old country house blog, old country house interior paint colors, Original Cow paintings

BUDGET KITCHEN DECONSTRUCTED – PART 3

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 BUDGET KITCHEN MAKEOVER

DECONSTRUCTED – PART 3

We continue breaking down the kitchen makeover

6. COUNTERTOPS

 I spent a good few years, on my regular LOWES and HOME DEPOT runs, wandering over to the Kitchen countertop section, running my fingers over the samples…dreaming of my Beautiful Marble Countertops..then for a while I had a fantasy of having Silestone…even a brief interlude with Granite. But never, EVER with Formica. Formica is what I had…and what I hoped to get rid of.

IMG_9176One day while I was picking the brain of the patient Kitchen Designer…now on a first name basis, I glanced sideways and saw a finished Marble countertop…probably waiting for its lucky rich owner to pick it up.

“Just for kicks…. how much would THAT marble be?” I asked.

She smiled .”THAT is NOT marble” she said with a grin. “Believe it or not, THAT is FORMICA!”

“NO WAY!!!” I said. I walked over and looked at it from all sides, and honestly could not see that it was Formica. It was wild! Then I touched it, and it was not cold like marble. That was the ONLY giveaway!!!

“Tell me more about this Formica Marble” I said…..

I learned that Formica had introduced a line of countertops, called 180X which Formica.com says “captures the true scale and visual drama of a full granite slab, recreating the dynamic sweep of its striking colorations and exquisite veining. Affordable luxury on a grand scale.”

Amore Edge Kohler Vault Sink

Amore Edge , Kohler Vault Sink, Rohl Faucet

These beautiful countertops are really just digital “prints” of the real thing, technology at its finest….that is why they look so real.

FORMICA IDEAL EDGE

FORMICA IDEAL EDGE

In 2012, FORMICA  introduced the Ideal Edge which – (from the Formica Website) “Transcend the limits of yesterday’s laminate. New IdealEdge by Formica Group offers decorative edges that bring a fresh look to laminate countertops, islands and work tables. What you see, is a perfectly finished edge. What you don’t see is the brown seam line visible with a conventional flat edge.eliminates the telltale brown seam line of Formica and can go around corners.”

For a while there, Ideal edge could only be accessed in a select number of locations and created by only a few fabricators, but this past Spring and Summer Formica launched a Nationwide training program to teach fabricators all over the country how to construct Ideal Edge. This is GREAT NEWS for the customer who wants the total look…without the telltale brown line.

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So, while I got my countertops a bit early to get the ideal Edge, Hopefully YOU can!

banjotoplong

SO This Is why I  chose Laminate over Real Marble……

1. Cost. My Formica Countertops cost me under $800.

2.And they are so beautiful.

3.And they are less maintenance.

4.And they are less fragile.

5.And in a kitchen that is 45 years old…I just did not think it was sensible to invest over $5000 on Countertops.

7. FLOOR

All along I had planned to lay a hexagon tile in our kitchen.

Hexagon Tile
Hexagon Tile

I could just SEE it…can;t you JUST see it. I had done the research and I had practiced by doing both the Powder Room and our Master Bathroom. I can think of no better flooring for my kitchen in THIS house. But I ran into a little problem. There are so many layers of vinyl flooring that if I were to add one more layer, my toes would not fit under the cabinets…I could have removed the TOP layer of vinyl but It became clear that the shape of the floor underneath was questionable and unable to be removed because of potential asbestos. And then I had an IDEA!!!

PAINT THE FLOOR!!!!

HOW I DID IT:

1. Cleaned the floor thoroughly.

BEFOREthis floor was nasty...dirty and old...but intact and I liked the underlying pattern...

BEFORE …this floor was nasty…dirty and old…but intact and I liked the underlying pattern…

2. Used TSP to clean it some more. Then, I got some super hot soapy water…and a heavy duty scrub brush…cleaned some more.

3. Designed my pattern….

I used to graph paper to make my design.

I used to graph paper to make my design.

4. PRIMED the floor with SKILZ primer which I had tinted to one of the gray colors.

5. Touched up the trim with Benjamin Moore – Mountain Peak White and “CUT in” the floor around the edges…

I cut in the shoe mould around the base of the room with a coat of fresh paint.

I cut in the shoe mould around the base of the room with a coat of fresh paint.

6. I originally designed a Herringbone Pattern but changed my pattern when 4 colors looks too busy…the result is a kind of “Chevron meets Stripes” pattern

I started with 4 colors...it was too too busy so I took it down to TWO colors

I started with 4 colors…it was too too busy so I took it down to TWO colors

7. Taped off the lines to get them nice and straight…

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8. Removed the taped…touched up the bleed throughs…and then touched up THOSE bleed throughs..rinse and repeat!!!

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9. LET IT DRY

This was not a difficult project..TEDIOUS YES,

but EASY TO DO.

The hardest part was keeping people out of the kitchen for a few days while I let it dry…

FINALLY, I devised this “ISLE OF PLACEMATS” system…

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which allowed folks to come in the kitchen… ONLY if they stepped on the placemats!!!

COST:

BENJAMIN MOORE PORCH AND FLOOR PAINT 2 quarts  $15.00/each

1.Coventry Gray and 2. Tucker Gray

2. SKILZ Primer $25

3. Cleaning supplies etc $20

Total: $60

TIGER spent MORE time in the kitchen during the painting process than he ever has in his life!!! I think he was looking for his food, which usually sits in the window sill…away from the dogs…

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THE pattern extends into the laundry room…

THE PATTERN EXTENDS INOT THE LAUNDRY ROOM!
THE PATTERN EXTENDS INTO THE LAUNDRY ROOM! Okay…I am going to mess with you a bit…look at the floor colors above – the darker color is SHAKER GRAY and the Lighter color is COVENTRY GRAY – both by Benjamin Moore. Now look up at the wall….that little bit of wall is painted “STONINGTON GRAY” also by Benjamin Moore and if your know your BM colors…one shade LIGHTER than COVENTRY…but doesn’t it look DARKER UP ON THE WALL??? It is like one of those “brain games”. because the Coventry is sitting next to a darker color…it looks LIGHTER! So strange…even in person it looks lighter…!!! This is an excellent example of HOW dramatically colors can change…depending upon where they are and what they are next to.

I AM IN LOVE WITH MY KITCHEN FLOOR!!!

TOMORROW WE WILL FINISH UP THE BUDGET KITCHEN MAKEOVER BREAKDOWN BY GOING THROUGH THE ODDS AND ENDS!!!

UNTIL THEN, NAME THIS BABY!!! HE COULD BE COMING HOME TO YOUR HOUSE!!!

 

62 thoughts on “BUDGET KITCHEN DECONSTRUCTED – PART 3

  1. Wow, I have learned something new this morning – a good way to start the day! – and your floor is absolutely stunning. Nice work!
    All best,
    Phyllis

  2. I would name the painting “Are You My Mother?” Thanks for all the scoop on your kitchen remodel. I have enjoyed reading it and hope that someday it will come in handy!

  3. I would name him “Martin” 🙂

    M = Mellow
    A = Ambitious
    R = Respectful
    T = Trendy
    I = Intuitive
    N = Noble

  4. Adorable painting! (And I love your house…every bit of it…totally adorable). For the little boy cow’s name, how about Beau Vine. (I just had a James Bond moment when I typed that out…you know…”My name is Vine. Beau Vine.”) 🙂

  5. My 8 year old says he looks like a Macintosh?!? Good thing it wasn’t last week or he would have looked like a Honey Crisp. 🙂

    I love the counters. Totally fooled me.

  6. This is going to be a blast and NOW I know where
    To go when I am naming my paintings! These names
    Are phenomenal !!! Keep them coming and make
    Sure to leave an extra message if you follow me
    On social media so I can give you a double entry!!!

  7. I think you named the painting Lesli! 🙂 “Sweetest Thing”

    Would love to win and give this painting to my mom who has her own little farm family of Jersey Cows.

  8. If he was born in August I would call him Augie ! You did say he was brave and brazen so Chief would be perfect.

  9. I would name the painting ” Future Moovie star”

    I follow the posts via email, follow you on FB, and pinterest 🙂

  10. You really captured his sweetness! I’d call it ‘What’s Your Name?’ He looks like he’s greeting you.

  11. So sweet!! I would name the painting “George” as in Curious George!!! I follow your blog, facebook, twitter and instagram!!

  12. I love this painting!!! You need to get some prints made up of this one!!! He has such a cute face, I’d stare at it all the time!

  13. I love the painting. And all of your work actually. The bold colors and images are striking. I’d name him Ewing- and the painting- Ewing is all ears.

  14. I am calling the painting, Weeble Wobble. It makes me think this is a calf learning how to use it’s legs for the first time. So Cute!!!

  15. As I was staring at his sweet face, the song Motown Philly by Boyz II Men came on Pandora. I think it’s only fate that his name should be Moo-town Philly or Moo-town Phil! Who are we to argue with men that can harmonize like that combined with a sweet, little face like his, really?

    And, I’m an avid blog, Facebook and Pinterest follower and fan:)

  16. When I first glanced at this handsome fellow he looked like a “Charlie” to me. Once I realized your dog is named Charlie, I figure that’s why he came toward the fence. He thought you were calling his name!

  17. I would name him Blue which would stand for B beauty
    l love
    u u
    e exist
    because I really do believe beauty and love exists in the eyes of this gentle soul.

  18. I would name him Blue
    B beauty
    L love
    u u
    e exist
    because I really do believe beauty and love exist in the eyes of this gentle soul.

  19. Love him! He would be Rutherford at our house! I follow you on Pinterest, Facebook, and the blog–love your love of color and pattern!

  20. I love him. Just saw this at a shop in my home town, Purcellville, VA! Knew it was yours the minute I saw him. Stared into his eyes for several minutes. I would name him Bud. He is the sweetest thing ever!

  21. What a darling cow…please name him Moo-la-la!
    You are so talented at decorating. Love your blog.
    Mary Ann

  22. I think we should name him Fred because an old man name for a cute baby cow just seems appropriate.
    Thanks for the chance to take him home! I also followed the blog and like you on FB.

  23. This is such a darling painting. I see his name being “Waldo the Wonderful.” He looks like an adventurous little babe that would explore all corners of the farm and maybe even get into some trouble. 🙂

  24. Where did you purchase the countertops? Thru a ground store in the US? Or was everything thru their website? Thx!

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