Is the bathroom done? 

• No, but I feel like I’ve made great strides and it’s really starting to take shape! 
  

Does reality match my initial plan?

• No, but I think I might like the reality better! I went a totally different direction with the counters which injected the space with a dark, almost glamorous, personality. Also, I found a GREAT deal on a mirror at Habitat. My original design included a simple, black mirror, but who can say no to a $5 mirror? I think this accidental find adds another layer of personality. 

Do I still keep thinking of new projects for the space?

• Yes, there might be a few last minute additions if I can squeeze them in.
  

For now, I’m happy enjoying what I’ve created so far.

Follow me on Instagram and help me with a few last minute decisions!

Good news though, I was able to use a bit of vacation time to make great progress!

My focus this week was to tackle the counter. I have made all of the counters in my kitchen and dining room, as well as a few tabletops for my family. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? Well, if you spend some time on StoneCoat Countertops YouTube channel, you’ll realize it’s so much easier than it sounds. They are a GREAT resource!

All of the countertops I have worked on so far have been from scratch. Using layered mdf, wood glue, clamps, and a router I built my own custom countertops. After they were built, I used StoneCoat epoxy to transform the mdf into beautiful, functional counters! Again, it sounds much more impressive than what it really was. I think epoxy is a pretty user-friendly medium as long as you like to follow the rules, and I LOVE rules.

Naturally, I decided that I would resurface my existing bathroom countertop with epoxy. The rest of the counters in my house are pretty subtle. They are very carrara marble esque. I had planned to create a similar style in my bathroom; however, I wanted to pump up the drama. The plan was a lot of contrast and more pronounced veining. I even found white and dark gray marble drawer pulls to use on the vanity (featured in my mood board), I thought they would tie things together nicely!

Because I was starting with a slick, laminate counter instead of mdf, there was a bit of extra prep work. 

1. Clean the counter (extra)
2. Sand the counter (extra)
3. Use a bonding primer (extra)
4. Create a base layer using paint
5. Epoxy: color coat
6. Sand
7. Epoxy: clear coat

Everything went swimmingly until I began to mix the epoxy for my color coat.

With epoxy, it is really important to have precise measurements and mix the parts (A&B) together really well. If not, there will be curing problems. No one wants sticky spots in their counters! I always use a drill to mix my epoxy, and I always mix for at least 3 minutes.

After I poured the epoxy into my mixing container and began to mix the contents, my hand (holding the mixing cup) slipped and guess what happened next? EPOXY WENT EVERYWHERE. Not just epoxy, unmixed epoxy! All over my recently completed One Room Challenge projects. . . Four weeks of work! After a few seconds of total shock, I scrambled to get the epoxy back into the cup. All I could think was “this is still unmixed epoxy, I can’t have a sticky counter”. I had to change all of the paper covering the floor, throw my epoxy covered outfit away, change really quickly, and MIX THAT EPOXY. I mixed up another smaller batch and prayed that I had equal amounts of A & B for a curing combination.

This is my 8th epoxy project, that means I have mixed epoxy like this at least 14 times before, and I have never spilled anything. Let alone spun it with a drill all over a newly renovated space.

I was so frazzled by the events that, apparently, my plans for a dramatic white and gray marble countertop completely escaped me. That beautiful, dramatic, veining that matched the drawer pulls is NOT what I created. I don’t really know what happened. I do have a counter full of DRAMA though. Both in style and the process! I’m going to call it a happy accident.

And just like that, this half bath got even moodier.

I do have to buy new hardware for the vanity now.