Are you SURE that isn't granite?!

When we purchased our first home last July, I already had a running list going through my mind of projects that needed to be accomplished.

First up on the list? The fluorescent yellow countertops. Really, swear to God, fluorescent. Keep in mind, our home was built in 1990, we're not talking about a 1960's home where this MAY have been slightly acceptable.

{Here's a before photo. See, I told you they were as bright as the sun.}

We knew we didn't necessarily want to drop a few thousand dollars right after buying our home, which is when Pinterest saved the day. {Doesn't it always?!}

My sister and I began scouring Pinterest for DIY countertop ideas. We kept coming across several kits that could be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot, but we were still trying to find something we could truly do ourselves. That's when we put our crafting skills together, as well as some fabulous crafty people on Pinterest, and decided to PAINT our COUNTERTOPS. This blogger, in particular, had some really great tips on how to tackle this task: Painting the Kitchen Counters

{This photo also shows a few other updates we added: a beadboard backsplash, using Martha Stewart's beadboard foam wallpaper, as well as new cupboard knobs.}

Yep, almost eight months later and the countertops still look as great as the day we finished them. The process was actually super simple, too. We started by applying about 2-3 coats of white primer to really cover up all of that LOVELY yellow, so we could start with a blank slate. Then, we headed to Joann's to pick-up a variety of acrylic paints {we mostly used browns, grays, tans, and a little black}, using our 40% coupons, of course! My sister and I varied the way we applied the paint, using both a sea sponge, as well as a regular cheap paintbrush, with the ends frayed out a little bit. Once the paint had set for about a day, we applied approx. 5-7 coats of Polycrylic {be sure to use this stuff, water-based, or you could end up yellowing your counter!}. The Poly took awhile to dry in between coats, which meant lots of take-out dinners over the next few days, but it was definitely worth it in the end!

Take a look at what a difference some acrylic paint can really make!

I've received so many compliments about the counters to this day! People can't believe that it's not real granite! :) I'm actually tackling our downstairs powder room with the same type of task now. Transforming a boring white-on-white vanity to more of a granite-like feel, as well! 

Stay tuned for the next countertop reveal, coming soon!