I’m still swooning over this bathroom 😍. Espe I’m still swooning over this bathroom 😍. Especially the floors! 
Head over to Paintingbythepenny.com for a step by step guide on how to paint a harlequin floor pattern, the products we used, how to achieve a crisp paint line, and the mistake I made during the process 🫠. 
#paintedfloors #harlequinfloors #floorpaint #newblogpost #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodel #vintagebathroom
Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover ✨ •Painted t Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover ✨
•Painted the walls using left over paint (Color Sherwin Williams Greek Villa) 
•Painted the floors using Rust-oleum Home Floor Coating 
•Upgraded curtain rod, towel bar and toilet paper holder 
•Replaced vanity knob & pull
•Sanded & installed shelves higher 
•Purchased and thrifted items on shelves 
•Purchased accent table & cut it to size 
•Purchased new rug and shower curtain 
•Hung a new plant baby to bring it all together 🪴
Sometimes all you need is to upgrade some of the small items, paint and thrift some decorative pieces and you have yourself a brand new bathroom! 
#bathroommakeover #budgetfriendlymakeover #bathroomdesign #bathroomdecor #paintedfloors #bathroomideas #bathroominspiration
This bathroom has been through a couple different This bathroom has been through a couple different changes. Mainly wall colors and if I knew how good the floors would have looked painted too, I would have done it a long time ago! 
I painted the floors using Rust-oleum Home Floor Coating and it has completely transformed the look of this bathroom! 
#bathroomdesign #bathroomupgrade #vintagebathroom #paintedfloors #harlequinfloors #bathroom 
#bathroomremodel
Which room is your favorite? I really can’t deci Which room is your favorite? I really can’t decide between bedroom 2, the Kitchen, breakfast nook or Living room. 
Each room means something special. One I was able to put together mainly using FB marketplace items, the other had the biggest transformation in terms of look, and others just came together so nicely that it’s hard to pick a favorite! 
#apartmenttransformation #bedroomdesign #kitchendesign #breakfastnook #livingroomdesign #apartmentdecor #apartmenttherapy
After sharing that we purchased a Murphy bed kit, After sharing that we purchased a Murphy bed kit, I received lots of questions about the desks we built on the sides. 
I gathered some measurements and did some research on standard desks sizes. Took into consideration the IKEA Alex drawer we purchased to fit underneath and then grabbed our tools and some plywood! 
We’ve never built desks before and I’d say it turned out pretty good for our first time! 
#diyproject #builtindesk #desk #officedesk #officedesign #deskbuild #diywoodproject
Over the Summer we refinished our radiators and th Over the Summer we refinished our radiators and there were some mixed reviews on how we did it 😅 
So how are the radiators holding up now that they’re being used? Well so far so good! They look great and work just fine, no chemical smells, or peeling! 
I love how they look in our home! For details on how to refinish steam radiators visit Paintingbythepenny.com
Even if you purchase furniture online, you can mak Even if you purchase furniture online, you can make it unique to you! 
We purchased this Murphy bed online at Bredabeds.com and added trim, painted it, and changed the hardware. 
Now it looks like something we built! 🪚💪🏼
#murphybed #guestroom #woodtrim #sherwinwilliamsriverway #builtins #officedesign #guestroomdesign #diy #diyprojects #bedroomtransformation #bedroommakeover
This transformation still blows my mind! 🤯 I ca This transformation still blows my mind! 🤯 I can’t believe we were able to install cabinets and build shelves and desks around a Murphy bed. 
Makes me wonder what else we can do! 
Took us many months to complete but we did it! Now I’m looking around the house like what else can we build 🤔😅 
#beforeandafter #guestroom #office #guestroomdesign #transformation #murphybed #officedesign
Don’t let a small flaw deter you from using an i Don’t let a small flaw deter you from using an item! Sometimes it just needs a simple refresh and it looks brand new again! 
We find solutions and makes things work around here, especially when it’s free! 
#wallart #homedecor #easyfix #walldecor #interiordesign #framedart #livingroomdesign #diy
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Painting by the Penny

Refinished Furniture, 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

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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!

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I’m still swooning over this bathroom 😍. Espe I’m still swooning over this bathroom 😍. Especially the floors! 
Head over to Paintingbythepenny.com for a step by step guide on how to paint a harlequin floor pattern, the products we used, how to achieve a crisp paint line, and the mistake I made during the process 🫠. 
#paintedfloors #harlequinfloors #floorpaint #newblogpost #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodel #vintagebathroom
Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover ✨ •Painted t Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover ✨
•Painted the walls using left over paint (Color Sherwin Williams Greek Villa) 
•Painted the floors using Rust-oleum Home Floor Coating 
•Upgraded curtain rod, towel bar and toilet paper holder 
•Replaced vanity knob & pull
•Sanded & installed shelves higher 
•Purchased and thrifted items on shelves 
•Purchased accent table & cut it to size 
•Purchased new rug and shower curtain 
•Hung a new plant baby to bring it all together 🪴
Sometimes all you need is to upgrade some of the small items, paint and thrift some decorative pieces and you have yourself a brand new bathroom! 
#bathroommakeover #budgetfriendlymakeover #bathroomdesign #bathroomdecor #paintedfloors #bathroomideas #bathroominspiration
This bathroom has been through a couple different This bathroom has been through a couple different changes. Mainly wall colors and if I knew how good the floors would have looked painted too, I would have done it a long time ago! 
I painted the floors using Rust-oleum Home Floor Coating and it has completely transformed the look of this bathroom! 
#bathroomdesign #bathroomupgrade #vintagebathroom #paintedfloors #harlequinfloors #bathroom 
#bathroomremodel
Which room is your favorite? I really can’t deci Which room is your favorite? I really can’t decide between bedroom 2, the Kitchen, breakfast nook or Living room. 
Each room means something special. One I was able to put together mainly using FB marketplace items, the other had the biggest transformation in terms of look, and others just came together so nicely that it’s hard to pick a favorite! 
#apartmenttransformation #bedroomdesign #kitchendesign #breakfastnook #livingroomdesign #apartmentdecor #apartmenttherapy
After sharing that we purchased a Murphy bed kit, After sharing that we purchased a Murphy bed kit, I received lots of questions about the desks we built on the sides. 
I gathered some measurements and did some research on standard desks sizes. Took into consideration the IKEA Alex drawer we purchased to fit underneath and then grabbed our tools and some plywood! 
We’ve never built desks before and I’d say it turned out pretty good for our first time! 
#diyproject #builtindesk #desk #officedesk #officedesign #deskbuild #diywoodproject
Over the Summer we refinished our radiators and th Over the Summer we refinished our radiators and there were some mixed reviews on how we did it 😅 
So how are the radiators holding up now that they’re being used? Well so far so good! They look great and work just fine, no chemical smells, or peeling! 
I love how they look in our home! For details on how to refinish steam radiators visit Paintingbythepenny.com
Even if you purchase furniture online, you can mak Even if you purchase furniture online, you can make it unique to you! 
We purchased this Murphy bed online at Bredabeds.com and added trim, painted it, and changed the hardware. 
Now it looks like something we built! 🪚💪🏼
#murphybed #guestroom #woodtrim #sherwinwilliamsriverway #builtins #officedesign #guestroomdesign #diy #diyprojects #bedroomtransformation #bedroommakeover
This transformation still blows my mind! 🤯 I ca This transformation still blows my mind! 🤯 I can’t believe we were able to install cabinets and build shelves and desks around a Murphy bed. 
Makes me wonder what else we can do! 
Took us many months to complete but we did it! Now I’m looking around the house like what else can we build 🤔😅 
#beforeandafter #guestroom #office #guestroomdesign #transformation #murphybed #officedesign
Don’t let a small flaw deter you from using an i Don’t let a small flaw deter you from using an item! Sometimes it just needs a simple refresh and it looks brand new again! 
We find solutions and makes things work around here, especially when it’s free! 
#wallart #homedecor #easyfix #walldecor #interiordesign #framedart #livingroomdesign #diy
Can you cut bamboo shades? Yes, yes you can! Thi Can you cut bamboo shades? 
Yes, yes you can!  This is a quick and simple solution for those odd sized windows. 
Some of the windows at the Airbnb were a little tricky because the width was in between sizes so when ordering the bamboo shades, I went up a size and then we cut it using a miter saw. 
Now it’s a perfect fit 🙌🏽
#windowtreatments #bambooshades #tipsandtricks #diy #homedecor #windowshades #mitersaw #bambooblinds #diysolutions #windowdesign
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