AirStone Back-splash

While browsing one of my favorite home improvement stores, Lowes. I came across the best product EVER. And, if I say so then you know it's true ;-)

I wanted to redo our back-splash but I knew I couldn't really fit it in my budget. Oh what am I saying we didn't even have a back-splash. This is what I was dealing with.

**OH YEAH...BE PREPARED THIS IS A LENGTHY POST BUT I PROMISE YOU WILL LOVE IT!

It really did need something. And, that something is AirStone. It's a natural very light weight stone that only uses putty and a hacksaw. 

BEST PART: It was in my cheap budget. 

Now we have to remember that "The Mr." is not handy so if he can do it anyone can. He laid out the stone, read them directions and was ready to go.

This is how simple this is. You cut the stone with a hacksaw or jigsaw.

Slap some putty on the back of the stone and press it up against the wall and WAA-LAA!!

This has been the easiest project that has had the biggest impact on our kitchen make-over. See the difference for yourself and you tell me?

Can I say we are in love with this stuff. I want to stone everything in my house...LOL

How's that for a quick transformation for you. 

Oh yeah! We couldn't help ourselves and if you knew the deal you wouldn't have either. Am I a fan of stainless steel....the jury is still out on that one!!

Now let's take care of this side of the kitchen.

I'm working on new rugs. They should be here any day :-)

But, let's get back to work. This is all the tools we needed. 

(Can you see my cute little under the counter lights...love).

You can see how easy it was to layout the stone. And, here's the finished project.

Now for some fun Before & After pics.

(Not sure why the color is so off on this one. 

Must be my awesome photography skills)

Even though it was a bit long I hope that you are not only enjoying our kitchen transformation but that you are being inspired. 

Just a few more projects left in the kitchen and then I will have a final reveal. If you missed any of the previous kitchen makeover posts, don't worry. I got your back.

Fresh Coat of Paint

Painted Kitchen Cabinets 

Sneak Peek Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen Remodel Beginning

And if you are new and haven't seen the new home before we started all this you can see it here. 

We will have a new look very soon here at GGP so make sure you come back and visit. 

Don't forget to....

~Design your life with a little SPARKLE~

** I have not been paid or compensated for my post today. This has been my own personal experience and review. And, if it was crap I would be the first one to say so. LOL

Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Well after moving the past few weeks, I believe things are slowly calming down. Ha-Ha, Yeah right! But, I am still buried in boxes and doing some make-overs in the process. And, I am excited to start sharing them with you.

If you have been following along then you know that I've been giving my old/new kitchen a face lift. It was time to say bye to that builder grade oak.

We we walked into our home I knew right away these cabinets had to go.

I wanted them gone ripped out and planted on the lawn of the builders that always feel it's necessary to plague our homes with such horrid pieces.

As a DIY'er there is nothing a little paint can't fix, right? If I was only rich enough to redesign the kitchen and get beautiful cabinets and granite counter tops. (Oh OK! done dreaming) Back to work.

Off came the knobs and down came the doors. This is where hubby came in and did all the sanding. Old cabinets are covered with everything from hand oils to greasy smoke residue to petrified sauce, You've got to get all that off or the paint won't stick." 

After sanding and whipped everything down dust free, next is a very important step.

 PRIME YOUR CABINETS!!!

 PRIME YOUR CABINETS!!!

                               PRIME YOUR CABINETS!!!

I hope I got my point across. I knew I had to prime and in my excitement of getting started guess what? I FORGOT to PRIME MY CABINETS. 

Don't be scared I will show you what you can do if that happens. So, let's get painting.

I've searched for many colors and has several conversations with some of my bloggy friends and Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rule gave me the suggestion to use Benjamin Moore's Bittersweet Chocolate. I absolutely love this color. Thanks, Nancy!!!

All I used was a foam roller two different sizes and a Wooster 2" angled brush. I doubt I would use a foam roller again. I will spend the extra couple dollars on a nice roller, I thinking they leave a better finish. Also my hubby prefers to tape everything but my steady little artist hand does not use tape to cut in or do trim. Yes! I am that good and am proud to shout it out ;-)

Since we were not living in the house at the time of painting the cabinets it took some time to get it done. It really was a pain in the backside going back and forth between houses. But, the cabinets are starting to look good.

See where my hubby put tape and see where I didn't? Yep! I had to retouch where he pulled the tape off. One day he will learn I know best. LOL 

He really just needs to stick to singing and leave me and my hands to the handy work. :-)

We left everything sit for about a week to really cure before we put doors on and drawers back in. Now here comes the problem when you forget the primer. Every little nick to the cabinets will chip the paint right off. So, unless you are that good to never bump your cabinets, you will have quite the chipping going on. 

Solution.........

A couple coats of the Polyacrylic and you are good to go.

We added new hardware and now have beautiful cabinets that really updated our kitchen. 

The before & afters just amaze me how paint and some new hardware can make such a difference in a room.

Now that hubby worked so hard, I guess he deserves a break. (It was tough sanding)

Next we get rid of the wall color.

Again I want to thank all my guests that helped give my readers something to "drool" over while I was moving. If you haven't had a chance to see the great DIY, Crafts, or Recipes, please do. These bloggers are amazing at what they do. 

To check out all the good stuff....~CLICK HERE~

Don't forget to....

~Design your life with a little SPARKLE~

Sneak Peek Kitchen Remodel

I wanted to stop in and "THANK" all my guest bloggers for bringing their super creations to my blog for all my bloggy friends. 

Make sure you give them all a warm welcome they are really helping me out. I'm getting ready to move next weekend and here's a sneak peek of what I've been up to. 

I can't wait to share all the details. Until then enjoy the great things my friends are sharing.

~Design your life with a little SPARKLE~

Kitchen Remodel - Beginning

We are getting ready to turn our small kitchen into a beautiful place to cook all those yummy recipes I find on Pinterest. 

This is the color scheme I am going with, at least for now. I'm forever changing my mind and I blame blogland for that. So, I AM open to ideas.

Here's the remodeling plan, as it is in my head. Ummm, yeah! That could change too. But, this is where I rely on my bloggy friends for some great ideas. 

I'm am sharing a couple views of the kitchen so you get a good visual of what we will be doing. 

This is the view coming in from the garage, standing in the laundry room. I would like to add pendant lights over the island. I am painting the cabinets and I've been going back and forth between black or a dark brown. I think dark brown is winning. And, I want to do something with those hideous looking counter tops. I think I'm going to try the Granite paint for counter tops by Giani Granite. The decision is to do Chocolate Brown or the Bombay Black.

Now we are standing on the other side of the kitchen look towards the laundry room. As you can see I don't have a lot of cabinet space or counter space so this is going to be challenging. But, I can do it. The kitchen just got a fresh coat of paint and a new floor. On the list is new stainless appliances. The first to replace is going to be the fridge, hubby is already crying over no water dispenser. I'm dreaming of french door fridges, Lowe's here I come. 

This view is standing in the corner of the living room. 

We are standing in the living room looking in the kitchen. I would love to paint that back wall a "POP" of color. I'm thinking the burgundy or even a deep plum. See there I go changing my mind again. Don't laugh I know you do it too. 

I also want to build an archway dividing the kitchen and living room. I have my builder BFF already working on the plans. Now that is exciting stuff. There will be 2 archways, one over the counter and one over the entrance in the kitchen with a pillar between the two. That probably confused you, huh? Don't worry, I will keep you updated.

Another view standing in front of the sliding glass door. 

Here's the view when you walk in the front door, standing in the living room. An archway is going to make a huge difference. 

Once I pick out the cabinet color and if I'm going to paint or stain. We will begin painting the cabinets this weekend. Exciting stuff so hang tight for an update. 

Speaking of exciting stuff. Crazy Beautiful Life is going into retirement. So, welcome to...

 "GLITTER, GLUE and PAINT"

I will have a new website soon, just bare with me it's all so much at once. But, don't worry if you come here you will be redirected. But, I do have a HUGE favor for all my readers. I had to start a new Facebook page , so if you could come over and like me I would sooo appreciate it. 

Don't forget to like me from your personal fb page so it counts then come follow me from your business page so I know who you are. 

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