So you already know that we’re renovating our kitchen. But not a typical renovation. This all has to be done on a low, low, low, extremely low budget. Remember, we’re starving artists so the top two tools for this renovation are 1) Creativity and 2) Sweat Equity.
So we started with converting a kitchen closet into a semi-walk-in pantry. And then we got sidetracked by removing the floor. Then we got sidetracked again with testing out an idea I had for the countertops: Decoupage.
Below are images of the whole process. I’m thinking the pictures are not doing it justice because the counter turned out amazing! Have two more counters to go now!
We have two different countertops in our kitchen and as you can see, they're not in great shape.
I tore pictures from an outdated cookbook that was mostly all text. Then I wrinkled the pages and Mod Podged them to the countertop by applying glue to the pages and a thin layer to the countertop as well. I then rolled it down with considerable pressure to remove any air bubbles.
Continue gluing and rolling until completely covered.
Now the fun part — painting! First color down is a yellow hue that was thinned out with a mixing medium. Painted random strokes and then rubbed it in with a cloth towel. Then I mixed in a reddish brown color and applied to different sections and rubbing/blotting with the towel.
Applying paint and rubbing with a towel. After the yellow and orange/brown colors, two layers of different shades of gray are applied in particular spots to create the ethereal effect.
My part is done. Eric is applying the lacquer. Remember to wear one of those high-end filtered masks since this product has lots of fumes! We estimated about 10 coats are needed.
This is one of the final pics taken. Need about 4 more layers of lacquer and next I will decoupage the back edging to complete this countertop. We love the way it turned out! Especially how the colors change with the daylight and overhead lights at night.
We should be creative at this time of high budget and costs. Kitchen renovation is the most costly part of the house and this can be affordable with a creativity and researches about it. There is nice renovation done and it’s also an informative post.
Thanks!!! Yes, we could not change the counter tops so this was the best alternative for improvement!
Wow!! HGTV could use your artistic ideas. Love it.
Auntie Marjie
LOL. Thanks Auntie Marjie!!!
Oh My God!!!! Those look great!!!! WOW!
Love your impressed sister,
Michelle
Thanks Michelle! It was really easy to do.
OMG, is there anything you can’t do? That is some great countertop!
k
You’re just buttering me up for the weekend… trying to give me “false confidence” for our 1st “Maine Pickers” event. You will never be the underdog. Eric and I have been going over our plan of action… we’re both gunning for you!
Wow! Those are amazing! I would have never thought of anything like that! –Carol
Thanks Carol! In person they are really pretty. I wanted to do a small table of ours with maps and then I thought, what about doing that on the counter top! We had nothing to lose so I started gluing pages. It was fun! Except for Eric. He had the terrible task of layering the lacquer. You do need about 10 coats of lacquer. Or you could go with epoxy and do it once. But you have to build a dam around everything to do that.
i am trying to makeover my shoebox apartment and plan on decoupaging my counters too. what varnish did you use and how many coats are needed? i have been trying to find a good alternative sealer to use, since im not a big fan of polyurethane fumes, but i can’t fine much. suggestions? or is poly the only way to go?
I’m not sure how you get around that one. We used Helmsman’s lacquer and it does produce some serious fumes. We sealed off the doors to the rest of the house and put fans in the windows. I put it on with a brush and it was fast for each coat. The counter top was only 4’ long. I had a mask and was out of there after about five minutes. You can get the type that you mix together and pour. You will need to create a dam around the edges of the counter and you have to make sure the counter is pretty level. It took 2 quarts to get a good surface (about 15 coats) although you could put more. We figured we could always add at a later date if needed. Good luck, we are still happy that we did it.
I hear you on the fumes! Unfortunately, you will have to use polyurethane. My husband did that portion and he wore a gas-type mask… the one with the two holes on the side that filter out fumes. And we sealed all the doors so it would not seep into the rest of the house. So poly is the only thing we could find in our research.