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  1. I missed the initial reveal. You did an awesome job Brenda and I think you chose the perfect color. The bamboo was clever on the cabinets. You are like me, color, texture, layers…gotta have them!

  2. Brenda,
    OMG!!!! Totally in LOVE wiht your Kitchen Re- Do!! You know that I am a lover of color and especially red in the Kitchen was warms my heart!! The place mats and spoons are a fantastic idea and I LOVE your counter tops!!
    I love seeing what you do with your apartment because Joe and I decided that in about 10-12 years from now when our house needs another new roof, we will sell it and move into an apartment in the complex right next to us . It is the same complex where our sons live.
    Congrats on your outstanding Kitchen Re-Do!! LOVE IT!!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

  3. Brenda everything looks fantastic. Your so creative. I love the paint color with all of the other colors. I will feature it today at HSH!

  4. Great Job Brenda! I do love all the color you use in your little apartment. It is so cozy. I wish I was less afraid of color. Maybe if I knew how to use it I would not be so afraid. But you have a knack for it.

    1. I think it's just figuring out how to use it in a layered fashion. Does that make sense?

  5. Brenda this is fabulous! I cannot get over how some inexpensive place-mats and wooden utensils made such a darling and dramatic difference. This post was a joy to read and I sincerely hope you will continue to share your sunshine at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

  6. Your countertops turned out beautifully, Brenda. I'm impressed! And I love your cupboard door placemat and spoon treatment. So creative, colorful, and cute. It's always fun to see what you'll come up with, and you never disappoint!

    1. I just couldn't leave it at the counter tops. I was spurred on to do something that would sort of have my signature on it!

  7. Your kitchen reno turned out great! I often wonder if I should do something similar to my counterops but worry about how the painted on stuff would hold up to wear.

    1. I've had people tell me, who have used this, that theirs has held up for years and still counting.

  8. Wow! Your kitchen now has a more streamlined look with your painted countertops, which look like the real thing! Your cabinet doors bring in your unique style and pops of fun colors, too. I notice you have undercabinet lighting which really brightens up the space. I need to find some for our kitchen. Wonderful transformation….or should I say transformations?

  9. You are just too darn clever! I would have never thought of that cabinet treatment in a million years…the placemats would have gone on the table and the utensils would have gone in a crock. LOL You are such a wonderful source of inspiration!

    I am in love with your countertops! I may have to try that on my 1960's formica countertops in both upstairs bathrooms…

  10. That placemat idea is great Brenda and I love the ice thing on your fridge. The whole thing is adorable! You have got such talent Brenda.

  11. Just stopping by to say thank you so much for joining us in Thoughts Of Home On Thursday!
    You are always so inspiring and I just love the creative way you used these cute spoons:)
    xo
    Jemma

  12. Brenda, your kitchen counters look amazing! Love the placemats on the cabinets, that is creative and different! Great job and I know you will enjoy! Pam @ Everyday Living

  13. Splendid job, Brenda! I cannot believe how realistic the final result looks! You definitely have an artist's eye! One can read the directions and follow then to a T but it takes a real eye to know how much colour to add or not to add. Your new kitchen is so cool and serene. Perfect for the dog days of summer.
    I always loved your first kitchen, though. Not a visual overload but certainly visual stimulation. So joyful and
    thoroughly engaging.

    1. I remember I did the side next to the washer/dryer, but I couldn't quite get the other side of the sink to look at all the same for some reason. I had to add a little more of each color. Just dabbing with the sponges lightly until I got the effect I was going for. It is more a matter of preference.

  14. Love it Brenda…the counter top is so nice…Great job once again…I may copy your idea with the place mats…Could you tell me where you got the little lights attached to the bottoms of your cupboards to light up your counter space??..I need them desperately..lol..Thanks..

    1. Bought them at Lowes last year. Can't recall the exact price, but it was under $20 for both.

  15. Fantastic re-do! Love the countertops; they turned out great. Very creative with the placemats and spoons on front of the cabinets. Love the colors.

  16. The counter tops look amazing! Very,very nice. The windowsill looks very 'quiet'..nice but so different than before. I have my blue things in my windowsill. I love to look at them and the plants outside.

  17. Love, love your kitchen. The counter tops look amazing. Can I ask a dumb questions….does the paint have a strong odor? I want to paint my tops but I have horrible sinus problems and I don't know if I could take a strong and long lasting paint odor in my house. Thanks for any info you can share.

    1. I just thought the place mats and spoons made it more whimsical, and matched the other side with the red cupboard better.

  18. THe counter tops are beautiful , you did a great job.Oh my— what a fun and exciting cabinet doors.. You are so talented… I love your new kitchen..
    ps and I really love that rolling pin.

  19. I love the placemats and the spoons on the cabinets. It is a really unique and fun treatment! I am like you, I crave color…

  20. Your kitchen turned out great! I've been thinking about redoing my counter tops and you've convinced me to try this product. Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. My advice to you: Watch the video multiple times. I even had it on on my desk top near the counters so I could pause and view it again and again.

    1. I probably saw that rake idea in a magazine somewhere and stored it in my brain. It's a fun look!

  21. You are an incredibly creative woman Brenda! I love your cabinets with the black and white check and place mats. Also that Giani product is fantastic. I did the kitchen counters in my friend's beach house and am still amazed at how fabulous they look. I have been kicking around the idea of using it on my island in the sand color you chose. Now I have a great visual on how it may come out. Thanks! Have a great weekend!
    XO Barbara

    1. As I said, I think I added more white than the sample used. But I wanted a lighter look.

  22. It's adorable Brenda. I only wish I had Mt desktop to view it on.

    As I mentioned before, our countertops still look good after several years. You'll be amazed how nicely they hold up.

    1. I hope you're right. I figure automobile sealant should be strong and hold up well as a top coat.

  23. What a wonderful place to contentedly putter in!!!
    Love, love, love the black and white check around the mats and over the fridge! I do miss the colorful bottles on the windowsill…they had a lovely "stained glass" Blessings and Joy to you!!

    1. Those colorful bottle are outside on a table underneath my big sun. I was gifted a gorgeous set of colorful solar lights a few months ago. I spread the lights around the bottles, and it just looks gorgeous at night!

  24. Those countertops look fantastic! You did a great job! Please let us know how they hold up! Love your idea for the cabinets…that says Brenda! 😉

    1. For me it says "Brenda." I know some will think it says "tacky." But I don't care. I'm always up for a new adventure!

  25. Clever girl! It's always fun to see what you will dream up next. I like the idea of the mats and spoons — saving it in the memory bank.

  26. Your countertop looks great. I am sharing with my daughter who wants new countertops. I love your pops of color as I am a "color" lover also. Sheila

  27. I got so excited when I saw that you had posted this….I was on my little iPad and had to run and get the laptop with the bigger screen so I could see every little detail!!! I love your kitchen…and I have loved every single one of your kitchens – we just have such similar style with the color, color, color everywhere! What a brilliant idea to use the placemats on the cabinet doors – seriously, brilliant! I think you're right – a little wood trim would finish them off nicely. The utensils on the doors as a pop of color are too cute for words! And I can't believe how nice the 'granite' looks – really looks great! You'll have to do a follow up after a while to let us all know how it stands up to use. Great job, my friend!!!

    1. I will definitely do a follow-up on how the counter tops hold up in a few months. And I think the wood trim on the cabinets will be next. I just can't decide if I want to take the black and white checks off when I add the trim.

  28. Your kitchen re do looks fresh and original Brenda! I love how you keep recreating your own style but in different contemporary ways over the years, that is very clever!
    Happy weekend!
    Helen xox

    1. If I hadn't added the place mats and spoons, it would have just been a certain style. Adding them made it more "my" style.

  29. You really are so creative, Brenda. You hit on just the right balance and it looks so fresh and cheerful and ready for a magazine shoot. I have a feeling you'll be happy with this look for a long time. It's a real keeper!

  30. Good Morning Brenda,
    Such fabulous looking counter tops, I just know how much work they were, but wow so worth it!
    Your kitchen always looks amazing, but this is my favorite yet!
    Jemma

    1. On that last part I do believe I agree! The counter tops weren't all that much work. It was everything else I added to them!

  31. Wow, what a vibrant kitchen! I could definitely be inspired in a kitchen like that! I can't believe you made all of these changes in 2 years! That's ok, I also get bored with the same look, I only wish I had more time to change things up. The counter looks fantastic. I wonder if they have these types of kits here in Greece?

    1. You should be able to order them online. And I would agree, it's certainly vibrant! (Or maybe just colorful.)

    1. I don't know if it's talent as much as it is that I get "playing" with color and objects and just have so much fun!

  32. It's beautiful! I love it. The window is lovely too, although I really, really loved the vintage treatment 🙂 Enjoy your new kitchen!

  33. The counter tops look beautiful…good work! I love the new valance and although I loved the colored bottles, I can see that they wouldn't really work with it. Your creativity is amazing and I like how you are not afraid to tackle any project or try something new.

    1. Well, I am afraid to tackle some projects, especially those that require expensive tools. Because I don't have them!

  34. So creative and so you, Brenda! Your countertops turned out amazing. I may have to do this. I keep thinking we'll be getting marble or quartz "soon" and then the kids keep wanting to play more sports ($), we need the plumber, vet bills, gravel for the driveway, etc. This could be a good fix. Thanks for sharing! ~julie

    1. With all the men/boys in your farmhouse, I'd go with this. Because I've had real granite and it chips. I'd wait till the boys are in college or married and then splurge!

    1. That was all I could think of for those small doors overhead. Maybe, given another week or so, I could have come up with something else.

  35. Your counter tops are so pretty Brenda.
    Isn't it amazing how one thing leads to another in a project.
    Your creative spirit shows.

    1. I kind of thought the same thing. Looked more like marble than granite. I think it was the extra white I kept adding. But I like it. Thanks!

  36. Oh, Brenda! Your kitchen looks wonderful. I just can hardly believe your counter top is painted on (I do believe you did it, I'm just complimenting you :). Wow! You did do a great job on it and it looks like granite! What a cute idea with the placemats and wooden utensils! You have such imagination. Now get ready, another magazine will be knocking at your door again.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    1. I think I have the energy level of a 20 year old, and the body of a 70 year old. But my energy always seems to win out and then I'm benched for awhile!

    1. I thought I was just going to do counter tops. Then I started painting everything. Then I started with the cabinets and spray painting the knobs. So what I thought would just take a few days took more than a week.

  37. Great new look! LOVE the counter tops. I have been looking forward to seeing the redo! Wonderful job!

  38. Brenda, this turned out beautifully! You did a wonderful job on the countertop and I love the idea with the placemats and wood utensils! It's very fresh yet still has color! Now you can enjoy your pretty new space!

    1. Like I said, the cabinet doors aren't everyone's cup of tea. But Linda, you're a free spirit like me, and I know you would have done something a little crazy too!

  39. Good job on the kitchen, Brenda! How long did it take for the three different coats on the counter, especially that last one to dry? With my cats I would have to make sure it was good and dry or I'd have foot prints. I read what it said on their website, but wanted to know what the dry time actually was for you.

  40. The counter tops are fabulous! I bet that was a lot of work but it looks expensive. Nice work. 🙂

    I like the kitchen a little less busy.

    1. Yeah, now when I look at that first kitchen, it's sensory overload! Well, it took me a couple of hours to sponge on the three colors. And I kept staring at it to see if I needed a little more of one color somewhere, then would dab a little more of that on. I mean, if you mess up, you could simply roll on the black again and start over. But I finally got in the groove, after watching the video about 25 times, and the job got done.

    2. Brenda, thank you for linking your pretty kitchen with Thoughts of Home on Thursday. I'm thinking you are a great spokesperson for the counter top refinishing kit. 🙂

  41. Your kichen looks so YOU, Brenda! Cheerful and colorful, with touches of unexpected and clever features. And your countertops are perfect … They fit in so nicely in your happy kitchen. You did great!!!!

    1. I was so afraid the GianiGranite counter top look was not going to look right with my "stuff." Thus I went to great lengths to try to reach a happy medium.

  42. I think the kitchen looks wonderful. I love the place mats and spoons on the door! The colors are warm and inviting. The counter top turned out really nice!

    1. To me it was somewhat bland before I put up the place mats. Now most people would probably have just been happy that the counter tops turned out so well and a few other things got done. But I just needed more color.

  43. Your kitchen looks beautiful Brenda! I especially like the red cabinet and that rake that holds kitchen things is awesome! Nice job once again 🙂

    1. I jump into the middle of a project. And generally I have no idea what I'm going to do. So it's exciting for me to get to the end too!

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