Black Concrete Countertops

<center> </center> I am pretty sure when we do the bigger kitchen reno in a year or two that we'll want to do soapstone for the main countertops. I love its look and how hard-wearing the stone is. Our little kitchen as it's currently laid out is a little dark though, so I thought I would try dark counters now to make sure that I'm comfortable with the look before we really commit.<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <center> </center> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo MADE-Black-Soapstone-Counters-Sink-Remodelista_0.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/MADE-Black-Soapstone-Counters-Sink-Remodelista_0.jpg" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">Remodelista</a></i></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> I thought Ardex made Feather Finish in black, but they actually only make it in gray and white. So I poked around a little online and then called the Ardex people to make sure I could use <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">this powdered concrete tint</a>.<br /> <div> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo vIMG_4388.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/vIMG_4388.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We built countertops out of scrap plywood to the exact dimensions of the old granite. </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_4926.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_4926.jpg" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_5017.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_5017.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> We made the edges thicker by adding a little brick moulding beneath the plywood.</div> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_5026.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_5026.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I also added a waterfall edge on the peninsula and I LOVE how it turned out. The first coat of concrete though, I didn't quite use enough black powder.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo vIMG_4348.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/vIMG_4348.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> It turns out about a 1/4 cup to every two cups of concrete is just the right amount.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo vIMG_4380.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/vIMG_4380.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_5042.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_5042.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_5037.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_5037.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo vIMG_5029.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/vIMG_5029.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I used the same exact approach that I used <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">in my laundry room</a>, but this time I used <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">a more expensive food-safe sealer</a>. This stuff is pretty hard core. So far it's been worth every penny! I only needed about half of the bottle for several applications, so I think it's actually a pretty good value.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo vIMG_4396.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/vIMG_4396.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> At sort of the last minute I had a change of heart about the shelving. I had wanted to use <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">a taller series of three or four shelves</a>, but I couldn't get this image from Remodelista out of my mind. I think the single, lower sleek shelf is just perfect here.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo anstruther-kitchen-remodelista-2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/anstruther-kitchen-remodelista-2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> So we built a little backsplash and I used a pine board to make a shelf that I also layered in concrete.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_5030.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_5030.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_5044.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_5044.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <br /> <center> </center> It's not quite finished yet, but I was excited to share progress photos. I'm so happy with how everything is coming together! I especially love the black concrete - it's so pretty with the white cabinets. :) The cabinet hardware will finally be here tomorrow (five weeks late!) and we're finishing up the new window and door trim and then I'll take some more photos to share.

Black Concrete Countertops

I am pretty sure when we do the bigger kitchen reno in a year or two that we'll want to do soapstone for the main countertops. I love ...

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Painting Upholstery Design

<center> </center> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_4498.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda007/IMG_4498.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I tried <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">upholstery spray paint</a> years ago with pretty good results, and I've been wanted to try painting upholstery with a brush for a while too. I got a pair of little white swivel club chairs a few months ago for $30 for the pair. I love the shape of the arms, but the fabric was pretty dingy and old. I knew I would want to reupholster these eventually, but I didn't know what room they'd go in and I wanted to wait to choose a color/pattern. These felt like the perfect candidate for painting the upholstery.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I followed <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">these instructions</a> and used textile medium and Valspar paint from Lowes which is actually acrylic paint. The color I chose was Sunburst Orange from Benjamin Moore. It's a bright, fun coral that's perfect for accent chairs.</div> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_1167.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda007/IMG_1167.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The basic idea is you mix textile medium with really, really watered down acrylic paint (so you can buy craft paint if you don't have a huge surface area to cover like I did with two chairs). You spray the upholstery with a water bottle and then softly brush on the paint mixture.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> You have to do several coats with drying time in between and you sort of have to find that sweet spot of even coverage and not too crispy from the paint. These chairs are a little stiff, but if you use a sanding block to knock off any uneven bumps and to loosen up the paint a little, it ends up feeling sort of like canvas. Not exactly like silk velvet, but not too bad.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_4517.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda007/IMG_4517.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I wouldn't do this with special chairs that you're going to sit in all the time or a primary use sofa, but it's a perfect option for accent chairs or (and maybe especially!) dining chair seats.</div> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt=" photo IMG_4507.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda007/IMG_4507.jpg" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Have you tried painting any of your upholstery? How did it work out for you? I'd love to see any links if you've posted about it.</div>

Painting Upholstery Design

I tried upholstery spray paint years ago with pretty good results, and I've been wanted to try painting upholstery with a brush f...

Read more »