Faux Sandstone Counter Top

Remember the Faux Sandstone finish project over the ceramic tile counter top I did in our upstairs bath? Well, I've begun to finish the project off with gold trim!

Counter Before

Counter After Sandstone Finish

See the project step by step on my website at http://www.VictoriaLarsen.com

One little problem that I have found with the final sealer I applied to the Sandstone Counter Top was that it remained just a hint tacky and never did totally harden up the way I needed to. Heavier items such as my tall urn potpourri holder kept sticking to it and I feared it would pull up some of the finish which would result in a repair job I didn't want to do.

I resolved this issue by wiping the surface with two coats of "Minwax Wipe on Poly".  This polyurethane product hardened the surface beautifully and was super easy to apply with a brush.

The cabinet itself is made of wood and in good shape. But the molding around the top of the counter (also wood) seemed very worn against this new, wonderful surface. Funny, I had never noticed that before.

Since the cabinet handles are brilliant gold, I have decided to paint the egg and dart molding at the top of the cabinet in gold, antique it and then apply hints of gold leaf for a glint of brilliant gold that would coordinate with the handles.

This is one treatment I wouldn't want to over-do however. Using gold is wonderful and can add instant elegance in a room, however, using too much can quickly take that elegant look to "cheap".

I began the process of painting 4 coats of Faux Effects "Metal Glow" gold paint yesterday and after allowing it to cure for a day or two, will then antique it and do the gold leaf. The molding is already taking on the look of elegant, antique molding and I'm anxious to finish it up and see the final product. I know it will be beautiful!

I'll update with pictures once it's finished.