Another Project

I’m cheating just a bit today…..okay more than a little bit.

This is a project that I actually initially completed several years ago.  However, in early December, I repainted and thought I would share with all of you…….

My all time favorite super cheap fix of alllllll times!

Before most of us were repurposing or repainting or reusing, there was a very talented young woman who was a thrift store  and DYI whiz.

Her name was Kathryn Elliott

I Googled her last night and came up with nothing.  I can’t imagine what may have happened to her, she was super talented and actually wrote two books.

The first of these books was…….

This was my thrifting, redoing, repainting, everything,  bible back in 2001!  She had projects that I had never thought of doing before. 

One of those project was the following……..

My kitchen backsplash.

Think this is vintage tin that I cut to fit?

Wrong.

It’s wallpaper.  Yep.  Wallpaper that I hung right over my existing ceramic tile.

But not just any wallpaper.  This is what they call in the “biz” expanded vinyl or textured paintable wallpaper.

When you purchase it, your paper will look like this…….

Pure white with a raised puffy pattern.

It’s available  HERE for $13.99 a double roll.  If you have ever purchased wallpaper you know that this is super cheap.  I did my entire kitchen with one roll!

Now I have sworn off wallpaper forever but I would do this project again because when you’re through, it looks so much like real tin that when people see it, they have to actually touch it to tell that it isn’t.  HONEST!

So here’s how you go about creating this look.  Sorry, there are no pics. with this tutorial.

First, you want to prime your wall.  This project will work with Formica backsplash, ceramic tile, or drywall.

Be sure and use primer that is made specifically for wallpaper.  This is very very important.  Don’t let anyone at the paint store tell you otherwise!  Wallpaper primer has “sizing” in it.  Sizing means that when the primer is dry, it will have a tacky feel to it and allow your wallpaper to stick to the wall better.  Wallpaper primer also seals the previous surface better.  This means that if you wanted to, you could actually hang over glass.

So……..Step 1.  Prime your backsplash!

Next, measure and cut your pieces.  This paper doesn’t have much of a match at all so it’s very easy to cut.  Be SURE and leave yourself at least an inch on the top and bottom.  You will cut this off later with a razor knife.

So…….Step 2.  Cut your paper to the proper length

Next begin wetting your paper.  After it is wet, “book” your paper and let it sit.  Booking is merely folding the paper in half wet side to wet side and letting the paste activate and get good and gooey.  Don’t get too far ahead of yourself if you are an inexperienced paper hanger.  You don’t want wet paper sitting for too long.

So…..Step 3.  Wet and book your paper.

   Hang your paper matching your pattern as you go.  Cut off excess at top and bottom as you go.

So….Step 4.  Hang it baby!

When your paper is DRY, and I mean good and dry, you want to caulk your seams and along the bottom where it meets the counter with a paintable caulk.  This is not something that you would normally do, but in a kitchen with all of the water, it’s a good idea.  I did this and I have never ever had any of my paper come loose.  Even back behind the sink.

So….Step 5. Caulk it Honey!

Paint your paper a dark color like black or chocolate brown.  Don’t worry about it being perfect, it’s just going to show through a little anyway.

So…..Step 6.  Paint away!

Now it’s time for the silver metallic paint.  Modern masters has a nice selection of silver metallic paints.

 

Just Google Modern Masters and you should find a paint store in your area that carries it.

Brush on your silver and while it’s still tacky, grab a cloth and rub gently over the raised areas of the paper to give it a worn look.  You might also dab here and there with your rag to take a little off in different areas.  There’s really no way to mess this up.  If you take off too much silver, just paint back over that area.

So…..Step 7.  Paint it silver and dab away!

After you have achieved the look that you want, clear coat your backsplash with the acrylic sealer of your choice.

So…..Step 8.  Clear coat to protect!

And there you have it!  A backsplash that looks like you paid a fortune to have it installed.

This has saved me a fortune while I wait for those beautiful granite counter tops that I want.  Which I’ll probably never be able to afford!  Aaahhh welll……….

Hope your weekend is going great!

Denise