CasaSugar

Room Therapy: Has Anyone Used Rust-Oleum on Their Counters?

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:00:19 -0700

Dear Casa,

I just recently moved into a house and am excited about making it "my own." The problem is I'm broke. The house is old and I've already made peace with the fact that I'm going to have to live with some things (such as the horrendous '70s-era orange countertops in the kitchen) for the next few years until I can afford to replace them. But then today, while researching inexpensive options for refinishing my tacky gold light fixtures, I stumbled across this, a paint made just for countertops! Can it be?!

The product claims to be simple and effective (and the video-demo shows this to be true, ha) but it sounds suspiciously too good to be true. I do not want to get my hopes up if this product is really just crap. I was wondering if you knew anyone that had used this product with success or if I'm headed towards a horror story?

Thanks!

Rainey

To see my suggestions, and to leave comments, read more.

Hi Rainey,

I haven't personally tried this product, but I found this blog post from a homeowner who used this product on her counters. The results, at least from this picture, look great, and she says she's very happy with the results.

However, on the blog Tattered Hydrangeas, multiple readers commented that the paint doesn't hold up well at all. Perhaps if you used a sealant on it, it would be more wear-resistant. However, these users seem to think that one should proceed with caution.

Has anyone else used this product? Have you tried to paint your countertops with other products? What were your results? Leave your thoughts about the experience in the comments.

Good luck!
Casa

Cool Idea: Multitasking Countertops

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:00:20 -0700

On a recent trip to Austin, TX, I stayed at the Park Lane Guesthouse, an eco hotel in one of my favorite neighborhoods. The whole house was beautifully restored (I'll share more pictures soon), but I was particularly impressed with the multitasking ingenuity of this hand-tiled countertop. Near the sink, a small, blue glass handle emerged from the tile. Can you guess what is under the handle?

To find out, read more.

The handle lifts a circular cut-out in the countertop, and underneath is a small shelf supporting the compost bucket! It's such a practical solution. I know that we're constantly shuffling the compost bucket around at our house, and we also hate to have it take up too much space. This way, the compost bucket, and its contents, are concealed, but still within easy reach and disposal in the compost pile. Nice, huh?

How-To: 7 Ways to Protect Your Countertops

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:15:06 -0800

With all the cooking and entertaining we do during the holiday season, our countertops, along with the rest of our homes, take a beating. But, they’re pricey and tedious to replace (whether yours are Carrera marble or not) so it’s best to keep a few simple rules in mind when carving that turkey and whipping up those glasses of egg nog. First and foremost, you should follow any care instructions that came with your countertop, as each material requires different attention. To learn seven ways to protect your countertops, read more.

Use coasters under any glasses or bottles holding a liquid (olive oil, vinegar, etc. included) to prevent sticky surfaces and ring marks.
Some countertops are more water resistant than others, such as tile, but you should always immediately wipe up spills and splashes with a clean, slightly damp cloth. The sooner, the better.
Use a tray or plate to rest any spoons, cooking utensils, or knifes while you’re cooking.
When giving your countertops a deep cleaning, avoid using abrasive solutions or materials such as steel wool and heavy duty nylon sponges. Instead, use mild dishwashing soap, a damp cloth or basic sponge, and a good dose of elbow grease.
When pulling a hot pot, pan, or casserole out of the oven or off the stove, always place it on a trivet or even an oven mitt if that’s all you have handy. This will prevent scratches, burn marks, and the general wearing down of your counter.
Whether you’re slicing a tomato or a 32-ounce steak, always use a cutting board. No exceptions!
Likewise, always pound your meats on a cutting board. This will prevent scratches and cracks from the mallet.

Source

In the News: Granite Gone Bad

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:45:45 -0700

When reading real estate listings, most of us would associate granite countertops with luxury homes, and consider them a coveted feature. That is, unless you knew they could be emitting elevated levels of radon, a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. A recent New York Times article, "What's Lurking in Your Countertop?" chronicled the trials of one homeowner and doctor who found that his radon gas levels were reading 100 picocuries per liter, a far cry from 4 picocuries per liter, which the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) considers a health risk. Apparently, as the popularity of granite countertops has increased in the last decade, so have reports of potentially hazardous countertops. While most "health physicists and radiation experts agree that most granite countertops emit radiation and radon at extremely low levels," the risk of exposure from "exotic and striated varieties from Brazil and Namibia," has yet to be evaluated. When it comes down to it, "There is no known safe level of radon or radiation," says an E.P.A. program analyst. So, if you can choose a risk-free alternative, why wouldn't you? At the very least, it's a smart idea to have your countertops tested.
Source

Room Therapy: Concrete Surfaces

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:00:41 -0700

Welcome to this week's Room Therapy, the CasaSugar feature where users submit questions and you, the readers, along with myself, help answer them. Casa reader Azduring13 wrote to me saying, "My sister told me about using stained concrete for floor finishing and countertops. Do you have any information on this? Thanks."

I'm going to answer the second half of that question in a post on Wednesday, but for now let's look at the floor finishings portion of the question. I happen to know that Casa reader and TeamSugar member Mosspink actually has gorgeous concrete floors in her surprisingly bright and sunny basement apartment. Let's see what she has to say.

"I inherited this floor from the previous owners, who'd bought this house as a fixer-upper. When they moved into this place, all the concrete was covered in linoleum and vinyl flooring tile. When they pulled it up and did what they could to remove the old adhesive and gunk, there was a residual grid pattern left from the tile."

To see more photos of Mosspink's pretty concrete-floored abode, and to learn about living with those floors, just read more

Mosspink goes on to say that you can take easy care of a concrete floor if you "simply sweep it on a regular basis. Dust and debris scratches the shine off, of course, as do the rolling wheels of office chairs, which I've discovered much to my chagrin. Mop once every few months, more if there's more traffic or you make a mess, and I recommend Pine-Sol."

"In all honesty, I love the color and finish-it reminds me very much of marble or stone without the care or expense that might entail. Like those two materials, its camouflage-like nature masks a variety of sins, from spilled coffee to dropped brownie crumbs. Aside from that, I love its smooth, cool feel underfoot and the good traction it provides. On the down side, it is a hard surface so doing exercise on it isn't recommended without a proper mat."

Thanks for all of the great information, Mosspink! Anybody else have experience with concrete floors?

Room Therapy: Concrete Countertops

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:11:00 -0700

Welcome to the second half of this week's Room Therapy, the CasaSugar feature where users submit questions and you, the readers, along with myself, help answer them. Casa reader Azduring13 wrote to me saying, "My sister told me about using stained concrete for floor finishing and countertops. Do you have any information on this? Thanks."

You can read this week's first Room Therapy post here, where we learned about concrete floors. For the second half of the question, where we'll find out all about concrete countertops, and view a gorgeous gallery, just read more

I found some very helpful information from Sonoma Stone, a California concrete surfaces company (and the source of the beautiful photos in the gallery). Concrete is beautiful, but it is not inexpensive: custom countertops from Sonoma Stone range in price between $105-$150 per square foot.

While using concrete isn't necessarily a "green" option (concrete production releases a ton of carbon dioxide), some companies, such as Sonoma Stone, use recycled cellulose fibers, raw pozzolans, and recycled aggregates. This cuts down the Portland cement ratio, and also on the carbon dioxide output. It can ultimately be ground back into sand as well. You can check to see if there's a concrete countertop professional in your area at The Concrete Network.

Our own YellowSqueaky wrote in saying that she has concrete countertops in her home. "I live in the middle of Kansas, so finding someone to do the countertops was a headache!! It only took a couple days to put them in. They were built off-site and then trucked to our house. They were sealed once they were put in, the sealing process is very FUME HEAVY! It was totally worth it, they have character and look great. We were worried about them staining, but I've had them for 2 years now and I have not one stain. I use Method surface cleaner on them after each use and it seems to work."

View 9 Photos ›

Coveted Crib: Pink Simplicity in Tribeca

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:54 -0800

In this 700-square-foot Tribeca loft designed by Ghislaine Viñas, precision and simplicity rule the roost, along with one particular: pink. The owner, a life-long pink enthusiast, wanted to give her family home some personality with her beloved bright pink and magenta hues. So the focus of the living room is this bright '70s-style corner sectional, and white and light oak give the space lightness and a neutral background to tame the vibrancy of the furnishings. The kitchen boasts a fuschia backsplash and counter stools, which make the industrial concrete countertops and steel elements seem more playful. When you move into the bedrooms, bathrooms, and children's playroom, the color palette changes, with neutral background tones still dominating but blues and greens introduced as focal points. Take the full tour when you read more.

View 6 Photos ›

Source

Coveted Crib: A Paper-Perfect Studio Loft

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:50 -0800

If I had my druthers, I probably wouldn't choose to live in a studio. But if I had to, I cannot imagine a more perfect space than this studio loft in Lägenhet, Stockholm (which is for sale). With tall ceilings, a bed and extra storage are tucked up high, making for a true living room. The apartment's bright white walls and beautiful natural light expand the space, while a select few gorgeously wallpapered walls give it depth and serious style. The kitchen has streamlined modern white cabinetry and one of my favorite elements: concrete countertops. The bathroom is complete with a towel warmer (woot!), a washer/dryer, and a sharp zebrawood sink basin. And better yet, it boasts what every girl dreams of: a walk-in closet. Take the full tour when you read more.

View 20 Photos ›

On the Market: Sleep in Edward Cullen's Bedroom

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:37:06 -0800

All right, Twilight fans, here's your chance to get a little closer to Edward Cullen. The Vancouver residence that the Cullens inhabit in the New Moon film is for sale for $3.3 million through Soprovich Realty.

The five-bedroom, four-bath home is a modernist's dream, with extensive use of glass and post and beam style throughout the soaring, open spaces. The fantastic views of the surrounding Pacific Northwest landscape only add to this home's considerable charm. According to the realtor's listing,

"The Cullen House" as seen in the recent world-wide hit saga - "Twilight: New moon"!! Arthur Erickson's finest and totally renovated in 2001, this award-winning residence is situated on a private 1/2 acre creekside property nestled amongst a gorgeous greenbelt and towering trees. Tastefully remodeled by Brian Hemingway, this home has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, with the finest detail and quality available.

The home features a private studio with koi pond, concrete, slate, wool carpet, and cherry floors, a chef's kitchen, cherry cabinets, granite countertops, 20-foot-high ceilings, an outdoor pool, and a huge media room overlooking a nearby creek. Absolutely gorgeous, for vampires and humans alike.

Take the complete tour when you read more.

This is not the same house used in Twilight. That house was designed by architect Jeff Kovel of Skylab Architecture. For New Moon, the filming was moved to Vancouver, BC, and the Erickson-designed house, which was also featured in the John Cusack film Martian Child, became the Cullen home for the second film in the Twilight saga.

View 18 Photos ›

Su Casa: A Sleek Kitchen Remodel

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:30:12 -0700

CasaSugar reader Keanusmom just posted photos of her newly remodeled kitchen in the Su Casa group. She says they gutted an "ugly horrid kitchen" in favor of Ikea cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. You can get all the details about what they used here. I especially love the pendant lamps (they match the apples on the counter!) and the cabinets look very chic. Want to share your photos? Here's how to join Su Casa.