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Reader Favorite

Modern Vintage Bathroom Makeover Reveal

October 4, 2021 by Bre 5 Comments

Several months ago I shared my plans for a modern vintage bathroom makeover in my kids’ / hall bathroom. I totally dragged my heels on sharing the finished space. Why? Because my kids are messy little creatures who cannot keep this bathroom tidy. I had to clean it and photograph it in the same chunk of time, which wasn’t easy to do!

But now it’s done and I’m happy to show you how I overhauled this once boring and bland bathroom, primarily with paint and new fixtures.

Before the Bathroom Makeover

To see all of the bathroom photos before the makeover, check out the Modern Vintage Bathroom Makeover post linked above. In that post I also share the plans for the space, and you can see what I stuck with and what I strayed from.

BEFORE: This hall bath was totally boring and bland. Now it has a vintage modern makeover with personality.

It’s always been hard for me to make a design plan ahead of time and stick with it. That was definitely the case here, too. I like to make decisions as I go along rather than stick to a plan.

The Finished Vintage Modern Bathroom

When all was said and done, this bathroom leaned a little more boho/eclectic than vintage modern, in my opinion. The biggest reason for that is the rug I wanted for the space actually was much too small. It gave all of the vintage vibes I hoped for, but it just wasn’t right. So the project took on a different direction.

This bathroom vanity is painted Irish Garden by Heirloom Traditions Paint. It's a blue green paint that looks great in this bathroom!

Click to view any of the posts in this series!

  • Vintage Modern Bathroom Makeover Plans
  • How to Paint a Bath Tub
  • How to Paint Bath Fixtures with a Lasting Finish
  • DIY Polka Dot Accent Wall
  • Modern Vintage Bathroom Makeover Reveal

Here’s the rundown of what I did to update this bathroom. All of the products are linked at the end of this post, in case you want to learn more about them.

  • Painted the vanity Irish Garden by Heirloom Traditions Paint: this blue green bathroom vanity paint is my favorite part of this bathroom. It took a boring vanity and brought it to life.
  • Swapped and added additional matte black vanity hardware
  • Changed the sink faucets for modern matte black faucets
  • Painted the walls Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore
  • Painted a Polka Dot Accent Wall (with leftover White Dove by Benjamin Moore)
  • Painted the mirror frame with black chalk paint, which I sealed with matte polycrylic
  • Cleaned the tile grout (this tile grout cleaner worked awesome!)
  • Added a new 5-light black and brass vanity light fixture and a new brass and black ceiling fixture
  • Had a new toilet installed (the old toilet was miniature and did not work well. I’ll spare you the details. You’re welcome.)
  • Painted the bath tub with the Rustoleum Tub and Tile Kit
  • Spray painted the bath tub faucet and fixtures matte black to match the new sink faucets
  • Added decor and accessories to liven up the space
For this vintage modern bathroom makeover, she swapped the faucets with new, matte black faucets. She also painted the vanity mirror black.

One mishap that occurred during this part of the project is that I sprayed the mirror frame with KrudKutter to clean it before painting. Now don’t get me wrong, KrudKutter is the BEST pre-paint cleaner around. However, it’s not good for mirrors.

You can sort of see in this photo that there’s now a film on the mirror left from the KrudKutter that I can’t get off! It’s only visible in certain lights and angles, but it’s definitely there. Moral of the story: don’t spray mirrors / mirror frames with KrudKutter.

This bathroom got a makeover with a vintage modern look. The vanity is painted Irish Garden by Heirloom Traditions. It's a blue green vanity color that's beautiful.
A rattan round shelf over the toilet is a fun place for storing cute bathroom accessories. The round shelf plays up the polka dot accent wall on which it hangs.

For over the toilet, I added a rattan round shelf, which I filled with decorative accents from the kids’ bathroom at our old home. It was fun to unpack that moving box and see items we hadn’t since we remodeled that 1920s bathroom / moved.

Bathroom accessories bring this vintage modern bathroom to life.

On this side, I painted the oak window trim White Dove by Benjamin Moore. I left the window “oak” because it’s actually vinyl and I don’t want to void the warranty by painting it! (Painting vinyl windows can cause them to warp, so manufacturers typically include that info in the warranty materials.)

As part of this vintage modern bathroom makeover, she painted her bath tub!

This little bench next to the bath tub that I painted has been a great spot for my kids to store extra bath items and their jammies.

Black and brass towel hooks add a functional and pretty touch to this bathroom.

And adding towel hooks here was essential. My kids just kept throwing towels on the floor. I also love how the black and brass hooks complement the black and brass light fixtures.

A large laundry hamper in this bathroom is essential. No more towels on the floor in the bathroom!

A nice, large rattan hamper at the entrance to the bathroom has also been amazing for keeping dirty towels and washcloths separate until I get them in the washing machine. Bonus that it is super cute, too.

Bathroom Makeover Products Used

As promised above, here are links to the products I used to transform this bathroom with a modern vintage feel. Note that some are affiliate links, and you can read my full disclosure policy at that link.

  • Bathroom Vanity Paint: Irish Garden by Heirloom Traditions
  • Bathroom Vanity Pulls: Matte Black Drawer Handles
  • Bathroom Sink Faucets: Matte Black Modern Faucets
  • Bathroom Mirror Paint: Soft Black chalk paint by Folk Art
  • Bathroom Vanity Fixture: Black and brass 5-light vanity light
  • Bathroom Flushmount Fixture: Black and brass dome enameled light
  • Round Rattan Shelf: this is a similar product. I purchased this shelf at TJMaxx
  • Wood Bathroom Bench
  • Black and Brass Towel Hooks
  • Bath Tub Paint: Rustoleum Tub and Tile Kit
  • Black and White Flatweave Rug
  • White Polka Dot Shower Curtain
  • Toilet

So what do you think? Did I succeed in updating this bathroom with a modern vintage feel despite renovating it? Let me know in the comments, or find me on social media!

Filed Under: home decor, Reader Favorite

My DIY Kitchen Makeover Reveal!

May 5, 2021 by Bre 11 Comments

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Seven months.  SEVEN MONTHS! That’s how long my DIY Kitchen Makeover took from start to finish.

Last year I painted my oak kitchen cabinets and did a whole bunch of other stuff to update my 1990s oak kitchen (I’ll walk you down that memory lane later in this post). 

Once those projects were completed, I outsourced things like electrical, countertops, and tile work, serving as my own general contractor/project manager.  Also more on that later in this post.

But now the second phase of my kitchen remodel without a renovation is complete, and I am so glad this project is finished.  (*Almost complete.  More on that later, too!)

Check out the DIY Kitchen Makeover this blogger gave her 1990s-style kitchen! Complete with painted cabinets, a clever disguise to the soffits, and much more, this kitchen feels like a whole new room - minus the expense of a gut renovation.

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

The Kitchen Before: Golden Oak Cabinets, Brown Countertops, and Glass Mosaic Tile Backsplash

Any good reveal post is incomplete without the before photos!  So let’s have a flashback to what this kitchen looked like when we purchased the home in late 2019.

The BEFORE of this 1990s kitchen had oak cabinets, brown mosaic backsplash, and brown countertops.

The kitchen was in great condition, but it wasn’t really our style, so I set out to make it look more like us in the late summer of 2020.  I got a crazy idea to paint the kitchen tile backsplash to tone down the look.  The painted tile held up great and gave me the calmer look I was after.

Kitchen Makeover Part 1: Disguised Soffits, Converted Kitchen Desk, and Painted Oak Cabinets

Then, in the fall of 2020, things really got moving in my 1990s-style kitchen.  

Kitchen Soffit Makeover

First, my husband and I gave the kitchen soffit a makeover, and attempted to help blend the soffit with the cabinets by adding lots of trim to them.  You can read more about that project and how to disguise a kitchen soffit in the post I wrote about it.

Kitchen Desk Conversion to Trash

Then, we converted the kitchen desk area to pull-out trash, which was a better use of that space for our family.  

DIY Painted Cabinets

Once those projects were finished, I got to work painting the oak cabinets.  I painted, and painted, and painted.  It took me weeks of work because I only had a little bit of time each day to devote to the project, but I got it done.

I painted the cabinets Hampshire Taupe by Benjamin Moore, and you can read more about my process for painting oak cabinets in that post.

The first part of this DIY kitchen makeover made a huge difference in my family’s enjoyment of our home, and we were glad to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in our refreshed kitchen!

In the first part of this DIY kitchen makeover, this blogger disguised her soffits with trim, painted the cabinets, and painted the backsplash. The second part of the makeover is even better!

Check Out All of the Posts in This DIY Kitchen Makeover Series

  • How to Paint a Tile Backsplash
  • DIY Kitchen Soffit Makeover
  • How to Convert a Kitchen Desk to Pull-Out Trash
  • DIY Wireless Under Cabinet Lighting
  • DIY Painted Oak Cabinets
  • DIY Cabinet End Panels
  • DIY Kitchen Makeover Reveal

Kitchen Makeover Part 2: New Electrical, New Tile Backsplash, and New Countertops

Once the New Year hit, it was time to get back to work on this kitchen makeover!  

Kitchen Remodel Electrical

First up, we had new LED recessed lighting installed in the ceiling, and we eliminated the large light fixture that once hung in an odd spot in the middle of the kitchen.  The recessed lighting added so much light to the kitchen – it was amazing!  The kitchen was very dark prior to this.

As part of this DIY kitchen makeover, she installed new LED recessed lighting.

We also swapped the can light over the kitchen sink for a cute little semi-flushmount light.  I wanted this change for cosmetic purposes only.  Since I have recessed lighting throughout the rest of the kitchen, I wanted there to be a cute light fixture somewhere.  

Previously I added wireless under cabinet lighting (you can read about it in that post), and I still loved it so I didn’t feel like adding the expense of hardwired under cabinet lights.

Painted Tile Backsplash Removal

Once we started shopping for countertops, it became clear to us that we were also going to need to replace our tile backsplash.  The painted tile backsplash was holding up great, but it would be damaged during the countertop removal and installation process.

Because of that, it made sense to rip it out before the new countertops went in, and replace with a new backsplash once the countertops were installed.

We did the tile backsplash removal ourselves, and honestly – it was a horrible job.  It was such a mess!  I’m sure there are better ways to remove a backsplash, but we did the best we could.  

As part of this DIY kitchen remodel, they ripped out their painted tile backsplash for a new one.

Once that was out, I hired drywall professionals to hang new drywall.  I’ve tried drywall in the past and it did not go well.  Ha!

Countertop Installation

At the beginning of March, our new quartz countertops, sink, and faucet were installed.  We chose MSI Blanca Statuarietto quartz because the creamy white shade with the subtle veining in browns, creams, and grays was perfect with the taupe cabinets.

As part of this DIY kitchen renovation, she installed new quartz countertops by MSI.

We also chose quartz because of its reputation for durability and ease of care.  I will be writing a post on my experience with quartz countertops so far because I think there’s a lot of false or misleading information out there about this product.  I love the look of these countertops in my kitchen, but I feel a bit deceived.

New Tile Backsplash Installation

Finally, in mid-April we were able to get our new backsplash installed!  Since everyone in the world is renovating right now, it was hard to find a professional who could do this job for us in a reasonable timeframe!  Thankfully we found a great company and they did amazing work.

As part of this DIY kitchen remodel, she installed a chevron tile backsplash.

I chose a very simple and inexpensive white rhombus ceramic tile, which we laid in a chevron pattern.  The second I saw this tile I knew it was what I wanted!

The grout, on the other hand, was a totally different story.  I could not, for the life of me, make a decision.  Choosing between white grout, off-white grout, brown grout, and more was making my head spin!  Thankfully my mom came with me one day to pick something.  I chose Laticrete Permacolor grout in River Rock.  It is slightly darker than the cabinet color, and really helps that chevron pattern pop!

A chevron tile backsplash with contrasting grout makes a statement in this kitchen.

I was nervous to pick something that would stand out, but in the end, it’s what made me happy so I went with it. I’m really glad I did because it gives my kitchen a little personality and doesn’t look like everything else on Pinterest.

DIY Kitchen Makeover Reveal

It feels so good to finally be FINISHED with this DIY kitchen makeover! 

A 1990s kitchen got a fresh new look in this DIY kitchen makeover remodel! Taupe painted cabinets, chevron tile backsplash, and quartz countertops made a huge difference!

Doing the work yourself and finding/managing professionals to help you with the parts you can’t (or don’t want to) do yourself is a lot!

A DIY kitchen remodel features painted cabinets, new tile backsplash, and a disguised soffit, among other things.

We have one issue left to resolve surrounding some scratches on our new quartz countertops, but once that’s taken care of with the installer, I will be glad to consider this project totally done!

MSI Blanca Statuarietto quartz countertops are perfect in this DIY kitchen remodel.

I hope this project shows you that you can update spaces in your home without a gut renovation. 

She turned a 1990s kitchen desk into pull out trash as part of this DIY kitchen remodel.

It may take you a lot of time, but you’ll get there eventually!  And when you do, you’ll be very proud of yourself!  And . . . you will have saved yourself a lot of money over a gut renovation or hiring out all of the steps.

Please let me know what you think of this makeover, and also let me know if you have any questions at all!  I’m always glad to help.

 

Filed Under: DIY, Reader Favorite

How to Paint a Door to Look Like Wood (It’s Easier Than You Think!)

August 12, 2020 by Bre 38 Comments

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Our house had a vibrant orange front door, which I actually loved.  But when we repainted the exterior this summer, the orange door wasn’t right.  I decided I wanted a wood front door to coordinate with our wood-look garage door and wood-accent exterior lights, but I did not want to strip and restain the door: too messy!  I became determined to figure out how to paint a door to look like wood so that I could get the wood look without all of the hassle.

Learn how to paint a door to look like wood! This technique works on metal doors, fiberglass doors, wood doors, and more! You can also use it to paint your garage door to look like wood. Get all the info and a video tutorial in this post.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I totally messed this up at first!  Because of my mistakes, I probably did not save myself any time and could’ve stripped and re-stained in the same amount of time.  That being said, I perfected the faux wood finish technique and can now share it with you, so it isn’t a total loss!

How NOT To Paint a Door to Look Like Wood (My Mistakes!)

Before we get to the good stuff and how to really achieve a convincing faux wood finish, I HAVE to show you how badly I messed this up the first time around.  I was trying to get a wood finish with orange undertones . . . 

This is NOT the way to paint a door to look like wood! Before getting the faux wood look technique right, this blogger messed up big time!

So I applied two coats of gel stain right over the orange paint.  And it was awful – so bad that I could only laugh about how horrible it was!  This is NOT the way to paint a door to look like wood! Before getting the faux wood look technique right, this blogger messed up big time!

Can you believe this?  It was embarrassing to even close the door for anyone passing by to see.  Ha!

OK so take it from me – you cannot paint a door to look like wood with orange paint.  Not gonna work!

How to Paint a Door to Look Like Wood

Now that we’ve gotten THAT out of the way, let me show you how I redeemed myself and actually painted my door to look like wood!  You can read my step-by-step tutorial in this post and watch the video I’ve put together that shows you how this all went down!

Supplies Needed to Paint a Door to Look Like Wood

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

  • Flat latex paint in a shade of brown
  • Gel stain in the color of your choice (I used this brand and color)
  • Varathane Ultimate Spar Urethane
  • Stain pads
  • 1.5″ or 2″ angled paint brush
  • Small artist brushes
  • 3″ chip brushes
  • Painters tape
  • Cardstock or cardboard with a straight edge
  • Drop Cloth
  • Sandpaper
  • **May need primer if your door has never been painted

Step One: Sand and Tape Off Hardware or Remove Hardware

Before you start, make sure to protect your door hardware with painters tape, or to remove it.  

You’ll also want to spread a drop cloth underneath the door to protect surrounding surfaces and the floor beneath.

Then, lightly sand the door to remove any glossy surfaces, and wipe the door clean.

Step Two: Paint the Door Brown

OK so after my orange paint plus gel stain disaster pictured above, I realized that the gel stain wasn’t the problem; the orange paint was.  I went to my basement and found a gallon of flat latex paint in a soft brown shade.  It was left by the previous homeowners and I considered it a gift from God.

I painted over all of my ugly orange mess with the flat latex paint.  The first step in painting a door to look like wood is to paint the entire door brown.

Even my dog looks sad in this photo.  Paint the door brown as the first step to creating a faux wood finish.

Thank goodness that ugliness was gone!

**If you’re painting a door that has never been painted, make sure to prime it first!

Step Three: Apply a Coat of Gel Stain to the Entire Door

Once the paint dried, I started applying gel stain right over the paint.  I began by using a 1″ foam brush to spread the gel stain but quickly switched to a stain pad, as it was much easier to get it in all the nooks and crannies.  (Make sure to read my post on The Best Gel Stain Tips and Tricks, too.  It will help you have better success with gel stain!)

To paint a door to look like wood, you need to apply a coat of gel stain with a stain pad.

For the tight corners I used artist paintbrushes to spread the gel stain.  Get in tricky corners with an artist brush.

Once the whole door was covered in gel stain, I let it sit overnight to dry. It already looked better than it ever did with the orange base color, but it still wasn’t great.

This is the first coat of gel stain on a door that's being painted to look like wood.

Step Four: Apply a Second Coat of Gel Stain

Here’s where the magic starts to happen.  For this next step, I worked rectangle by rectangle, and then row by row, and then column by column, to create the look of wood grain with gel stain.

I will show you how I did this in a rectangle part of the door.  I started by applying a coat of gel stain in a rectangle with my stain pad, and I got into the corners with the artist brush.  To get gel stain into the corners of doors, use an artist brush.

Then, I took the 3 inch chip brush, and I gently ran it over the flat part of the rectangle, from bottom to top, to remove some of the gel stain and to add a woodgrain pattern to the door.  To create a wood grain look on a door that's being painted to look like wood, use a chip brush to remove some gel stain and create lines in the finish.

I varied how I moved the brush: in some rectangles it was straight down to up, and in others I did a little bit of a curve as you see in woodgrain sometimes.  Create a wood look door with gel stain and a chip brush. The chip brush creates grain lines in the finish.

I did this “apply gel stain and then remove some of it” process all across the door.  I used thick card stock at the edges of each row or column to create a barrier between the edges of each section, since the woodgrain travels in different directions in these different pieces.  This made the junctions crisp, just like a regular wood door.  When painting a door to look like wood, it's important to have the faux grain go in the same direction as it would on a real wood door. Use a straight edge to keep sections from bleeding together and to keep lines sharp.

Here you can see the second coat of gel stain and woodgraining process on the entire door, except the outer columns.  The second coat of gel stain is necessary for getting a wood look finish!

This door is being painted to look like wood. It has a partial second coat of gel stain on it.

Step Five: Seal the Door to Protect the Faux Wood Finish

After I applied the second coat of gel stain to the entire door, I let it sit overnight so that it could totally dry.  Then, I applied three coats of this sealer to the door throughout the course of one day (no sanding in between coats needed).

To protect a door that has been painted to look like wood, apply three coats of Spar Urethane to the door.

I let the door dry for the time recommended on the sealer, and in the end, I succeeded at painting my door to look like wood!

This door has been painted to look like wood! It has a faux wood finish that was created with paint and gel stain. Learn how to paint a door to look like wood in this post.

It’s hard to believe I was able to fix that disaster I created the first go-round!  

This door has been painted to look like wood! It has a faux wood finish that was created with paint and gel stain. Learn how to paint a door to look like wood in this post.

Check Out Other DIY Door Projects You Might Like!

  • Easy Flat Panel Door Makeover
  • How to Refinish a Stained Door with Gel Stain

Questions About Painting a Door to Look Like Wood

I feel like there will be some questions about this process, so I’m trying to anticipate them!

Does this process work on metal doors or fiberglass doors?

Yes!  Although my door is wood, you can use the exact same process and products to paint your metal door to look like wood, or to finish your fiberglass to look like wood.  Awesome!

Can you use this process to paint a garage door to look like wood?

Yes!  This exact same process will work to paint a garage door to look like wood.

Can I use gel stain to refinish a wood door that hasn’t been painted?

Yes!  You can, and I’ve done it before! Check out my post on refinishing an exterior door with gel stain for all of the info you’ll need.

Any other questions?  Ask them in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them!

-Bre

 

Filed Under: DIY, Reader Favorite

Limewash Stone Fireplace Makeover: Bye Bye Orange Stone Fireplace, Hello Neutral Stone Beauty!

January 14, 2020 by Bre 45 Comments

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Last September I announced that we were moving from our beloved home outside of Chicago to the Milwaukee suburbs.  On December 21 we moved in to our new home, and since then, I have been busy unpacking and trying to make this house feel like our home!  I tackled my first big project, which was a makeover of our massive 1970s fireplace, and I am thrilled to share my limewash stone fireplace makeover with you now!  (Update: I subsequently finished my limewash stone exterior makeover, too!  Be sure to check it out!)

This DIY stone fireplace makeover is amazing! For under $70 see how she transformed her dated 1970s stone fireplace with limewash.

Before I show you all the pretty “after” makeover fireplace photos, I have to show you the beast I was working with!  Complete with a wide variety of orange rocks, this extra large fireplace really clashed with my living room decor. 

This 1970s orange rock fireplace got a much-needed update and makeover with Riposo Beige limewash.

As much as I can, I like to work with what I’ve got, though, and I did not want to tear down this fireplace (can you imagine the dust and mess?!?), concrete over the rocks, or frame it out with wood and ruin the 70s vibe we’ve got going on here.  So, I did some research and decided to do a DIY stone fireplace makeover with Romabio brand limewash.

What is Limewash?

Sorry if you already know this, but I thought that some of you might be unfamiliar with limewash, so let me fill you in!  Basically, limewash is a heavily mineral-based paint that produces a very chalky and matte finish.  The minerals seep into the porous surface to which the limewash is applied and give a really authentic and aged look.  It is VERY popular for painting bricks and other masonry, like stone!

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

There are several brands of limewash on the market, and apparently you can even make your own!  I chose to use Romabio brand limewash because I follow the company on Instagram and love every makeover I see with their products, and because their limewash is affordably priced and comes in many colors.  I used the Riposo Beige shade for my limewash fireplace makeover.

Why Use Limewash on Stone and Brick Instead of Paint?

You might be wondering why I chose to limewash my stone fireplace instead of painting it . . . 

Well, there are several reasons!

First, I like that limewash is removable within the first five days of application.  This made the project seem less risky to me.  Although it probably would have been messy and tedious to remove the finish if I didn’t like it, I felt good knowing that it wasn’t permanent if I hated it.

Next, I like that limewash has little to no odor, unlike many types of paint!  I did this project in January with no windows open, and there were no stinky fumes invading my house.

Third, I liked that the finished look was completely up to me in terms of how much of the original stone color I wanted to show through.  Simply by thinning the limewash with water, I would have been able to get a more translucent effect and would have allowed more of the natural stone color to show through.  This is perfectly fine with limewash and does not affect the durability of the product!  In my case, I was trying to mask the orange tones, so I applied the limewash in a more opaque finish.  But had I wanted to, I could have allowed more of the stone color to show through.

What Supplies Do You Need for a Limewash Stone Fireplace Makeover?

Now that you have a little more background on limewash, let me fill you in on the supplies you need to limewash a stone fireplace.  Surprisingly, it isn’t that much!

  • Masonry brush
  • Protective tarp
  • Cleaning rags/towels
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Mixing bucket
  • Stir stick
  • Limewash (I used one quart of Riposo Beige for my fireplace)
  • Painters tape
  • Optional: smaller paintbrush to get in crevices and hard to reach areas

These are the supplies you need for a limewash stone fireplace makeover.

All in, this project cost me just under $70, and that is because I had to buy things like painters tape, rags, and a protective tarp (since the ones I already had are still packed away from the move).  If you already have these items, your project cost will be less.

How to Limewash a Stone Fireplace

I think you won’t believe how easy it is to limewash a stone fireplace!

First, make sure to protect surrounding surfaces with a tarp and painters tape. 

Before limewashing your fireplace, protect surfaces with a tarp and painters tape.

Next, clean the stone with a wet rag.  Make sure to get rid of any cobwebs hiding in between the rocks, and get the rocks wet (but not dripping wet).

  Before limewashing your fireplace, wash the rock and remove cobwebs.

After the stone fireplace surround is clean, get out your water bottle and spray the rocks.  You want the rocks to definitely be wet, but you don’t want water running down the rocks.

Spray the rocks on the fireplace to get them wet prior to limewashing.

Now it’s time to mix up the limewash!  For this step, make sure to read the product instructions that come with the limewash you have purchased.

  Romabio Classico limewash in Riposo Beige, prior to being mixed.

I chose to mix my quart of limewash with half the amount of water (so, 16 ounces in this case), and this resulted in a thicker cover of limewash.  Remember to mix, mix, mix the product so that there is no extra water left at the top of the bucket, and so that everything is all mixed together.  This could take up to ten minutes because limewash is very thick to begin with! 

Mix the Romabio Classico limewash with water prior to applying it to the fireplace.

Once the product is fully mixed, it’s time to apply the limewash to the fireplace.  I started on the top side and worked my way down.  I watched carefully to see when the limewash was almost dry (but not totally dry), and then began to wipe it off very lightly. 

Apply the limewash to the top of the stone and work your way down.

Doing this let some of the rock tones show through – but not too much!

I repeated this application / drying / wiping process across the front and couldn’t believe the immediate difference the limewash made!  I won’t lie – I did have a minor time of doubt as it was such a drastic difference, but I know that I always do that with any project, so I calmed down and kept working. 

This is the halfway point of the stone fireplace makeover. The left side has Romabio Classico limewash on it in Riposo Beige, and the right side is natural stone.

Once I finished the entire fireplace, I went back in to the nooks and crannies I missed with the bulky masonry brush, and touched up those spots with a small paintbrush.  (If you’re working with a limewash solution that is more diluted than my mixture, this may not be an issue for you!) 

After the stone has been limewashed, you may want to go back to the crevices and apply more product.

I stood back and admired the look of my limewashed rock fireplace, and then noticed how awful the orange hearth looked against it.  I felt a pit in my stomach because I couldn’t let this orange hearth ruin this makeover!  The limewash did not work on the marble hearth (I accidentally got some on the hearth and it wiped right off even though it had dried), so I had to think of a different solution. 

This stone fireplace has been limewashed, but the hearth has not yet been painted.

The good news is that I did come up with a way to paint my marble fireplace hearth, and the whole project came together gorgeously!  (Click that link if you want to learn how to paint a marble fireplace hearth, too!)

 

The Completed DIY Stone Fireplace Makeover

I know, I know – you want to see it!  Here is the completed fireplace makeover – it looks so different! 

This 1970s stone fireplace features a limewash finish in Romabio Classico Riposo Beige.

I cannot believe what I accomplished for under $70! 

This stone fireplace makeover is gorgeous! The natural stone shines through the Riposo Beige limewash finish.

And in case you’re wondering why I didn’t paint the brass fireplace doors – it’s because I like them!  Brass is one of my favorite finishes.

This 1970s stone fireplace got a beautiful makeover with limewash. This is an easy DIY project that takes one day to complete.

Decor should be about what you like and not what others say you should do, so I am leaving them.  (For now, at least.  ;-)). 

See how this dated stone fireplace got a fresh new look with limewash!

Final Thoughts and the Nitty Gritty on a Limewash Fireplace Makeover

In total, I spent just about 4.5 hours on this DIY stone fireplace makeover – from cleaning, to wetting the stone, to mixing the limewash, and applying the limewash.  Note that if your limewash solution takes longer to get to the “wipe off” phase, your project time could be longer.

It was TOTALLY worth it.  My living room is so much brighter, and my fireplace looks so much better.  I didn’t have to spend a ton of money to make it look fresh, and I am so thankful to have found out about limewash!  This dated 1970s stone fireplace got a beautiful new look with limewash.

I used an entire quart of limewash in the Riposo Beige shade for this fireplace and I didn’t have any left over. If you use Romabio Classico Limewash, they have helpful tools on their website that will let you figure out how much product you need for your specific project.  They say that generally, a quart is enough for a fireplace makeover.

The next step in this living room overhaul is to paint the wall surrounding the fireplace (it’s currently a gray/purple color), and then paint the built-ins and get rid of the mirrored backs!  UPDATE: I finished the mirrored built-ins makeover, and we replaced the carpeting with luxury vinyl plank flooring (you can read my luxury vinyl plank review here!)  We would also like to have a mantel built for the fireplace, but it is surprisingly expensive (according to the one quote I’ve gotten), and my large round wood mirror gives the natural wood look we’re after – at least for now!  

So, what do you think?  Was this 1970s stone fireplace makeover a success?  Let me know in the comments and please share this post to Pinterest to help others learn how to limewash their fireplaces, too!  Us stone fireplace people need to stick together!  🙂

  For under $70 you can give your dated stone fireplace a whole new look! Read this post to learn how to limewash the stone and freshen it up.

-Bre

Filed Under: DIY, Reader Favorite

How to Build a Backyard Fire Pit

July 11, 2018 by Bre 6 Comments

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One of the most rewarding DIY projects my husband and I have completed is building a fire pit in our family’s tiny backyard.  Spending time together relaxing, roasting marshmallows, and eating way too many s’mores is the perfect way to enjoy the yard.  It was not a difficult project, and I can’t wait to show you how to build a backyard fire pit of your own!

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

Supplies Needed to Build a Backyard Fire Pit

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

Fire Pit Supplies:

  • 36″ Galvanized Metal Fire Ring
  • Landscape bricks (we used approximately 65 3″ x 8.2″ Mini Flagstone Wall bricks from Lowes)
  • DAP DynaGrip Adhesive
  • Caulk Gun
  • Paver base
  • Paver sand
  • Pea gravel

Tools:

  • Tamper
  • Level (long length)
  • Hammer
  • Mallet
  • Chalk
  • Knife

Optional:

  • Landscape Weed Barrier Fabric
  • Netting Staples

How to Build a Fire Pit in Your Backyard

Before Building a Backyard Fire Pit – Things to Consider

Before you build a fire pit in your backyard, there are a few things to take into consideration.  The first is whether there are any buried cables in the area that you need to be careful of when digging. 

The second is if your city, town, village, whatever has any codes or regulations that will impact your project. 

And the third is whether your fire pit will negatively impact any neighbors (smoke sensitivities, etc.).  Think about all of this before beginning work to ensure a happy fire pit experience!

Phase One: Clear the Land

Once you have those things figured out, the first step in all of this is to clear out the area where you’re placing the fire pit.  As you can see from this picture, we had a lot of plants (namely, giant hosta, which are difficult to remove), to clear.  

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

Once the plants were removed, we got to work raking up the area and getting the ground level.  The kids got involved in this part of the project, which was fun!  

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

We used our level to make sure we got the ground as flat and as even as we could, and then we laid down the landscape weed barrier fabric to prevent vegetation (like those darn hosta), from growing up around our eventual fire pit.  

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

Next, we figured out where we wanted the fire pit, and used chalk to make a circle several inches wider than the galvanized fire ring.  Then we cut that circle out of the landscape barrier.  

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

You might be wondering why we used a galvanized fire ring in our fire pit construction, when many other fire pit tutorials do not use one.  The main reason is that we wanted our fire pit to be extra durable, and also for the landscape bricks not to get charred by the flames. 

One other benefit of using the fire ring is that you can purchase accessories, like grill grates and fire pit screens, that fit perfectly over the fire ring. 

Finally, we also thought it made it easier to create a perfect circle with the landscape bricks.  While this added a little extra cost to the construction, it was worth it in our minds.

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

Phase Two: Preparing the Ground for Landscape Bricks

The next step was to fill in the circle with paver base.  Once that was poured, my husband got to work with the tamper, pounding it down and getting a level surface that was slightly lower than the surrounding ground.

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

Next, we poured paver sand around the perimeter of the circle – so where the galvanized fire ring and the landscape bricks would sit.  We again used the tamper to make that paver sand flat.

Then we placed the galvanized fire ring into the paver sand, using a mallet to pound it into the paver sand, paver base, and ground ever so slightly, and we laid our first row of landscape bricks around the fire ring. 

NOTE: it’s important to leave a space of about 2.5″ between the fire ring and the landscape bricks because if you place the landscape bricks right against the ring, by the time you get to the top row of landscape bricks, they will be too close to the fire ring and will be jutting out farther than your base row of bricks.  You will have to disassemble and start over. 

(Prior to gluing our bricks together, we stacked all four rows to see how this would work, and it didn’t!  That’s how we knew to put that space between the fire ring and the landscape bricks at the bottom.)

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

Once the first row of landscape bricks was laid, it was time to move onto the next row.  We used DAP DynaGrip adhesive to hold our bricks together.  We simply applied it to the stones and pressed them down, making sure to stagger them rather than laying them directly one on top of the other.  

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

We repeated this process two more times, making our fire pit four rows of landscape bricks high.  Note that once the landscaping went in, the first row of bricks was essentially “underground.”  

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

We added inexpensive pea gravel inside the fire pit, and with that, our backyard fire pit was complete!

Over the following weeks, I spent time landscaping around the area to make it look nicer. 

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

This project took us about 8 hours to complete, and that included ripping out all the pre-existing landscape and running to Home Depot a few times for extra supplies. 

At the end of the day I can honestly say that if you’ve ever thought about adding a fire pit to your backyard, you should go for it!  It brings a huge element of fun to your outdoor space and is a wonderful memory maker for your family and friends.  

Learn how to build a beautiful custom backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit!

I’d appreciate it if you’d pin this post to help others find out how to build a backyard fire pit!  

Learn how to build a backyard fire pit for any size yard! Make memories with bonfires, s'mores, roasted marshmallows and more. This tutorial teaches you how to build your own fire pit! #backyardfirepit #firepit #diyfirepit #budgetfirepit

Once you’ve done that, come over and roast a marshmallow with me!  🙂

-Bre

Filed Under: DIY, Reader Favorite

How to Create a Faux Antique Brass Finish with Paint

September 6, 2016 by Bre 39 Comments

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I’ve been plugging along on my playroom to office makeover!  Over the weekend I crossed a big project for that space off of my list: restoring the original 1920’s light fixture to an authentic look with a faux antique brass finish.  And you guys, I can’t wait to show you how to paint any surface with this faux brass painting technique!

An old light fixture from the 1920's was restored with paint! Learn how to create a faux antique brass finish with this tutorial. Click through for a full supply list and instructions.

Getting this faux antique brass finish required some trial and error, but in the end it was totally worth it and pretty easy to achieve!  

This paint technique can be replicated on so many items: furniture hardware, lamps, light fixtures, decorative accessories and more!  

Also, you can use this technique to create a brass finish on metal, a brass finish on wood, or really a brass finish on any surface.

Supplies Needed to Create a Faux Antique Brass Finish

Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no added cost to you if you purchase through the links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

  • Rustoleum Bright Coat Metallic Finish Spray Paint in Dark Bronze
  • Rustoleum American Accents Satin Metallics in Classic Bronze
  • Briwax in Dark Brown
  • Rub n Buff in Antique Gold
  • Small stencil brush
  • Small paint brush
  • Clean, lint-free cloth

    You only need a few inexpensive supplies to create a gorgeous faux antique brass finish that's perfect for hardware, light fixtures, and more!

 

How to Create a Faux Antique Brass Finish With Paint

So, you guys, look at this light fixture that was hanging in the abandoned playroom.  HEINOUS!  At some point in time, a previous owner of the house spray painted it white.  WHY?  I don’t know.  

It removed all of the character and charm from the fixture and left it plain and ugly.  (Note: see how neglected this room was?  We didn’t even care enough to put matching light bulbs in this fixture!)  

This 1920's light fixture had been given a terrible spray paint makeover at some point in its life. See the gorgeous after photos in this post!

Because my husband and I want to keep as much of the original character in the house as we can, I decided that I had to try to restore this light fixture to some of its former glory.  Thankfully my husband was on board, and he took the fixture down for me.

Step One: Clean the Item to be Painted

Once it was safely removed from the ceiling, I brushed off the loose paint with a wire brush.  Some shiny gold started to peek through.  Because it was SO shiny, I don’t think that was the original color; the underneath side of the fixture was a much more muted brass.

This 1920's light fixture got a makeover with a faux antique brass finish. Click through to see the gorgeous results!

Step Two: Paint with Dark Bronze Spray Paint

Next, I spray painted it with a coat of the dark bronze spray paint.  

This 1920's light fixture got a makeover with a faux antique brass finish. Click through to see the gorgeous results!

Step Three: Paint with Classic Bronze Spray Paint

After it dried, I sprayed a coat of the classic bronze spray paint over the entire piece.  I stood farther away so that I wouldn’t be spraying such a concentrated amount onto the fixture.  

This 1920's light fixture got a makeover with a faux antique brass finish. Click through to see the gorgeous results!

Step Four: Apply Briwax Dark Brown Wax

Once the paint dried, I took the fixture inside for round two.  At this point, the paint finish looked VERY spray painted.  It was pretty much a solid color all over, though there were some spots where the dark bronze paint was visible underneath the shiny bronze.  The finish did not look authentic at this point, however.  

This 1920's light fixture got a makeover with a faux antique brass finish. Click through to see the gorgeous results!

I got out my trusty Briwax, which I love for furniture refinishing projects, and applied it all over with a small stencil brush.  This instantly darkened the finish and added some variation in tone to the entire piece.  (Please ignore my son’s half-eaten sandwich in the background of this photo.  He is the world’s slowest eater and I could not wait for him to finish lunch to work on this!)

This 1920's light fixture got a makeover with a faux antique brass finish. Click through to see the gorgeous results!

I let the Briwax sit for about 20 minutes and then gently buffed off the excess with a clean cloth.  

Step Five: Add Rub ‘n Buff in Antique Gold

Next, I grabbed the Rub n Buff and applied some to the raised portions of the light fixture.  

This 1920's light fixture got a makeover with a faux antique brass finish. Click through to see the gorgeous results!

This added some awesome highlights to the fixture, and really helped give it an authentic look!  Can you believe this was white just a short time ago?

Creating a faux antique brass finish is really easy! Learn which products you'll need to create an antique brass look on hardware, light fixtures, decor accents, and more! Click through for the full tutorial.

Once everything was dry, it was time to hang up my new, old light fixture!  My husband was ready to get it installed when he decided that the old cloth wiring was definitely a fire hazard.  

A 1920's light fixture gets a makeover.

I thought that meant all of my work was for nothing, but then he surprised me with secret master electrician skills, and he re-wired the entire thing in no time!  I was shocked (but not really, since I didn’t touch the wires – ha (get it?)), and I have no idea where he learned this from.  He’s been holding out on me, I tell ya!

A 1920's light fixture gets rewired.

Anyway, once he worked his magic, he hung the light fixture with its faux antique brass finish in the office-in-progress, and I did a dance of happiness (and popped some cool new Edison bulbs in there)!  

A 1920's light fixture was restored with a faux antique brass finish. Learn which products you'll need to create an antique brass look on hardware, light fixtures, decor accents, and more! Click through for the full tutorial.

I mean, seriously, can you even believe this is the same light fixture I showed you above?!?  

A 1920's light fixture was restored with a faux antique brass finish. Learn which products you'll need to create an antique brass look on hardware, light fixtures, decor accents, and more! Click through for the full tutorial.

It looks good – doesn’t it?  

A 1920's light fixture was restored with a faux antique brass finish. Learn which products you'll need to create an antique brass look on hardware, light fixtures, decor accents, and more! Click through for the full tutorial.

This faux antique brass finish turned out so much more realistic than I expected, and I am so grateful for that!  I love that I was able to save a piece of my home’s history, and keep this fixture that had been mangled and unsightly for so long.  

I think Nicole Curtis will want to be my friend because of this project.  (She never called me after I refinished my front door instead of painting it, but I think this project might put me on her radar.  😉 )

I’m assuming that most of you don’t have an ugly 1920’s light fixture in need of restoration, so tell me what you would use a faux antique brass finish on instead?  (And please ‘pin’ this graphic if you enjoyed this post!)

A 1920's light fixture was restored with a faux antique brass finish. Learn which products you'll need to create an antique brass look on hardware, light fixtures, decor accents, and more! Click through for the full tutorial.

Bre

Filed Under: home decor, Reader Favorite

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Hi, I’m Bre! Thanks for visiting Average But Inspired, where I show you how to work with what you’ve got to create a home you love.

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