Easy Mini-Makeover with Paint {and a GREAT contest!}

I re-painted the kitchen last weekend {and into the first part of the week...our kitchen is 90% cut-in, 10% roll-on: it's a bit time-consuming to paint}. I had the pleasure of using Dutch Boy's new Refresh line of paint in the color Boulder Neutral {satin finish}.

Dutch Boy is currently giving YOU a chance to win a $5,000 makeover from HGTV's Lisa LaPorta in their Restore My Décor sweepstakes! {Details at the end of this post}

This is our before {it's also before I made my cafe curtains that are over my sink window as well as before we did our kitchen island transformation}. I'm not sure what I was thinking with this yellow...but it's been four years since I made that choice, so we'll go with the fact that it was way awesome back then {I guess}.

My goodies from Dutch Boy! I also received several products from Purdy to review as well. I'll be telling you all about them {along with yet another great contest} in the days to come.

Refresh Paint: Adds Beauty. Reduces Household Odors.  The first and only paint with Arm & Hammer® odor eliminating technology that beautifies and reduces odors at the same time. What more do you need in a paint...it's got it all!

Key Features of this AmAzInG Paint:

• Exceptional hide and durability
• Gives mildew-resistant coating
• Zero VOC† / Greenguard® Indoor Air Quality Certified 
• Limited Lifetime Warranty 
• Also available in Ceiling Paint to maximize odor reducing performance when used with Refresh®

It was a GREAT paint to work with. Much creamier and smoother than most. It had superb coverage and I only needed ONE coat {that was a bit mind-blowing to me}.

Before painting, I thoroughly prep {I feel like the key to a good paint job is a great prep job}. I like to clean all the surfaces that will be taped up.

I tape. And then I smooth...and smooth some more. I can't handle leaky paint tape.

I also spackle any holes or imperfections. I can't stand our over-textured walls. Bleh. They've been a pain in my neck for five years now. Hate.

I also keep all of my plate covers in one spot. I used to try to put each one close to the outlet it came from...but that just gets crazy. One spot. Much easier to find when replacing.

It was crazy, messy madness. But way fun.

Before painting, I primed the whole room. Here I am on top of the refrigerator trying to prime that weird space over the pantry. Weird angles everywhere in this room.

Before rolling, I cut in everything that needs cutting in. I always do the cut in first. I've seen people get so sick of painting that they roll everything out...and then give up saying they'll "get to the cut-in later". Let's face it, cutting in is no fun. At all. But it's a necessary evil that must be dealt with. And doing it first ensures it will get done. Then on to rolling...which is fun, in my opinion. :)

After your paint is dry {and you've touched up any missed spots}, pull off your tape and enjoy!

I'm loving the new color. I think it will look even more awesome once I get those cabinets painted white!

And this paint is every bit as good as it claims. We do low carb...and seem to always be cooking bacon {although I recently learned the trick of cooking it on the side burner of my backyard gas grill}. But since using this paint, I never smell that bacon-y junk all day long like I used to. Love that.

Soooo much better than the yellow. I was looking for a good greige-color to neutralize the walls so all of my color can be brought into the space in other ways. And once that awful orange-y, builder-grade cabinet color is white, I think the color will be even more fabulous!

 I think I put the table back too far to the left...haha! Nothing seems to line up here.

And I love how the island pops against the more neutral backdrop. 

 Good stuff. 

Let's not forget the awesome contest that Dutch Boy is running! The Restore My Décor sweepstakes gives you a chance to win by submitting a “tired” and “boring” room you want to makeover to www.restoremydecor.com. The grand prize winner receives a $5,000 room makeover by TV Design star, Lisa LaPorta.

Happy Painting!

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