Cursing Crafter Reviews: Giani Granite {and GIVEAWAY!!}

Every once in a while I see a product on Facebook or on a blog that I super love. And I try to win it. And I don't.

So I contact the company and shamelessly beg to do a review for them in exchange for their product. Yes. I admit it. I'm pathetic.

But when they agree and the heavens open up and the angels sing and the rays of the sun beam onto your head...well, ya just freak out with excitement.

And then you wait on pins and needles until said product arrives and you can play with it.

Recently, this is exactly what happened to me. The product?

Giani Granite.

These pictures got me hooked:

Those are regular laminate counter tops turned Giani Granite counter tops. Their kit will make your counter tops look like granite. For an infinitesimal amount of the cost.

Here is what our counters look like:

Every countertop in our home is this same laminate. Same pattern, everything. It is a gray/green and it's okay and all, but dang it, I want granite! And I can't afford it.

Enter: Giani Granite. Granite paint for counter tops! I decided to do my bathroom first, because it's a small area and I can't screw it up that bad right? You all know me and my tendencies to screw my projects up.

getting ready to start

I used the easy to understand instructions to start my countertop. First I used the test paper to see how the minerals would look when sponged and to decide on what sizes I wanted the sponges.

they provide everything. the sponge, the sample black paper, the rollers, etc. haha, that really matches the floor, huh?

First step after practicing was to tape off the tile and sink. I actually chose to not use the granite paint for my tiles...but you certainly can do it if you choose!



The next step might be the scariest: Roll on the black primer paint.

no going back now, folks!

After the allotted amount of drying time you get your different sponges and start sponging! The directions will tell you which color to use first so that you get this look of Sicilian Sand, which is the color I chose.

don't you love my project area? right in the sink.

This is a good time to point out that I did the entire counter top. The ledge and front too.I wanted to make it look like a slab of granite so I figured I needed to do the edges.

What you don't see in the above picture is me. I'm pointing the camera so you don't see my "not fit for public" face and shirt because I looked sick y'all. Like, Monday morning after a bender weekend. And I didn't even have a bender! It's my usual look.

Following are the pictures of the counter top after the last step, which is to roll on the high gloss sealant.

shiny. it's smoother than it looks, partly because of my picture taking skills and partly because of the lighting.

close up of the different colors of minerals that i sponged. you can see that you can completely cover up the black or, as i did, leave some of it to show through. i liked the way that looked so i left some of it to peek through.

pretty, right?



Now, Cursing Crafter, how hard was this project? How many curses did you use?

Seriously. I don't think I cussed at all. This product is amazing, it allows a lot of leeway with making mistakes. You just sponge until you have it the way you want. If you don't like the way one spot looks, just keep sponging until you do!

The hardest part is getting the clear top coat on smoothly. And even that allows for some "whoops" moments.

It dries so shiny! I love shiny. After you're done it will take approximately 14 days to totally cure so that you have a really strong finish that you don't have to worry about chipping or damaging. And. If it ever does get damaged in any way, you can renew it quickly and easily! You can't do that with real granite.

So...I'm guessing a lot of you want to do something like this to your counter, too, right?? You wanna chance to win some awesome Giani Granite countertop paint??

Here's what you do:

**MANDATORY**
Go to Giani Granite and look around. Come back and tell me which color you would want if you won.

Like them on Facebook to see all of the fabulous customer transformations!

Follow them on Twitter to get the latest news.

Leave me a comment for each thing you do, 'kay?

**will ship to 48 contigious United States only**