My photo
The Enchanted Forest - that's what I call my new home on Sand Mountain, Alabama. I tagged it with the name as soon as we drove the U-Haul onto the property in late June, partly to trick my psyche into loving this new, very different locale that I wasn't sure I really wanted. I knew if I told myself often enough that this place was a treasure, I would eventually believe it. It worked. I love my small piece of the planet, and have accepted (almost) everything about it. I wish I'd started this journal the day we arrived - it's too labor-intensive to retrace all the steps that have brought me to this point, so I will begin here and let each day decide what is worthy of documenting. It's self-indulgent, and will surely vacsillate between celebratory and borderline-depressing - but that's what life is. And I find comfort in that cycle. So here goes . . .

Monday, September 13, 2010

Two words that changed my life. Changed. My. Life.

Continuing my ramblings about our ongoing kitchen facelift (see previous post, 9/7), I tackled the kitchen island countertop this weekend. My vision was faux carrera marble. Grabbed my paints, sponges, and brushes on Friday and went to work. Within an hour I had a near-perfect (IMHO) carrera marble look-alike, and I stood back pretty pleased with my first attempt at this technique. Then came the nightmare. My topcoat would not go on smoothly. No matter what I did, I had bubbles and gaffs that just were totally unacceptable.

I sanded, I used different brushes, I used a new can of topcoat, I cussed and I prayed. Nothing worked. As I went to bed, dejected, last night, I decided today to sand it down and repaint it completely and try again.

I think the DIY gods (and goddesses) were just in need of a good laugh this weekend, and used my frustration as cheap entertainment. But thankfully the really slutty DIY goddess - you know, the one with the bed hair, bad nail polish, and painted on jeans - whispered in my ear, "Honey, you know it works better if it's a little wet." Shocked at her innuendo in the middle of my dilemma, I scolded her for her vulgarity. Popping her gum and placing her hand on her outswung hip she smirked, "wet sanding, you moron!" I glanced down at the emery paper in my hand and saw printed there: "wet or dry". I swear, in that moment the seas parted and the choir began to sing! I ran for my spray bottle, spritzed down a corner of the countertop and began using that emery paper for all it was worth. Within seconds, the boo-boos and scabs literally melted away! A couple of hours later that countertop was smooth as glass and my feet haven't touched the ground since!

So, without further ado, here's the before as the previous owners had it (pics taken on first visit to property with realtor) and lots of afters of the Miller kitchen facelift!
Dining before
Navy blue and uninspiring (IMHO!)

AND NOW!  I am faux, faux proud!  Recap:  Changed finish on existing island light, changed finish on estate sale chandelier, painted shades on both fixtures, changed wall color from navy to soft gray, new rug under table, recovered chairs and barstools, New sink, new faucet, new matte black finish on perimeter countertops and faux carrera marble on island!

Faux marble on island! (click to enlarge for detail)
Better than before?
Dining after!





 . . . and now I rest - for a few minutes!  Next project!



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