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Sunday, November 24, 2013

DIY Painted Backsplash {Tutorial}

I couldn't decide what kind of backsplash I wanted to do in the kitchen, so I decided to do a painted backsplash for now.  It was super-cheap and adds some character until I figure out what I want to do permanently.  Here's how it turned out:




 I got the color inspiration from this tile backsplash on Houzz.com and the design inspiration from this HGTV magazine cover:


Here's what I used:

- 1.5 rolls of Frog Tape (this stuff is the best for painting clean lines).
-Ruler
-Pencil
-Samples of paint (I used Martha Stewart Opal for the "grout lines")
-Paint brushes

First I sketched out on a piece of paper the size "tiles" I wanted.  Then I added my measurements to a paint stirrer so I didn't have to keep measuring every time, then I made tiny pencil marks on the wall where the "grout lines" should go.

I marked the horizontal lines first, then taped, then painted:

Then I marked, taped and painted the diagonal lines in one direction first, then the other.  I let it dry for at least a day between tapings. 

It was a bit tricky getting to the spots in the very corner...


After I did all of the "grout lines", I taped off some random "tiles" to add my colors:



And here are some photos of our finished (for now) kitchen with the new snazzy backsplash!


I'm not gonna lie, this project was rather time-consuming.  It was probably about 8 hours worth of work, but since I had to wait a long time between coats/steps and I don't have all that much free time on my hands, it took several weeks to complete.  BUT, it was super-cheap... $30 total!  I love how it cheers up the kitchen and adds some more "pops" of color. 

Is anyone else doing a new backsplash?  We picked up several tile samples but I could not make up my mind, so we went with this temporary fix.  I'd love to see what you guys are doing!
**I am linking up at these great blogs... go check them out!**

This project was featured on House of Rose and One Project Closer.... woohoo!

32 comments:

  1. I never would have thought to paint on a backsplash... great idea and it turned out great! Oh and you have way more patience than me! I probably would have thrown in the towel before everything was taped up. In fact, I'm *still* trying to make myself work on the finishing part of the faux mantel bookshelf that we built a couple of months ago. I still need to put two coats of clear coat on it and sand it twice... and December is right around the corner. Eek!

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    1. There were definitely times when I wanted to throw in the towel! Just doing it a little at a time made it easier. I could tape a few lines while waiting for dinner to cook.

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  2. so glad you posted this!! i saw this in the magazine too and wasn't sure if i wanted to go temp or perm and of course decisions overwhelm me so lol i did neither. but this looks GREAT it caught my eye when you posted about ur family room finish. looks wonderful!

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  3. Im tired just looking at the pics! LOL..How cool! You're crazy! We are painting our rooms NOW and I type and I cant imagine doing THAT, its amazing!

    Yes we also want to do a backsplash, we had one in our old house and its easy, since you and I are real good at DIY. But I just cant decide either.

    I really want subway tile, but the hang over into the morning room leaves a small space above the sink and two tiles would NOT fit, hubby says we can "take off" the granite backsplash which a regret letting them install. I remember the day I caught them doing it and I said NO, stop. But hubby said no go ahead and install, now we are limited I think, but he says he can just rip it out, somehow its never quite that easy.

    I used to get tons of samples from stores and line them up on the wall with tape to get the full effect and return what I didnt want. It was a pain in the butt, but what's worse, hating your backsplash?

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  4. I love this! You are so good at DIY! You have given me an idea for a backsplash and now, if you don't like it, you can just paint over it. Also, how did you add the "pin it" feature to your blog?

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    1. Danielle - this blog has really good directions on how to add the pin it button: http://www.codeitpretty.com/2012/04/add-pin-it-buttons-to-your-blogger.html. I know nothing about coding, but she spells everything out so even I could follow it.

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  5. YOU ROCK, *colette* I think once I begin my interior design course for the next semester I may be inspired to do some DIY projects myself instead of hiring someone to do everything. I just don't have the patience; however, I want to learn some basic things. In the meantime, I just love love putting the entire room together and creating the perfect space. I am renovating our basement to include a laundry room and media room and sauna. Can't wait. We start on January 6 with the contractor. YAY! YOU ARE JUST AMAZING AND LOVE YOUR ENGINERING TALENTS. I LOVE HOW YOU STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR PROJECTS.

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    1. OMG Nadase - you need to have us all over to see your house someday... a sauna?!?! That's amazing. I love the ideas you come up with! I have been dying to take some interior design courses too, but I just don't have the time right now... hopefully soon!

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  6. Nice work there Collete!

    have a related but unrelated question for you. Hope it's ok to reach out and pick your brain a little bit.

    saw you talking a year or so ago about your build on here. thought I'd trying to connect with you because i'm doing research for a blog I'm launching to help owner house builders go from concept to completion.

    was just curious; back then, what’s the one thing you guys wish you’d known during the financing phase of your project?

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  7. WOW looks so amazing and i love the added touches of color!! thanks for linking up!

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    1. Thank you and thanks for hosting!

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    2. Featuring tomorrow morning at Creativity Unleashed link party at One Project Closer! :)

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  8. I absolutely LOVE this! What a fun way to add some color inexpensively!!! Pinning for sure, and thanks so much for sharing this at Creativity Unleashed!

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    1. Thank for stopping by and thanks for pinning :).

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  9. This is unique and fun and adds some an unexpected touch to the kitchen...Love it!

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  10. such a cute backsplash! I'm always looking for unique ideas for the home and this is definitely one of them. I could also see this in the laundry room or a fun bathroom. Thanks for sharing!

    Sandra
    www.notesfromtheslife.com

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    1. Thanks Sandra! You are totally right... something like this would be great for a laundry room... I think I may just have to do that whenever we get around to doing our laundry room!

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  11. Great pop of color! You have a lot of patience. :)

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  12. Colette,
    Wow! I'm impressed. I'm actually an engineer by trade too, but this is making my head hurt. You must be so patient and meticulous! But I love how it turned out. The colors are great too.
    Lora @ Craftivity Designs

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  13. OMG! At first, I thought you had painted random tiles then upon further reading, I found you painted the entire thing! It looks FABULOUS!! I love the color pops! GREAT JOB!

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    1. Haha, thanks Cher-Ann... it was a labor of love :).

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  14. That is beautiful! I think the pops of color just make it! I have done a faux tile back splash in the past so I can appreciate the HOURS it took to do this. Great job! #SITSblogging

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  15. OMG this is beautiful. I plan on starting this next month. I was actually going to spend the money on the tiles to get a design similar to this, but after some quick math, I realized i would be $600 "poorer." I hope you don't mind that I am stealing your design, but I am doing pops of red with browns and beige. Your blog is awesome. New follower here!!

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    1. Thanks for the kind words and thanks for following! Steal away! I would love to see your back splash when you are finished! I have been thinking about adding some sort of protective sealer since I finished this, but I haven't done it yet. So far I've been able to wipe it down with no issues, but I'm sure a sealer would help. Let me know if you find a good product.

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  16. Stealing this design, but adding browns and beige with pops of red. Would you recommend painting over the design with some sort of protective sealant?

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    1. I actually wanted to do that, but really had no idea what product to use so I just left it as is and it's held up pretty well so far.

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  17. I really wanted to try this pattern out! What is the thickness of the lines/spacing for the horizontal ones etc... I tried recreating but I couldn't get the measurements correct specially for the side ways one! Please help!

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I am so thrilled that you stopped by and I loooove comments! Leave me some love and I will respond shortly. Peace and love – Colette.