More Americana Chalky Decor Paint Makeovers

Sink cabinets before painting

Linen storage cabinets

Given how pleased we were in the difference the china cabinet makeovers and how easy it is to use the Americana Chalky Decor Paint and Wax, I decided to update my guest bathroom. The cabinets were the original finish and have 30 years of wear and tear. This bathroom is an interior room and narrow so it is impossible to get an image of the full room.

I was also inspired by some cabinet makeovers I'd seen on Hometalk where they had added decorative wood appliques to the doors. I found the larger ones at Lowes and the ones for the sink cabinets at Michaels.

ArtMinds Decorative Wood Appliques

Doors with 3 coats of Americana Decor Chalky Paint - Lace

Wood Applique glued to center of door

Medicine Chest

Crackle Detail

Bathroom Upcyle with Decor Chalk Paint

One of the great things about this paint is that you really do not have to sand! I found it actually worked better not to sand.  It takes 3 coats of paint to give the coverage that I liked. American Decor Chalky Finish Paint  dries quickly between coats so you can finish your project in a day or weekend. Once you have the coverage you want, brush on the antique wax and wipe it off. Too dark? Simply spritz with water to wipe off more. Allow wax to dry and either brush or rub on clear wax to seal. I prefer to rub it on with an old sock. Buff with a soft rag and stand back and admire your piece. Want a more distressed look? You can sand either before or after the antique wax coat. I choose not to distress. I'm not sure why, though I think it has something to do with a reaction to the varnish, but the paint on the medicine cabinet crackled. I left it, as I love the crackle look. It was strange that this was the only area that crackled, as all of the cabinets and finishes are the same.

Detail on Linen Cabinet

Bathroom Remodel

When we were working on this house 25 years ago, the builder's wife talked us into getting a jacuzzi tub in our master bathroom (no shower, just the tub). Well, the tub wasn't very practical - took way too much water to fill it so we didn't use it much. Then when you did use it, black yuck would come out of the pipes. On top of that the tub also cracked badly. Approximately 21 years ago we pulled out the carpeting (yes, she talked us into carpeting in the bathrooms, too - another mistake) and I laid peel-n-stick tile. I also painted over the wallpaper and rag rolled & stenciled the walls - heck it was the thing to do back then. I'm almost embarrased to share these pictures.

For years we've been talking about redoing the bathroom. We got one estimate and it was way high. One thing & another got in the way - gas went up to $4.00/gallon & all money went into my tank just to get me to & from work. The economy tanked & there was worry about keeping a job. There was also the issue about finding someone we trusted to do the work reasonably. We found a couple of reliable, honest contractors and got bids that were more in line with what we thought was reasonable.

FINALLY the end of February of this year we decided to go ahead with the project. It was completed in March & I absolutely LOVE it. Unfortunately the bathroom is not shaped such that you can take pictures of the whole thing at once.

We had them remove the tub, toilet, sinks & countertop. They created a new, doorless, walk-in shower, tiled the floors, did tape & bedding repair, texturing & painting and added new sinks, toilet and tiled countertop. I stripped the cabinets and refinished them. Big difference!!! The contracter & workers were all great.