Staining furniture and various other pieces does not have to be a complicated nor an unpleasant experience.

You can easily enjoy the process of restoring old wood while adding beauty to various surfaces - from wooden serve ware to a chest of drawers - with the help of Amy Howard at Home Gel Stains and Mind Your Own Beeswax.

This tutorial will guide you through a way of making any wooden piece look like new again while also giving it an added layer of protection. 

 

Step 1: Choose a Color

Step 2: Mix Your Stain and Wax

Mix one part of your chosen Gel Stain color with two parts of Mind Your Own Beeswax.

It is advisable to use a plain Chinet plate for mixing your stain and wax mixture in. Avoid coated paper plates.

Step 3: Choose an Applicator

You can use a lint-free rag for flat or relatively smooth surfaces like wooden serve ware or on the top of a chest of drawers.

Have a chip brush ready to use for applying stain into crevices.

Do not use synthetic brushes for your application, use a natural-bristle brush instead.

Step 4: Apply Your Mixture

When using a lint-free rag, put some pressure onto it as you spread your stain and wax mixture.

If you need to reach into crevices like those you can find on old chair frames, apply your mixture using a pouncing motion.

Step 5: Dry and Buff

Let your piece dry for about an hour after staining it.

Afterward, use a lint-free rag to buff it.

Amy Howard's Tips To Remember:

• When restoring older wooden pieces, you can start by applying Clean Slate all over the surface first before proceeding with the staining process.

 

• Remember that staining will not get rid of scratches and indentations on your furniture but it will make them all the same color as the rest of your piece.

 

• There is no need to use products like Endust or Pledge on a piece you’ve applied your stain and wax mixture on.

 

• You’ll only have to do this process twice in a year to achieve optimum results.

 

Make your wooden furniture look like new again with these products:

Gel Stains
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/gel-stains

Mind Your Own Beeswax
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/mind-your-own-beeswax

Hazel Mahogany - Gel Stain
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/gel-stains/products/hazel-mahogany-gel-stain

Chip Brush
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/brushes/products/2-5-flat-paint-brush

Other Products Mentioned in this Video:

Windsor Gray - Gel Stain
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/gel-stains/products/windsor-gray-gel-stain

Kensington Black - Gel Stain
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/gel-stains/products/kensington-black-gel-stain

English Walnut - Gel Stain
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/gel-stains/products/english-walnut-gel-stain

Auburn Mahogany - Gel Stain
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/gel-stains/products/auburn-mahogany-gel-stain

One-Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/pages/one-step-collections

Bauhaus Buff - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/bauhaus-buff-one-step-paint

Painting fabric is a great way to rescue old upholstery!

Not only does rescuing old fabric with One Step Paint produce beautiful results, but it's also a great alternative to costly re-upholstering.

Instead of disposing of old chairs or couches, breathe new life into them by learning to rescue fabric the right way and with the right products from Amy Howard at Home.

In this tutorial, learn how to rescue an old chair by making its cushions look new while increasing its resilience in the process!

 

Step 1: Tape the Frame

If you don’t want your entire chair to be the same color as your cushions, protect the frame by covering it with painter’s tape.

 

Step 2: Prepare Your Paint 

Mix some water with Ballet White One-Step Paint.

You'll want to thin your paint by about 10-15%.

Do not use the paint on fabric without thinning it down.

 

Step 3: Mist the Fabric

With water from a spray bottle, mist the entire surface you’re going to paint.

This process will let the fibers in the fabric open up and absorb the paint.

 

Step 4: Apply Your Paint

Going from top to bottom, paint in long, clean strokes.

Use a synthetic brush so the paint goes on smoother over the fabric.

Let your paint dry for an hour.

 

Step 5: Sand and Dust Off

Once the paint dries, it’s going to feel rough and prickly.

Smooth it out with the use of 400-grit sandpaper.

This will help soften the fabric you’re working on.

Afterward, use a chip brush to dust residue off.

Wipe the painted surface with a lint-free rag as well.

 

Step 6: Paint and Sand Again

Repeat steps 4 & 5. Do not settle for just one coat.

Two coats of paint are the minimum required to achieve good results.

 

Step 7: Wax Your Cushions

Using a lint-free rag, apply our Mind Your Own Beeswax to cover your entire painted surface. Make sure that the wax is applied evenly.

Let the wax dry for an hour and buff your chair.

Waxing will help seal your paint and protect the fabric from stains.

You can simply clean your chair with Windex or soap and water when needed.

 

Some Reminders:

Remember that One-Step Paint is formulated to be used for various types of surfaces.

Protect your table and stone or concrete floors when painting upholstery.

Don’t settle for just one coat of paint.

If you’re dealing with mohair or high-nap velvet, they will end up holding a lot of paint and get hard.

While linen and cotton are best to paint on, you can also paint on leather and vinyl.

Start transforming your upholstery at home with these great products:

One-Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/pages/one-step-collections

Ballet White - One-Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/ballet-white-one-step-paint

Mind Your Own Beeswax
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/mind-your-own-beeswax

Chip Brush
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/brushes/products/2-5-flat-paint-brush

Other Products Mentioned in this Video...

Bauhaus Buff - One-Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/one-step-paint/products/bauhaus-buff-one-step-paint

Clean Slate
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/clean-slate

Windsor - One-Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/windsor-one-step-paint-1

Learning how to properly apply wax can be very useful, whether it be for reproducing the look of antiques or simply creating a beautiful patina for your furniture.

You can add depth to your cabinetry or any surface you apply waxes on while adding another layer of protection for them too.

This tutorial will help you understand how to create three different types of custom waxes, using Amy Howard at Home products, which you can use for various rescue and restoration projects.

 

Step 1: Clean, Paint, and Divide

Clean the surface you are working on and cover it with two coats of One-Step Paint in Luxe Grey.

Use tape to divide your surface into four sections. You will use three sections to test different types of waxes. One section will feature just the base paint.

 

Step 2: Prepare Your Plate and Applicators

A Chinet paper plate is recommended for mixing your waxes in. It offers some amount of absorption that will help in loading and offloading your applicators. Avoid mixing your waxes in a coated paper plate or a ceramic plate.

You can apply your custom waxes using a lint-free rag or a natural bristle chip brush. Avoid using synthetic brushes. Afterward, you can clean wax off of your brushes using Clean Slate or paint thinner. Do not use soap and water.

 

Step 3: Section 1 - Wax with Dust of Ages

Mix two parts Mind Your Own Beeswax with one part Dust of Ages. This will give you a zinc-colored wax.

 

You can apply this wax with a lint-free rag and brush over it to create a striated look.

 

Step 4: Section 2 - Wax with One-Step Paint

Mix two parts Mind Your Own Beeswax and one part One-Step Paint in Black. You can use a lint-free rag, a brush, or both, to apply this wax. If it goes on too dark, you can use a 4/0 steel wool to thin it out.

 

This black wax is great for pieces with fluting and other types of trim. Note that you cannot use other types of paint - specifically, acrylic paint - in creating colored waxes.

 

Step 5: Section 3 - Use Cerusing Wax

The Amy Howard at Home Cerusing Wax is a white wax that can both be a glaze and a protectant.

Squeeze a small amount of Cerusing Wax on your surface. You can spread it over and coat your surface using a brush or a lint-free rag. The result will be a subtle and soft finish.

 

Some Reminders

It is important to reiterate that a wax is the last thing that you’re going to apply onto any piece you’re working on. 

If you love restoring antiques, knowing which waxes and how much of them to use will come in handy. When restoring a vase, for instance, you can apply a black wax into its crevices to create better detail.

If you’re rescuing a drawer, avoid using too much wax by feathering it in from the edges instead of applying more.

With practice, you can achieve a beautiful and authentic look for every restoration project you embark on.

Start making your custom waxes now with these products from Amy Howard at Home:

One-Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/pages/one-step-collections

Dust of Ages
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/dust-of-ages

Mind Your Own Beeswax
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/mind-your-own-beeswax

Luxe Grey - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/luxe-grey-one-step-paint

Black - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/one-step-paint/products/black-one-step-paint

Cerusing Wax
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/cerusing-wax-1

Chip Brush
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/brushes/products/2-5-flat-paint-brush


Other Products Mentioned in this Video:

Matte Sealer
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/matte-sealer

Waxes
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/waxes

Clean Slate
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/clean-slate

Rescuing and restoring various furniture pieces can be a very rewarding experience for anyone!

You should, however, know exactly what type of products have to be used in order to achieve the most ideal results in every project you embark on.

In this tutorial, we focus on the differences between the Amy Howard at Home selections of Toscana Milk Paint and chalk-based paint - when they should and shouldn’t be applied, what finishes can be achieved, and what things make Amy Howard at Home refinishing products better than most.

The Difference Between Milk Paint & Chalk Based Paint

When you purchase a can of One-Step Paint from Amy Howard at Home, you’ll find the product ready to use as it is.

One-Step Paint can be applied on practically any surface - plastic, glass, resin, and even fabric.

The Toscana Milk Paint products, on the other hand, are in powder form. Milk Paint is made from casein, which is a milk-based product.

Once you prepare your Toscana Milk Paint from Amy Howard at Home and mix it with water, you can expect a shelf life of 1-2 weeks. Left un-mixed, Milk Paint can last for years in its powdered form. 

Ideal Usage For Milk Paint & Chalk Based Paint

Due to its great adhesive quality, One-Step Paint can provide great coverage over various surfaces. You can, for instance, use it to restore an old drawer and make it look like new.

If you want to mimic the look of a worn, antique chair, instead, a layered Milk Paint finish will do the job right. You can also use milk paint with Antiquing Glaze and Cracked Gesso for even better results.

Amy Howard At Home Toscana Milk Paint

Note, though, that not all milk paints are made equal. Milk paint options from Amy Howard at Home are superior in both beauty and quality.

All pigments used for each and every pack of Toscana Milk Paint are shipped from natural quarries in Provence.

Every Toscana Milk Paint color has great depth and is naturally beautiful; whereas, other offerings in the market might only be synthetic.

Knowledge truly is the key to succeeding with any endeavor.

Successfully rescue and restore furniture throughout your home by choosing the right paint for the ideal finish.

If you want to try creating beautiful milk paint or chalk-based paint projects, try doing so with the following products:

One-Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/pages/one-step-collections

Toscana Milk Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/milk-paint

Strasbourg White Toscana Milk Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/milk-paint/products/strasbourg-white-toscana-milk-paint

Calais Green Toscana Milk Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/milk-paint/products/calais-green-toscana-milk-paint

Cracked Gesso
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/legno-gesso-cracked-gesso-1

Antiquing Glaze
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/antiquing/products/antiquing-glaze

With the right tools and expert guidance, you can easily create a faux Carrara marble finish to improve almost any part of your home.

This faux marble finish can be achieved with Amy Howard products on practically every type of surface - floors, walls, drawers, and many others.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to achieve a great Carrara marble look, specifically, for a beautiful kitchen countertop!

Step 1: Choose Your Colors

 

First, choose the One-Step Paint colors you want to work with.

For this project, Amy chose One-Step Paint in Ballet White for the base coat. Luxe Grey and Graphite were for the scumble and the base. You can add another complementary color like Good Man is Hard to Find for added detail.

Step 2: Put Your Base Paint On

Using a foam roller, evenly cover your entire countertop with your chosen base paint color. Two coats should be good enough.

This is the only time you’ll be using your paint as is. For the rest of the project, you’ll have to apply each of your chosen colors as a glaze.

Step 3: Scumbling

Your next layer of paint will be applied via scumbling, covering most of your countertop surface.

Create a scumbling glaze by mixing one part paint, one part Glazed Over, and three parts water. Using a sea wool sponge, apply the glaze over your countertop. Do so following a 45-degree angle, going from the upper-left to the lower-right sections.

Step 4: Smooth Your Scumble

Using a packed and flattened lint-free towel, soften your second layer further and allow the paint to blend into the negative spaces. Allow some areas to be darker than others.

Let your countertop dry.

Step 5: Veining

Using the same One-Step Paint color as your scumble, make a veining glaze with a mixture of paint, Glazed Over, and water. The objective is to create thin veins as well as thick veins.

Soften a turkey feather in water and use it to apply your second glaze. Do so by lifting your feather up and laying it down, repeatedly, aiming to have different size and color veins on about 60% of your countertop.

Step 6: Secondary Veins

Create a second veining glaze with another color like Graphite One-Step Paint and aim to cover about 20% of your countertop with darker, even thicker veins.

Step 7: Soften Your Veins

With a chip brush and in a pouncing motion, soften the veins you created and allow them to blend into your first two paint layers.

Be careful not to drag your brush. You can also use a packed, lint-free rag to help soften the veins even further.

Step 8: Glaze with Your Base

Using one part of your base coat paint, one part Glazed Over, and two to three parts water, mix a thin top glaze to apply all over your countertop. Use a foam roller to cover the entire surface.

Step 9: Set Everything Back

Soften and set all your paint layers back with the use of a clean lint-free rag. As though repeatedly patting your countertop dry, continually move your rag around, following the same direction along a 45-degree angle on your countertop.

Let everything dry.

Step 10: Seal Your Countertop

With a foam roller, apply a coat of the Amy Howard Matte Sealer. This will keep your countertop protected and help keep its finish looking great for a long time.

Particularly, if you’re new to projects such as this, you can practice creating a faux Carrara marble finish on masonite boards first. The more you do so, the better and more creative you’ll become.

You can recreate the same faux Carrara marble finish in this tutorial with the following products:


Ballet White - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/ballet-white-one-step-paint

Luxe Grey - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/luxe-grey-one-step-paint

Graphite - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/one-step-paint/products/graphite-one-step-paint

Good Man is Hard to Find - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/one-step-paint/products/good-man-is-hard-to-find-one-step-paint

Glazed Over
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/glaze/products/glazed-over

Paint Roller
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/paint-roller-bundle

Matte Sealer
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/matte-sealer

Chip Brush
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/tools/products/1-5-flat-paint-brush

 

Looking for a fun & easy DIY home decor project? 

Try creating your very own stamped napkins and tea towels! 

In this Amy Howard At Home tutorial, we're going to show you just how simple it can be to create incredible custom napkins from the comfort of your home. 

NOTE: The material list for this DIY project can be found at the bottom of the page.

DIY Stamped Napkin Instructions

Step 1: Begin by cutting your foam sheet into small strips the same length as your block.

 

Step 2: After cutting your foam strips, use your hot glue gun to first glue two pieces of foam together and then glue them onto your block, leaving a gap between each strip.

 

Step 3: Now that you've created your stamp, mix 1 part water to 2 parts paint of each One-Step Paint color that you've chosen.

 

Step 4: Using our Foam Dome Brush, dip the foam brush into each color and begin to offload on a piece of cardboard using an up-down motion.

 

Step 5: After offloading some of your One-Step Paint onto the piece of cardboard, use the same up-down motion to apply the paint to your homemade stamp.

Try to apply the darker color (Cherbourg) on one side, the lighter color (Barefoot In The Park) on the other, and then a mix of the two in the middle. 

This will give you an ombre effect.

 

Step 6: After covering your stamp with One Step Paint, place the stamp down starting on the corner of the napkin. Apply firm pressure.

 

Step 6: Carefully lift the stamp up and then repeat the steps alternating the direction of the stripes. Apply more One Step Paint as needed. 

 

 

Ready to get started on your DIY Stamped Napkin? 

Here are the Amy Howard At Home products used...

1. Barefoot In The Park – One Step Paint

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/barefoot-in-the-park-one-step-paint

2. Cherbourg – One Step Paint

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/cherbourg-one-step-paint

3. Foam Dome Brush

https://amakersstudio.com/collections/tools/products/foam-dome-brush-1-5

4. Cloth Napkin

https://bit.ly/12ctNapkins

5. Square Block of Styrofoam (or block of wood)

https://bit.ly/FoamBlocks

6. Piece of Foam Sheet

https://bit.ly/FoamSheets

7. Scissors

8. Hot Glue Gun

9. Two plastic cups or containers

Your kitchen may be the busiest - and most nurturing - part of your home and keeping that space at its best, at all times, is beneficial not just for you but for your family and friends too.

One sure way to improve your kitchen is by breathing new life into your countertop. If you have a Formica countertop, you can try giving it a faux granite finish for a timeless and elegant look.

 

Step 1: Clean Your Countertop

Using Clean Slate by Amy Howard at Home, clear your countertop of dust, dirt, and other particles that may get in the way of achieving what Gene calls “maximum adhesion” for your paint.

Use a clean cotton rag to apply the product all over the countertop surface. Afterward, wipe it down with another clean cloth to remove any residue.

 

Step 2: Apply the Base Paint

To ensure an even base paint application, use a brush to paint over rolled edges as well as your countertop’s front. For the flat surface, use a paint roller instead to avoid brush marks.

Let the paint dry for, at least, several hours before moving to the next step. For this project, Gene used Ballet White - One Step Paint as the base.

 

Step 3: Choose Your Colors 

In replicating the look of a granite countertop surface, Amy says two colors would be too little and four would be too much.

Pick three colors that you can layer on top of each other to best mimic the look of granite. Pick one light color, one medium tint, and a dark hue too.

 

Step 4: Mix Your Glaze

The key to successfully completing this project is to apply your chosen colors as a glaze instead of using them as is.

Mix one part regular tap water, one part paint, and one part Glazed Over. Do this for each of the three colors you’d chosen earlier.

 

Step 5: Apply Glaze #1

 

Using a sea wool sponge, you can now apply your first glaze. Amy’s advice is to go from light to dark.

In this tutorial, Luxe Grey - One Step Paint served as the light paint and should be applied first. Do not cover more than 60% of your countertop with the glaze.

 

Step 6: Apply Glaze #2

Graphite - One Step Paint was chosen as the medium tint paint in the tutorial and should be applied next. Remember to maintain only a 60% coverage so your base paint can still shine through.

 

Step 7: Apply Glaze #3

In applying the third glaze, lower coverage to just 20%-25% of your countertop surface. This project used Good Man is Hard to Find - One Step Paint for the third glaze.

 

Step 8: Make Accents

Using just the dark paint this time, accentuate about 6%-7% of your countertop. Remember to use the solid paint instead of the glaze for this step.

Let Good Man is Hard to Find dry and then do the same with Luxe Grey to help soften the look of your countertop.

 

Step 9: Let Your Countertop Dry

Make sure that you leave your countertop to dry overnight before sealing it. That amount of time will sufficiently allow adequate curing, giving all the layers of paint you’ve applied to properly set.

 

Step 10: Seal Your Countertop

Although all the paint and glazing used in this project are good on their own, adding a layer of the Amy Howard Matte Sealer will make your countertop even better protected.

Apply the sealer with a foam roller to ensure a smooth application. Don’t worry about how white your countertop may look while you are sealing it as the Matte Sealer will dry clear later on.

Make your kitchen a more functional and enjoyable space with a refinished countertop.

Ready To Get Started On Your DIY Granite Finish? 

Here are the Amy Howard At Home products used in the tutorial... 

Clean Slate
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/clean-slate

Ballet White - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/ballet-white-one-step-paint

Glazed Over
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/glaze/products/glazed-over

Luxe Grey - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/luxe-grey-one-step-paint

Graphite - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/one-step-paint/products/graphite-one-step-paint

Good Man is Hard to Find - One Step Paint
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/one-step-paint/products/good-man-is-hard-to-find-one-step-paint

Matte Sealer
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/matte-sealer

Paint Roller
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/paint-roller-bundle

Cerusing Wax (not included in the project but mentioned in the video)
https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/cerusing-wax-1

Adding incredible depth and color to your kitchen countertops can be easy! 

In this DIY tutorial, Amy Howard shows us how to glaze our kitchen countertops to get a beautiful stone texture in just a few simple steps.

Paint Your Kitchen Countertops

Before you make and apply your glaze, you’ll want to make sure the countertops are painted with our One-Step Paint as a base. 

You can view our tutorial on painting your kitchen countertops with One-Step Paint here

If you are planning on glazing your kitchen countertops, you will not seal them after painting with One-Step Paint. 

Once you’ve applied two coats of One-Step Paint on your countertops and they’ve fully dried, you can begin making your glaze. 

Make Your Countertop Glaze 

Making a glaze for your kitchen countertops is easier than you think! 

The glaze you’re going to be making for the kitchen countertops is going to consist of three parts. 

You’ll want to have each part separate in its own container before mixing them together to create your glaze.

Glazed Over - One Part

Our Glazed Over not only adds more depth and color but acts as a water-based sealant for your countertops. 

 

One-Step Paint - One Part 

For our countertops, we used our One-Step Paint in Summer Ragada, and tint it with just 2-3 spoon fulls of Good Man Is Hard To Find.

 

Regular Tap Water - One Part

 

Note: One-Step Paint will go a long way when added to your glaze. 

Start by mixing together your chosen One-Step Paint colors, add your one part glazed over, and one part regular tap water then mix well. 

Your glaze will be more transparent, not opaque like your One-Step Paint and it will give you more depth. 

Glazing will give you more color and texture depending on the medium you use. 

Apply The Glaze To Your Countertops

Tip: practice on masonite to get a very similar finish to as if you were working on your Formica countertops.

When applying the glaze to your countertops, it is best to use a Foam Roller Brush and apply the glaze evenly across the surface. 

After applying the glaze to the top of your countertops, you’ll want to come back and use a lint-free rag or shop towel (to avoid texture) to pat across your glaze and create a bit of modeling. 

When patting your countertops with the rag, it’s important to not go all the way across your countertops or work linearly. This will ensure a more organic finish. 

After you’ve completely modeled the top of your countertops, allow your finish to dry for at least 2 hours. 

Once dried, come back and apply a nice even application of our Matte Sealer to finish. 

Allow your finish to cure for 24 hours

Now you have beautiful stone textured countertops that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come! 

Ready To Glaze Your Kitchen Countertops? 

Here are the products used in this Amy Howard At Home tutorial…

1. Glazed Over

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/glazed-ove

2. Summer Ragada | One-Step Paint

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/summer-regatta-one-step-paint

3. A Good Man Is Hard To Find | One-Step Paint

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/good-man-is-hard-to-find-one-step-paint

4. Foam Roller Brush

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/brushes/products/paint-roller-handle-wooden-4-0

Dreaming of new kitchen countertops?

In this tutorial, Amy Howard shows us how to easily paint our kitchen countertops with One-Step, a chalk-based paint. 

No matter if you’re just wanting to bring new life to old Formica countertops, or want to re-do your entire kitchen, this tutorial will help you learn how!

 

When working with Amy Howard at Home One-Step Paint, you don’t have to worry about stripping, sanding, or priming your project before you begin. 

Simply clean your piece using a product like our Clean Slate to remove any dirt, dust, grime, or old wax and you’re ready to paint. 

STEP 1: Clean Your Countertops

Before you begin painting your kitchen countertops, you’ll want to make sure to thoroughly clean the area that will be painted to get the best adhesion possible. 

We recommend using our Clean Slate to remove any wax, oil, grease, grime, or surfactants from your kitchen countertops.  

STEP 2: Paint The Back Panel & Front of The Countertop

 

Before painting the center of your countertops, you’ll want to start by cutting in and painting the back panel, as well as the front of your countertop with our Wedge Specialty Brush. 

Start with one thin and even coat.

NOTE: When painting the back panel and front of your countertop, try to cut out onto the top of the countertop so you don’t have to worry about your roller rubbing up against the areas you cut in. 

STEP 3: Paint The Center Of Your Countertop 

After painting the back panel and front of your kitchen countertop, use our Foam Roller Brush to paint the center of your counter for a smooth and easy finish. 

You’ll want to start with one thin and even coat then let it dry completely before starting on your second coat. 

NOTE: Using the Foam Roller Brush prevents any texture from the paint showing on your countertops, giving you a smooth finish. 

STEP 4: Apply Your Second Coat 

Once you’ve allowed your first coat to dry around an hour, you’ll come back and apply your second coat to the back panel, front, and center of your kitchen countertop. 

Step 5: Seal Your Kitchen Countertops

While you don’t have to seal the Amy Howard At Home One-Step Paint, we always want to add additional protection to surfaces like our kitchen countertops. 

Sealing your countertops with our Matte Sealer makes your countertops easier to clean with products like Windex, or Clorox wipes when removing any food residue. 

Using our Matte Sealer prevents any yellowing while still keeping your countertops protected for a very long time. 

Just like you applied the One-Step Paint, you’ll want to cut in on the back panel and front before starting on the center of your kitchen countertop with the Foam Roller Brush. 

It will be best to apply two coats of our Matte Sealer to create a smoother finish, add more protection, and make your countertops even easier to clean. 

Ready To Get Started On Your Kitchen Countertops? 

Here are the products used in this Amy Howard At Home tutorial…

1. One-Step Chalk Based Paint - Summer Ragada 

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/summer-regatta-one-step-paint

2. Clean Slate furniture cleaner 

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/clean-slate

3. Wedge Specialty Brush  

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/brushes/products/wedge-specialty-brush

4. Foam Roller Brush

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/brushes/products/paint-roller-handle-wooden-4-0

3 finishes anyone can do with a chalk-based paint! 

In this tutorial, Amy Howard and her husband Gene cover 3 types of finishes you can achieve using the Amy Howard At Home One-Step chalk-based paint. 

 

These 3 chalk-based paint finishes are perfect for your kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, or any other type of furniture and decor. 

STEP 1: Prepare Your Surface 

Before starting any project, we want to make sure and clean the surface of our piece to get the best adhesion possible. 

Cleaning your furniture or cabinetry ensures that any silicones, grease, grime or other surfactants are removed. 

We recommend using our Clean Slate and a lint-free rag to thoroughly clean your piece, and wipe the remaining Clean Slate off with a dry lint-free rag. 

Now you’re ready to paint! 

STEP 2: Apply Your Chalk Based Paint 

 

Now that your furniture or cabinetry is clean, you can begin using your Chalk Based paint to cover your piece. 

We recommend doing two coats using our New One-Step Paint formula to get the absolute best coverage on your furniture and cabinetry. 

When working with Amy Howard at Home One-Step Paint, you don’t have to worry about stripping, sanding, or priming your project before you begin.

We also recommend applying the One-Step Paint with our Synthetic Wedge Specialty Brush because it will lay the paint down much smoother. 

STEP 3: Choose Your Finish 

 

After you’ve painted two coats of the One-Step Paint on your furniture or cabinetry, you’ll want to decide the finish you are going to go with on your piece. 

The great part about using our One-Step Paint on your furniture or cabinetry is that you do not have to seal it if you don’t want to.

 

1. Matte Finish 

The Amy Howard At Home One-Step Paint dries to a lovely matte finish that you do not have to seal. If you decide to choose this finish, you’re all done! 

The One-Step Paint can be cleaned with Windex, or soap and water and it will not affect the matte finish on your furniture or cabinetry.

 

2. Light Antique Finish 

If you want your cabinets or furniture to have an authentic patina and a light sheen, we recommend using our Mind Your Own Beeswax - furniture wax. 

You can apply this light antiquing wax using a lint-free rag, making sure not to apply too much at one time. 

TIP: If completing your kitchen cabinets, you can expect to need up to three bottles of our Mind Your Own Beeswax.

You’ll want to give the Mind Your Own Beeswax up to three or four hours to dry before coming back with a lint-free rag to buff it and get a beautiful natural patina. 

 

3. Light Sheen - High Protection Finish 

With a brush and roller, you can use our Matte Sealer to get a light sheen and add incredible protection to your furniture or cabinetry. 

Start by applying one light coat of our Matte Sealer to your project and letting it dry.  

TIP: Remember that the Matte Sealer goes on white and dries clear. This is also a great way to know when it has dried. 

After applying one light coat, come back with 400 grit sandpaper, lightly sand, then apply a second coat of Matte Sealer.

Lightly sanding your furniture or cabinetry will allow the second coat of Matt Sealer to apply much easier with more coverage. 

After your second coat of Matte Sealer has dried, you’re done! 

Now you can enjoy a durable finish that is easy to clean. 

Ready to get started on your next project?

Here are the Amy Howard at Home refinishing products used in the video: 

1. One-Step Chalk Based Paint - Weybridge Classic  

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/weybridge-classic-one-step-paint

2. Clean Slate furniture cleaner 

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/small-clean-slate-8oz

3. Synthetic Wedge Specialty Brush  

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/collections/brushes/products/wedge-specialty-brush

4. Paint Roller Brush 

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/paint-roller-bundle

5. Mind Your Own Beeswax furniture wax. 

https://www.amyhowardhome.com/products/mind-your-own-beeswax

You can view more products by Amy Howard at Home here: 

👉 https://www.amyhowardhome.com