By the Sea Shore

My next diy project, I have decided will be tackling my kitchen countertops and backsplash.....

Its just not in the budget right now, to replace the counter top.

But I really need to get rid of the ugly green melamine paint!

It chips alot and shows the even uglier original orange counter top.

It has a few bumps and bruises and I need something more forgiving than light green melamine.

I have been searching high and low for a cheap ( and easy) solution.

First I checked out a product called Stone Effects by Rustoleum. It is a 3 step process that unless you do it right, can turn out to be a huge mess and having to replace the countertops anyway.

The end result looks really really nice, but I am scared I will mess it up! and this stuff could still run me a couple hundred bucks...

Also, I wouldnt be able to use my kitchen for 5 days!!!

Secondly, I came across this forum  and I think I have a winner!

I have to sand and then prime my counter top, then I have to pick 4 or 5 acrylic paint colors out.

Sponge paint the colors, and then when all is dried apply at least 3 coats of polyurathane.

Sounds easy and pretty cheap!

The lady in the forum also suggested going to a store that sells counter top and picking out one I like, and matching my paint colors to it.

I also have a pretty neat diy idea for my backsplash......

its one I stole from a friend.....

she used paintable wallpaper, and painted it silver.

The first time I saw it I thought she had a metal backsplash!

It is so nice! and really looks like the real thing!

I will post pics as soon as I get all this finished!!

Does anyone have any other ideas, comments, or helpful hints for me before I begin this?