A Fresh Kitchen Makeover
October 15, 2021A 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.
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.
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.
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.
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Pro Spotlight: Jesi Haack’s Mid-Century Courtyard Makeover
September 20, 2021
This 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.
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!
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.
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.
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Inviting Entryway Makeover
September 20, 2021A 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.
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.
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.
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.
If you are considering ways to update your home, a relatively simple entryway transformation project could make all the difference.
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.
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Pro Spotlight: Tom Kraeutler Talks Kitchen Cabinets
August 24, 2021
For this month’s Pro Spotlight, we are excited to share a post authored by Tom Kraeutler – Founder, Host and Chief Home Improvement Evangelist of The Money Pit. He is a hands-on home improvement broadcast journalist and the kind of guy homeowners want to call at midnight when their basement floods. He first earned his home improvement stripes as a professional home inspector, amassing over 20 years’ experience learning how houses are put together, and how they fall apart! Read on to learn Tom’s tips and tricks for one of our favorite projects, refinishing kitchen cabinets.
Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets: Simple Steps to a Colorful Makeover
Author: Tom Kraeutler
Kitchens are perhaps the busiest rooms in any home. Whether it’s meal preparation, homework space, or social gatherings, they serve as the hub of family life. And that means kitchen cabinets must stand up to years of heavy use. A constant cycle of opening and closing wears out their finish, pots and pans scratch them, and hinges and handles wear out. But while replacing kitchen cabinets can be a time-consuming, expensive, and difficult task, refinishing kitchen cabinets is not and can deliver stunningly colorful results.
Here’s what you need to know to get this project done.
Getting Ready: Prep Makes Perfect!
My earliest DIY inspiration came from my father who always said the “gettin’ ready” was the most important part of the project! Years later and no longer an impetuous teenager just looking to get my chores done quickly, I realized how right he was. Before popping the lid of the paint can, set yourself up for success by getting the space and cabinets ready.
First, clear out furniture and clean out the cabinets from top to bottom. Then, remove all the cabinet doors, shelves, and drawers, and take off the hardware.
Tip: Label the doors and drawers in an inconspicuous area so you’ll know where they belong when the project is complete. For drawers, mark the bottoms. For cabinet doors, the area behind the hinge works well.
Next, cabinet finishes can be magnets for dirt, dust and grease so wash them thoroughly with a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate). Be sure to clean the top of the cabinets as well, as dust that gathers here can float down and stick to the finish as it dries.
Evaluate the cabinet surfaces. Applying a new finish on top of an old finish that’s not adhered to the original surface is a recipe for disaster. Any loose, chalking or cracked paint surfaces should be scraped smooth. For most surfaces, and especially those that are glossy, a light sanding will help improve adhesion between the old surface and the primer.
Primer Selection Drives Durability
Selecting the right primer for kitchen cabinet refinishing is critical. The primer helps assure the top-coat of paint adheres to the cabinet, provides durability and helps assure the final finish flows evenly with minimal brush strokes or roller marks.
KILZ 3® PREMIUM Primer is an excellent choice for this part of the project. The primer provides exceptional adhesion with a mildew-resistant finish, making it ideal for projects in moisture prone areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. I also like that KILZ 3 is what’s known as a “high build” finish. This means that it can fill in minor imperfections in a cabinet surface or minimize deep wood grain patterns when painting oak cabinets, for example. KILZ 3 is also water-based for easy clean-up, dries quickly, and has a low-odor, low-VOC finish.
KILZ 3 should be applied evenly using a brush, roller, or airless sprayer, as specified by the manufacturer. Only a single coat is needed. Set up a space to layout the doors and drawers for priming, and then prime the cabinets working from the top-down.
Top-Coat Counts
Just like primer selection is based on the product’s adhesion, moisture resistance and high-build formulation, equal care should be given to the selection of paint for the top coat. Over the course of your newly painted cabinet’s life cycle, doors and drawers will be opened and closed thousands of times. Moisture in the air will be a constant presence, as will oils and grease given off by years of cooking. Therefore, you’ll want to select a paint that has excellent durability and is very easy to clean.
Look for paints made specifically for kitchen cabinets. Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Trim, Door + Cabinetry Paint dries quickly, leaving a hard finish that’s remarkably durable and it is water-based for easy cleanup. For most projects, plan to apply two-coats and follow the manufacturer’s directions for application.
Add Some Bling
Once the painting is complete, you’ll have the option to replace the original hardware or add new. Given the work it’s taken to get to this point in your kitchen cabinet refinishing project, installing new door and drawer pulls adds some bling and provides a nice finishing touch.
This part of the project is easiest if the new hardware fits the holes left by the original hardware. However, if you plan to go in a completely new direction, it’s easy enough to fill and sand the old holes before you get to the priming step above. Personally, I also like to replace the hinges as well. New spring-loaded hinges look good and close nicely. Finally, install bumpers to the drawers and doors for added durability.
Today, solid-color kitchen cabinets are more popular than ever making this an ideal time to take on a kitchen cabinet refinishing project. But the success of refinishing kitchen cabinets depends entirely on the details. With the right prep work, a high-quality primer, and a colorful, durable top coat, you can transform this space with a fresh finish that can last for years to come.
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.
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Dining Room Designed for Mindful Living
August 11, 2021A component of a balanced lifestyle is being able to slow down and relish each moment, including meals with family and friend. A light and inviting dining room can encourage you to savor the experience of every bite, while conversely a drab or too-intensely colored space can have the opposite effect. This brooding red dining room was decorated in a Mediterranean style, but its heavy atmosphere and dark furniture were uninviting and uninspiring.
Mediterranean design style, however, doesn’t have to mean dark paint colors and heavy furniture. For this dining room makeover, we kept to the existing Mediterranean theme but took in a light and bright direction – drawing inspiration from sunlight sparkling on light blue seawater and the quintessential, white-walled homes blanketing the hills of Greek islands.
Our first step in creating a sense of tranquil enjoyment was to take the walls from saturated deep red to an airy light neutral that invites you in. In order to do justice to our new paint color, and allow its subtle tone to shine, we had to make sure there would be no shadow from the previous dark red. We used KILZ 3® Premium Primer, because its thick and creamy formula is ideal for hiding dark colors and creating the perfect foundation for new paint. Furthermore, old dining room walls can often have stains, and KILZ 3 covers heavy stains and hides surface imperfections.
Once we had the dark red completely covered with a coat of primer, we were able to bring in the light with fresh white paint. We chose One Horn White, from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Paint. This airy, cream color has a beautifully neutral quality, with a slight beige tint added to the warm white base. Pale colors like this one can instantly make your space feel larger.
To enhance the sense of invitation, we added a built-in window seat. By painting the bench in the same color as the walls, we kept the room feeling open and emphasized the connection of the room with the outdoors.
New décor elements were selected to bring a sense of lightness and ease into the space. While darker or more saturated colors tend to downplay textures, the new light walls will bring texture to the forefront. In the new dining room design, we introduced textural elements including pillows and a cream-colored woven rug. Similarly, the darker paint around the windows suddenly draws our attention to them, while in the original room they were almost lost in the dark red.
We also made the room brighter by swapping in a graceful new light fixture and by bringing a sleek, natural-wood buffet to replace the previous heavy, dark cabinet. The fact that our gaze naturally travels underneath the new cabinet, perched on its slender legs, is another small decorating detail that makes the room feel more spacious.
The end result of our makeover is a dining room that draws you in and invites you to linger. In a room that feels welcoming, conversation and eating will mingle, and the experience will naturally be more relaxed.
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.
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Magnolia Home: Classic and Cozy Living Room
August 2, 2021Contrasting dark and light colors in a room’s design can make a classic statement. In this modern living room featuring Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint, a softer take on the traditional black and white paint pairing offers a modern yet welcoming feel.
“The contrast of the dark trim and light walls brings this room to life, giving it both a traditional and a modern feel.” – Joanna Gaines
The fireplace was a natural focal point for this living room design and painting it a darker hue was an easy way to make it stand out in the large and open space. The chosen color from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint line, Prairie Smoke, is a softer almost black with green undertones. It pairs perfectly with the wall’s creamy weathered white paint color, Shiplap – a can’t-go-wrong neutral from the Market Collection palette. A curated collection of 25 colors personally crafted by Joanna Gaines, the Market Collection takes the guesswork out of choosing coordinating colors.
Painting the windows and large French doors in the same dark color complements the fireplace, while still letting it draw the eye. The black and white backdrop created by the chosen paint colors offered many design possibilities for the living room’s furniture and décor items. A warm-toned leather sofa and plush neutral throw pillows bring a sense of relaxation and coziness into the open and airy living room.
A jewel toned area rug, sleek metal and glass coffee table and a modern wood and leather armchair create a welcoming space for conversation. And to bring the outdoors in, two large Fiddle Leaf Fig trees flank either side of the fireplace, topped with a beautiful landscape painting.
Inspired by this modern living room and looking for colors that complement a black and white color scheme for your own space? The curated palette below offers shades that complement Prairie Smoke and Shiplap.
Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint is available at select Ace Hardware store locations, and online at AceHardware.com and Magnolia.com.
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Pro Spotlight: Ryka Builders
June 21, 2021
This month on The Perfect Finish we’re spotlighting Ryan from Ryka Builders. A veteran contractor with experience in both commercial and residential construction, Ryan recently completed a bathroom remodel with the help of KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer and we are excited to share it here. Read on to hear from Ryan on why he chose KILZ primer for this job and get a glimpse into how he completed this stunning remodel.
Upscale Your Throne Room
By: Ryan, Ryka Builders
In this day and age, between social media, magazines, and television, beautiful home renovations are everywhere to be seen! The magnificent end results are truly inspiring, however there are proper steps that need to take place in order to get these reno jobs done efficiently and effectively. One of these important steps is the use of primer – KILZ® brand has multi-surface and specially engineered primers suited to take on any type of issue and best prepare surfaces before painting. Whether you’re a DIY’er or are planning to hire a contractor, you must be sure that the right steps are taken to keep your newly renovated home looking great for years to come.
I’m Ryan with Ryka Builders, and I’m a licensed general contractor with over 30 years of experience. Ryka Builders is a family-owned business that has been developing close, trustworthy relationships with our commercial and residential clients for many years. We are passionate about our jobs and care that they are done to the upmost standards. If you are looking to update your bathroom, I’m here to help share the proper steps and to make sure you have a quality finished product.
A recent client of ours bought a house sight unseen in Florida while residing in New York. She researched contractors in the Central Florida area and was impressed with our reviews and referrals from previous customers. After a video call with the owner, we were able to provide design guidance and expertise to help the client achieve her dream home makeover, and she awarded us the opportunity to do some major renovations on her entire home including this bathroom.
Once we started demolition, we discovered a great deal of mold present on the drywall, behind the old cabinets and on the baseboards. We knew right away that a mold and mildew remediation was a necessity; safety first. We brought in our licensed remediation specialist to do the necessary repairs. It is critical that whenever there is any sign of mold or mildew, it is always effectively removed from the surface and that the water damage that caused the mold or mildew damage is appropriately remediated as well. After this step was taken care of, we decided to go in and apply KILZ® Mold & Mildew Interior & Exterior Primer. This primer contains an EPA-Registered Mildewcide to prevent mold and mildew growth on the primer film, ideal for spaces like bathrooms and kitchens.
Using KILZ Mold & Mildew primer on all of the new drywall, as well as affected areas on the studs in the bathroom, sets a great base to start any bathroom remodel. For a bathroom paint project, not all primers are appropriate for the moisture and humidity that occur daily in this type of space. Bathrooms can be a breeding ground for mildew, if the proper products aren’t used. As a bonus, this amazing product also has a fast-drying agent with low odor, a very low VOC and has a water-based formula, making clean up a breeze with just soap and water. One of the many positive advantages of KILZ Mold & Mildew primer is that it is a water-based primer-sealer-stain blocker specifically designed for residential surfaces in high humidity, moisture and temperature environments such as bathrooms, powder rooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.
“KILZ primer products have been around for more than 40 years and is a brand we trust. We always look to them for products, because we know they have been tested and built for the challenges we come across in the industry.”
We also used KILZ Mold & Mildew primer on the ceiling of the bathroom where there was an old water stain from a previous roof leak that was repaired. The stain blocking agent in the primer worked wonders. With only one coat, the stain was eliminated. In fact, KILZ Mold & Mildew primer will also block medium to heavy stains such as felt marker, grease, ink, pencil and tannin as well. KILZ primer products have been around for more than 40 years and is a brand we trust. We always look to them for products, because we know they have been tested and built for the challenges we come across in the industry.
After we are confident that we have a great foundation and clean slate with the KILZ products, it’s time for the fun part – selecting tile, paint colors, hardware and plumbing fixtures, so that the client can see their vision come to life. Our client chose a very simple and sleek grey subway tile for the tub area and a beautiful complimenting shaker style vanity with chrome finishes and fixtures. For the walls, we went with a very appealing grey paint color (Silver Bullet N520-2 by BEHR®). For the flooring, the client decided on a waterproof, wood plank look, luxury vinyl that we used throughout the rest of the home as well.
Our client loves the end result, and this bathroom is ready to be made homey with plush towels and her favorite scented candles and possibly a cute little Pinterest-y bathroom sign. In the end, we’re confident that she will love it for years to come, because we took zero shortcuts to make this bathroom a success.
As you can see the finished product came out just how we wanted, and we feel good knowing that we took the additional steps to provide a better built product for our client. Many contractors just try to get through the job quickly, however, we know that if we exceed our client’s expectations and provide additional customer service and quality control elements, we will build strong and lasting relationships. This has helped us grow our business over the last 30+ years with many returning customers and strong referrals. A big thanks to KILZ for helping us get this bathroom project completed. Now, on to the next one!
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.
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Living Room Makeover with Meditation in Mind
June 21, 2021In this living room makeover, we set out to create a comfortable and functional meditation area that could be stored away when not in use. The living room’s large windows made it a perfect light and airy space to relax in, but the feeling of the room was weighed down by the old paint color and dark, heavy furniture. It was time to say goodbye to dull yellow walls and breathe new life into this living room with primer and a fresh coat of paint in calming colors.
For the primary walls and mullions, we began with a coat of KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer, a dependable choice for covering up previous paint colors. The pros know that a quality primer acts as the perfect foundation for any paint job; and in this case, KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer provided coverage to hide the old yellow paint, while its adhesion properties made it a breeze for our new paint colors to glide over the walls effortlessly. KILZ 2 primer also adds amazing longevity and durability to painted walls by working as a sealer and stain blocker.
Once our primer dried, it was time to start painting. Sometimes a too-bright white can seem harsh in a sunny room, so we chose KILZ® Tribute® Paint in Contemporary White (TB-02) for the walls and ceiling. This particular shade of white has a subtle blue undertone that cooled down the brightness just a notch, while providing a gentle, reflective backdrop for the sunlight streaming in.
We followed the same steps — primer followed by a coat of paint — for our accent wall, choosing this time a contrasting color: KILZ® Tribute® Paint in Stone Cold (TB-66), a medium-dark gray with subtle pale green undertones. This neutral gray created a calming effect, while toning down the brightness of the white walls and ceiling.
As you can see in the “before” photo, nothing looks duller than a bland expanse of carpet, so it was an easy choice to replace it with luxurious gray hardwood flooring, topped with a plush cream-colored rug quilted in an attractive diamond pattern.
Because we wanted to maintain a light, airy feel, we chose contemporary style furnishings in complementary colors, including an understated, quilted-back sofa with soft plump cushions and a cozy armchair in a fabric that matches our accent wall to perfection. We added a bit of diversity with a natural wood finish coffee table that stylistically hints at Danish Modern, and a simple butcher block end table.
We accessorized with a couple of wood accent tables, including an attractive console table that we used to support a stunning modern painting that reflects both of the room’s primary colors. We upped the comfort level several notches by adding overstuffed pillows in complementary shades.
Given the stresses of this past year, our goal for this room was to create a calm, soothing oasis for rest and relaxation. To accomplish this goal, we used an empty corner space to create a meditation station, complete with comfortable, oversized pillows and a few decorative items. Pillows are ideal for creating an on-the-spot meditation corner in any room, because once you’re done, you can easily remove them and store them away — in this case, under the console table.
Primer and a coat of paint are the two valuable tools you can have for a DIY makeover project. Primer protects and enhances your paint job, while a coat of gleaming paint can transform any space. Once you choose the right colors for your design scheme, you can add to the ambience with a few carefully chosen pieces of furniture and accessories.
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.
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Turn a Bland Bathroom into a Serene Spa
May 11, 2021Who wouldn’t love to have an elegant, relaxing spa in their own home? If you’re in need of a little extra rest and relaxation these days, we hope you’ll be inspired by this next transformation – where we took an outdated and sad-looking bathroom and transformed it into a bright and spa-like retreat. The essential first step? You guessed it, primer and a fresh coat of paint!
We decided upon a modern Scandinavian-meets-coastal theme to evoke the perfect spa setting and started with the walls, because color is the single component that makes the biggest impact in one’s perception of a room. The right colors can relax the mind while stimulating the senses, and that’s what we were aiming for — the sensation of being relaxed and refreshed, exactly the way you should feel after a spa treatment.
The first step was a coat of quality primer. Our choice, KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer, has an EPA registered active ingredient that creates a mold and mildew-resistant film that protects the primer film from mold and mildew growth. KILZ Mold & Mildew Primer also provides complete coverage that hides old paint, ensuring the previous butter yellow paint color would be a thing of the past. In addition, it helps the new paint adhere beautifully, so your paintbrush or roller will glide with ease.
After the primer dried it was time for the topcoat paint. We opted for a classic – Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint in Shiplap, which is a creamy weathered white. There’s not a hint of harshness in this white, with the creamy undertones softening the color throughout, even when sunlight fills the room.
We were going for a total overall in this project, so we didn’t stop at the walls. For the flooring, we replaced the outdated laminate with gleaming white marbled tiles flecked with gray. Fortunately, we were able to keep the existing bathtub, because its elongated oval contours provided an elegant counterpoint to the rest of the room.
To enhance our spa look, we choose natural wood furnishings that evoked the Scandinavian theme. For the focal point, we installed a heavy farmhouse-style sink cabinet in warm natural wood with a white countertop, brushed silver faucets and brushed black drawer pulls.
To add to the authenticity, we brought in a natural wood towel stand (complete with spa brushes) and a large seagrass laundry basket. For a touch of Danish Modern, we included a set of handsome mirrors with thin black frames and added a few modern cabinet accessories in black and gold. To complete our spa transformation, we fitted the window with a vintage-style wooden blind that filters the light beautifully and keeps it from overwhelming the room on sunny days.
As you can see from the photos, the airy, creamy white colors, combined with natural wood furnishings and matching accessories, perfectly create the look of a high-end spa, while evoking feelings of calm and relaxation. Decorative touches such as the wooden blinds and towel rack give the room a sauna-like feel, while the retro curved tub and heavy farmhouse-style cabinetry create the ambience of a luxurious bathroom in an expensive resort.
Most importantly, we managed to achieve our design scheme while also paying close attention to important essentials. In particular, we chose a high quality primer that has an EPA registered active ingredient that creates a mold and mildew-resistant film that protects the primer film from mold and mildew growth.
By starting with primer and a coat of paint, you can transform a dreary room into an interior design masterpiece. Just identify the design scheme you want to follow — vintage, retro, contemporary or eclectic — and choose the right colors to reflect the mood you are hoping to create. After that, just add a few pieces of furniture and accessories within your budget — and voila! A DIY room transformation, in sparkling colors that will raise your spirits every time you enter the room.
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.
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