DIY Paint Stick Countertop

This guest post is from our contributor FP Naomi.

I was walking down the street one day when I came across this beautiful white cabinet that someone had kicked to the curb. It had a rustic look to it with wrought iron fixtures that melted my heart instantly. It must have been ripped out of someone’s kitchen because it was missing a top, but nonetheless I scooped it up and muscled it home. After settling the piece into the kitchen, I decided to make a little project of it, and got to building a new top from paint sticks. All it takes is a little cutting, a little gluing and painting stuff on, then sand some here and there, and you’re done! The end effect has a rustic farmhouse feel that is good for any counter or island in your kitchen space. Here’s how it’s done…

Before:

diy paint stick countertop

diy paint stick countertop

What you need:

–          A piece of plywood cut to the size of your surface (tip: measure beforehand, any Home Depot will cut it to the size you need for free)

–          A hand sander (tip: if you don’t have one, you can rent from Home Depot at little cost)

–          150 grade sand paper

–          Paint sticks (I used approx. 30 for a 1’x2’ surface)

–          Wood filler

–          A putty knife or scraper

–          Some kind of saw or wood cutting device

–          Wood glue

–          Nails

–          Hammer

–          Pencil

–          Ruler

Directions:

diy paint stick countertop

1. Nail sheet of plywood on top of your cabinet or counter to make a surface.

diy paint stick countertop

diy paint stick countertop

2. Using a ruler, draw straight lines across your paint sticks right before the curvy part, and then cut the wood along this line.

diy paint stick countertop

diy paint stick countertop

3. Begin gluing sticks down, starting from the edge and working your way across. As you fill in spaces towards the end, trim pieces down to size. Its ok, and better, to leave a little extra hanging off. You can always sand it to line up afterward.

diy paint stick countertop

4. Fill in all gaps with wood filler. Smooth and let dry for about an hour. Afterward, sand the entire surface to make wood filler and gaps even.

diy paint stick countertop

5. Finally, stain your surface with two coats, following directions on the can. After drying, finish off with two coats of polyurethane.

After:

diy paint stick countertop

And you’re done!

More DIY projects from the BLDG 25 Blog.

Visit Naomi’s blog Numie Abbott.

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10 years ago

Oh goodness that is beautiful! What a great find + DIY job! Love it!

xoxo
Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/InfiniteStyleShop

Liz
10 years ago

Oh my god, this is the best DIY I have seen on this blog. I mean, there are tons of useful stuff here, but this takes the cake. Immediate classic. Thank you Naomi!

http://lamentinglizzie.blogspot.com

Emme
10 years ago

What color stain did you use?!

10 years ago

Emme – I used Minwax Wood Finish “Golden Oak 210B,” but any light, honey-colored hue should do!

10 years ago

I love this!! it looks almost like a butcher block surface, and I love that it looks rich and worn.

http://www.paigesofnothing.blogspot.com

meg
10 years ago

Wow!
What an awesome makeover!

http://happinessiscreating.com/

10 years ago

So beautiful, great post! Xx

http://londonstolemyheart.blogspot.com

Emme
10 years ago

Thanks Naomi! It’s really beautiful! :) I’m building a media stand right now!

Anna
10 years ago

Gosh, I want to do this throughout my ENTIRE kitchen! LOVE!

10 years ago

I would love to use this for my island but I seriously do not trust myself to do this on something that’s such a focal point in my kitchen. Now only if I could hire someone…. :) Thank you for the great idea and tutorial— It’s gorgeous! Who would have thought paint sticks could be so useful?!

Mona
10 years ago

This is gorgeous! What a creative idea. I’m going to definitely do this, thanks for sharing :) x

Knitascarf
10 years ago
10 years ago

Now that is a GREAT project recycle!! Why can’t I ever find anything to do that with? LOL! I love how you kept it rustic farmhouse looking with such a simple process.

Vicky
10 years ago

I noticed that the paint sticks are all different hues of wood which made the effect really beautiful. Where did you get all your paint sticks?

Debbie Cook
10 years ago

I loved this idea….have never seen anything like it!!

kristin
9 years ago

did you stay in each of the paint sticks before you did this? What suggestions do you have for multi colored stains that work together to create this look? I love it!

Jessica
9 years ago

where did you purchase these paint sticks? they are such nice hues.

sheryl
8 years ago

Just wondering where you obtained all the paint sticks? Used ones with different colors of paint would be cute on a less formal top. Also would tongue depressors work or are they too thin? They are already smooth and the wood filler or gel paint could be used to fill in around the curves. Thank you for the great tutorial.