I think I like this little life 🥰 Changing care I think I like this little life 🥰 Changing careers can be challenging but I’ve never felt more free, at peace, and so happy! 
I know that everything I’ve done so far in my life has led me to this moment. How lucky am I to be able to follow not one, but two passions in my lifetime? 
I’ve worked so hard to become a nurse so walking away from it (even if it’s just for a while) was not easy. But I’m so glad I’m pursing my love for design, helping people (in a different way), and creating content that inspires you. 
Stick around as I navigate the new life of entrepreneurship and share fun projects that are in the works 😉🤎 
#diy #interiordesign #diyprojects #diyer #contentcreator
Can’t lighten the wood on your furniture? Use th Can’t lighten the wood on your furniture? Use this technique to create a faux wood grain without the hassle of sanding or possibly damaging any veneer wood. 
Here’s how to achieve the look: 
-Clean your furniture piece (IMPORTANT STEP!!) 
-Repair any damaged veneer with wood filler 
-Lightly sand all surfaces and wood filler once dried 
-Clean well with cheesecloth to get rid of any sanding dust 
-Paint with chalk paint. (I had a sample of SW mixed with @bbfrosch paint transformer already on hand) 
-Once paint is dried and coverage looks good (I applied 2 coats of paint) apply @rustoleum Decorative Glaze 
-Apply the glaze with a soft brush first, then immediately after sweep with a brush that has harder bristles (I used a deck brush) 
-Make sure to do long light brushstrokes and wipe the brush with a rag in between strokes until you get your desired look. 
-Once the glaze is dried, seal with a polycrylic. I sprayed the dresser with Minwax polycrylic in a gloss finish 
It’s hard to tell the dresser was painted! The lines created in the glaze look amazing and truly mimic wood grains. Give this a try and let me know how it goes! 
#refinishedfurniture #furnituremakeover #paintedfurniture #furniture #dressermakeover #frenchprovincial #frenchprovincialstyle #frenchprovincialfurniture
It was finally time for the ghosts to become Chris It was finally time for the ghosts to become Christmas trees! Since making my own trees two years ago here’s what I’ve learned. 
-wrapping the trunk with brown floral tape makes it look better 
-instead of pre drilling in random places, drilling around in sections makes it easier to insert stems 
-using different size bits to drill your holes to make sure your stems are nice and snug 
These were so much easier to make and I love how I can choose any bunches/stems to create unique trees. 
#diychristmastree #diychristmasdecor #christmastree #christmasdecor #minichristmastree #christmasdecorideas
This dresser that was given to me by my lovely cou This dresser that was given to me by my lovely cousin @wendelyniashai has been sitting in my garage for a few months. But I believe it was just waiting for the right time and right home. 
When I saw that @helpherhomeri needed furniture to furnish and decorate a shelter for women of domestic violence and their children I knew this dresser would be perfect! 
I reached out and the measurements were just what they were looking for! 
Initially the plan was to just purchase hardware and clean up the dresser to donate. After some thought I knew I couldn’t donate the dresser as is. 
I decided to give it a makeover because I believe everyone deserves a safe and beautiful place to call home. 
If you are able, I encourage all of you to reach out to any local organizations doing amazing things for people and see how you can help ❤️
#refinishedfurniture #refinisheddresser #furnituremakeover #furniture #furniturerestoration #frenchprovincial #furniturestills #frenchprovincialfurniture
I’ll forever love making my own Christmas trees I’ll forever love making my own Christmas trees 🌲 
#diychristmastree #diychristmasdecor #christmasdecor #christmastree #porchdecor
Turning coffee grounds into holiday magic with the Turning coffee grounds into holiday magic with these DIY ornaments ✨🎄 
I love how these turned out! I’ve been recycling my old clear ornaments this week and this one is my favorite! 
Here’s how to make your own: 
-Mix Mod Podge with a couple teaspoons of coffee grounds 
-Stir well until you get the color you desire (you can always add more Mod Podge if it’s too thick or dark) 
-Remove cap from ornament and pour in your mixture 
-Move around to cover the entire inside and place upside down over a cup to let excess drip out 
-Leave overnight to dry 
-(optional) Add Rub n’ Buff to cap and place back on ornament
-Hang and enjoy! 
#diyornaments #treedecorating #diychristmasdecor #christmasdecor
✨GIVEAWAY CLOSED🌲✨ I’ve teamed up with @l ✨GIVEAWAY CLOSED🌲✨ I’ve teamed up with @lynchcreekfarm to give away a beautiful fresh wreath just in time for the holidays! This wreath smells amazing and will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit! 
How to enter:
🌲Like this reel and comment ‘WREATH’
🌲Follow @lynchcreekfarm and @paintingbythepenny 
🎄Bonus entry: tag a friend for an extra entry (each separate comment is an additional entry) 
Giveaway ends on November 29th at 11:59 EST! 
Available to win in the U.S only. This giveaway is not associated with Instagram.
I was sad to see the fall decor go so I used it as I was sad to see the fall decor go so I used it as inspiration and I’m holding onto the grapevine wreaths a little longer! 
We were able to easily transition from fall to Christmas decor by switching out the pumpkins for Christmas garlands and bundles. 
I’m having a hard time deciding which one I love more, last year’s garland arch or these year’s wreaths? Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite! 
And keep an eye out on my stories as I add more decor to the porch this week! 
#porchdecor #christmasdecor #christmasporch #christmasdecorations #christmaswreath #frontporch
Spent part of the day today decorating the front p Spent part of the day today decorating the front porch for Christmas! Last year this arch was EVERY👏🏽THING!!! 
This year we’re doing an easy transition from fall to Christmas decor. Catch part of the process on my stories! 
Stay tuned for the final look! I’m having a hard time deciding which one I love the most! 
#christmasporch #porchdecor #frontporchdecor #christmasdecor #outdoorchristmasdecor #holidaydecor #christmasdecorideas
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Painting by the Penny

DIY & Interior Design

DIY Projects, Interior Design · February 23, 2022

How To Stain Butcher Block Countertops

When we remodeled this unit in our rental property, we wanted to add more counter space and cabinets. The countertop that was already there was still in pretty good condition and we were going to keep it. I couldn’t find the same countertop and finding a pretty close match was difficult. Butcher block was the best option.

Butcher block is pretty inexpensive and can be stained any color you’d like. Adding butcher block as a countertop is one of my Tips For Remodeling A Kitchen On A Budget. I wanted to stain the butcher block so that it complimented the original countertops that were going to stay.

Here’s how to stain butcher block countertops to give it a light and fresh look.

UPDATED 9/23/22

Kitchen with butcher block countertop

This was the space around the stove before we added cabinets and the butch block countertop.

Below is the other side of the kitchen that has the original countertops we are keeping.

What you’ll need:

  • Butcher Block
  • 180grit sanding sponge
  • 220 grit sanding sponge
  • Tack Cloth
  • Rag
  • Minwax Semi-Transparent Stain-Tinsmith Gray
  • Foam Brush
  • Waterlox Original Premium Wood Finish

Purchase your butcher block

We only needed a small amount of butcher block for this project. We ended up purchasing the Baltic Butcher block at Lowes Home Improvement. We purchased the 4ft one and it was plenty for what we needed.

Butcher block wrapped in original packaging

Sand with a sanding sponge or orbital sander

With a 180 grit sanding sponge, sand the top and sides of the butcher block then go over it with a 220 grit. This will smooth it out before you apply your stain.

I was working with a smaller surface so I just used a sanding sponge, but you can use an orbital sander instead of sanding by hand if you’d like.

Once the surface was nice and smooth, be sure to clean all the sanding dust well with a tack cloth or vacuum.

Stain your butcher block

Like I mentioned before, I wanted the butcher block to compliment the existing countertops so I used Minwax Semi-Transparent Color Satin in the color Tinsmith Gray. This stain is REALLY thick, its like paint. It can be tricky to apply. I found that removing the excess stain immediately after applying helped. It tends to get gunky if you leave it on too long.

Using a foam brush (you can also use a bristle brush), apply your stain in one long stroke then remove the excess with a rag. Repeat this step working in small areas. Don’t apply your stain to the entire surface and then go back to remove the excess like you would if you were applying an oil based stain. Be sure to remove it right away.

Minwax recommends applying a wood conditioner before stain but because butcher block is a hard wood and this stain was so thick, I skipped that step.

Wood conditioner is great to use on soft wood. It penetrates the wood grain so that when you apply your stain it goes on evenly and more uniform. This avoids your stain from looking blotchy.

Can of Minwax stain

Allow the stain to dry for at least an hour. Whenever you are applying stain make sure your work environment is a good temperature. Really low or high temperatures as well as humidity can affect dry time. You may have to wait longer for the stain to dry.

I applied two coats of the Minwax stain. You can apply as many coats as you’d like. Sand lightly with a 220 grit sanding sponge in between coats and also after the last coat to smooth the surface.

I love that it looks whitewashed with a gray undertone. This is the exact look I was going for.

Close up of stained butcher block

Seal your stain

To seal and protect the stain I used Waterlox Original in a satin finish. Waterlox is waterproof, non-toxic and food safe which is why I chose to use it since its in a kitchen.

If I were to use the butcher block for shelves or anywhere else that doesn’t pertain to prepping food I would seal the stain with a water based polycryclic.

Can of sealant on top of stained butcher block

Apply three coats of Waterlox using a foam or bristle brush (I used a foam brush). The sealant initially darkens the finish just a bit but then dries clear.

Waterlox takes 24 hours to dry so I waited a full day before applying another coat. This is a three day process. Once completely dried and finished, you can carefully use your countertops but it fully cures in 30-90 days.

Unlike water based polycrylic, sanding between coats is not necessary for adhesion. You can sand between coats for aesthetic reasons. I sanded in between coats with a 220grit sanding sponge to make sure it was nice and smooth.

Close up image of stained butcher block countertop with fresh coat of sealant

I absolutely love how it turned out. It’s light and isn’t like many of the butcher block countertops that are stained and look yellow or are stained dark.

Kitchen with stained butcher block countertop on wither side of stove
Close up image of stained and sealed butcher block countertop

Update: After several months the Waterlox did yellow a little, below is an updated photo, but its still holding up well.

Here is the complete kitchen with the butcher block on one side and the original countertops on the other.

Kitchen with stained butcher block countertop

We also painted the original and new cabinets to match!

I can’t wait to start another project where I can use butcher block. I’m going to stick with this stain look! This light stained butcher block isn’t just great for a kitchen but could also be used as a desk or in a closet.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Related

In: DIY Projects, Interior Design

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Comments

  1. Bond Corp says

    March 2, 2022 at 2:11 am

    Such an informative blog! All the information provided by you is really very helpful. I agreed that tack cloth is the best cleaning tool than any other, it is really helpful for removing tiny dust particles over any surfaces. A good tack cloth makes your work easier. Everyone should follow the tips provided by you. thank you for sharing! Keep posting!

    Reply
  2. Kate says

    February 3, 2023 at 11:50 am

    Hello,
    Thanks for the helpful blog. We have waterlox but found the finish is too yellow so wanted to try something like this.

    My question is, how is it holding up to every day water and kitchen messes? Any spots or staining? We will do the whole kitchen and are not the tidyiest people with a baby so dishes get done every other day sort of thing. Should we go with your method or polyurethane is my current debate.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Joanna says

      February 3, 2023 at 7:15 pm

      Hi Kate! So I debated on the finish but ultimately went with something that is food safe. They are holding up great but they have yellowed over time. If you are not planning on preparing foods on the countertop I would do a polycrylic which is water based. There are other options like oils or Watco which is an oil and stain but I don’t know much about it yet.

      Reply

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Easy DIY Valentine Wreath

About me

Hi! I’m Joanna, a Latina who is passionate about making homes beautiful through furniture, design and DIY! Follow along as I share all my tips and tricks and the behind the scenes. I hope to inspire you as much as you all inspire me!

Instagram

Follow @Paintingbythepenny

I think I like this little life 🥰 Changing care I think I like this little life 🥰 Changing careers can be challenging but I’ve never felt more free, at peace, and so happy! 
I know that everything I’ve done so far in my life has led me to this moment. How lucky am I to be able to follow not one, but two passions in my lifetime? 
I’ve worked so hard to become a nurse so walking away from it (even if it’s just for a while) was not easy. But I’m so glad I’m pursing my love for design, helping people (in a different way), and creating content that inspires you. 
Stick around as I navigate the new life of entrepreneurship and share fun projects that are in the works 😉🤎 
#diy #interiordesign #diyprojects #diyer #contentcreator
Can’t lighten the wood on your furniture? Use th Can’t lighten the wood on your furniture? Use this technique to create a faux wood grain without the hassle of sanding or possibly damaging any veneer wood. 
Here’s how to achieve the look: 
-Clean your furniture piece (IMPORTANT STEP!!) 
-Repair any damaged veneer with wood filler 
-Lightly sand all surfaces and wood filler once dried 
-Clean well with cheesecloth to get rid of any sanding dust 
-Paint with chalk paint. (I had a sample of SW mixed with @bbfrosch paint transformer already on hand) 
-Once paint is dried and coverage looks good (I applied 2 coats of paint) apply @rustoleum Decorative Glaze 
-Apply the glaze with a soft brush first, then immediately after sweep with a brush that has harder bristles (I used a deck brush) 
-Make sure to do long light brushstrokes and wipe the brush with a rag in between strokes until you get your desired look. 
-Once the glaze is dried, seal with a polycrylic. I sprayed the dresser with Minwax polycrylic in a gloss finish 
It’s hard to tell the dresser was painted! The lines created in the glaze look amazing and truly mimic wood grains. Give this a try and let me know how it goes! 
#refinishedfurniture #furnituremakeover #paintedfurniture #furniture #dressermakeover #frenchprovincial #frenchprovincialstyle #frenchprovincialfurniture
It was finally time for the ghosts to become Chris It was finally time for the ghosts to become Christmas trees! Since making my own trees two years ago here’s what I’ve learned. 
-wrapping the trunk with brown floral tape makes it look better 
-instead of pre drilling in random places, drilling around in sections makes it easier to insert stems 
-using different size bits to drill your holes to make sure your stems are nice and snug 
These were so much easier to make and I love how I can choose any bunches/stems to create unique trees. 
#diychristmastree #diychristmasdecor #christmastree #christmasdecor #minichristmastree #christmasdecorideas
This dresser that was given to me by my lovely cou This dresser that was given to me by my lovely cousin @wendelyniashai has been sitting in my garage for a few months. But I believe it was just waiting for the right time and right home. 
When I saw that @helpherhomeri needed furniture to furnish and decorate a shelter for women of domestic violence and their children I knew this dresser would be perfect! 
I reached out and the measurements were just what they were looking for! 
Initially the plan was to just purchase hardware and clean up the dresser to donate. After some thought I knew I couldn’t donate the dresser as is. 
I decided to give it a makeover because I believe everyone deserves a safe and beautiful place to call home. 
If you are able, I encourage all of you to reach out to any local organizations doing amazing things for people and see how you can help ❤️
#refinishedfurniture #refinisheddresser #furnituremakeover #furniture #furniturerestoration #frenchprovincial #furniturestills #frenchprovincialfurniture
I’ll forever love making my own Christmas trees I’ll forever love making my own Christmas trees 🌲 
#diychristmastree #diychristmasdecor #christmasdecor #christmastree #porchdecor
Turning coffee grounds into holiday magic with the Turning coffee grounds into holiday magic with these DIY ornaments ✨🎄 
I love how these turned out! I’ve been recycling my old clear ornaments this week and this one is my favorite! 
Here’s how to make your own: 
-Mix Mod Podge with a couple teaspoons of coffee grounds 
-Stir well until you get the color you desire (you can always add more Mod Podge if it’s too thick or dark) 
-Remove cap from ornament and pour in your mixture 
-Move around to cover the entire inside and place upside down over a cup to let excess drip out 
-Leave overnight to dry 
-(optional) Add Rub n’ Buff to cap and place back on ornament
-Hang and enjoy! 
#diyornaments #treedecorating #diychristmasdecor #christmasdecor
✨GIVEAWAY CLOSED🌲✨ I’ve teamed up with @l ✨GIVEAWAY CLOSED🌲✨ I’ve teamed up with @lynchcreekfarm to give away a beautiful fresh wreath just in time for the holidays! This wreath smells amazing and will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit! 
How to enter:
🌲Like this reel and comment ‘WREATH’
🌲Follow @lynchcreekfarm and @paintingbythepenny 
🎄Bonus entry: tag a friend for an extra entry (each separate comment is an additional entry) 
Giveaway ends on November 29th at 11:59 EST! 
Available to win in the U.S only. This giveaway is not associated with Instagram.
I was sad to see the fall decor go so I used it as I was sad to see the fall decor go so I used it as inspiration and I’m holding onto the grapevine wreaths a little longer! 
We were able to easily transition from fall to Christmas decor by switching out the pumpkins for Christmas garlands and bundles. 
I’m having a hard time deciding which one I love more, last year’s garland arch or these year’s wreaths? Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite! 
And keep an eye out on my stories as I add more decor to the porch this week! 
#porchdecor #christmasdecor #christmasporch #christmasdecorations #christmaswreath #frontporch
Spent part of the day today decorating the front p Spent part of the day today decorating the front porch for Christmas! Last year this arch was EVERY👏🏽THING!!! 
This year we’re doing an easy transition from fall to Christmas decor. Catch part of the process on my stories! 
Stay tuned for the final look! I’m having a hard time deciding which one I love the most! 
#christmasporch #porchdecor #frontporchdecor #christmasdecor #outdoorchristmasdecor #holidaydecor #christmasdecorideas
From gifts for kids to experiences Paintingbythepe From gifts for kids to experiences Paintingbythepenny.com has all the gift guides you’ll need to help you this holiday season. Did you catch the last gift guide? 🤑😆
Happy shopping and remember spending time with your loved ones is really what matters the most ❤️
#holidaygiftguide #giftideas #holidayshopping #giftguide #holidaygifts
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