| In this tough economy, many of you are facing the | | | | Wait two to three weeks before placing heavy |
| fact that replacing those counters and cabinets in | | | | objects on to the counter for more than an hour or |
| your kitchen is no longer in the budget. But solutions | | | | so. The varnish needs to cure to it's hardest state |
| are at hand that simply involve primer, paint, varnish | | | | first or impressions could be left in the finish. Always |
| and stencils. These solutions will have your kitchen | | | | follow manufactures directions. |
| looking like new in no time at all, without the pain in | | | | Re-fresh Your Tired Cabinets |
| the wallet and the demolition of your household. | | | | Giving your cabinets a new look is just as easy. You |
| Paint and primer can be your best friend in times like | | | | will use the same procedure and products above. |
| these. Don't let your fear of DIY projects stop you, | | | | Remove handles and protect hinges with painters |
| because it's really very simple. | | | | tape. Prime with 3-4 coats of the recommended |
| First, let's talk primer. That's the most important | | | | primer. |
| preparation step. Without the proper primer, you | | | | Again, choose natural colors such as cream, beige, |
| may risk paint peeling up or chipping off. | | | | light brown or sand colors. |
| Ask your local hardware employee to help you | | | | Decorating your cabinets can be a lot of fun! Once |
| choose the right primer for the surface you are | | | | the base coat color is dry, try one or a combination |
| dealing with. Brands vary as do results. But my | | | | of the following decorating techniques: |
| favorite all around primer is put out by Zinsser and | | | | *Color Washing: Mix a part paint to 5 parts of |
| comes in a can with a red label. I choose this primer | | | | translucent wall glaze (available in the paint |
| because it sticks to even the slickest surface which | | | | department of most home stores). Paint this mixture |
| means pre-sanding is to a minimum if required at all. | | | | over the surface, then with an old, dry towel, wipe |
| It is always important to try your painting techniques | | | | off the excess. This will give you an antiqued |
| and colors on a sample board (even if it's just | | | | appearance. |
| cardboard) before painting the intended surface. This | | | | *Use a Raised Plaster Stencil to apply a design you |
| allows you to see exactly how your finish is going to | | | | love to the fronts of your cabinets using common |
| look before you do it. | | | | joint compound. Allow the raised design to dry |
| Paint that Ugly Formica | | | | overnight then do the same color wash technique |
| Firstly, clean the counter well then wipe with pure | | | | over the top of the design to bring out its detail. |
| white vinegar to lightly etch the surface. | | | | Allow the color to remain in any recesses. |
| Prime with 3-4 coats of recommended primer and | | | | *Use a painting stencil to add a favorite design. |
| allow to dry overnight. | | | | Consider a central motif such as leaves, palm leaves |
| Stick with natural colors for your counter tops. That | | | | or acanthus leaves to bring of nature in to your |
| way, you can change the wall colors any time you | | | | kitchen or bath. |
| want and the counters will always coordinate with | | | | As with the technique above, allow all paint to dry |
| your paint colors. | | | | and then apply 2 coats of varnish to protect your |
| Use standard acrylic paints for the base coat and any | | | | finish. |
| decorative effects. | | | | Make Your Tile Look Fresh and Modern |
| My favorite is to start with a cream color base coat, | | | | Just as with counter tops and cabinetry, you will |
| then adding stenciled granite spots (simply search the | | | | clean and etch the surface with white vinegar then |
| internet for "granite stencil") in light brown first, then | | | | prime as above. |
| stenciling over the top of the first color with darker | | | | One of my favorite treatments for tile is to sponge |
| brown granite spots. Once complete, this layered | | | | two similar colors over the tiles (remember to keep |
| effect winds up resembling real granite. | | | | your colors in natural tones whenever possible). |
| Marble techniques can also be used and are really | | | | Blending these colors well gives you a very soft finish. |
| very simple. Lightly sponge angled lines on to the | | | | I then like to apply a small Raised Plaster Stencil |
| counter surface and blend edges. Allow plenty of the | | | | Design over random tiles or a large plaster design |
| background color to show through. | | | | centered on to a tile wall. This creates the look of |
| Using a darker version of the same color, simply | | | | custom, expensive tiles that I might not be able to |
| sponge darker lines touching the lighter lines and | | | | normally afford. |
| blend. Lines should not be evenly spaced, but more | | | | Joint compound is still used as the raised medium with |
| random and look best when they actually cross one | | | | tiles as it is with walls or cabinetry. By pre-coloring |
| another in places. Blending is the key to fantastic | | | | the compound with craft paint, I save myself the |
| results. | | | | chore of painting each design individually. |
| Allow your decorative finishing to dry overnight then | | | | Once the stenciled design has dried for 24 hours, seal |
| prime with 3-4 coats of clear, non-yellowing | | | | the entire tile project with above sealer for super |
| polyurethane in "high gloss" to achieve shiny results. | | | | durability. |