Bathroom Counter Love

After painting over the peeling, damaged wallpaper and laying the floor tile, the countertop needed updating as well.

Up there is the 'before'. When I painted the bathroom and the vanity HERE, I just was not happy with the counter top.

I sanded the counter (which removed a lot of the rust stains present when we moved in) and painted it black and then sealed it. It really did look good.  I loved it, in fact.

Along with the obvious of the photo above, I want to point out the state of this rent house when we moved in.  Reasons that I attempt Rent House Love is so that I don't wallow in self pity of the cardboard box with holes we reside in. The faucet is ridiculously covered in calcium deposits. The mirror is horrible and chipped from the back. I've yet to find an outlet cover for the plug outlet there...there wasn't one when we moved in.

I moved to a more durable yet attractive idea. Granite.

Basically what you need is a Fleck Stone type spray....found at any hardware store or craft store. Some sand paper to roughen up the surface of what you're about to spray. And a sealer.  My best advice would be to get a self leveling epoxy that leaves a glass-like finish. I just did two coats of a sealer.

This is the spray I got at Home Depot.

Protect everything around the area

you are treating.

This is the first coat. Be sure and SAND before

the first coat. 

Allow it to dry for about an hour.

Then apply a second coat.

I later applied a third and fourth coat.

This is the seal I put on top.  I used three coats.

As I mentioned before, I would advise using a self

leveling epoxy for a glass-like finish. But a polyurethane

will work fine.

This is the finished product...thus far.

Peel N Stick 'Em!

When we moved in this rent house, besides the yellowing of what was once white paint, we were grossed out by the floors.

The man we rent the house from is of the mind "If it serves it's purpose, it's fine."  So, no frills here at all.  But we were given creative license to do any cosmetic things to the house we wanted. The floors in this house are damaged, gouged, stained and ripped.

These things are awesome.  So many patterns and prices are very agreeable....depending on where you're going.

I purchased peel and stick tiles at Home Depot. They're called Newport 12 in. x 12 in. Solid Vinyl Tile.

Here's the BEFORE of the entry tile :

The flooring that's there is the same flooring in the kitchen and both bathrooms.  it's torn, discolored and just looks dirty no matter how many times I've been on my hands and knees scrubbing like Cinderella.  

The installation of these tiles is so simple...even I could do it!  I started at the center of the door, lay the tile straight back, then on either side.  When you come to a place where you need to cut the tile, I used a backing paper from a used tile, laid it down and made a template.  Easy friggin Peasy. 

I also painted the inside of the front door and trim white.  Whatever is supposed to be white paint in this house is a gross yellow.  I am still not done painting all the doors and trim, yet.

Here's a partial on the kitchen tile.  I can't tell you the improvement just laying this peel and stick tile made!