toilet. What do you think?

The new window's in . . . now what?

The old wood window in the bathroom would barely open. There would be struggling and muttering and all sorts of upper-arm strength needed to force it up. Seriously, a window right in the bathtub---not the best idea. The warped wood probably needed to be repainted, and I think there may have been some rust around the hardware. Not pretty.

Of course, the best solution to this problem was to start fresh and buy a new window. Great idea! So, three contractor bids, research into replacement-window lingo, placing the order, special measurements, and a professional installation later, I'm thinking the problem's solved and we can move on with other projects. Wrong.

Look at this window and tell me if this seems anywhere near "finished" to you . . .

Shhh . . . Our Secret Flooring

We installed a product that looks and feels like true walnut flooring. It is a thick, durable, water-resistant vinyl and we're incredibly pleased with how it turned out. The installation proved all it was hyped up to be: Not difficult at all, just a little time-consuming in terms of all the cutouts we needed, due to fixtures in the way and some not-perfectly-square walls.

The resilient product was designed to work in wet places: bathrooms, mud rooms, kitchens. We're using it in the main bath and entry hall. You don't have to nail it or glue it: the adhesive is built right in (photos after the jump).

The devil's in the details . . .

What makes a house a home? This age-old question makes the distinction between mere building materials and a sense of place. Not including the to-and-fro during college semesters, I've gone through five major moves and each time I've pondered this question. What exactly are the conditions or factors that help to form the sense of grounding and familiarity and security in a structure to create a home?

Think about where you are right now. When you live in your home, the one you've been in for awhile, there's no question that it's your home. It's not just a place where you eat and sleep---it's your home. There's no doubt about it. It just is. And it only exists in the now.

Before and After: Poodle Edition

Miss Sheba paid a visit to the canine salon today. Here's the pup before she went, in all her fluffy, fuzzy, scruffled glory. She's just been rough-housing with a raccoon toy, catching it in the air and whipping it around, growling with ferocity. She's all rough and tumble at heart. But, she put on her princess airs, in proper poodle manner. She pointed out to us that her coat was a mess and demanded we take her to the spa posthaste.

"Do not spare any expense," she reminded me.

And now she's back to being her dainty, delicate, gorgeous self! When she comes back home, she prances around---she knows she looks good. Sheba doesn't hesitate to show off her new 'do, and she even sometimes does that high-stepping march that horses do in parades. (Is there a name for that?)

And now the queen wishes to be given some alone time, so she can properly sit and admire herself. A day of beauty is exhausting!