Tag: Green
Project Spotlight: A Bright Bathroom Refresh
June 25, 2024Who We Are and How We Arrived Here
Hi, we’re David and Edward Guerra, also known as Midwest Husbands! We met in Madison, Wisconsin where we taught ourselves a lot of DIY skills by flipping a property. We then moved to Cleveland, Ohio where we enjoyed a well-lived in home before our custom build, where we hope to raise a family one day soon. We also seek travel adventures and bring the inspiration from the experiences into our home through unique design choices.
We designed and built our current house less than two years ago, yet here we are, already wanting to change the color of a cabinet in one of our bathrooms! Decision fatigue during the home-building process is real. Initially, we thought a dark-stained vanity would be beautiful for a second primary suite bathroom on the first floor of our New England-style colonial. However, this cabinet was too dark, and we thought it would be fun to incorporate more life and color into this space since it serves as the bathroom connected to what is currently used as a work-from-home office. To change from a dark cabinet to any other color, priming with a premium high-hiding primer is the first step to get the best results.
For other crafted wood pieces in our home and pre-wallpaper, we have used KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer in previous years. Since this bathroom project involved a starting point of a dark color on the cabinets, we turned to KILZ 3® Premium Primer for its high hide formula and mildew resistant coating, which was perfect for our dark bathroom cabinet.
Inspiration and Implementation
After consulting a few of our favorite magazines, we created a palette with the incredible colors in Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® collections. Then, we were off to our local Ace Hardware store to pick up the paint, supplies, and, of course, the KILZ 3® Premium Primer for this bathroom glow-up.
KILZ 3® Premium Primer was incredible to use on the cabinet doors. It’s fast drying (which makes it ideal for a weekend project), has low odor, and is very low VOCs. It has exceptional adhesion to a wide variety of surfaces which will help ensure the paint finish lasts for years to come, plus it’s water-based which makes clean-up a breeze. We liked how it worked for the glossy finish on the doors, and we also used this primer on the arch panels and molding we created for the feature wall.
It’s important to not jump into painting cabinets or wood without a quality primer. This step saves time and money because, without a primer, you will likely end up applying more coats of your paint, which ends up costing more than primer.
Within an hour, we were painting the first of two coats of paint on the cabinet doors, the paneling, and trim pieces. The paint color we used was Under The Stars, a deep teal-blue color that evokes a seaside feel. The cabinet contrasts with Aspen Leaf, a green that brings refreshment and peace into the space. Since the paneling is just over 4′ tall, Yarn completes the look by rising to the ceiling with crisp and inviting tones.
Putting Fun in Functionality
Knowing that we used KILZ 3® Premium Primer as a surface prep measure in our project gives us confidence that the cabinet, paneling, and trim will look good for years to come. We are so excited to have taken a dark-stained, glossy sheen built-in vanity to a new level of life. KILZ 3® hides dark and bold colors as well as blocks stains therefore creating a clean slate for lighter color conversions ensuring better results!
Previously, the door to the bathroom was often closed during the workday while on video conference calls. But now, keeping the door open with the pops of color achieved with Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Paint is quite a boost for our environment. Walking into the bathroom welcomes us, and we must admit that despite being in a small space, we don’t want to leave!
We needed to keep this cabinet in the bathroom as it provides storage for all the essentials and toiletries. Thanks to the amazing products KILZ offers, we were able to take this space from builder-grade to a degree of personalization that matches up to what we love to do.
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How to Transform an Ordinary Primary Bedroom into a Sophisticated Sanctuary
December 19, 2023As a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPs) and certified color consultant, I share DIY projects, tool how-to guides, and home makeovers as a book author, home show speaker, DIY workshop coach, and radio host. I contribute regularly to BobVila.com and Architect and JLC magazines. I’ve been lucky to create fast-paced makeovers for TV shows, and enjoy sharing home trends and DIY tips as a guest on news shows and satellite media tours for TV and radio.
Our primary bedroom was more than ready for a paint makeover. It was not the rejuvenating sanctuary that we needed while managing a busy household, especially with the added pressure of the holidays.
What’s the makeover motivation?
I started paint prep during the pandemic, and never actually painted the room. We’ve been living with patched walls for way too long, and it was time to give the room a refresh.
The goal was to create a more sophisticated and modern look with a richer and more soothing hue that exudes a calm and relaxing vibe. By painting the walls using contrasting sheens to create a stripe pattern, I’m adding subtle sophistication through gentle texture that will catch the light from the overhead dimmable lighting.
Select the color.
You’ve probably heard the advice from designers to paint a few samples on the wall before selecting the paint color for a room. It’s such a common tip that paint companies often offer small samples for less than $10. While I agree with this advice, there’s a step that’s missing.
It’s important to prime the wall before applying the sample colors. For this project, I chose KILZ 3® PREMIUM Primer to prime ahead of painting. The current color on your walls can affect how the new color looks to you and whomever else is picking the paint. Then make sure you view the samples during the day, at night, in natural light, and with artificial light, so you have a good idea of what the color will look like throughout the day.
Also, don’t unload the room before putting the samples on the wall, especially if you plan to use the same furnishings in the room after the paint job is complete. The reason? The colors from the other home decor items can affect how a paint color looks to you.
For this project, I chose four colors and asked my husband Mark to pick his favorite. He chose Secondhand Find from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® by KILZ (the color on the right), which is a rich and very saturated bluish-green. An excellent modern color that fits with our goal of a calm and sophisticated vibe.
Select the primer.
While you might be tempted to skip the primer or choose a paint-and-primer in one, we don’t. We always use a high quality primer because it sets the foundation for a good quality paint job and a professional finish. Even though the KILZ brand partnered with us on this makeover, KILZ has been our go-to primer for more than a decade because it delivers long-lasting results for our home and our clients’ homes.
For this project, we chose KILZ 3® PREMIUM Primer because it’s fast drying, low odor, very low VOC, and it has excellent adhesion. The thicker formula also hides surface imperfections, which is ideal for this house that was built in 1903 and has a lot of ‘character’ marks from the previous owner and our busy family.
Gather primer, paint, tools, and materials.
The next step in this makeover is gathering the tools and materials. For this project, I needed:
• Drop cloth (We like to use a moving blanket because it has more weight to it.)
• Multi-tool
• Awl
• Hammer
• Ladder
• 1½-inch angled paint brush
• Paint roller and extender
• Paint tray
• Painter’s tape
• Paint Samples in selected colors
• Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® by KILZ Interior Paint in Secondhand Find, Matte Finish
• Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® by KILZ Interior Paint in Secondhand Find, Eggshell Finish
Paint the trim.
While many might paint the ceiling or prime the walls first, we don’t. We often paint the trim first, especially if the ceiling has previously been primed and painted white and will be painted white again, and if the trim will be painted white. The reason is that it’s easier to go quickly and over-paint the trim on the first pass, and then cut in the ceiling and wall color later. We find that it gives the trim a crisper line.
I used Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® by KILZ Interior Paint in True White, semi-gloss finish for the trim, and gave it two coats.
Paint the ceiling.
The next step before priming the walls is painting the ceiling. Since this ceiling was primed before and is painted flat ceiling white, it didn’t need another coat of primer, just a fresh coat of white paint. I used Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® by KILZ Interior Paint in True White, matte finish.
If the ceiling was freshly installed drywall, was looking less-than-stellar, or was painted a color other than white, I would have primed it first. Still, I painted two coats.
Prime the walls.
After the ceiling and trim were done, it was time to prime the walls. I first cut in the primer using a brush along the painted baseboard, and then the inside corners and other areas that a roller can’t fit: along the window sill, window trim, door casing, and our built-in cabinets
I then primed the joint compound patches all over the walls. While KILZ 3® PREMIUM Primer is thick and hides imperfections, I still wanted to be sure that the patches would disappear after rolling out the primer. This little double primer on the patches is a belt-and-suspenders approach that might not be necessary in your project.
Then I rolled out the field—-the walls—with a paint roller.
Paint the walls.
The primer dried super fast, so I didn’t have to wait long to start cutting in the color on the walls. (I can’t tell you how much of a joy it is to not wait long for paint to dry.) I started by cutting in the wall color along the baseboard, window trim, door casing, and cabinets. And then used the paint roller to finish. The color immediately popped on the wall, which is a sign of a good primer. Still, I painted two coats.
Paint the stripe.
After the paint was dry, the next step was painting the stripe. I’ve been dreaming about painting a contrasting sheen in the same color for years, and was very excited to finally create the look. The idea is to use a flat or matte color and then use the same wall color but in another sheen. For this project, I chose eggshell, since we wanted to create a subtle and calm vibe. If I was creating a dining room or a playroom, I’d probably choose a different combination of sheens for greater contrast.
After marking the layout of each stripe with a tape measure, level, and pencil at the top, middle, and bottom of the wall, I extended the painter’s tape from the top of the wall to the bottom. For a stripe to work, it needs to look vertical and consistent. So, after each set of stripes, I checked for plumb and measured the distance between the stripes to be sure I was on the mark.
The painstaking part is applying the tape. The fun part is applying the paint. But, before painting, I make sure that every bit of tape is adhered to the wall so that no paint can infiltrate beneath it. Then I rolled Secondhand Find in Eggshell on the wall. After waiting for the first coat to be dry to the touch, I applied a second coat. And then I removed the tape. I make sure to keep a low angle to the wall when I remove the tape so it comes off without messing with the paint on the wall.
No, I don’t wait for the paint to dry to remove the tape, as it can take a long time and it can be more difficult to remove. Just be sure to have a trash bag ready to drop the wet tape into after removing each strip. It can be a mess if you need to go searching for a place to dispose of the bundle of wet tape.
Update the decor.
When the paint was dry, the electrical faceplates needed to be put back. Before rehanging the antique pineapple light, I installed a ceiling medallion to help accentuate the little glass light fixture so it looks less like an afterthought and more like a featured player in our primary bedroom.
The old bedspread was swapped for a white quilt, the bedside table lamps have new shades, and the antique mirror went back in its spot. Since the yellow deacon’s bench is a family heirloom, we decided to use it in another room, and swapped it out with a backless modern bench that fits in better with the goal vibe.
Now we have a hotel-like sanctuary to retreat at the end of each day, instead of a looming project with decor that didn’t quite go together. It’s a calm primary bedroom with a perfect paint finish.
Learn more at kilz.com
*This is a sponsored blog post with MyFixItUpLife.
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MINI RENI – A TIMELESS RENOVATION
August 21, 2023Welcome back to the KILZ® Perfect Finish blog. Today we are going to talk about Joanna Gaines’s first Mini Reni project, where she renovated a house without undergoing a major demo day. The home featured in this mini reni belongs to a couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and were looking to refresh their space under a budget. Watch as Joanna is able to transform this family’s living and dining room by using some primer, paint, and new décor.
With less than $5,000 to spend in the living room, Joanna chose to embrace the space and make it modern with some fresh paint and key design elements.
The home’s original living room had shiny wood paneled walls and a white tiled ceiling with wooden beams, which really dated the area. To update the room, the wall panels were sanded and primed using KILZ® Original Oil Primer, which covered up the knots in the wood grain, creating a flat surface that was ready for paint. Once the wood was prepped, the walls and ceiling were painted in one of Joanna’s favorite interior paint colors, Cottage Grove (in eggshell finish) from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Castle Collection.
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“A rich blend of navy and green, this color can take on either tone in different light, which makes it both dramatic and cozy all at once.” |
By bringing the paint up to the ceiling and decorating the living room with a large area rug, plants, and tonal furniture, Joanna was able to transform the entire space into an elevated yet cozy room ready for entertaining guests or fun family nights.
The home’s original dining room started out as a plain white box, which allowed for lots of opportunity, but with a small budget in place, Joanna had to get creative. By bringing in fresh colors and textures, she was able to completely update the room.
To create some visual interest, crown molding and wood panels were installed on the ceiling and painted in the interior paint color Drawing Room, a soft gray from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Castle Collection. The plain wood door also was renovated, turning it into one of the focal points of the room, by adding some trim and painting it in the same Drawing Room color.
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A soft French gray. |
The walls were painted with a coat of One Horn White, making the room feel fresh and new again. In order to create contrast with the soft paint colors, the lighting was updated from an old fan to a new modern light fixture with black accents. Final decorative touches included dark dining table and chairs, along with long velvet curtains and an ivory rug to ground the area.
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One Horn White is a warm white with a light beige tint. |
This home was brought back to life and elevated by a few simple changes, adding KILZ® Primer, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Paint, and new decor. You don’t always need a large renovation to make your home look and feel new!
Encouraged to tackle a project using one of the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint colors? Check out the link below to explore more.
Complementary Palette
Castle Cream
Plaster
Estate
Step Stool Green
Vintage Crown
“Where can I buy Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Paint?”
These paint colors are now available at Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, and Magnolia.com/shop.
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.
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THE CASTLE COLLECTION: HALL BATH
August 3, 2023Welcome back to another color and room feature from The Castle Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®!
This time we will be talking about the hall bath. Even though sometimes overlooked, it serves not only as a functional space for guests and family members, but also as an opportunity to make a statement with design. This hall bath reflects both elegance and style while inviting a sense of serenity and relaxation.
The Magnolia Home Castle Collection interior paint color, Step Stool Green, is a lively, deep olive that makes this bathroom stand out and invite you in. Using the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines interior paint on the board and batten, paired with white tiles, makes this room modern – yet full of the Castle’s original charm.
“Olive green, a bold and rich natural color, brings a comforting, earthy richness to any space.” – Joanna Gaines
By selecting brass fixtures for the faucets, mirror, and lighting, and adding in some final decorative touches, the bathroom becomes one of the most transformative rooms in the castle. Paired with plants, antique décor and large windows for natural lighting, the Step Stool Green interior paint color from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Castle Collection was able to highlight the bathroom’s beauty while still maintaining its rich history.
With colors from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Castle Collection palette and the right materials, you too can transform a plain hall bath into a stylish oasis.
Check back here at the Perfect Finish to learn more about the rooms in the castle, and their specific colors and descriptions.
Read about the Drawing Room here.
Want to start a project using one of the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint colors? The palette below complements Step Stool Green and highlights its rich earthy tones.
Shiplap
Renewed
Landscape
Conservatory
Clean Lines
“Where can I buy Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Paint?”
These paint colors are now available at Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, and Magnolia.com/shop.
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.
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Pro Spotlight: Update Bathroom Cabinets with Britney Mroczkowski of Build It Brit, Inc.
May 31, 2023
As a licensed general contractor and real estate investor, I know that priming is a fundamental step in completing any paint project. Without primer, paint may peel, crack or flake, resulting in a poor and unsatisfactory finish. And when it comes to achieving a flawless and Instagram-worthy finish, primer is absolutely essential. KILZ® Primers are a good choice as they offer consistent, dependable results.
Recently, I decided to do a quick weekend project to update my mom’s ensuite bathroom cabinets. The bathroom has beautiful solid wood cabinets but are a little outdated with a medium-to-dark wood finish. The bathroom has also not been renovated in over 20 years and needed a modern refresh. Painting the cabinets was the perfect solution to updating the space quickly while also making the room brighter.
Her primary suite is located on the second floor of the home overlooking a beautiful lake just outside Tampa, Florida. She has been in this home for over 35 years and raised our family here, so it was nice to be able to give back to our family home. To minimize the mess, I removed the cabinet drawers and doors and took them downstairs to the garage where I set up a workstation.
In the garage, I used a few drop cloths to make sure everything stayed clean and pristine. I set up two tables to create an “assembly line of painting,” where I would sand, prime, and paint. The cabinets were solid wood but had a lacquer finish that I wanted to make sure we could cover. To start the process and ensure a beautiful end result, I scuff sanded down all of the doors and drawers with 150-grit sandpaper and then did a final pass with 220-grit paper. Don’t forget to wear safety gear during this step, I made sure to wear a mask and eye protection.
After sanding, I was ready to prime! The primer that we used for this project was KILZ® MOLD & MILDEW Primer. This 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.
KILZ® MOLD & MILDEW Primer offers excellent adhesion to the surfaces of the bathroom cabinets, ensuring that the paint would stick and stay in place even with high moisture levels typical of bathrooms. Additionally, the EPA-registered active ingredient in this primer creates a mold and mildew-resistant film that protects the primer film from developing mold and mildew growth.
This was particularly important for this personal renovation project for my mom, as it would ensure that her bathroom cabinets would stay mold-resistant in the damp environment. The primer also helped us to achieve a smooth and flawless paint finish.
I applied one coat of KILZ® MOLD & MILDEW Primer, allowing it to dry for 2 hours before moving on to the topcoat. We chose Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Cabinet and Trim Paint which I was excited to use for the first time. My mom looked at the color options online and choose the color “Emmie’s Room” which is a very light shade of green.
This very light green color complemented the existing white and green tiles in the bathroom perfectly, creating a cohesive and modern look. We applied two coats of the topcoat, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. The final result was stunning and transformed the old and dated bathroom cabinets into a fresh modern look and personally, I think it made the room look much larger.
Not only did this bathroom cabinet refresh make the room look brighter and more modernized, but it also saved my mom a significant amount of money compared to a complete bathroom renovation. When I finally let her come in to see the final results, she couldn’t believe it was the same cabinets. She told me they looked brand new and straight out of a home renovation TV show.
In conclusion, priming is a crucial step in any paint project, no matter how big or small. Not only does it set the foundation for a long-lasting and beautiful finish, but it also ensures that the paint adheres properly to the surface. KILZ® MOLD & MILDEW Primer is an excellent choice for bathrooms and kitchens.
Overall, this project was a personal one for me, as it was a renovation for my mom, who has been my biggest supporter throughout my career. Recently, we started renovating a few investment houses together so it was an honor for her to ask me to work in our family home as well. With KILZ® MOLD & MILDEW Primer and the right workspace, we were able to achieve a beautiful and modernized look for her bathroom cabinets.
To learn more about primer solutions, visit kilz.com.
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.
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THE CASTLE COLLECTION: BUTLER’S PANTRY
April 26, 2023We’re back with more on the Castle Collection from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®!
Today we are showcasing the Butler’s Pantry, one of the most beautifully designed pantries you will ever see. With floor to ceiling cabinets painted in another Castle Collection color, Cottage Grove, the Butler’s Pantry offers a warm and inviting setting to prepare a meal or bake something delicious. The right Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines interior paint color can transform your space into a place you never want to leave.
Cottage Grove is a moody navy infused with a deep green hue that elevates the space and provides a fresh look while complementing the historical splendor of the Castle property. With natural light illuminating the space, Cottage Grove is sure to make a statement.
“A rich blend of navy and green, this color can take on either tone in different light, which makes it both dramatic and cozy all at once.” –Joanna Gaines
Using Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines cabinet paint to bring color to the cabinets brings modern drama to this room. Without traditional white or wood-colored cabinets, this room demonstrates how you can get creative with color, using it to add personality.
You’ll notice that the wall color provides a crisp contrast to the moody navy. Painted in another Castle Collection color, Castle Cream, soft white with a timeless essence adds sophistication and charm to this space.
Brass accents and vintage décor complement the color beautifully, with dark wood floors and window trim that are reminiscent of the era when the castle was built. Adding to the color contrast, the white marble kitchen counter and backsplash brightens this room. Glass containers and plants add to the vintage aesthetic bringing this space elegance and refinement.
And in case you haven’t seen the full collection yet, The Castle Collection is a color palette specially designed and curated by Joanna Gaines for the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint line. Comprised of ten new colors, ranging from warm neutrals to moody accents, inspired by the historic castle restoration project located in Waco, Texas, and featured in a season of Fixer Upper: The Castle.
Don’t forget to check back here at the Perfect Finish to read more about specific rooms and paint colors featured in the Castle project. Read about the Girls’ & Boys’ bedroom here!
Encouraged to tackle a project using one of the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint colors? Check out the palette below that complements Cottage Grove and Castle Cream and coordinates with their rich, warm tones.
Castle Cream
Gatherings
Panna Cotta
Homebody
Boutique Gray
“Where can I buy Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Paint?”
These paint colors are now available at Ace Hardware, Lowe’s and Magnolia.com/shop.
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Bringing a Primary Bathroom Back to Life
April 17, 2023In this episode of our Destination Restoration series, we show you how to update a primary bathroom past its prime. This bathroom, like the rest of the rooms in this house, was outdated, dark, and in need of some attention. But, with a few cosmetic fixes, our pros, Jason Lai (interior designer) and Jared Foster (contractor/professional painter) transformed this room into something truly special.
This series demonstrates how you can breathe new life into an older home (in this case, a 4th generation family home), while keeping its structural integrity intact.
Just off the primary bedroom, the small, 4-piece primary bathroom was in desperate need of a facelift. Like a kitchen, there are many elements to consider in a bathroom, including hardware, tile, glass, and lighting. Not to mention a color scheme and décor. Using KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer, we were able to restore the existing vanity and give it a fresh topcoat. We also replaced the tile and countertop, updated the walk-in shower, and painted the walls for a fresh new look that complemented the rest of the home.
While the bathroom is a smaller room compared to the others in your home, that doesn’t make it any less of a project. All it takes is a great concept and a team who knows how to execute, and you can bring any bathroom up to date in no time. For some bathroom inspiration, see the breakdown of our project in more detail below. We’ve also included a step-by-step guide on how to paint bathroom cabinets.
Vanity, Cabinets & Walls
To start, we primed the vanity using KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer and painted it with Aspen Valley, a color by Behr Paint, for a teal effect that tied in well with other areas of the home. We also updated the cabinets to shaker style to mimic the update we made to the kitchen cabinets. For the other bathroom paint colors, we painted the walls, ceiling, and door with Whipped Cream, a color by Behr.
Shower & Hardware
We replaced the bathtub with a sleek walk-in shower, which we also retiled using a multicolored eggshell tile to contrast with the teal of the vanity. Lastly, we installed all new fixtures by Delta Faucet.
Other Changes
The floor was old and dingy, so we replaced it with an updated, geometric pattern tile—a fun detail that tied in well with the rest of the décor—and we added new overhead lighting and sconces by Kichler Lighting.
Why Do You Need to Prime?
Priming is essential for proper surface preparation for any paint project. It’s the difference between a job done and a job done right. Priming helps solve a wide range of problems, including highly porous surfaces, stains, odors, uneven surfaces, texture differences, and adhesion problems.
KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer is a water-based primer-sealer-stain blocker, specially designed for residential surfaces in high humidity, moisture, and temperature environments, and a perfect choice for our bathroom makeover. It offers excellent adhesion, while providing a sound anchor for paints. The EPA registered active ingredient creates a mold and mildew-resistant film that protects the primer film from mold and mildew growth, so you can enjoy your newly-restored bathroom for years to come.
Step-By-Step Guide To Painting Bathroom Cabinets:
Refinishing a bathroom vanity requires a few basic steps to get the smoothest finish and results that will last in a humid environment. Here’s an easy guide to follow for your next project:
1. Use a screwdriver to remove the cabinet doors and drawers from the vanity and to remove all door handles and hardware.
2. Sand the surfaces of the doors, drawer faces, and vanity to create a smooth surface for priming. Do a first pass with 100-150 grit sandpaper then finish with a second pass of 180-220 grit sandpaper. Remember, the higher the “grit” number, the smoother the finish.
3. When sanding, move the sandpaper in the same direction as the wood grain. If you go against the grain, you will end up with a lot of scratches that will show through your topcoat.
4. After sanding, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue. Allow to dry.
5. Protect your floors and workspace from paint and primer by covering it with a drop cloth.
6. For mildew-prone areas like a bathroom, select a primer formulated for high humidity, moisture, and temperature environments like KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer.
7. Now it’s time to prime! Using your primer, use a brush to make smooth strokes that go in the same direction as the wood grain.
8. Allow to dry for 2 hours.
9. Once the primer is dry, apply paint of your choice using the same application process at the primer.
• Pro-tip: For a really great result, apply primer and paint with a sprayer.
10. Once your paint is dry, reattach hardware to doors, and then reattach the doors to the vanity.
You Will Need:
• Screwdriver
• Dust mask
• 100-150 grit and 180-220 grit sandpaper
• Rags to wipe dirty and dusty surfaces
• Drop cloths, canvas, or other reusable material
• Paint roller, brush, and paint tray
• Paint of choice
We hope this episode of Destination Restoration inspires you to tackle your own bathroom remodel this year. Be sure to keep KILZ® products in mind for your next project, and come back for more ideas, tips, and project inspiration.
If you loved this restoration, be sure to check out the other episodes of Destination Restoration. Jason and Jared took on the Kitchen, Primary Bedroom and Living/Dining 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. Check out our Coverage Calculator to understand your estimated paint needs for your upcoming project.
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From Stained to Stunning: Restoring a Primary Bedroom
April 17, 2023On this episode of Destination Restoration, we show you how to restore a room that’s suffered a bit of damage. Older generational homes can accumulate imperfections over time, especially stains from things like water damage. In the case of today’s refresh, not only do we take a standard primary bedroom and update it for a new era, but we also tackle how to restore unsightly, odorous stains using primer and a fresh coat of paint.
This series demonstrates how you can breathe new life into an older home (in this case, a 4th generation family home), while keeping its structural integrity intact.
Once again, our fabulous design duo—Jason Lai (interior designer) and Jared Foster (contractor/pro painter) —found a way to update this modest room while addressing the large yellow stain that had leaked its way around the sliding glass door. Our goal was to both cover it up and ensure it wouldn’t show through, which we achieved with a thorough coat of primer and a new coat of paint. Due to the lack of storage in the room, we also wanted to install a custom unit, with ample cabinets to make the space more functional and a modern haven for the parents of this lovely family home.
Covering up stains takes a little extra effort but is totally doable with the right tools. Make sure you choose a sturdy primer that’s right for the job, like KILZ RESTORATION® Interior Primer when tackling a similar project of your own, and follow along to see how our pros approached this room makeover. We’ve also included a step-by-step guide on how to paint over water stains using primer.
Stain Coverage
The main goal of this room refresh was to remove any trace of the water stain and get rid of its foul odor at the same time. To do this, we primed over the water stain using KILZ RESTORATION® Interior Primer then painted the walls, ceiling, and molding with Rio Rust, a color by Behr Paint.
Extra Storage
To replace the lackluster closet, we added a custom, built-in closet system with a hidden TV display, perfect for unwinding after a long day. We primed the unit, and then painted it with Forest Edge, a color by Behr Paint, for its ability to stand out and complement the color of the rest of the room. Together, these colors elevated the room and gave it a warm, modern, and cozy feel.
Other Changes
We wanted to update the existing lighting to complement the new design and bring more warmth to the space, so we added a modern chandelier by Kichler Lighting, as well as additional recessed lighting fixtures on the ceiling. We also replaced the door hardware, updated the electrical throughout, and added carefully chosen décor to bring this refined boho-chic look together.
Why Do You Need to Prime?
Priming is essential for proper surface preparation for any paint project. It’s the difference between a job done and a job done right. Priming helps solve a wide range of problems, including highly porous surfaces, stains, odors, uneven surfaces, texture differences, and adhesion problems.
Because this room required stain coverage we used, KILZ RESTORATION® Interior Primer for its superior, water-based sealing and stain blocking formula. It can tackle tough stains from heavy water damage, rust, smoke, nicotine, grease, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, pet stains and more. It’s also a champion odor blocker and can be used on many interior surfaces including drywall, woodwork, plaster, masonry, brick, painted metal, ceramic tile, glass, and most other glossy surfaces.
Step-By-Step Guide to Stain Blocking and Priming Walls:
Painting over water stains requires a few basic steps from start to finish. Here’s an easy guide to follow for your next project:
1. Patch any holes from damage and sand smooth to prep the surface (if needed)
2.Thoroughly clean your surfaces with a damp cloth to ensure they are clean and free of dust. Allow to dry.
3. Tape around the baseboards, trim and moldings.
4. Protect your floors and furniture from paint and primer by covering it with a drop cloth or plastic sheets.
5. For major stains like water, grease, or smoke, select a heavy-duty stain blocker like KILZ RESTORATION® Interior Primer.
6. Now it’s time to prime! Using a brush first to “cut in” around the edges and small crevices, then use a roller to fill in the larger areas.
7. Allow to dry for 1 hour.
8. Once the primer is dry, apply paint of your choice using the same application process at the primer.
9. Remove the painter’s tape before your paint is fully dry.
You Will Need:
• Dust mask
• Pole sander with sandpaper, 60-80 grit
• Extension pole for prep and painting, 3’-7′
• Step ladder for hard-to-reach areas
• Rags to wipe dirty and dusty surfaces
• Painter’s tape
• Drop cloths, canvas, or other reusable material
• Plastic sheets, for protecting furniture
• Spackle and applicator
• Paint roller, brush, and paint tray
• Paint of choice
• KILZ RESTORATION® Interior Primer
We hope this episode of Destination Restoration inspires you to tackle your own bedroom remodel this year. Be sure to keep KILZ® products in mind for your next project, and come back for more ideas, tips, and project inspiration.
If you loved this restoration, be sure to check out the other episodes of Destination Restoration. Jason and Jared took on the Kitchen, Living/Dining Room, and Primary Bathroom.
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.
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PRODUCTS
THE CASTLE COLLECTION: THE BEDROOMS
February 22, 2023
In case you missed it, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® has released ten brand new colors, The Castle Collection, specially designed for Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Castle renovation in Waco,Texas. Featuring a beautiful range of warm neutrals to moody accents, these deep and rich colors will turn any space into a timeless classic.
This year on The Perfect Finish, we will be highlighting specific rooms to showcase the Castle Collection in detail. And be sure to check out the newest season of the Gaines’ hit TV show Fixer Upper: The Castle to catch these colors in action.
Today, we are highlighting two of the featured rooms inside the Castle project: the Girls’ Room and the Boys’ Room, each painted in one of the Castle Collection Colors.
THE GIRLS’ ROOM
This bedroom is painted Rosy Pink, a dusty, subtle pink with a nostalgic tone, which was specifically created with this room in mind. Paired with clean white trim and white light fixtures, this room becomes a soothing and inviting space.
With natural light streaming into this room from the large windows, Rosy Pink gives the space a warm glow. Named after Joanna Gaines’s grandmother, this paint color is bound to make any child (and adult) excited to call this room their own.
“This color is inspired by my grandmother, Agnes Rose. It’s a subtle pink with a vintage style.” – Joanna Gaines
Metal accents and vintage style décor add to this nostalgic vibe and make the timeless tone of the color really stand out.
This bedroom also features a fireplace, just one of seven throughout the Castle project. Coated in Rosy Pink with a moody mauve tile surround, this becomes a centerpiece of the space.
THE BOYS’ ROOM
The Boys’ Room features Castle Collection color, Estate, a deep sage with a soft gray undertone. With Estate cascading up onto the ceiling and trim, over the fireplace, and onto the doors, there is a grandeur and sophistication that envelopes this room.
This color was specially curated and designed for this room in the Castle, like many of the colors in the Castle Collection. With Estate covering every crevasse in this space, it’s easy to see the depth of this regal color.
Complemented by a black leather chair, brass bedframe, an antique desk, and décor accents with a classic style, this room’s design will make anybody swoon.
A special edition of Fixer Upper: The Castle is available on the Gaines’ Magnolia Network, Discovery+ and HBOMax. The season follows Chip and Joanna through six episodes of the renovation journey, including the development of The Castle Collection color palette.
Don’t forget to check back here at the Perfect Finish to read more about specific rooms and paint colors featured in the Castle project.
Inspired by these bedrooms and looking for complementary colors for your own space? The curated palette below offers shades that complement and coordinate with Estate and Rosy Pink from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines.
ROSY PINK COMPLEMENTARY PALETTE
Moody Fig (From the Castle Collection)
Garden Party
Rocking House
Solid Wood
Silos White
ESTATE COMPLEMENTARY PALETTE
Vintage Crown (From the Castle Collection)
Renewed
Coffee Nook
One Horn White
Vintage Weathervane
These paint colors are available at Ace Hardware, Lowe’s and Magnolia.com/shop.
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