The Key to a Brand-New Sink Isn’t a Sledgehammer
Justina Blakeney shares her how-to.
Published Sep 24, 2018 10:22 PM
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It all started with the wallpaper. Justina Blakeney covered her laundry closet in her Tigris pattern, a multicolored jungle motif that might have been enough of a statement on its own for most spaces—but Blakeney wanted to kick it up a notch. Inspired by the bold print, the designer decided to spruce up the adjacent sink with a fresh coat of paint.
The basin in question is a wall-mounted model from Kohler, made from sturdy cast iron—which, when coupled with the slate shade of the washing machines, was a little too grayscale for Blakeney’s maximalist taste. “We went straight for the red!” she says, color-matching her fixture to the fiery-hued sofa nestled nearby.
Her contractor suggested a direct-to-metal finish for the paint, and she fell in love with Behr’s Tandoori tint for a touch of vibrancy (who says a sink has to be purely practical?). The project itself took up less than a weekend: Blakeney did zero special prep work and slicked on two coats while the fixture was already installed. She waited about a day for it to fully dry—and voilà! Her nook had a new pièce de résistance.
Fast-forward a year later, and the DIY still holds up. “There are a few small bumps and clumps in the paint, but that sort of thing doesn’t bother me at all,” she says. “There’s been no wear and tear so far!”
Upgrading fixtures is the pricey part of any renovation—but as Blakeney proves, you don’t need to rip anything out to treat your space to a facelift. You don’t even have to leave your house: Order a gallon online and spend your next free afternoon giving an unloved corner of your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room a much-needed refresh. If you’re ready to promote your own sink to a starring role, we’d start with these punchy colors.
It’s hammer time: Follow @reno_notebook for easy rental updates, clever DIYs, and tips to nail your next project.