Presuming you have a design, licensed contractor and building permits; there are some things to consider before bringing in the wrecking crew.

1. Temporary Kitchen. Patios are ideal. Water and drain lines in exterior walls, can occasionally be temporally routed to a utility sink. It beats washing dishes in the bathtub.
2. Construction Zone. Stay out of the way. It’s for your safety.
3. Be flexible! Unexpected situations will occur.
4. Contractor’s Aid. Designate a bathroom; keep snacks and nonalcoholic drinks coming.

Keep your sense of humor! You’ll soon have the home you desired.

Did you know there is a Contact Paper Store? Now there is a little niche business that reminds me of the Scotch Tape Store sketch from Saturday Night Live.

I wrinkled my nose at their claim “we’ve got some great ideas for your home design!” but I browsed the site and found a Black Toile design that was interesting and then stumbled upon the fabric contact paper…okay now that might have some potential.

You can check it all out yourself at The Contact Paper Store but you have to promise me that you’ll only use it tastefully and creatively

Here’s a little inspiration to get you started. Contact paper never looked so good!

Found at The Show Must Go On

I have a countertop in my bathroom that is covered with ugly contact paper. I cannot afford a new counter right now. Is there a paint I could use to cover it with? –Elizabeth

Kate suggests…

It is possible to paint over a laminate counter top and while it isn’t the ideal solution it can be done. I painted over a hideous countertop because it was going to be awhile before I was able to remodel a bathroom and it was a cost effective way to eliminate the problem.

Just understand before you get into it that it is a multi-step process that requires patience to produce a nice end product and the surface will not be as durable as the original one so you need to take extra care to keep it looking nice.

So if there is laminate underneath the contact paper forge ahead but first you’ll have to remove the it since I would not recommend painting over the contact paper.

I don’t have much experience with removing contact paper but have listed a couple of links under resources that I think you will find helpful in tackling that step. Hopefully you can get it off without too much of a headache.

Once the contact paper is completely removed. Here are the steps for painting:

1. Start by thoroughly cleaning the counter.
2. Once it has dried wipe it down with denatured alcohol.
3. Then sand the entire surface to give it a bit of tooth to hold the paint. I would recommend using 120 grit sandpaper but don’t sand it with so much pressure that you leave deep scratches. You are just trying to return to rough it up a bit.
4. If the surface is chipped you will need to fill them in with filler. I use the Minwax two-part product but whatever one you use make sure it is the toughest, most durable one they make that can be sanded smooth but will hold up. When you do this make sure you have plenty of time because you will need to fill, let dry for fifteen to 20 minutes and then sand. If you allow it to dry much longer it will be almost impossible for to do by hand (as I have learned through experience…oops!)
5. Next prime the surface with an oil-based sealer that is tinted to match your top coat.
6. Finally, paint the surface with an oil-based paints. Keep in mind you are going for ’smooth’ so applying two light coats (rather than one heavier one) using a small roller with a short nap will give you the best results.  UPDATE: I haven’t tried this but reader Jen R recommends a super-dense, white foam roller that will leave an ultra smooth finish.. smoother than a short napped roller or a soft bristle brush and almost as smooth as spraying.  Sounds like a good suggestion and I will try thing myself next time.

I have seen instructions for using latex paint but I haven’t ever used that because my research didn’t give me confidence it would hold up as well or give me as good a finished look but it is another option you could look into.

Resources:

• Instructions for removing contact paper from essortment.com
• More help with removing contact paper from refinishfurniture.com

My philosophy is quite simple. To create a sensational home– just add color!

Every day we share insights and expertise, answer questions and encourage reader’s to develop their own color style.

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Thanks again for stopping by.

Think creatively, live colorfully — Kate

For me the even better news is the reason that it has taken me longer than expected to take some photos and share my result with you– I’ve been working with two new corporate clients but more on that later.

A close-up of the brushed pearl effect

I used Valspar’s Brushed Pearl paint and am very pleased with the results. Even my 17 year old was ‘wowed’ which is really saying something about how outstanding it looks because he doesn’t usually pay much attention to my decorating projects

These photos don’t do justice to the gorgeous brushed pearl effect

Here’s how the project went from start to finish–

My very first step was stopping at Lowe’s to buy the paint and sealer. I chose color BP1 ‘Simply Elegant’. While I was there I also picked up the 4″ brush and trowel they sell specifically for this purpose.

A scan of the color card just to give you an idea of the variety of colors; please look at an actual card for accurate color rendition

Next I had my painter put the base coat on the walls and ceiling so all I had to do was to apply the pearl layer. I did this as a time-saver not because it was difficult since the first coat is essentially the same as if you were simply painting any room.

After allowing ample time for the first coat to dry I applied painter’s tape around all four edges of two opposite walls. I don’t think that instructions say to do this but I know from experience that this makes all the difference in acheiving a flawless finish and is worth the little bit of extra time it takes.

I used painter’s tape at each point where two walls met

Having done faux finishes in the past I have learned that you get the best results if you do opposite walls and let them dry. Then reposition your tape onto the dried walls and paint the remaining two walls. If you don’t do it this way I find it very difficult to get a professional finish where the two walls meet.

After the first wall was dry I repositioned the tape and started on the adjacent wall.

Using the 4″ brush I began painting at the upper left corner of one wall and worked my across and down. Since I had taped I didn’t bother to cut in the edges ahead but rather did this as I went along.

I took extra care to pull the paint out so that it didn’t build up around the edges and I kept an eye on how dry it was getting so that it didn’t get too dry before I could use the trowel.

Troweling over the surface is the second step of applying this layer. I went at it at first with a very gentle and deliberate strokes but found that being looser and less measured produced a more pleasing surface appearance. Now that was my first clue that this product was different than most of the prepared faux finishes I have tried in the past.

With the first coat I got a feel for the product and how it handled. I found that I could work rather loosely and quickly which was especially good since I jumped right into painting after dinner on Friday night rather than wait until Saturday morning.

By the second wall I knew exactly how to get the look I was after and the process went even more quickly and I was cleaning my brush before the late night news was over.

I was successful in getting the effect with one coat but it did not look nearly as good as it did when I added a second layer

Of all the faux finishes I have used I found this one to be the most “forgiving”. As I painted I was able to go back over areas and they blended beautifully. After I used the trowel if there were areas I thought looked a bit too strong I was able to soften the effect by dry brushing very gently over the area using an X motion.

I painted not only the wall but also the ceiling because I wanted to make this small guest bathroom seem more spacious. I had originally painted the ceiling with the base coat and I had planned to leave it at that rather than struggle to faux finish it however this technique was so simple that I decided to complete the ceilings with the Brushed Pearl finish to match the walls.

After the paint was dry I had my painter put on the protective sealer and put up the fixtures and switchplates. Adding the sealer did not change the look and in fact may have actually added to the luster.

Antique nickel fixtures against the brushed pearl paint finish

Did I mention that I hadn’t even been considering doing a faux finish in this room? I am so over faux finishes at this point having helped just one too many of my friends fix their Ralph Lauren and other faux DIY projects. However, when I saw the Brushed Pearl finish I was so taken with the look that I quickly forgot all that and headed off to Lowe’s to pick up the paint.

I’m really glad I chose Valspar Brushed Pearl. The process was simple and the results beautiful. I think that even someone doing faux finish for the first time would have success with this technique. In fact I doubt I’ll receive any S.O.S. calls from my friends if they use this product.

My final words on this project–

“The room certainly looks ‘Simply Elegant’ just as the color name said it would!”

Resources:

• Valspar Brushed Pearl paint and tools are available at Lowe’s. Type in your zip code to find your local Lowe’s

**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect the paint colors. Please refer to an actual sample of the paint for an accurate rendition of the color.

My son has the flu and my beau is out of the country so time for me to throw on those old jeans and grab a paintbrush and get busy repainting the guest bathroom on the main level.

I bought the paint a few weeks ago with the best of intentions to get started right away but between “the boys” wanting my time and attention, my new year’s resolution to workout every day, and unexpected house guests the paint has remained in the closet.

First thing tomorrow however I’m going to be roll out some blue tape, give the paint a good stir and get started applying Valspar’s Brushed Pearl paint. I’m hoping it looks as spectacular on my walls as it does on the color card and sample board. So stay tuned and I’ll let you know!

I won’t see you again until Tuesday since Monday is a U.S. holiday but you’re welcome to stay awhile and browse around. I’ll be back next week to help reader’s with their color dilemas and share ideas for your next decorating project.

Until then,
Kate

P.S. Do you need even more color and style inspiration? Check out the latest on our blog at www.liveinfullcolor.com

Update: I have posted the process and results of my DIY project here…