Mom 4 Real

How to clean, cook and create.

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cleaning
  • Recipes
  • Cocktails
  • Videos
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cleaning
    • Recipes
    • Cocktails
    • Videos
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home

    Faux Granite Countertops with Giani Granite Paint

    by Jessica 56 Comments

    granitepaintedcountertops

    Do you hear that?  The angels singing?  I do.  Let me tell you a little story...

    Once upon a time, a cottage loving girl moved into a little house.  All was perfect in the world, and the girl started to make the house a home.  She painted walls, bought pretty white slipcovers, painted furniture, decorated her breakfast nook just so, and her heart should have been full.  But alas, there was an dark ugly kitchen that tortured her soul.

    kitchenbefore

    In case you haven't figured it out, that girl is me, and this is the kitchen that has tortured me since the day we moved in.  Some folks love dark cherry cabinets and dark laminate countertops, but this girl is not one of them.  I love bright and white cottage style.  I lived with this dark kitchen for nearly ten years.  It never even thought about painting my kitchen cabinets, and definitely didn't think painting my countertops was possible, I mean, who does that?  Well, a few months back, I was cruising around reading some of my favorite blogs, when I stumbled upon a Nuvo Cabinet Paint giveaway.  I entered and forgot about it.  Then I got an email saying I had won the paint  giveaway.  I was both excited and nervous.  I consulted Matt, and we decided to try the white...boy am I happy we did....here is how our cabinets turned out.  You can see the full White Kitchen Reveal by clicking here and where I opened up some of my kitchen cabinets here.

    whitekitchenreveal

    Now you think a girl would be happy with this, and believe me I was...for a day or two.  But the countertop still bugged me.  Don't let this pretty picture fool you...see the cutting board sitting in the middle corner of the counter?  It was hiding a dirty secret...

    block2

    Oh the shame!  This is where my two pieces of my laminate countertops met up.  I have been hiding this hideousness for years.  I had tried to cover it with other paint, and even tried a sharpie marker, but nothing worked, and it extended from the edge of the counter all the way to the wall.  Ugh.

    Then I found Giani Granite...my knight in shiny armour!  I contacted them and asked if I could try their product and show my readers that they don't have to live with ugly countertops.  See, Giani Granite and Nuvo Cabinet Paint (which I used on my kitchen cabinets) are one in the same, so I knew their product was inexpensive, but high quality.  They agreed, I picked out which color I would like to try, and the rest is history...no more ugly countertops!  No more hiding imperfections with cutting boards!  I now have the gorgeous granite like countertops I have dreamed of since moving here!

    I'm sure you are wondering how hard it was.  It was actually one of the easiest projects I have ever done!  You simply sponge on layers after layer.  If you make a mistake, you just sponge new layer sover your mistake.  The kit covers a huge area, and I actually have enough to do another countertop if I want to.  It took less than two days to do, and that is with drying time...not two days of actual painting.  The surface is smooth and durable with a nice sheen to it as well.  BTW, I chose Sicilian Sand.

    Before using Giani Granite, I asked a fellow blogger how her countertops using the same product were holding up, and she said they were great after a full year!

    granitepaintedcountertops1

    I love that I can show you my countertops without hiding things!

    granitepaintedcountertops3

     I actually want to cook now.  I spend every moment I can in my kitchen!

    Wanna see the before, middle, and after all in a row?

    beforemiddleafter

     So, what do you think?  Do you have ugly countertops?  Do you have to hide imperfections?

    What color granite would you love to have in your kitchen?  Giani Granite has a nice selection to choose from...in fact, my friend Jen from Four Marrs & One Venus painted her countertops too, with a completely different look.  Click here to see Jen's kitchen!

    Please ignore the different formats and sizing of the photos...this has been a long drawn out process.  Next up for my kitchen, stainless steel appliances!

    Have a lovely day!

    jessicafollow

    Savvy Southern Style

    www.betweennapsontheporch.net

    « Aged Stack of Love Letters {tutorial}
    Valentine's Day Printables from Live Love DIY »

    Comments

    1. Janel from NellieBellie says

      January 30, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      Looks fantabulous! I want to come too...and play in your kitchen!

      Reply
      • admin says

        January 30, 2013 at 2:57 pm

        Thanks girl...come on over anytime...I'll make you some grub!

        Reply
    2. Kara says

      January 30, 2013 at 2:54 pm

      Wow! That's awesome ... they look so good! I love how your kitchen came out :)

      Reply
      • admin says

        January 30, 2013 at 2:58 pm

        Thanks so much, Kara...I'm pretty happy with it too :)

        Reply
    3. Jennie says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:02 pm

      It looks great, isn't Giani Granite awesome? loving the new kitchen look. Hugs, jen

      Reply
      • admin says

        January 30, 2013 at 7:06 pm

        Thank you, Jen! I am so happy with it...just over the moon!

        Reply
    4. kim says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:02 pm

      Wow, Jessica, over the top wonderful looking. What a difference and good for you reaching out to the company to get the product for free.

      Reply
      • admin says

        January 30, 2013 at 7:07 pm

        Thank you, Kim! You know exactly how I feel with your pretty new kitchen, I'm sure!

        Reply
    5. debbiedoos says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:09 pm

      Jessica you have to be loving life now. Looks gorgeous. I absolutely love Giani..great product indeed!

      Reply
      • admin says

        January 30, 2013 at 7:11 pm

        Thanks, Debbie! I am so pleased with it!!! I never want to leave my kitchen now :)

        Reply
    6. Jess @ Spool and Spoon says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:12 pm

      This is an amazing transformation!! Thanks so much for sharing. My husband promised me new counter tops before the end of summer... if he doesn't hold his word, I know what is in my future! Thank you again :)

      Reply
      • admin says

        January 30, 2013 at 7:13 pm

        Ha...we kept talking about getting new countertops and kept putting it off. Thank goodness for the paint, or who knows how long we would have to live with them. Good luck!

        Reply
    7. Kelly @ View Along the Way says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      Wow, I can't believe you can paint them and have them look THAT great. They really look amazing!!

      Reply
    8. Marie says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      Love it! It looks really great.

      Reply
    9. Jen @ Four Marrs & One Venus says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:16 pm

      Ummm. Utterly Speechless over here- Amazing New look! I will take some of those french toasts things you made for Kate the other day! :) Nice work Jess!!

      Reply
    10. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:34 pm

      Wow! What a transformation! I honestly thought that was real granite! Amazing job!!

      Reply
    11. Jacque @theDIYvillage says

      January 30, 2013 at 3:39 pm

      WOW these are beautiful!!!!!
      Which kit did you pick? Im in love with the white diamond!

      Reply
    12. Melissa-TheHappierHomemaker says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:11 pm

      Wow! Looks great!

      Reply
    13. Angelina - JoJo and Eloise says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:25 pm

      OMGoodness!!! Your kitchen just keeps getting better and better :) Can't wait to see it with the stainless steel appliances :) GORGEOUS!!!
      xo
      Angelina

      Reply
    14. Rondell says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      I have new counter tops and love them but my daughter has the 70's/80's butcher block counter tops. I'd love to do this for her. I know she would love them! Yours looks just beautiful and I know how you feel about white cabinets, we did ours about a year ago and just love them!

      Reply
    15. Laura @ Our Prairie Home says

      January 30, 2013 at 5:28 pm

      Looks fantastic, Jessica! What a huge difference in the before and after. I know you are loving it!

      Reply
    16. Lisa @ On Manor Drive says

      January 30, 2013 at 5:58 pm

      Looks great! I had no clue you could paint countertops.

      Reply
    17. keri @ shaken together says

      January 30, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      What a huge, bright difference that makes! I am dying to update our paint and counters in our kitchen and this might just do the trick!!

      Reply
    18. Kara says

      January 30, 2013 at 7:00 pm

      I used the Giani countertop paint in my laundry room over a year ago, and it still looks fabulous! I love how yours turned out!

      Reply
    19. Audra @ Renewed Projects says

      January 30, 2013 at 7:46 pm

      Amazing! Makes me wanna go out and buy some for my ugly boring beige laminate counter tops. Totally love how you lightened up the whole room with some paint. What an inviting room!

      Reply
    20. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

      January 30, 2013 at 7:51 pm

      Wow! Beautiful kitchen! Great new site too!

      Reply
    21. Rachel says

      January 30, 2013 at 8:28 pm

      It looks amazing!! Holy cow. I used to be a darker kitchen type of girl, but over the past few years I've absolutely swooned over white, fresh kitchens. It's all I want in life now, haha

      Reply
    22. Chelsea @ Making Home Base says

      January 30, 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Holy smokes, Jess!! It looks amazing! I adore your white kitchen!

      Reply
    23. Heather says

      January 30, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      So this is what you were up to!! Looks so amazing Jessica - you must just stare at it every time you are in the kitchen with a big smile!! What a huge difference! I can' t believe how authentic it looks too :D Pinning right now!

      Reply
    24. lynn cockrell says

      January 31, 2013 at 12:46 am

      Jessica, you did a great job! These look wonderful.

      Reply
    25. Terry says

      January 31, 2013 at 2:54 am

      Such a great improvement on the countertops and am loving the whole look. I have helped a friend with this same thing and it's just amazing what paint can do, don't you think?

      Reply
    26. ngnrdgrl says

      January 31, 2013 at 5:44 am

      Wow!!! Your kitchen looks so much better now! I'm really digging the white cabinets. I also like how you opened up some of the shelves. The counters, by the way... a world of difference!!!

      Reply
    27. [email protected] says

      January 31, 2013 at 10:47 am

      Amazing and one more proof that white cabinet goes well with light countertops... People here keep telling me I'm crazy for wanting that: you're proving them wrong and most importantly me right!!!

      Reply
    28. Anita says

      January 31, 2013 at 2:22 pm

      Oh my goodness. You are kidding. I cannot believe the transformation!! They look great and the fact that they are durable makes me want to get some. What a great solution!!!

      Reply
    29. Selene Galindo says

      January 31, 2013 at 4:46 pm

      Wow!!! What an amazing difference painting them made!! I've actually been comtemplating painting mine too! I just have to convince the hubby..haha!
      Selene from restorationbeauty.com

      Reply
    30. Gwen says

      February 01, 2013 at 3:06 am

      Dang, girl. That's awesome.

      Reply
    31. [email protected] says

      February 02, 2013 at 2:31 am

      Wow!! It's so light and airy! I can't believe the countertops are painted!! They look amazing! Beautiful makeover!

      Reply
    32. Nicole says

      February 02, 2013 at 11:41 am

      Your counters look fabulous! I used Giani Granite once. For the most part they held up well, but there were several areas of chipping that had to be retouched every couple months, and it stains easily. I have 4 children so many things were spilled on our counters. I think they finishing top coat was to blame for our problems. Good luck with yours!

      Reply
    33. [email protected] says

      February 02, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Wow! It looks so nice! Great job!

      Reply
    34. Jenna says

      February 03, 2013 at 2:15 am

      Looks great! Can't believe you can get that out of a kit!

      Jenna @ rainonatinroof.com

      Reply
    35. Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says

      February 06, 2013 at 1:27 am

      those look amazing! and the kitchen itself looks pretty amazing itself!

      Reply
    36. Bonnie @ Uncommon says

      February 06, 2013 at 1:49 pm

      Wow they look great Jessica!! What a gorgeous transformation!!

      Reply
    37. Nancy says

      February 06, 2013 at 4:00 pm

      Oh my gosh! What a super transformation! You should be proud! And all with paint.....neat products, and neat show and tell.
      Love it.
      Nancy
      come for a visit, http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

      Reply
    38. [email protected] HOMESPUN says

      February 07, 2013 at 12:18 am

      LOL it's lovely but I am laughing because alot of women in the world would have thought your kitchen was a dream either way :)

      Reply
    39. Betsy @ Anna Nimmity says

      February 08, 2013 at 12:46 am

      Wow! They look amazing! I might need to try this myself.

      Reply
    40. Debbie reFresh says

      February 08, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      I love all the changes! I love the cottage look, you did a great job!
      Debbie

      Reply
    41. Jana says

      February 12, 2013 at 9:44 am

      Wow, your counter tops look amazing! I just went to the Giani site and see that you can also use the product over tile, which is what we have. I've been thinking and looking at what we are going to do in our kitchen. It's time for an up-date. Will have to show the site to my hubby to see if this may be an option for us.

      Reply
    42. vel says

      May 07, 2013 at 12:32 pm

      Amazing work Jessica! you are a genius! I'm lucky to have you for a mentor on Hometalk!

      Reply
    43. Orlando Paint Contractor says

      July 16, 2013 at 5:19 pm

      Jessica - Stunning transformation in the kitchen! Love the look of the countertops and thanks for sharing the tips and suggestions. Pictures are great too. Terrific post & project!

      Reply
    44. Orlando Paint Contractor says

      July 16, 2013 at 5:19 pm

      Jessica - Stunning transformation in the kitchen! Love the look of the countertops and thanks for sharing the tips and suggestions. Pictures are great too. Terrific post & project!

      Reply
    45. Kathy says

      September 10, 2013 at 5:01 pm

      Wow! What an amazing transformation!! I did this on my bathroom counter tops and it came out great! I loved the look so much, I wanted to try it on my businesses' office building.... I found this product Spray Stone USA (used for larger applications such as on the outside of buildings, ect) and it came out beautifully - it really looks like granite! Anyway, your kitchen looks great!

      Reply
    46. Lorel says

      January 29, 2014 at 11:06 am

      I would LOVE to know how well these counter tops have held up for you. I'm thinking I'll try to tackle this next month. Let me know!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        January 29, 2014 at 12:52 pm

        Hi, Lorel! They have been great. I think I could have put another coat of their poly on for a little more protection. I did get a scratch in one place and fixed it easily. Hope this helps! xo Jessica

        Reply
    47. linda kelley says

      August 06, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      I love what you did to the counter tops! I am getting ready to purchase. I went to your fellow bloggers page and seen what she had done. Question....yours is so much lighter....what did you start as the base?

      Reply
    48. Barb says

      August 21, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      How did you do grantic look @ with which colors

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Open Cabinets With White, Aqua, Lime Green, & Silver Accents, Plus Some Huge News! - Mom 4 Real says:
      at

      [...] countertops…yep, you read right…my countertops have been painted to look like granite. Click here to see them. So now for my news…can you guess? I am over the moon, because I am going to be [...]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    I’m Jessica, a mom on a mission to show other women that you can live well without breaking the bank. I like to share the thrifty, creative ways that I make changes in my home in the hopes that it will spark the creativity in someone else! I love to share DIY projects, crafts, simple recipes and cleaning tips too! Read More…

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress