now here's a website I can use

[NMDemDist2]

http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com


she says I can faux finish my counters to look like stone, what a great idea!

Give yourself stone counters for less than $40! Ok, ordinarily even $40 for one project is a little much for me, but this one has such a large impact and is so easy, that it's definitely worth it! The secret? Paint! Get a book from the library, or search the Internet for instructions on the stone faux finish of your choice, (practice on cardboard first!) then follow these steps. For this to be successful, there is one step you cannot skimp on. Prime your countertops with a primer specially made for non-porous surfaces!!! Bin or KILZ are both good brands. (I also like to use their water-based variety, check the can carefully!) Now paint your faux finish. Allow to dry thoroughly, 24 hours is best. Now simply give it 4 or 5 coats of water-based polyurethane, let dry, and enjoy years of a beautiful kitchen! Save some of your original paint so if you ever do get a chip, touch up is a breeze. I promise you, visitors to your home will be hard pressed to tell that it isn't a $5000 counter!

[Longhorn]

1. Great site!

I'm bookmarking this one. I plan to paint my kitchen cabinets this summer and the faux finish counters sounds great! Someday, we're going to remodel but that could be years and years! Thanks! :D

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2. thank you and your DH for your willingness to help

but the more I think about a paint job with a hard seal, the better i like it

[eleny]

4. I'm enjoying her site - thanks!

She's got tips galore for the whole house.

[Lugnut]

3. Bookmarked!

That looks like a great website. Thanks!

I thought about trying a faux finish on my bathroom countertop but never quite got around to it. It's pretty small at 20" X 30" and the whole center is sink so it shouldn't be that difficult to do. You can tell it's Spring. I'm itching to get started on a project. :D

[eleny]

5. And here's a site for you - with a great bedroom decorating tip

http://gmjinteriors.com/index.html

A while back I got the urge to learn how to make the bed look special. I found this online decorator who shared her secret. When she decorates show homes, she tries to make the bed look higher. They either elevate it on a platform or pile the bedding on top to make it appear higher. She says it makes the room look larger.

Since I have 3 down covers around here I piled them all on. The one on top is in a pretty duvet. Well, she's right. The bed looks more dramatic and makes our smallish bedroom feel bigger. Sort of special. We still have to paint and I need to make new throw pillow covers. But I think she gave me the critical tip.

Hubby and I were looking at show homes recently and most of the beds in the masters really were higher. Now I know why.

[NMDemDist2]

6. my bed is already on a two drawer platform

and it's big LOL

the good news is so is the room

thanks for the site, the bedroom is in the microscope this week

I am decluttering, got 3 big boxes of old clothes over the last couple weekends and i'm almost done with that, next paint and some decor

i still am looking for the "inspiration" piece though :)

[eleny]

7. Decluttering is great

I give to a couple of charities. Whenever they call I just say "yes" and then go hunting for donations. I know I can always find something to donate since I've got so much family stuff. Congrats on those 3 bags!

[merci_me]

8. Trading Spaces episode

There was an episode about 3 years ago where Frank did kitchen counter tops with a painted on stone look. You might be able to search their site and find the directions or even when they may rerun the episode. With the Memorial Day and 4th of July holidays, they usually do a marathon and I remember that was a very popular episode and usually shows up on those marathons. It was an episode that took place in Texas, right outside of Houston. Frank did a kitchen and Gen did a bedroom. The episode, as I recall was not identified as Houston, but maybe Pearland or Alvin.

I've been having trouble tonight trying to search the Trading Spaces site. I haven't been there for about 2 years and forgot my screen name and password. Maybe tomorrow, I'll just sign up again, but I've become kind of disgusted with Trading Spaces, so I don't even go there anymore.

Mary

[NMDemDist2]

9. super! i am so jazzed about this idea

cheap and easy, what could be better?

i can put my budget to a new sink and faucet instead of pricey counters. other than one small spot and the awful color, the counters are in good shape and with just hubby and I we aren't hard on the counters at all

thanks!

[merci_me]

10. I found this link

to the episode:
http://www.davemackey.com/trading/season2/37/

With that info, you can probably go to the Trading Spaces messages boards and find someone who did countertops after seeing the eppy and may have some advice. Also, possibly TS has the directions online, as long as you have the name of the episode.

[Longhorn]

11. Be sure to share the process with us!

I think I'm going to do it this summer! :D

[NMDemDist2]

12. will do! I'm off to find my granite "inspiration" tile this week

I need a tile to get the colors right

:)