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Kate’s DIY Project: Valspar Brushed Pearl Paint

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. Then reposition your tape onto the dried walls and paint the remaining two walls. Troweling over the surface is the second step of applying this layer. Adding the sealer did not change the look and in fact may have actually added to the luster.
Modifying Granite Color W/Fire | Duration 2 Minutes 21 Seconds I think that even someone doing faux finish for the first time would have success with this technique. Were mine tinted opposite what they should have been? I think it is more important to have the motion be comfortable and feel natural rather than trying to achieve a stroke that is awkward. Is it a satin base of the same number then the top coat is the brushed pearl tinted the same? What produces the effect is the top coat but of course having the right color and finish underneath is critical to the end result. And is this finish easy to paint over in the future? When using the trowel how far apart do you use the 12 to 18″ stroke? I originally painted both my walls and ceiling in this color with the intention of leaving the ceiling with just the base color and not putting on the top coat. Plus when you get into changing formulas you won’t really have a good idea as to whether or not it is right until you try it. Do you think my problem is using it on a wooden surface? I do think however that it might be difficult to produce the same results as on the wall. I used the plastic trowel flat against the surface of the wall after the pearl coat had dried slightly. You don’t want it to be too small because then the look in the small sections would be different than the rest of the room. I think this would work better than the brush but you could try that also. I think it you experiment you’ll find a way to achieve the look in those tight spaces and if you aren’t happy with the results at least it isn’t on the walls. There are also many interesting paint finishes now for concrete that may also work on the plywood and a good dealer should be able to help you there too. I just received some pictures from another reader that used this product with great success and will be posting hem this week. I have not been able to see a decent photograph of this finish as most examples have their camera’s flash turned on and it looks too overexposed to get a realistic idea of what it is really supposed to look like. This is what seemed to be a natural and loose movement for me. I believe that this is the same paint as you would purchase if you simply wanted an interior satin. I don’t recall there being another option but it doesn’t seem to me that a metal trowel would work as well with this process. Could it be rolled and then troweled and get similar effect? I don’t think you would get the same nice effect with a roller but you could try it on a test sample board first and see. I didn’t use a very exacting pattern put rather let the strokes overlap at random. I used a slightly lighter touch as it was a bit more dry but in the end it all blended beautifully. If you haven’t used it yet and it was pre-mixed rather than custom mixed you could probably exchange it for this product if that is what you had intended to buy. You could do it but you might lose some of the effect. Lowes gal but in this case having a salesperson to work with you that really knows the product and how to custom mix paint could be helpful. I am trying to use it on a wooden cabinet, and it looks terrible, as though someone stuck their hands in the wet pearl. If your cabinet has any trim or areas that are difficult to paint around it would take great patience to paint areas, let them dry and cover so that you could paint the adjoining areas withou t messing up those areas that you were satisfied with. You may also find something else that would work at a kitchen or hardware store. Maybe using a foam brush rather than a regular brush might work.

Rocky Bella: Before and After: Painting My Countertops by rockybella.blogspot.com

The abbrasive would obvisouly scratch, in the form of a “foggy” spot. For kitchen benchtops its big problem is that it is porous and not very acid resistance. We are in the process of replacing some countertops and this will definitely make us think twice about just buying new. Its glossy texture is wonderful, and the sandy effect is more. It really complemented with the color of your kitchen cabinet. You gave me the idea to use your idea with red spray paint. Do you have any tips for application resulting in even coverage on the counter. It wasn’t noticable unless you were really close to it though.

Atlantis Tile | Kitchen | Bath | Marble & Granite | Duration 1 Minutes 5 Seconds Any breakdown of the surface sealant will result in staining which is nearly impossible to remove. Ours were a mint green color and bought the sandy/tan color.

Erva Stone and Design by yelp.com

They were meticulous and friendly and worked hard to get it done as quickly as possible. They helped get replacement parts for the kitchen and worked with me to ensure everything turned out well. I do not have enough amazing things to say about this company! Hasan also took us to the slab warehouse and walked us around to let us hold the samples up to granite/stone options to have an idea of how they matched. He is truly an expert, not only in cabinetry and countertops, but also everything related to kitchen remodeling. Hasan is hands-on, and came out to our house to measure and check the dimensions of our kitchen. I did not have a contractor and was doing the remodel on my own. They sent someone to my home to do measurements and in a very non pushy way, he mentioned that they sell cabinets as well, but do not install them. He also took our budget seriously and provided a detailed and transparent estimate that was within budget. Hasan made the entire process a lot easier and less stressful then it would have been with other companies and he provided excellent products. It was a relief to work with someone with such integrity who clearly values the customer and providing quality service. He was super nice and patient throughout our decision process. Lorton) and took measurements and was so nice to offer advice on the placement of the countertops because we’re also installing hardwood flooring. He also offered to cut the back splash at a certain height to minimize tile cutting when we have our back splash installed – again, excellent advice and a gracious offer. By the way, the installation team was punctual and clean, they left our kitchen in the same clean way they walked into it. All my family and friends once they see the kitchen they get stunned. I had always assumed it would be a lot more expensive than it turned out to be. I had many concerns about getting my kitchen and bathrooms renovated such as pricing, finding the right color, fit etc. I am 100% satisfied and would definitely go back to them in the future!

Polishing Granite Kitchen Countertops | Duration 1 Minutes 59 Seconds I will absolutely use this company again and recommend them to my friends and family. Everyone has been great to deal with and the installation team went above and beyond with getting the job done. I cannot say enough about their customer service along with their quick responsiveness. Hasan is extremely knowledgeable, and walked us through the entire process while answering our endless questions. It’s been several months since our cabinets and granite have been installed (this review is long overdue), and we couldn’t be happier with the quality of our cabinets and granite countertops. Once the cabinets were installed by my contractor it was a quick turnaround for him to do final measurements for the countertops and get those installed within 3 days. He gave us all the pros and cons of the various types of countertops they sell. He too gave us the pros and cons of the various tops they offer. We then agreed to a free estimate, which they provided the same day! He warned me about the added height of the floor and how it will affect the removal of our dishwasher. My recommendation to you reading this post is go with these guys, you’ll be extremely glad you did. Installers came on site and did a terrific job of installing the countertops. Caulking can be tricky since it shrinks and doesn’t cure if it gets wet. Their estimate cost was fair, the work professional, and time line was outstanding. It was obvious that he knew exactly what he was doing, took pride in his work, and was trying his very best to do a great job, including cleaning up so that it was hard to tell he’d even been here. These guys are real professionals and they exceeded my expectations. Furthermore, it is so hard to find someone whom you can trust with all these concerns in mind as we all want best value at best price.

Lazy Granite Kitchen Countertop Installation Video | Duration 14 Minutes 58 Seconds Hasan is the kind of person whom you can trust with closed eyes. Selecting countertops can be very intimidating but this company made it very easy for me. The company really went the extra mile to meet my deadline and provided very competitive pricing. The customer service we received is unmatched by any company we’ve ever dealt with. We received very quick and thorough responses anytime we had a question or concern.

Cambria Quartz Countertops Pros and Cons by sebringdesignbuild.com

We think there is a way to help you make a choice that will satisfy you months and years from now. Granite is only about 40% to 60% quartz (along with other softer minerals and impurities). A rich, dark and almost club-like environment seems to invite the expert cook in you to create a gourmet’s delight. If you were a photographer you’d be tempted to record these surfaces and play with the patterns as abstract compositions, they’re just that interesting. During your kitchen remodel, they will complement the high-end cabinets you’ve chosen or update the ones already in place. In the bath, a long countertop with a matching step-up to the tub. You’ll get that “down-to-business” feeling every time you sit down to do the bills. You can judge a material’s durability by its warranty and exceptions. Cambria is sealed when it’s manufactured as an anti-bacterial surface. Granite comes with a 10 year warranty and warn against heat and collision damage. No maintenance required and no discoloring or staining over time. It is known for its monolithic strength after a manufacturing process that results in an organic stone product of rare beauty and maximum strength, stronger than quartz. A dark color scheme in a large room makes the room “feel” smaller. But with the darker colors, consider the number of light sources.

Templating Your Countertops | Duration 2 Minutes 17 Seconds And to think they have been created and engineered to serve as a lifetime countertop, easy to keep and when sealed, an anti-bacterial surface. In the den, you have the makings of a gracious entertaining area with a magnificent bar and cabinet arrangement. From the subtlest notation to a strong expression of shade and shadow they definitely make their presence known in the room. We take our cues from history when combining the materials and you can see how an aura of “heritage” pervades the kitchen. Clear, bright, we-mean-it colors that leave no doubt about who they are and who likes them. Plus it doesn’t matter if it’s in the basement, with it’s proper seal, temperature extremes will not damage the quartz. Cambria has a 25 year (life-time) warranty with no exceptions. Cambria dealers love to boast on a product that’s just about, well, perfect. Give it some thought, walk through some samples and then decide. However, you can be sure that, regardless of location, value remains high and at an advantage when compared to granite in all the ways we have previously discussed. This is what makes this material so strong and durable for owners who are looking for high performance and functional value. A quick side note, we do not provide sales on our services and do not sell the products we use for our remodeling projects separately. A great product like that would be useful for my kid’s health.

KraftMaid by kraftmaid.com

And while it may seem like cabinets and wall colors are the only two elements to consider, adding color through tiles, appliances or even your ceiling can transform the look and feel of your space. If you’re open to being creative with color, try a bold, dramatic ceiling to add interest and dimension. Or if you have cabinets in stains like praline cherry, bold colors like navy can balance out the orange and brown tones. Wood versus tile, cork or rustic slate—the options for kitchen flooring have evolved greatly over the years. Rest assured, you will make it through and your dream kitchen awaits you at the end. For first-time renovators or those looking to maintain normalcy during their project, hiring a contractor is the next step to get things started. If only you could harness the excitement you feel right now and keep that same outlook throughout your project. No matter the size of your great room or dining room table, everyone always gathers in the kitchen. In fact, clever storage solutions can be part of what makes your space feel unique. The kitchen is the last place you want to risk letting illness-causing bacteria and viruses fester, but it can be hard to eliminate what you can’t see. Here are a few tips to help your kitchen shift seamlessly from quiet couple’s nest to grandparents’ funhouse. Contrary to popular belief, a dark ceiling can actually open up the space by creating the illusion of having no boundaries. If you like the idea of a metallic, but aren’t ready to go all-in on stainless, consider adding a metallic horizontal insert between white or light-colored glass subway tiles. Here are five easy ways to make life work during your kitchen renovation. But the more people who use it, the easier it is to fall out of sync. Fortunately, even small habit changes can make a big difference in protecting you and your family. But if grandkids are in the picture (or the future), you’ll want a kitchen that can adapt.

How To Seal Granite In 7 Easy Steps by countertopspecialty.com

This is true even though a simple test for sealing granite will give you the answer. Read on for the unbiased real story about sealing natural stone. That’s a common question with an easy way to find the answer. It will be helpful if you also learn about how sealers work. Note how long it takes for the area under the water puddle to create a dark spot / stain. But a couple key steps will determine whether or not you properly seal the granite and/or avoid any troublesome problems. Create a thin, even film of sealer by spreading around with a paint brush or clean cloth. Simply spraying a bit of sealer onto the surface and then immediately wiping it off (as is sometimes suggested online) is completely useless. It’s a complete waste of time and money on the sealer product. You’ll certainly get a good forearm workout or a hand-cramp doing so and it will take longer to complete the job than pouring on and spreading. Removing haze will become more difficult the longer you wait or if the sealer residue is allowed to completely dry and cure. Perform the water test again 30 minutes after applying the first coat. Permanent-bonding sealers do not degrade and require only one effective application (which may mean 2 or 3 coats). This simple sealer test sums it all up and tells you if you should apply a granite sealer or not either initially or for re-application. Your particular granite may not need it and maybe cannot even absorb the sealer. You won’t come across this fact very often, but it is absolutely true. This is often true for polished marble, travertine tile, and other dense natural stones as well. Applying a sealer when not needed only creates a problem you definitely don’t want. Sealers do not absolutely block absorption or absolutely prevent staining. Sealing granite simply gives you more time to clean up the mess before it stains and keeps the liquid near the surface, so it can be more easily removed if a stain does occur. You don’t want to leave an oil or wine spill sitting for an hour. Also , the natural porosity or absorbency of your granite is a key factor influencing how much a sealer can improve or extend the time-to-absorption and staining. If your granite initially stains in 1 minute (which is very quick), a sealer may increase that time to 10 or 15 minutes. On the other hand, if your granite takes 10 minutes to stain initially, then just one coat of sealer may extend that time to 30 minutes or more. These machines use intense friction and diamond abrasives to smooth the granite until it shines creating a “polished” finish. Coatings are applied only in rare circumstances since coatings can make the surface look plastic and sometimes create more problems than they solve. Only using coasters, trivets, placemats and completely avoiding contact with the acidic and alkaline foods and products will prevent etching. It’s the primary reason marble is not recommended for kitchen countertops. Granite rarely etches except in the case of “doctored” black granite. A natural stone that etches (like marble or travertine) is not a great choice for a kitchen countertop as etching will be impossible to avoid. Luckily, most cases of etching are mild to moderate and can be repaired using a special marble polishing etch remover. If you’re looking to purchase black granite, you should learn about doctored granite. Some will offer to do it for an additional (usually overpriced) fee and the sealer used often is not great. That’s how you get the streaky haze left on the surface which is very difficult to remove. You’ll do a better job, you can choose the best sealer, and save a bunch. Water will absorb and create a dark spot that looks like any other stain from oil or juice or coffee, etc. Water will evaporate and since water is clear the “stain” will not remain. A true “stain” is always a dark spot where something has absorbed into the granite below the surface. Very often such damage is permanent on quartz but rarely on granite. After all, engineered stone is 93% quartz which comes from granite. Clean the granite well, apply a sufficient amount of sealer, allow it time to completely absorb, and wipe clean and dry to remove any surface residue. Some say “all” granite needs sealing every year and others say only sometimes. The reason is that most people including many fabricators and installers do not understand how sealers work or when a granite countertop actually needs sealing. You’ll learn everything you need to know about sealing and sealers right here. By the end you’ll be as smart about sealing as any stone pro and have total confidence in what to do, when, why, and how. Performing a simple test for sealing granite with water and a clock or timer will determine if your granite needs to be sealed. Most (but not all) granite countertops will need to be sealed. Basically, if it darkens in 10 minutes or less you need to apply a granite sealer. See the sealing test page for detailed info on performing this water test, specific time to absorption, and interpreting the results. The basics are to clean the countertop, apply the sealer, allow to absorb, wipe complete clean and dry. Pour sealer onto the granite using enough to cover a small manageable area (not the entire countertop). Allow sealer to dwell and absorb into the stone 2-5 minutes (time depends on the specific stone and sealer). Then with a clean, dry cloth wipe up all excess sealer and buff the surface completely dry (important) to avoid leaving a hard-to-remove haze on the surface. Thus, pouring on and spreading around is far more effective than wiping on or spraying on. This method will not seal your countertops even if you do it daily. Therefore, you need to put enough sealer onto the surface to saturate the granite. The hazy spots can be easily removed immediately after application. A second or third coat of sealer may be necessary on lighter granite colors and especially white granite countertops. You know you have effectively sealed the surface when time-to-absorption exceeds 20 minutes or the time does not improve compared to the last coat. However, standard sealers do not form permanent bonds with the stone, will degrade, and will need re-application every 1-3 years or sometimes 5 years depending on the porosity of the stone and the quality of the sealer. But remember, it depends on your particular stone and sealant, so be sure to perform the water test first. Or you’ll simply start to notice that water is absorbing leaving dark spots in the stone. As a general rule, a sealer should be applied to all natural stones. Some varieties of granite are very dense and naturally stain-resistant. Or it takes so long to absorb (like 30 minutes or more) that stains are very rare. This is a big surprise to some that believe a sealer somehow encapsulates the granite in a protective shell or film. Sealers slow down the natural rate of absorption , but do not completely block it. So, you must still practice good cleaning habits and wipe up spills soon after they happen. It’s important to understand that if say a leaky bottle of oil is left on the surface for days, it could still absorb enough to stain since sealers work by dramatically reducing absorption and not by forming impenetrable shells. So the porosity or absorbency of your granite is a key factor in determining how much a sealer can improve the stain-resistance of your countertop. The shine is created by running granite slabs through a huge polishing machine at the factory where the slabs are cut and prepared for market. The granite is sanded so smooth that it becomes reflective and shines. Certain products that are sometimes called “sealers” can change the look (color and shine) of stone, but in reality these are topical coatings and not the “impregnating” stone sealers we are talking about. Sealing has absolutely nothing to do with etching and will not prevent it at all. Expecting a stone sealer to provide this prote ction is like expecting a car wax to prevent a key scratching your car’s paint. Marble is very popular and is often installed as a kitchen countertop, but it is much more troublesome to maintain in a “like-new” condition. The spots that result from etching are the clear or lighter-colored, chalky, dull spots, “water spots” or “glass rings” that are commonly reported with such stones. However, if severe enough your only option is to call in a professional to re-polish the surface. It is not a standard practice for the countertop fabricator / installer to automatically apply a sealer. And believe it or not, often the installer doesn’t know how to properly apply a sealer or doesn’t want to take the time to do it correctly. Letting a sealer dry on the surface is absolutely what you should never do. Or some installers may tell you the granite was “pre-sealed” at their shop. Sealing granite countertops is so simple we recommend that you just do it yourself. You can’t blame them for trying to effectively market their product and not having to seal quartz is a point in its favor. Despite what you may read quartz countertops can and do stain and discolor from a variety of foods and cleaners and hot pans. All other qualities and characteristics of each product are the same. You will get excellent performance from either countertop material. This type of product can be used weekly or for end of day cleaning to keep your countertops shiny and streak-free. Showhomes was a pioneer in home staging and continues as the leader in this fast growing industry. It sold during the first open house, and the lucky buyers will enjoy a fabulous location and green construction. Nancy took the ideas from my head and helped make them a reality. She made it easy to pick out cabinets, counter tops, appliances and other items that fit within our style and budget. It received an offer on the 4th day after it listed, while nearby comparable homes had been on market for more than 6 months! A properly staged home has just the right quality and quantity of furnishings for a buyer to understand how rooms function and how spaces flow. Good staging avoids clutter or overly personalized decor that might be a turn-off to some. Staging engages prospective buyers, increases their interest and perception of value. Do you provide staging services for owner-occupied homes? Prospective buyers won’t know that your home is even staged; it will simply look and feel like a homeowner lives in and loves the home. Because of this, your home is far less vulnerable to low-ball offers than it would be if it were simply staged with furniture. Our promise to homeowners is a smoke free home that appeals to the largest percentage of prospective buyers. We return your home to you in as good or even better condition than when we received it and the new buyers get a fresh, clean home to move into. Flexibility, low housing costs, short or long-term housing solution, no long term committment. With 9 out of 10 buyers previewing or finding their homes online, presentation has never been more important. It also reduces low ball offers that buyers associate with vacant properties. We’re dedicated to bringing you unparalleled expertise, responsiveness, professionalism and results. Statistics have shown that staged homes sell faster, bring higher offers and create happier sellers. We were able to incorporate a home office, a wine room, living room and a large kitchen/breakfast area great for entertaining. We loved making this 600 square foot bungalow look cozy and warm, but very livable. This luxurious home needed the right furnishings to show off the fabulous architecture and finishes. Southwestern house staged by us went under contract in just 12 days after being listed on the market! On the first day, after attempting to use the homeowners living room and bedroom furniture, we all agreed that we needed to bring in additional furniture to enhance the space and to make it more appealing to the prospective buyer. Tony’s clients always benefit from his experience and insight into what will get them the best price! This condo had been listed for 8 months prior to our staging. It maximizes the home’s strengths while minimizing any shortcomings. Yes, we are a full service staging organization and can provide help for homes that are occupied either for sale or for those who just want to update the look of their property. Everything is in its place and your home shows as well or better than it would if you still lived there. Showhomes provides staging services that make your home far more attractive to prospective buyers. Staging your homes gives you a competitive edge over your competition. Staging enhances the presentation of your home and makes it more competitive in the market place, helping to capture a faster sale at a premium price (vs. Staged homes sell faster and for premium prices, bringing a greater net gain to the table for sellers. We’ve successfully helped thousands of realtors, homeowners, investors, banks and builders market and showcase their listings for a faster sale and higher price.

One Pan Four Cheese Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Drunken Pasta Bake by halfbakedharvest.com

I can down fruits and vegetables like no one you have ever seen before. The chaos has settled slightly around here, but then again not really because things with the barn are as crazy as ever. Basically just the kitchen, a working bathroom and a desk for me to work on. If you have anything to say about this, speak now or you’ll have to shut it forever, because really the decision should have been made like weeks ago. This is the best kind of pasta dish around because you only need one pan and five minutes and a whole slew of pantry staples. Everything, including the dry uncooked pasta, gets thrown into one baking dish, then just cover and bake. The noodles just cook right along with the sauce, so there is no boiling required. For some reason people get exited and/or intrigued when a dish is called a “drunken”, no idea why. I added spinach for an extra bump of veggies and that pretty green color. Serve to the family, serve to guests, just serve it! Add the whole can of san marzan tomatoes, crushing the whole tomatoes with your hand. Bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you make this recipe, be sure to tag your photo #halfbakedharvest. And this pasta looks utterly, ridiculously scrumptious! Question – if we can’t find burrata cheese, what to use? It’s black with a few random white veins running through it. Well, that and buckets of soup, a couple grapefruits a day, a few oranges and pomegranate arils galore. This is good though, because it is actually looking like it might just be livable within the next two weeks. I say livable because you guys, not everything will be done. They are being installed on the 16th (12 days in case you’re counting). Push down gently on the pasta to get most of it under sauce. I replaced all my marble counters with granite, and it’s a thousand times better!