Tag: Makeover

Mid-Century Modern Living Room

Inspiration

Mid-Century Modern Living Room Makeover

January 19, 2021

A lackluster living room is warmed up with new modern design elements, including a spark of mid-century style and a freshly primed and painted fireplace that pops against on-trend navy walls. For this painting project that includes sealing porous brick and covering an old wall color, KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer is perfect for the job as it’s formulated for a variety of surface types. 

Mid-Century Modern Living Room Makeover Before & After

Brick is a naturally porous surface and will typically soak up a lot of paint if not properly sealed with the right primer, making proper prep essential when painting a fireplace. KILZ 2 All-Purpose is the right choice for the job, as the versatile multi-surface sealer is able to work overtime and coat both the fireplace and walls. Even when painting a darker color over a light color, it is essential to prime first to ensure that the new dark shade appears as the exact color you’re expecting.

Once the fireplace and walls are properly primed and allowed to dry, it’s time for paint! KILZ Complete Coat® in Swiss Coffee LJ240A transforms the fireplace into a creamy white focal point for the large living room, highlighted by walls painted in a stylish navy shade – Prussian Blue RD100-02.

Mid-Century Modern Living Room Makeover Collage

Primer and paint make a huge impact in this living room makeover and create the perfect setting for contemporary furniture and décor. A warm leather couch and two snowy-white armchairs flanking the freshly painted fireplace evoke a mid-century feel, while pops of navy in pillows and artwork are the perfect companion for the new navy walls.

Read on below for step-by-step instructions to prime and paint living room walls and a brick fireplace.

WALLS

Step 1:

Wipe down walls with a damp cloth to ensure they are clean and free of dust. Allow to dry.

Step 2:

Tape around the fireplace, baseboards and moldings with painter’s tape to ensure you don’t get primer or paint where you don’t want it!

Step 3:

Next, apply 1 coat of KILZ 2® All-Purpose (stirring thoroughly before and occasionally during use) to the walls and allow to dry. Apply primer using a brush first to “cut in” around the edges, then use a roller to fill in.

Step 4:

Once primer is dry, apply KILZ Complete Coat® in Prussian Blue using the same application method as the primer (using a brush first to cut in around the edges 4 to 6 feet at a time, then use a roller to fill in those sections before moving along).

Step 5:

Remove the tape before the paint is fully dry.

FIREPLACE

Step 1:

First, you’ll want to clean the old brick fireplace. If it’s extra dirty, start with a vacuum and use the crevice tool attachment to clean between the bricks. Next, wipe down the fireplace with a damp cloth to ensure all surfaces are clean and free of any lingering dust. Allow to dry.

Step 2:

Tape around the fireplace to protect the walls and floor. Also tape around the mantel and where the brick meets the firebox (the inside where the wood goes!) to keep that area protected from paint and primer. 

Step 3:

Now it’s time to prime! Using KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer, start with an angled brush to cut in around the mantle.

Step 4:

Next, use a roller to cover the brick faces with primer. If needed, go back with a small angled brush to fill in any remaining grout areas. Allow to dry.

Step 5:

Once your primer is dry, apply KILZ Complete Coat® in Swiss Coffee using the same application method as the primer (use a brush first to cut in and then use a roller).

Step 6:

Remove the painter’s tape before your paint is fully dry.

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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Inspiration

Dining Room Debate: Light or Bright?

August 11, 2020

Is your dream dining room serving up pops of bright color, fun fabrics and fixtures? Or perhaps neutral tones and coastal inspired textures are your preferred dining room design menu? That is the question of this post, as we look at dining rooms styles from light to bright. No matter your style, we’re pretty sure there is one you will love!



Our dining room debate arose as we started a project to refresh an adorable dining nook. We knew we wanted to take the walls from the current dirty brown shade to an airy white hue, so first it was time to prime. To cover the light brown paint color, we chose KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer. This water-based primer offers excellent adhesion and easily covers light to medium colors. After properly priming the walls (and allowing them to dry!), we top coated with KILZ Complete Coat® Paint in White Wing. This sugar white shade has a cotton underdone and appears as a soft white in most light. For full step-by-step directions on covering both light and dark paint colors head over to our post Pro Tips for Painting Over a Dark or Light Wall.

The fresh white walls created a perfect blank canvas that could easily be the backdrop for a variety of color palettes. Inspired by the existing table and chairs, we started with a California Casual design style and played with neutral tones and textures. A new jute rug under the table anchored the space, while a fun basket-weave chandelier, sea-glass colored vase and ocean-inspired accessories completed the look.

Next up, it was time to turn this style on its head and go from light to bright! We brought in a bright white table and chalk-painted blue wooden chairs and an over-sized teal rug. Striped cushions and colorful brightened up the dining bench, while an array of three playful chandeliers came together to create a fun statement chandelier.


The newly primed and painted walls were the perfect backdrop for these two design styles, proving that white walls are far from boring. From bold and colorful, to sophisticated and neutral, the right white shade on your walls can open up a space to a myriad of design possibilities. Which style spoke to you?

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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Moody Bathroom Makeover

Inspiration

Moody Master Bathroom Makeover

May 1, 2020

For this month’s inspiration post we’re introducing a brand new KILZ® Primer that will help us transform a dated bathroom into a moody and dramatic retreat. The original bathroom’s design was living in the past, and not in a good way! An old wooden vanity and unattractive laminate flooring needed to go, but before a new vanity could be brought in, we needed to do something about those boring beige walls.

Creating a dramatic new space was the goal, so we knew a dark paint color would be used on the walls. And even though we were painting over a lighter color, priming first before painting was a crucial step. In addition to helping to ensure a truer color from our chosen topcoat, the primer used in this project offered a bathroom-essential benefit. We used the new KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer for this bathroom makeover, as it creates a mold and mildew-resistant primer film that protects the primer film from mold and mildew growth.

This water-based primer-sealer-stainblocker is specially designed for 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.

moody bathroom makeover

Once the walls were properly primed with KILZ® Mold & Mildew and allowed to dry, it was time to paint. A deep emerald green was the perfect paint color for the walls and complemented the new black vanity. Brushed gold sinks, black and white tile and an oversized art deco-inspired mirror added sophistication to the space and completed the master bathroom 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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Bathroom header

Inspiration

Pretty in Pink Bathroom Makeover

February 12, 2020

It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day and all things pink are top of mind. This month we’re talking about colors and spaces you can fall in love with, including this pretty in pink bathroom. A once boring bathroom was given new life with painted faux wall paper, a bright pink vanity (with matching mirror!) and a dark accent wall. And just as important as picking the right vibrant colors for this small space renovation, was the prep work that went in before we painted to ensure that this makeover would last for years to come.

Before the paint went on, we wanted to ensure that our hard work would withstand a bathroom’s typical humidity, moisture and changing temperatures so we primed the walls with KILZ® Kitchen & Bath Primer. This water-based primer is specially designed for residential surfaces exposed to humidity, moisture and fluctuating temperatures such as kitchens, bathrooms, powder rooms and laundry rooms.

Proper priming also provides a solid anchor for paints – in this case a deep purple wall and coral-hued bath vanity. A painted “wall paper” accent wall and pink mirror complete the space. For this bathroom makeover, KILZ Complete Coat® in Ruffle Pink Dress, Ginger Root and Mulberry were used as accent colors over a white wall to create the fun faux wallpaper. Mulberry was also used for the dramatic dark wall behind the vanity, with Ruffle Pink Dress coating the vanity and matching mirror.

 

An everyday space gets a coat of unexpected flair in this stylish bathroom makeover. Read on for step by step directions to complete this paint project at home including the dark accent wall, painted “wall paper”, bathroom vanity and matching mirror.

The Dark Accent Wall

Step 1

Step 1: Wipe down the chosen accent wall with a damp cloth to ensure it is clean and free of dust and allow the surface to dry.

Step 2

Step 2: Once dry, tape around the baseboards, trim and moldings.

Step 3

Step 3: Apply 1 coat of KILZ Kitchen & Bath (stirring thoroughly before and occasionally during use) and allow to dry. Apply primer using a brush first to “cut in” around the edges, then use a roller to fill in.

Step 4

Step 4: Once primer is dry, apply KILZ Complete Coat in Mulberry using the same application method as the primer (using a brush first to cut in around the edges 4 to 6 feet at a time, then use a roller to fill in those sections before moving along).

Step 5: Remove tape before paint is fully dry.

The Painted “Wallpaper”

Wallpaper

 Step 1: Once the wall is primed (use same method as above), apply base color.

Step 2: Starting with KILZ Complete Coat in Ruffle Pink Dress, use a brush and apply vertical strokes across entire wall. Once dry, use KILZ Complete Coat in Mulberry and repeat, slightly overlaying the vertical strokes across the first pink strokes. Allow to dry and repeat with KILZ Complete Coat in Ginger Root.

The Vanity

Vanity Step 1

Step 1: Remove drawers and hardware. Put the screws back into the hardware, then seal the hardware and screws in painter’s tape and label it. It’s always best to put every screw back exactly where it came from. That will put the least amount of stress on the wood.

Vanity Step 2

Step 2: Sand the surface; do a first pass with 100-150 grit sandpaper then finish with a second pass of 180-220 grit sandpaper.

Vanity Step 3

Step 3: After sanding, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue and allow the surface to dry. Once dry, apply painter’s tape around the countertop edges.

Vanity Step 4

Step 4: Apply KILZ Kitchen & Bath (stirring thoroughly before and occasionally during use), moving in the same direction as the wood grain for best results. Allow primer to dry for 1 hour.

Vanity Step 5

Step 5: Next it’s time for a pop of pink! Apply KILZ Complete Coat in Ruffle Pink Dress (a satin or semi-gloss finish is recommended for superior mildew resistance). Remove the painter’s tape before the paint is fully dry.

Vanity Step 6

Step 6: Once the vanity is dry, reattach your hardware and you’re done!

The Mirror

Mirror Step 1

Step 1: Sand the mirror frame, first with 100-150 grit sandpaper and then finish with a second pass of 180-220 grit sandpaper.

Mirror Step 2

Step 2: After sanding, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue and allow the surface to dry.

Mirror Step 3

Step 3: Apply painter’s tape to the interior edges of the frame to protect the glass.

Mirror Step 4

Step 4: Apply KILZ Kitchen & Bath primer with a small paint brush. Allow primer to dry for 1 hour.

Mirror Step 5

Step 5: Next, apply KILZ Complete Coat in Ruffle Pink Dress (a satin or semi-gloss finish is recommended to ensure superior mildew resistance) using a nylon or polyester brush. Remove the painter’s tape before paint is fully dry.

Always remember to refer to our website Kilz.com or product back labels for additional information and instructions on how to apply our products.

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White kitchen with light green cabinets

Inspiration

Craving a Kitchen Makeover? Start with the Cabinets!

January 9, 2020

Does the new year starting have you dreaming of a new kitchen? A complete kitchen overhaul can seem like a daunting task, especially if heavy demolition work is involved. But in many cases, you don’t need to break out the sledge hammer and start from scratch to achieve a fresh new look in your kitchen. Simply repainting your cabinets can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen.

For a kitchen cabinet makeover that is both beautiful and durable, start with KILZ 3™ Premium Primer. This superior sealer-stain blocker provides excellent adhesion and a kitchen-essential mildew resistant primer coating. In this kitchen makeover, a celery-green paint color for the cabinets created a space that is cheerful, airy and inviting. The makeover went step further and also added new counter tops, a kitchen island (an addition that luckily didn’t involve tearing down any existing cabinetry!) and new modern gold light fixtures and hardware.  

Kitchen Before Kitchen After

Is a kitchen renovation on your upcoming DIY project menu? The first step to a brand-new kitchen might be as easy as a new hue for your cabinets! 

Read on for a step by step recipe for painting your kitchen cabinets:

 

Step 1: Remove the Hardware

Use a screwdriver to remove all door handles and hardware. It’s always best to put each screw back exactly where it came from to ensure the least amount of stress on the wood. Next, remove the cabinet doors and drawers from the cabinet frame.

 

 

Person removing the handle from a cabinet

Step 2: Prepare the Cabinet Frame and Doors for Priming

Sand the doors, drawer faces and cabinet frame. Do a first pass with 100-150 grit sandpaper then finish with a second pass of 180-220 grit sandpaper, always moving in the direction of the wood grain. After sanding, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue and allow the surface to dry. Next, tape around the cabinet frame to protect the walls and any areas you don’t want to get primer or paint on.

 

 

Person sanding a cabinet

Step 3: Prime the Cabinet Frame and Doors

Apply KILZ 3™ Premium Primer on the doors, drawer faces and cabinet frame using a brush to ensure a mildew resistant finish. Stir thoroughly before and occasionally during use. Allow 1-hour of dry time.

 

 

Person priming a cabinet

Step 4: Paint the Cabinet Frame and Doors

Apply KILZ® Tribute® paint in Subtle Celery TB-74 with a brush to the cabinet frame and doors, moving in smooth strokes in the same direction as the wood grain. Remove your tape around the cabinet frame before the paint is fully dry. Once dry, reattach hardware to doors and then reattach doors to cabinets. Now it’s time to decide what delicious dish to whip up first in your refreshed kitchen!

Person painting a cabinet light green

Always remember to refer to our website (kilz.com) or product back labels for additional information on how to apply our products.

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Trends

Our Favorite 2020 Design Trends

January 7, 2020

While the KILZ® brand is known first and foremost for our hardworking primers, color and design are also important to our team! Primer might technically be colorless, but it is a crucial step in adding color to your walls, cabinets and furniture pieces. Primer should often be the first step in achieving a new look for your space, so in a sense you can consider primer a part of the design process just as much as paint.

As we enter a new year, we’re excited to share a few color and design trends to help you along the way to completing your painting and renovation projects. Color and design trends are everywhere, and there is no one size fits all in terms of the hottest hue or best design style – but we’ve rounded up a few of our 2020 favorites to help inspire your project planning process in this new year.

Kitchen with navy cabinets and white countertops with a large white farmhouse sink

Kitchens Are King:

In 2020, you’re going to see kitchen renovations and remodels popping like corn at the movies! (Translation: they’re everywhere and on everyone’s minds). In 2020, we’ll be exploring more kitchen color trends and design hacks on the blog to help you renovate your kitchen on budgets both big and small. Blue textured wall with a blue colored chest

Not Over Navy:

Blues and grays have been popular paint colors in recent years and we’re nowhere near done with them. From kitchens to bedrooms and cabinets to walls, navy can often act as a “dark neutral” to give a pop of color to a space while also keeping it classic. And we’re not alone in our love for navy, Pantone named Classic Blue the Color of 2020. Look out for some of our favorite shades of Navy in upcoming How-To posts later this year (spoiler alert – we’re painting everything from living room walls to dining room chairs in this easy to love shade!). Bedroom with green walls and a green fireplace with a bed that has purple sheets

Fireplaces that Pop:

Who doesn’t love the crackling of a warm fire on a cold winter’s day? And for a fireplace design that pops both inside and out, we’re loving bright white bricks against colored walls and monochrome fireplaces in unexpected shades. Living room with navy walls and a grey couch with a decorative pillow

Full Circle Design:

Patterns and shapes are easy ways to add fun and unexpected touches to any room, and for 2020 we’re loving circles! From painting round pops of color on an accent wall to circular inspired décor items like mirrors, fabric and lighting, curved shapes and lines bring a nice softness to any design style. Nursery with blue, yellow, and grey walls and a white crib

Color Blocking Children’s Spaces:

A little one’s room is the perfect place to play with pops of colors and interesting patterns or color placement. In 2019 we showcased a nursery makeover with a sweet striped wall, and we’re excited to explore more color blocking in 2020 for kid’s rooms.

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Girls Room After

Inspiration

Cover Crayon Stains & Paint a Colorful Accent Wall

December 9, 2019

Children love bringing their artwork home from school. But when the actual home becomes the artwork, what can you do to restore crayoned stained walls? In this sweet bedroom makeover, the walls are primed and painted as the first step to a total room refresh that includes a striking honey-hued accent wall and vivid pink and yellow furniture.

Kids bedroom that has pink, white, and yellow colored walls

Crayon stained walls don’t stand a chance against KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer, used at the first step to create a sunny yellow accent wall in a little one’s dream bedroom. To begin, wipe down the chosen accent wall with a damp cloth to ensure it is clean and free of dust then allow the surface to dry. Next, tape around the baseboards, trim and moldings.

To block the light crayon stains and ensure a perfect finish, apply 1 coat of KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer using a brush first to “cut in” around the edges, then use a roller to fill in. Allow 1 hour of dry time. Finally, apply KILZ Complete Coat® in Yellow Duckling using the same method as the primer. Remove tape prior to paint drying, and the accent wall is complete! 

Person painting over a drawing on the wall Person painting a wall yellow

To match the yellow accent wall, paint the vanity in the same sunny yellow shade! Similar to the accent wall, start with KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer before painting. The fast drying, water-based primer offers enhanced hiding, making it ideal for changing colors on both walls and furniture. To begin, remove the vanity’s drawer and hardware. Next, sand the surfaces of the vanity. Do a first pass with 100-150 grit sandpaper then finish with a second pass of 180-220 grit sandpaper, always moving in the direction of the wood grain. After sanding, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue and allow the surface to dry before moving on to primer.

Now it’s time to prime. Apply KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer, moving in the same direction as the wood grain and allow to dry for 1-hour. Next, apply KILZ Complete Coat® in Yellow Duckling using a nylon or polyester blend brush, moving in smooth strokes that go the same direction as the wood grain. Once the paint is dry, reattached your hardware and the transformation is complete!

Person sanding a vanity Person painting a vanity yellow Person priming a vanity Person screwing a handle onto a drawer

The final step in this child’s bedroom makeover is a pretty-in-pink dresser. Add a fun pop of color to a child’s dresser by painting the drawers a bright accent shade! Follow the same directions as outlined for the vanity, priming with KILZ 2® All-Purpose and then using KILZ Complete Coat® in Plumeria Lei for the drawers and a favorite neutral for the dresser’s body.

Step 1:

Remove drawers and hardware. 

Step 2:

Wipe down the entire surface with a damp cloth to ensure it is clean and free of dust. Allow the surface to dry.

Person pulling out a dresser drawer Person wiping down a dresser drawer

Pro-tip:

Put the screws back into the hardware, then seal the hardware and screws in painter’s tape and label it. It’s always best to put every screw back exactly where it came from. That will put the least amount of stress on the wood.

Step 3:

Apply KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer, moving in the same direction as the wood grain for best results. Allow primer to dry for 1-hour.

Step 4:

Topcoat with KILZ Complete Coat® Semi-Gloss Paint in Plumeria Lei.

Person priming a dresser drawer Person painting a dresser drawer pink

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