My sewing machine is in the shop so I went to Lowes and picked up stone paint spray for 9.95 and protective clear spray paint for 3.95 so for 14.00 redid my bathroom countertops. I did my kitchen a year and half ago and they still look great! Under the paint they are those ugly cream laminte counter tops...I also redid the cabinets two years ago using cabinet paint from our local paint shop. I did my entire kitchen cabinets and tops for a total of 120.00. That included new knobs of the cabinets. (I had to make holes in the cabinets since they did not have handles. I just redid my countertop in the bathroom since I love the stone look in my kitchen. It was only 14.00...looks good and I will spend the money that I saved from buying new countertops on something else...hmmm fabric...LOL - I have pictures on my blog. http://www.thriftyideastoday.com/ prep time and spray time...about 30 mins...I sprayed 3 coats of each

Hey! That looks really great. Did you do any special prep work to your kitchen counter tops to help the paint adhere? Do you have to clean the counter tops with a special cleaner or with a special method? Does the paint absorb oil spills and stain? Love this easy update idea, thanks!

great job and I commented on your blog

I just washed down my counters then lightly sanded when I did them two years ago...this time I just washed them to get off any dirt then tapes around the sink. My sister also did hers but she removed the sink since she put in a new one...much easier and a very clean look...then I used Valspar stone paint the one for outdoors. I spray three coats 1 at a time do not over spray...it will all be covered by the third coat. Also let it dry inbetween about 1/2 hour per coat. then I sprayed on Valspar Clear Flat for exterior - now that is a smelly one...you may want to use with the window open. I did the same as the first one three coats in the bathroom. For the kithen I use polyurthene...(however that is spelled) and it was in a can for 23.00 - I used a foam brush do not use a regualr brush since it will bubble. so for the spray is fine...but in the kitchen since you will use it more I would stick with the poylurthene and I put on 8 coats...in the kitchen I had to wait a week for it to harden,...in the bathroom it was fine to use the next day. oh...and I did find a can of primer for 5.00 at Lowes that I put on the cabinets before I used the cabinet paint...which is thicker than regular wall paint.

This is a great idea...I want to re-do kitchen counters in my Mom's house, paint the cabinets, ect....Lotz to do and on a budget.....

Have you ever painted floors???? My Mom has old linoleum tile floors......I had thought of painting them......:)

Oh....and when you first paint over the laminate cabinets the first several coats look horrible...be patient...another two coats and its will look wonderful...I did mine white. My husband was so mad at first since he saw it with just the first coat...and the oak was still showng through...after a few more coats he loved it...and it saved us thousands of dollars since we were going to buy all new cabinets and countertops...instead we bought all new stainless appliances. It was well worth it! I still love it..and its been almost two years since I did the kitchen. I hated those cream laminate oak cabinets. Here is a picture of my kitchen after I redid my cabinets but before I redid my counters - I will take another picture this week of my finished kitchen. total cost to redo kitchen 120.00 that included the coutertop which is not done in this picture.

No I have not painted the floor but you can pick up the floor tiles really cheap on sale at lowes. I used them on the cellar floor and they look great! Here is a picture of my cellar floor. The total cost was 50.00 - the tiles were on sale for I think 5 cents each -You just peel off the paper and put them on the floor. they are really good...and we have had no issues with them. With all the money I saved...I was able to get a really nice sewing machine... ; )

They make non glue down sheet linoleum flooring now.
My husband has put it down a few times doing rehabs. Its held down with the baseboard. Its so much nicer than glue down. Also if you get the grid pattern paper for the floor it takes all the guess work out of it.

Very good work. I like thrifty ideas.

Great job!!! I've done that, too!

Thanks for the ideas and directions. I have the original 1940 or so front bathroom that badly needs redone. I've put in a new commode, which was not that difficult. I did have help from a retired contractor on the East coast who writes on a health forum that I also subscribe to. Now I want to remove the terrible sink and build some cabinets that have a sharp angle from the sink to the side of the door, down from 18 inches at the sink to 7 inches behind the door... I'll get it done one of these days. I'd love to change the color of the one piece sink and counter in the master bathroom, but it's a solid piece and I don't think paint would stand up to water in it every day. Maybe one day I could get someone to come in and cut out the sink..have to think about that.

[quote=2000HD]They make non glue down sheet linoleum flooring now.
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Thanks, I'll look into that for the little bathroom. It needs the old linoleum removed and replaced. I know what I want, small cream and gray squares or else cream and gray swirls. Cream walls. I can see it in my mind. And I can feel the tiredness in my 77 year old legs, but I'll get it done one of these days. Still need to finish a quilt for a Make-a-Wish donation.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! My master bath had two really bad plumbing leaks, so my teenage son took it down to the studs, removed the floor, fixed the leaks (I didn't help - I wanted the tub out of the bathroom since I never used it, so in sawing it into pieces I hit a water line, and well, upshot- poor son had another leak and more repair work). He took out everything but the shower and the sink. He has the floor repaired and a wood looking laminate down, and the new toilet in, and I am slowly gonna do the walls. That includes putting up new drywall, as, well, when I cut a line, I really do a good job. Anyways, I have always hated my counter in my bathroom. I didn't want to spend the money to replace it, as it is perfectly good and workable, but now I have something to try to get it to look better. It is not, however, flat laminate, it is slightly textured. Don't ask why. The same idiot that put that in also had put carpeting in the bathroom. I was wondering if you had any idea what the spray paint might do with the slight texture? I am willing to give it a try, as even if it looks really bad in the end, I would be the only one seeing it. What do you think? Virg

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! My master bath had two really bad plumbing leaks, so my teenage son took it down to the studs, removed the floor, fixed the leaks (I didn't help - I wanted the tub out of the bathroom since I never used it, so in sawing it into pieces I hit a water line, and well, upshot- poor son had another leak and more repair work). He took out everything but the shower and the sink. He has the floor repaired and a wood looking laminate down, and the new toilet in, and I am slowly gonna do the walls. That includes putting up new drywall, as, well, when I cut a line, I really do a good job. Anyways, I have always hated my counter in my bathroom. I didn't want to spend the money to replace it, as it is perfectly good and workable, but now I have something to try to get it to look better. It is not, however, flat laminate, it is slightly textured. Don't ask why. The same idiot that put that in also had put carpeting in the bathroom. I was wondering if you had any idea what the spray paint might do with the slight texture? I am willing to give it a try, as even if it looks really bad in the end, I would be the only one seeing it. What do you think? Virg

Gah...I tried that stone stuff years ago and didn't have good luck. I hope they improved the formula since then...or maybe my application skills have improved?

Thanks for all the tips on redoing a counter top. They will come in very handy. Does it mattter which brand of stone paint? I guess what I want to know is what brand did you use.

Looks great. I have a friend who did this same thing to a 1930's bedroom set. It turned out amazingly well. She used a greystone spray.

wow...thanks for all the information and ideas...just one thing tho, those peel and stick tiles will come up (probably due to washing the floor and water getting underneath).

Yes you can paint over worn used linoleum. I did mine about 14 years go and it still looks good. Some spots obviously in high traffic areas, but overall I'm pleased at how well it has worn. Gave me an extention on replacing the floor.
I'll post a couple of pics in a little while.

Great idea with your counters, and I love your blog, so many ideas, I've put it in my tool bar favorites to look at my leasure, any time.

slightly sand it than use a primer paint. if you use stone paint it is textured...put once you use plyutheme...(no idea how to spell that...just put on 6-10 coats and it will be smooth.

I am careful when washing. I do not let water sit on the tiles. They look great!!! no lifting yet.

I used Valspar stone spray paint. It is for interior and Exterior...very important to make sure its used for Exterior...don't forget to use a protective spray or if I had kids I think I may even do the polyurtheme...I used that on my counters in the kitchen looks great...its been almost two years. And the hubby cooks all the time.

What a great idea! I'm going to tell my DDs and SILs. They're all talking about new counters.

We have the money for new countertops but I really like the ones I have and so proud since I did it my self. I will use the money for things I can't do like installing a farmers porch...that is our next project. We installed all new windows through out the house...it was the same cost of what it would have cost me for cabinets and a counter in the kitchen. So glad I install the windows instead...one is a baywindow that you can sit or lay in...its 12 feet long.

Carolaug, thank you so much. When I bought my house, the kitchen counters were 'sparkled' black laminate. I thought I would have to replace them. Thanks to you, I will be getting 'new' counter tops!

I love it!!!! its so awesome....just make sure you shake it well...and you will need at least three coats....after you spray and it dries well...you may want to wait a night or two...use the protective clear spray or if its going to get a lot of use I recommend the plyurame..(how ever that is spelled...one if these days I will get up and look...LOL...really throught...the stone spray paint is awesome...

Thanks so much for answering my questions. I am getting the materials on my next outing so I can get started. I have home made plywood cabinets and that ugly wood look counter top. I can see it now, all sparkly white with sand colored stone counter tops. Hmmm, I'll have to decide on a wall color too. I can hardly wait to get started!

PS... polyurethane, lol! I just hate it when I know how to spell a word and for the life of me I can't get it right. Either that or I get it right and then I keep looking at it and think that it just doesn't LOOK right.

I LOVE this topic!!!!!!!!! I am always trying to find ideas to decorate my home. We should call the topic , HANDYWOMAN !!!!!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I would recommend the 6 to 10 layers polyurethane - it makes it smoother - I am going to add a few coats of it. That is what i have used in my kitchen and I love the feel of it...the only down side is you really to let it dry for a week.it will be dry but needs to harden.

Well...we are finally able to have the kitchen that we want...My kitchen from three years ago...make over still looks great but we are ready and save and save for our new kitchen. Real wood cabinets, tile floor, glass backsplash, new reset lighting , new panty and much, much more...the contactors come on Monday and it will take 4 weeks...in two weeks the new granite countertops wil arrive, new sink, faucet...I am soooo nervous...its going to be pretty stressful around here. my old blog does not work..I turnned it off so that link is no good...it brings you to some ad. I will see if I can find a picture of my countertop that I painted with the stone spray...it still looks great.

No quilting for me today... its also finally nice out but have to pack up dishes, pans, food, tea cups. Take down curtains, pictures etc.....not much fun....My husband said to just wait till monday...dust will be all over the place.

Yah...we are done...let the fun begin...contractors will be here on Monday morning...sad that my sewing room is on the other side of the kitchen. I should be able to get in there I hope. Good thing it has a doorthe dust is going to be horrible for the first few weeks.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]419222[/ATTACH]took knobs off cleanned out everything picture and ready to roll

[ATTACH=CONFIG]423675[/ATTACH] I can't believe the difference...just waiting for the window frame, Roman shade and ceiling paint.

Love your kitchen. wish I could at least get my cabinets stripped. They are the real oak and my MIL had them stained dark and they are so dark with age and dingy looking too.

handles make a huge difference. have you tried changing out the handles/knobs? Also there a is a bottle of some stuff...cant remember the name but it is a watered down stained that you can wipe on with a rag. I have done it with many of my furniture and it makes everything look like new. (real wood).