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Author: Carmen Serrano

Collage of kitchen primed with KILZ 3® Premium Interior/Exterior Primer and upper cabinets painted with BEHR® Limousine Leather MQ5-05 or BEHR White 52 and the lower cabinets painted with BEHR Limousine Leather MQ5-05, BEHR Ecological S380-6 or BEHR Inked M510-7.

Inspiration

How to Prime Kitchen Cabinets for Color That Pops

February 25, 2022

If you want to design a kitchen that makes a statement, we’ve got some great tips to help make it a breeze. KILZ® primers are the first step in making sure any color you choose really pops, and with the right inspiration, products, and guidance, you can achieve a beautiful focal point inside your home. Our featured kitchen inspirations start with KILZ 3® PREMIUM Interior and Exterior Primer and come together in three unique design concepts that elevate the space from bland to bold. See how to prime kitchen cabinets to ensure the paint colors pop.

As with any project requiring a fresh coat of paint, we started by priming our surfaces. As mentioned above, we chose KILZ 3® PREMIUM Interior and Exterior Primer for its superior adhesion and durability, multi-surface application, and mildew-resistant finish—critical for moisture-prone areas, such as your kitchen where steam, water, and other liquids are present. This primer helped us create the perfect foundation for color, as well as smooth out and cover prior stains, paint, and imperfections in the existing cabinetry.

For our first kitchen makeover, we used BEHR PREMIUM™ Cabinet & Trim Enamel in the color Ecological S380-6 on the lower cabinets and island, and White 52 on the upper cabinetry. While this shade of green is subtle, it appears clean and flawless thanks to our primer, which effectively prepped the surface and allowed for this neutral color to shine. The two-tone kitchen cabinets add some depth of color to the space. We further styled this space with complementary wicker bar chairs at the island, and open-framed light fixtures overhead for a cozy-casual vibe perfect for cooking, eating, and entertaining.

Keep in mind that painting without priming first—especially on porous surfaces like wood or brick where paint can easily become absorbed—can greatly affect the outcome. Without a solid coat of primer, paint can appear less vibrant, rich, or otherwise not as expected.

Opting for drama with our next kitchen makeover, we chose BEHR PREMIUM™ Cabinet & Trim Enamel in the color Limousine Leather MQ5-05. We painted the upper and lower cabinets in this charcoal-like shade, creating a refined frame around the island, which we painted with White 52. Because we primed thoroughly beforehand, we cut down on the number of topcoats and ensured our color came out as expected. The island becomes the focal point here, so we styled with black and gold mini pendant lights and contrasting bistro-style barstools for a chic and polished final look.

Our final kitchen makeover features BEHR PREMIUM™ Cabinet & Trim Enamel in the color Inked M510-7 on the lower cabinets and island, and White 52 on the overhead cabinetry for a light to dark look that really pops. White walls and countertops help achieve a clean look from the top down. The two-tone cabinets add an interesting juxtaposition to the room. To round out this concept, we chose leather barstools with black bases, and matching black lighting—small details that effortlessly tie the space together.

All three of our kitchen inspirations featured KILZ 3® PREMIUM Interior and Exterior Primer, which we chose for its surface versatility, among its many other benefits for a room of this kind. This fast-drying primer’s excellent adhesion makes it ideal for use on interior and exterior surfaces including wood, drywall, plaster, stucco, paneling, masonry, brick, and more. It works with oil and water-based paints, giving you plenty of color options for your kitchen or any future DIY project.

Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products. Check out our Coverage Calculator to understand your estimated paint needs for your upcoming project.

    Tags:Tags: Cabinets, Inspiration, KILZ 3 Premium Primer, Kitchen, Kitchen Cabinets, Makeover

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    Wide Shot of Nursery Primed with KILZ

    Inspiration

    Nursery Inspiration for Your Growing Family

    January 31, 2022

    No matter how many baby nursery ideas you dream up, putting the pieces together can be daunting. If you aren’t sure where to start, this bright and stylish room makeover may just be the simple nursery inspiration you need to create something special in your home.

    Comfort, calm, and functionality are equally important when planning a space for a new member of the family. Designing a cheerful room that brings you joy can make your nursery feel like a home within a home. So, if you have a vacant room and are planning for a little one, let this post provide you with the perfect nursery color, paint, and design ideas to complement your home.

    Creating a charming nursery doesn’t have to be hard. This room makeover showcases a simple, neutral design, focusing on light and comfort. With ample sunlight pouring in from the windows during the day, white walls create a warm and tranquil environment for you and your little one.

    To transform this room’s walls from a bold green to a soft, clean white, we started with KILZ 3® Premium Interior and Exterior Primer. This primer is fast-drying, low odor, and has excellent adhesion, making it a great base for our chosen color of paint. Because of its thicker high hiding formula, it’s ideal for smoothing out surface imperfections and covering up any stains that may have accumulated in an old or previously occupied room. It’s also perfect for masking any existing color when switching from dark to light.

    After thoroughly priming our walls and allowing for sufficient drying time, it was time to paint. We chose a lovely, muted white paint that makes for a clean and sophisticated backdrop for decor, as well as a peaceful environment for this nursery. With our newly blank canvas, we began the process of creating a cozy and welcoming interior. This transformation used BEHR PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Paint in the color Wind’s Breath (GR-W06).

    To achieve our look, we played with classic simplicity. Light shades of exposed wood make the white painted crib, lamp, and picture frame pop, soft grays accent the blankets and pillows, a dark end table and shelving unit provide focal points for the eyes, and a bright white chair complements the other pieces while evoking a modern cottage feel.

    The dark-wood floor and large white area rug serve as an anchor, and the luminous curtains bring movement into the space by reflecting the natural light from outside. This beautifully simple nursery is both elegant and inviting, while remaining an attractive, neutrally- styled room that can easily serve another purpose once your child outgrows it.

    Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

      Tags:Tags: Inspiration, KILZ 3 Premium Primer, Makeover, Nursery, White

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    Plantroom painted with the color Juniper Tree from The Lakehouse Collection.

    The Lakehouse Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®

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      Living Room in Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint Blanched

      Inspiration

      MAGNOLIA HOME: SOPHISTICATED AND BRIGHT LIVING ROOM

      January 31, 2022

      A soft and neutral color in a room’s design can transform any space into a timeless classic. In this sophisticated living room featuring Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint, a simple color offers an inviting and bright ambiance.

      “I love a soft neutral color that warms up any space. This light beige hue has a cool undertone that reflects any natural light pouring in, and helps create a blank canvas that feels open and inviting.” – Joanna Gaines

      Joanna Gaines in living room

      In this living room, natural light comes pouring in, giving the space an airy and open feel. Painting the room a bright and elegant beige enhances the size of the room and provides a blank canvas for personalized décor. The chosen color from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint line, Blanched, is a softer take on a traditional white with cool undertones to welcome you and your guests.

      Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines - Living Room

      Adding natural materials throughout the design, whether greenery, wooden accents, or earthy tones, allow these décor pieces to be beautifully highlighted against this soft backdrop. Light colored and natural toned furniture pieces fill the large space without distracting from the bright and calming essence this room emits. However, this neutral beige allows for many design possibilities, giving you the ability to transform the space to fit your own personal style.

      Accent chair in living room

      A darker fireplace adds well-balanced contrast to the airy space and light backdrop. For a similar look, try Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint color, Blackboard, which offers a cool hue to draw the eye and adds depth and sophistication.

      Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines - Living Room

      Inspired by this timeless living room and looking for complementary colors for your own space? The curated palette below offers shades that complement and coordinate with Blanched.

      Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint swatch in Blanched
      Blanched
      Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint swatch in Panna Cotta
      Panna Cotta
      Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint swatch in Clean Lines
      Clean Lines
      Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint swatch in Gatherings
      Gatherings
      Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint swatch in Bright Days
      Bright Days
      Color swatch of Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint color Blackboard
      Blackboard

      Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint is available at select Ace Hardware store locations, and online at AceHardware.com and Magnolia.com.

      Check out our Coverage Calculator to understand your estimated paint needs for your upcoming project.

        Tags:Tags: Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®, Trends, White

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      Plantroom painted with the color Juniper Tree from The Lakehouse Collection.

      The Lakehouse Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®

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        Kilz Primer Group Image on Truck

        Primer Tips

        Ask the Pro: Must-haves for 2022

        January 28, 2022

        Portrait of Paul DambrosoNew Year, new inspirations, and new projects! What better way to kick off the year than to share the “must-haves” for any project in 2022. We asked one of the KILZ experts, Paul Dambroso. Paul is the Vice President of Marketing at KILZ and shares over 20 years of experience. Here on the Perfect Finish, we are going to cover the top KILZ products that any professional may need to kick off a project.

        Why is it important to use Primer for any project?

        • Seal porous surfaces before painting to achieve a uniform finish in fewer coats of paint
        • Block stains from bleeding through your topcoat finish (water stains, tannin, smoke)
        • Improve adhesion between the surface and the topcoat paint (adhesion promoter)
        • “Specialty primers” help solve a variety of problems in specific situations from preventing mold and mildew before painting, transparent finish primers for same color recoats, alkali-resistant primers for powdery surfaces, concrete, cement, and unpainted plaster, metal primers, and more.

        What are the top 5 KILZ Primers you need to tackle any job?

        KILZ 2 Primer 1 Gallon Can

        1. KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer

        • KILZ 2® ALL-PURPOSE Primer (Previously KILZ 2 Latex) is a fast drying, water-based, multi-surface primer-sealer-stain blocker with excellent adhesion, mildew resistance, sealing properties and very mild odor. KILZ 2 ALL-PURPOSE Primer blocks medium stains including minor water stains, rust, grease, ink, pencil and felt marker. Enhanced hiding makes it ideal for changing colors and helps lessen the number of coats of paint required.

        KILZ Restoration Interior Primer 1 Gallon Can

        2. KILZ Restoration Primer

        • KILZ RESTORATION™ Primer is a new generation water-based primer, sealer and stain blocker offering performance of traditional oil and shellac-based primers. It tackles tough stains including heavy water damage, rust, smoke, nicotine, grease, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, pet stains and more.

        KILZ Mold & Mildew Interior/Exterior Primer 1 Gallon Can

        3. KILZ Mold & Mildew Primer

        • KILZ® MOLD & MILDEW Primer is a water-based primer-sealer-stain blocker that is specially designed for residential surfaces in high humidity, moisture, and temperature environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, powder rooms and laundry rooms. It offers excellent adhesion to both interior and exterior surfaces and provides a sound anchor for paints. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) registered active ingredient creates a mold and mildew-resistant film that protects the primer film from mold and mildew growth.

        KILZ Original Interior/Exterior Primer 1 Gallon Can

        4. KILZ Original Oil-Based Interior/ Exterior Primer

        • KILZ® ORIGINAL has been a trusted brand for over 40 years! This interior and exterior primer is specially formulated to be a sound undercoat for paint and will help enhance the topcoat’s performance. It has excellent adhesion to both interior and exterior surfaces including masonry, metal, and excellent penetration for bare wood.

        KILZ PVA Interior Drywall Primer & Sealer 1 Gallon Can

        5. KILZ PVA/ Drywall Primer

        • KILZ® PVA DRYWALL PRIMER is designed for use on new drywall. It is a fast drying, interior water-based primer formulated to prime and seal new, uncoated drywall and reduce the number of topcoats required to achieve a uniform, professional quality finish.

        What are  some tips and tricks while using Kilz primer?

        • Check out KILZ Coverage Calculator to determine how much paint is needed to start a project. Typically, a gallon of primer will cover up to 250-400 square feet of surface that depends on a variety of factors. Two coats are usually required to have bright or deep colors or stains that could bleed through the topcoat. If priming over light or white previously painted surfaces, one coat may be sufficient.
        • Tint the primer with a small amount of colorant (paint) of the topcoat. This will enhance the accuracy of the topcoat’s true color.
        • Lightly sand the surface before applying primer especially if there is a gloss or sheen on the surface. This will help the primer adhere better and result in a longer-lasting paint finish.
        • Although today’s advanced chemistry allows compatibility between oil-based and water-based primers and topcoats, it is still best practice to keep the combinations of “oil-based over oil-based” and “water-based over water-based” to ensure optimal results.
        • Check out the KILZ blog post on the misconceptions about primer with one of our product experts here.

        Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

          Tags:Tags: KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer, KILZ Mold and Mildew, KILZ Original Primer, KILZ PVA, KILZ Restoration, Primer Tips, Products

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        A gallon of KILZ Mold & Mildew on a bathroom countertop.

        Can You Paint Over Mold With KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer?

        inspiration

        Plantroom painted with the color Juniper Tree from The Lakehouse Collection.

        The Lakehouse Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®

        get inspired:

          See more on Pinterest

          FOLLOw us:

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          • Kilz 2 All Purpose Primer

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          • Kilz 3 Premium Primer

            KILZ RESTORATION® INTERIOR PRIMER


          Kilz primer 5 gallon bucket

          Primer Tips

          Ask the Pro: KILZ Restoration®

          October 27, 2021

          Ask the Pro: KILZ Restoration - Dustin Almquist

          Here on The Perfect Finish, we have shared the importance of Primer in a variety of room transformation projects, from changing paint colors to painting kitchen cabinets. In this post, we are taking the conversation to a larger scale, looking at whole home renovations from a Pro’s perspective. We were excited to chat with Dustin Almquist, a contractor in Pennsylvania with experience in both real estate and property investment.

          Dustin shares how KILZ Restoration® Interior Primer is vital to his whole home renovation jobs and why he believes a transformation of a whole house can change the perspective of the entire neighborhood. Read on to learn how he gets the job done right every time.

          Tell us about your recent restoration job using KILZ Restoration Primer.

          This project was a full house renovation. The last owners had the home for decades, and regular maintenance wasn’t done. It needed new electricity, plumbing, kitchen, bathroom, roof, windows, flooring, and of course primer and paint. The walls were old plaster that had some major cracking. After making extensive repairs, it was important to prep the walls for paint. Since many of the walls had old oil-based paint or paneling, it was important to use a primer that I could trust.

          Why did you choose KILZ Restoration® Primer for this project?

          This property is used as a rental. I wanted to ensure that I am getting a long-lasting, durable wall coating. When it is time for a topcoat, I need to know that I won’t have adhesion issues. KILZ Restoration® Primer gave me the security that a topcoat will apply evenly and have great adhesion. Additionally, the coverage of the old surface was going to need a serious primer. Using a lesser primer would have left me with exposed stains and old wall color bleed through.

          • KILZ Restoration® Interior Primer is a water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker offering the performance of traditional oil and shellac-based primers. It tackles tough stains including heavy water damage, rust, smoke, nicotine, grease, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, pet stains, and more.

          What benefits did it bring to the job that another primer might not? 

          KILZ’s reputation of quality products is second to none and KILZ Restoration® Primer is the real deal. The old oil-based paint on the walls had some small cracks and splitting, but it was no match for the Restoration Primer. It is quite thick, so it filled those problem areas, yet still dried evenly and smoothly. 

          Ask the Pro: KILZ Restoration - Application

          Where did you use KILZ Restoration® Primer at the project site?

          The whole home! The house contained three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and living room.

          Have there been any other projects when KILZ came to the rescue?

          I am currently working on another rental property in the same town. The entire interior needs to be painted. Again, since this house will be used as a rental, I want to trust that the work I do today can last for years to come. I have primed the entire house using an array of KILZ primers.

          Would you recommend using KILZ primers for any project?

          I have yet to be disappointed in any use of KILZ primers. Each application has provided me with the results I need.

          Ask the Pro: KILZ Restoration - Application

          Do you have any other tips for a home restoration project?

          Make sure to plan! When you get into restoration, time is money.  It is so tempting to take shortcuts to save yourself time. Many people don’t think about the amount of time in the future they are costing themselves when taking those shortcuts. Take the time to do the work correctly the first time. It will pay dividends tomorrow!

          What additional tools would you need to get the job done?

          Paint sprayers, pans, rollers, roller covers, brushes, scrapers, extension poles, drop clothes, painters’ tape, buckets, ladders, rags, caulks/sealants, brush cleaner, paint thinner, stir sticks. You name it! It seems like you always run out of something right when you need it.

          Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

           

           

            Tags:Tags: KILZ Restoration, Makeover, Primer, Primer Tips, Restoration

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          A gallon of KILZ Mold & Mildew on a bathroom countertop.

          Can You Paint Over Mold With KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer?

          inspiration

          Plantroom painted with the color Juniper Tree from The Lakehouse Collection.

          The Lakehouse Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®

          get inspired:

            See more on Pinterest

            FOLLOw us:

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            SHOP

            Kilz logo

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            • Kilz 2 All Purpose Primer

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            A Quick Color Change: Angela Cacace

            Primer Tips

            A Quick Color Change: Angela Cacace

            October 18, 2021

            The bedroom. It’s the first space on this earth that an individual can claim as their own. There is that pivotal moment in every person’s life when they find themselves covering yesteryears’ painted walls with any cool poster or sticker they can find. And what’s left? A hodgepodge of a room that doesn’t fully reflect their newfound identity in the world as they leave their formative years and enter their tween years. With so much going on in the world today, I can only imagine what todays’ kids are having to cope with as they have navigated through this last year and a half. So as a designer and contractor for a remodeling company, I can’t think of a more deserving clientele in need of a space of refuge to call their own.

            After a year of a pandemic that kept her out of school, my tenacious client, Saegan, was ready to tackle a fresh, new beginning. Excited at the prospect of finally being able to throw sleepover parties and hang out with her best girlfriends, she needed a major bedroom update. This room was going to be epic. A full reflection of the young woman she is growing up to be, I was so excited to help her find her design voice and style. 

            So where to begin? Few projects provide transformation in a bedroom but paramount to the small list is paint. A quick color change is exactly what this makeover so desperately needed to literally set the tone of the room.

            A Quick Color Change: Angela Cacace - Room, Before
            BEFORE
            A Quick Color Change: Angela Cacace - Room, After
            AFTER

            Quite on-trend, Saegan wanted a two-tone wall, because why settle for one color when you can have two?! This technique is achieved by painting the area on the lower half of the wall (typically below standard chair rail height which is around 32”+) a different color than the upper half of the wall. This painting technique was not only beneficial in decision-making for a dynamic tween, but it was also a great choice for her dormer-walled room. Dormers are an architectural detail commonly found in the cape-cod style of home that Saegan’s family lives in. Along with a fun window nook, these types of rooms in a home boast steeply angled walls that follow the roof’s pitch. So in addition to providing visual interest, this two-tone technique worked with the shadows and angles of the walls rather than against them.

            Sagean knew she wanted to paint colors that were lighter, brighter, and full of girl-power. So, after a quick field trip to the local paint store, Saegan decided on her two colors. She chose “In Bloom” and “Cement Pots” from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Paint Collection.

            Bringing your paint swatches into the space and purchasing a sample to test it out on your walls is a must. Lighting differs from house to house and room to room, so it is crucial in ensuring that you have chosen the right color. However, in Saegan’s room, this step was not so simple because there was no way the reflection of her brightly colored room was going to allow us to see the true color in her space. With bright teal paint on the existing walls and stickers and doodles abound, good prep was a must to ensure a favorable outcome.

            With proper prep in mind, we purchased KILZ 3® PREMIUM primer. This is the ideal primer when you are going from a darker to lighter paint color. And in Saegan’s case, we wanted to make sure that her new softer, more mature colors showed true without having to apply multiple coats to cover up the intense teal paint. Also, this primer’s thicker high hiding formula hides surface imperfections like marker artwork! Now, having grown out of wall scribbles and sticky hands, this very low VOC, water-based primer-sealer-stain blocker provided the clean slate we needed for a fresh start.

            A Quick Color Change: Angela Cacace - Process

            Kids’ rooms always seem to have a layer of gunk and grime, so a good wipe down of the walls is first on the list. Now, we were set to cover up years of scuff marks, stains, and “artwork”.  After scraping stickers, filling holes in the wall, and removing screws and nails, we scraped off loose paint and lightly sanded it for a smooth finish. For the application, a high-quality nylon/polyester roller with a 3/8-1/2″ nap is recommended on smooth surfaces, like Saegan’s. If you are prepping a semi-rough or porous surface, you will want to go with a 1/2-3/4″ nap.

            After an even primer application, we were left with a bright, clean surface that served as the perfect blank slate to begin. And best of all, it was dry to the touch in only 30 minutes, and we were ready to begin applying our new colors in an hour!

            The break in the dormer walls was the perfect guide for where to separate our two colors.  Using painter’s tape and a steady hand, we applied our soft color palette to the primed walls. After the addition of plenty of blush tone furniture and fabrics and gold accents, Saegan’s room transformed. Prepping the walls to ensure a beautiful finish, the two paint colors provided the perfect foundation to bring her lighter and brighter blush tween room to life.

            *This is a paid partnership with Angela Cacace.

            Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

              Tags:Tags: Bedroom, Bedroom Makeover, Gray, KILZ 3 Premium Primer, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®, Primer Tips

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            primer tips

            A gallon of KILZ Mold & Mildew on a bathroom countertop.

            Can You Paint Over Mold With KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer?

            inspiration

            Plantroom painted with the color Juniper Tree from The Lakehouse Collection.

            The Lakehouse Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®

            get inspired:

              See more on Pinterest

              FOLLOw us:

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              White tone kitchen

              Inspiration

              A Fresh Kitchen Makeover

              October 15, 2021

              A dated and uninspiring kitchen is transformed into a fresh cooking and entertaining space in this remarkable kitchen transformation. The original kitchen did little to encourage people to spend time in the space or inspire home-cooking or hosting. To liven up this kitchen and create a welcoming space, we focused our efforts on a simple yet powerful paint job and some key design upgrades.

              For this makeover, we chose KILZ 3® Premium Primer because it offers adhesion and a mildew resistant finish on the primer film, ideal for moisture-prone areas like kitchens where water, steam, and even tough liquids like oils are commonplace. This primer is also high hide, meaning you can apply it directly over old colors (even darker ones!) and still be able to paint a bright white topcoat to finish.

              A Fresh Kitchen Makeover: Before
              BEFORE
              A Fresh Kitchen Makeover: After
              AFTER

              Once the primer was applied and allowed to dry, we top coated with Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint in True White to add a fresh, renewing sense of cleanliness to the space. In providing a stark blank canvas, it allows everything else in the kitchen to shine. It is calm and mindful and creates a sense of renewal.

              A Fresh Kitchen Makeover: Details

              With the walls reset, our focus shifted to the overall color palette for the room. We chose a neutral combination of white, brown, and black. Dark colors were kept to a minimum, with a few mid-century modern accessories – including soft metallic pendant lights, low-rise barstools, a modern drink cart and simple white ceramic food canisters– providing welcoming aesthetic accents in key areas of the room. And to allow for more entertaining in the space, we brought in a larger dining table with additional seating.

              This kitchen makeover is proof that a simple color change with primer and fresh coat of paint can be the perfect foundation for a stunning transformation.

              A Fresh Kitchen Makeover

              Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

                Tags:Tags: Inspiration, KILZ 3 Premium Primer, Kitchen, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®, White

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              primer tips

              A gallon of KILZ Mold & Mildew on a bathroom countertop.

              Can You Paint Over Mold With KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer?

              inspiration

              Plantroom painted with the color Juniper Tree from The Lakehouse Collection.

              The Lakehouse Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®

              get inspired:

                See more on Pinterest

                FOLLOw us:

                @kilzbrand

                SHOP

                Kilz logo

                PRODUCTS

                • Kilz 2 All Purpose Primer

                  KILZ 3® PREMIUM INTERIOR | EXTERIOR PRIMER

                • Kilz 3 Premium Primer

                  Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Paint


                Mid century courtyard with plants and a fountain

                Primer Tips

                Pro Spotlight: Jesi Haack’s Mid-Century Courtyard Makeover

                September 20, 2021

                Pro Spotlight: Jesi Haack’s Mid-Century Courtyard MakeoverThis month on The Perfect Finish, we have an inspiring Q&A to share that includes a stunning stenciled courtyard makeover. A friend of the KILZ team, Jesi Haack is a talented event designer with some serious interior design skills as well. Jesi’s full-service event design company, Jesi Haack Design, transforms traditional events into trendy affairs. She is also the Co-Founder of SLAACK Productions, a corporate event production company specializing in creative & interactive design experiences & installations.

                Jesi recently completed a jaw-dropping makeover of her home’s front courtyard, and it inspires some serious DIY envy. Read on to learn more about Jesi and how she completed this gorgeous transformation.

                Before we talk about your stunning patio project, we’d love to delve into your DIY/designer background. You own an event design and production agency, and on top of that you’re a super talented DIY-er and interior designer. Tell us how you first got into interior design and DIY’ing and how that led to where you are now.

                Well, I’ve always loved making things look cool. Whether it’s for events or in my home. So once Covid hit and turned the lights out on our busy production company, I suddenly had a ton of time on my hands and no creative outlet. Pair that with buying our first fixer home and a huge income hit, I became a DIY’er! Hahaha! I just started figuring stuff out on my own because of boredom, lack of funds and a need for creativity. Once I started sharing my projects on social media, I didn’t anticipate so many people would like what I was doing! And then they started asking me to help with their homes, offices, and projects! It’s been a blast!

                Where do you find inspiration for your DIY home improvement projects? Has work for your event design business inspired any of your interior design projects?

                I’m inspired by so many different outlets and people. I follow a bunch of different types of builders and creators (I think of them as more than DIY’ers because it truly is an art what they do) and other people’s work is truly an inspiration. And yes! My event installation background is a huge aspect to my work and my style. I try to think outside the normal interior design box and bring in more three-dimensional aspects to interiors. More like art installations that make a big impact. At least that’s where my thought process is.

                Pro Spotlight: Jesi Haack’s Mid-Century Courtyard Makeover - Before & After

                Let’s talk about your recent patio project. What inspired the design and what was the overall process? 

                I’ve spent a ton of time in Palm Springs for work and am so inspired by the architecture there and the mid-century design style. Our patio was so basic and the concrete so ugly, I knew I wanted to bring it alive with a pattern. I also knew it was an area I didn’t want to play it safe with. I wanted it to make people stop for a sec and notice before entering our home! It was a pretty simple process: clean – prime – stencil – seal!

                Pro Spotlight: Jesi Haack’s Mid-Century Courtyard Makeover - Stencils

                Which KILZ product did you use for the patio makeover and why? How do you think it impacted the project? 

                I used KILZ 3® Premium Primer and KILZ Over Armor® concrete coating. Kilz primers are my literal go to for any project because they seal the surface I’m working on. For this one in particular, a quality primer was clutch for covering up chipped paint and giving me a blank canvas to use for my stencils.

                How did you first learn about KILZ? Have you used KILZ primers for any other projects?

                I think my dad told me about Kilz long ago when I started creating. I’ve literally used the primer on everything! My baseboards which got rid of water stains and still have kept them away! Lots of painting projects for our events, the primer helps keep our wood sets from warping in outdoor settings.

                Pro Spotlight: Jesi Haack’s Mid-Century Courtyard Makeover

                When completing any DIY or interior design project, what are your tips and tricks for success? 

                A tough lesson I have learned is don’t rush! This is so hard for me. I love diving in and getting to the end result. But don’t skip prepping! Properly taping off and using primer will make your project look more legit in the end and will save you touch up work when all is said and done!

                Jesi Haack’s Step-by-Step Directions for a Mid-Century Courtyard Makeover

                1. Power wash cement.

                2. Use a cement cleaner and pour it on with a plastic watering bucket. Don’t use metal! Scrub with a stiff bristle brush.

                3. Let dry completely, typically a day or two.

                4. Prime! Use a roller to get a smooth layer. I did 3 coats because I was using Kilz primer as my base coat. Wait a few hours between coats.

                5. Map out your pattern with chalk line. (I skipped this step and I regret it). This will ensure each time placement lines up and is straight. Make squares that are the size of your stencil.

                6. Time to stencil! Lay stencil down on each square. Use an angled brush to paint on cement paint. I had two stencils so I would alternate so it would give the paint on the stencil a bit of time to dry so it wouldn’t transfer the paint that got on the stencil to the new square. Wash off your stencil every so often to keep your lines nice and clean. Don’t stress too much about lines, you can touch up at the end! 

                7. Touch up messy lines and spot clean where needed.

                8. Let cure for 72 hours.

                9. Paint on a cement sealer! Wait 24 hours before using! 

                Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

                  Tags:Tags: Gray, KILZ 3 Premium Primer, Makeover, Primer Tips

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                  Inviting entryway

                  Inspiration

                  Inviting Entryway Makeover

                  September 20, 2021

                  A drab and functionless entryway transforms into an inviting and inspiring multi-use space in this entryway makeover. Plain, dated, and without focus, the original entryway neither served the homeowner nor did much to accentuate the natural views outside. To brighten up the space and make the area as useful as it is beautiful, we chose a fresh white hue for the walls and created a functional mini-mudroom to add much needed storage and a pop of color that we also tied in with the front door.

                  DIYers often overlook entryways and hallways when remodeling their homes, thinking of them simply as connectors for other rooms. Yet, these spaces can be among the most important in a property and can impact both how your home feels and functions. Keep reading to find out how we created a minimal yet practical space in this entryway using KILZ® Primer and two different paint colors – a fresh white and a nature-inspired deep green.

                  Inviting Entryway Makeover - Before and After

                  Entryways see some of the greatest foot traffic in a house, and for that reason, it is important to choose a primer that will help your final paint job last for years to come. KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer was the perfect choice for the paint job’s foundation here, with its stain-blocking properties that help to hide stains and cover the old drab color.

                  Starting with KILZ 2 as a base for any surface (you can even use it on brick, wood, and drywall), the next step is to choose a color palette that freshens up your space and draws out its best features. Here, we chose KILZ® Tribute® in White Modern for the walls because the color white elicits a sense of calmness, purity, and order. Whether you are heading out for the day or coming back home, a white entryway can help to reset your mind and refocus your attention on whatever is coming next. In our makeover, the white walls act as the perfect canvas for the windows, drawing the eye outside and inviting in the natural colors of branches and leaves as they change throughout each season.

                  Inviting Entryway Makeover - Light Fixture

                  With the white paint providing an airy base tone, and a darker color for the new front door, the mini-mudroom creates a striking yet clean contrast. KILZ® Tribute® in Typewriter is a deep and almost industrial color, yet it has subtle shades of green that add the perfect pop of nature-inspired color.

                  Inviting Entryway Makeover - Details

                  The mini-mudroom unit itself offers plenty of storage space for shoes, coats, and outdoor equipment, making it easy to keep the whole space tidy and organized. Adding storage boxes in the bottom section for shoes also helps to keep mud and dust off your floors, which means no more dirt trailing throughout the house.

                  Finally, we chose a handful of stylish accessories like a caged light fitting, a potted plant, natural-colored rugs, and contemporary framed artworks to finish the transformation. These small accent pieces work in harmony to ensure warmth and welcome in an otherwise clean and cool space.

                  Inviting Entryway Makeover - Details

                  If you are considering ways to update your home, a relatively simple entryway transformation project could make all the difference.

                  Inviting Entryway Makeover - After

                  Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

                    Tags:Tags: Green, Inspiration, KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer, KILZ Tribute, Makeover, White

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                  RELATED ARTICLES

                  primer tips

                  A gallon of KILZ Mold & Mildew on a bathroom countertop.

                  Can You Paint Over Mold With KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer?

                  inspiration

                  Plantroom painted with the color Juniper Tree from The Lakehouse Collection.

                  The Lakehouse Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®

                  get inspired:

                    See more on Pinterest

                    FOLLOw us:

                    @kilzbrand

                    SHOP

                    Kilz logo

                    PRODUCTS

                    • Kilz 2 All Purpose Primer

                      KILZ 2® ALL-PURPOSE INTERIOR | EXTERIOR PRIMER

                    • Kilz 3 Premium Primer

                      KILZ® TRIBUTE® Paint


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