When an idea is worth the risk
Welcome to this months Thrifty Style! I hope to inspire you with a few thrifty and budget friendly DIY projects that I have done around Duke Manor Farm and share when an idea is worth the risk.
When an idea is worth the risk
Duke Manor Farm was built about 17 years ago. You can read more about the history of my home’s design here. Back then my home was all the rage with it’s faux finishes, and gold and red walls….and I loved it.
As the years passed my style and design decisions changed… and I started to have kids. You know what that does to any extra cash in your pocket. I don’t know about you but kids really make you reevaluate the budget for projects and what you want to spend money on. Replacing my kitchen backsplash was not something that I wanted to spend money on but I desperately wanted to change the look of. It was tumbled stone originally. So I got creative one day and put a dark stain on it ( the tile was a porous material so it adhered) and was even more desperate looking at the results. Here’s my kitchen before I painted the backsplash and cabinets.
And after I made those changes along with painting the cabinets, changing hardware and fresh flowers 🙂 If you are looking for ways to update your older kitchen you may want to read this post where I share 5 things that I did in my kitchen.
Use paint as an alternative on your backsplash
So I got more creative with another solution, since spending money on the backsplash was not an option and I painted it. I used a semi gloss finish in white and totally transformed the look of the tile. You can see when I originally shared this project here a few years ago.
Here’s a view images of how I got from the natural stone color to the white.
I am happy to say that four years later my risk to transform the backsplash has not been in vain. I use household cleaning products on it often or as needed and have not had one problem with having to touch up the backsplash. It’s worked so well in my kitchen that I have deferred my decision to rip it out and do something different…..besides, the kids have spent all my money 😜 What home improvement risks have you taken lately?
To see more of my thrifty style ideas click here
Let’s see what the other fabulous Thrifty Style Team designers have created!
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- DIY Rose Wedding Bouquet by Redhead Can Decorate
- 7 Thrifty Fall Decor Ideas by 2 Bees in a Pod
- DIY Trophy Bookends by Salvage Sister and Mister
- Snap Bag Simple Tutorial for Makeup Brushes and More by Hearth and Vine
- Plain Wood Crates, Stained & Lettered by Bliss Ranch
- Repurposed Drawers for Storage and Display by DIY Beautify
- Shabby Chic Farmhouse Hutch Makeover by The How to Home
- French Lavender Linen Spray by I Should be Mopping the Floor
- Cheap No Sew Curtain for the RV by Chatfield Court
- DIY Boxwood Wreath by Creekline House
- Updated Painted Metal Lanterns by Cottage at the Crossroads
- Thrifty String Art Made With Embroidery Hoops by Meegan Makes
Well I completely know a thing or two about having kids and any given year not having money! When we built this house we had four kids and added two (we added two at each house we built so we didn’t move again!). The good news is that I was already designing with kids in mind, the bad news was I wasn’t a very good designer. My tastes changed as well, so fast in fact we tore out brand new counter top I chose while pregnant, I still hate that waste but it was the right thing to do, I learned I should not pick out things while expecting. We cut corners maybe in places we should not have as well, and now here we are 25 years later talking about updating those places while some of the offspring still have one hand on our wallet. Your backsplash looks great, to heck that it was a frugal necessity, it just looks intentional. (Longest comment I’ve ever left).
I love it Laura and I think it’s a great idea. Not only did it save money. It saved you from dealing with a mess.
I did this in our old house. Our tile screamed 1995 with border tile which was all the rage. I’m not talking pretty like today. Flowers were the norm. It’s like the 80’s with our hair. What were we doing? Aging myself here.
Cindy
My entire house is a giant home improvement risk. 😉 When I first bought my house the kitchen had (and still has) a brick backsplash. I thought heck no and whitewashed it. All of these years later, it’s held up and I am so glad I did it. Yours looks beautiful! Mine looks so so.
Huh, painted backsplash. Why not? It does look great and I’m glad to hear that it has held up well. Our backsplash is still nice enough to keep but one day I’m sure I’ll get sick of it or maybe we’ll move and I’m definitely keeping this gem of an idea in my back pocket.
Love your kitchen, it looks amazing. The backsplash is perfect.
I love hearing your stories, Laura! Your house is AMAZING. XO
thanks so much Julie!
I am so impressed with your after kitchen! It looks so lovely and calm, compared to the orange-look cabinets! I love it when homeowners have a great kitchen layout and sturdywood cabinets that they opt to repaint instead of ripping it all out and starting again! I had orange oak panel cabinets that the original homeowner had built himself…needless to say we did remove the old cabinets and started over, but I did use them for 20 years!
thanks Dianne!
I think that there are so many people who would love to paint their backsplash! Hope they find your post so that they realize how easy and enduring it is.
thanks Jane….no pain, no gain 🙂
What a beautiful decision and amazing transformation! You did a beautiful job.
It is incredible how little people can cost so much $$$? (hehehe)
thank you Meegan!