Painted Formica Counter Tops Part Deux

When we moved in I was right at home in my new studio.

But the orange cabinets and white formica counter tops had to go.

So what is a girl on a budget to do?? Paint them!!

Here it the best "before" I have:

(What can I say, Hannah likes rich fabrics like her Mommy)

I taped, and laid newspaper everywhere, then spray painted grey primer.
Let it dry.
Then used Rustoleum's stone spray in Mineral Brown. It has an amazing texture. (It sounds kind of crazy when it splatters the surface)


After:
("Ahhhhh, much better")


A closeup.
After the stone spray was dry, I used an old toothbrush and splattered antique gold randomly.
Then sealed it with 3 coats polyurethane in high gloss. There are lots of sites out there that claim to properly seal the surface you have to use marine varnish, or a sealant that is used for restaurant bars. If you will apply multiple thick coats of poly and let them thoroughly dry between it will be very durable. And remember, the higher the sheen the harder it will cure.

I am pretty rough on counter tops, always doing some sort of project (painting, sewing, cutting, gluing), and they have held up. I wouldn't try put something super hot or sharp on here, though.

A few more afters:

(plan on reupholstering the chair soon with a tutorial)

Also, more to come on how I refinished the cabinets.