Great video! Over the years I’ve found that some “cheap and easy” DIY projects end up costing way more than you thought they would and fixing errors is another added cost. Actually it’s often cheaper in the long run to have a professional do the job right the first time.
It seems social media has really made some people think that DIY is easy and given people the false sense that they have more skill than they actually do. 😆
I hired a GC to do our bathroom remodel. I asked him if he could raise the vanity 4" and paint it a new color. He said yes. I offered to properly prep the wood for paint. He declined, and said he would be fine. Raising it went well. But, he did not clean, sand, prime and paint it!! He just slapped regular latex paint over stained wood!!!! He was fired. Now, either I have to do it, or hire a professional painter. It's chipping and peeling everywhere. Love you!
Finding great artisans is not necessarily easy or inexpensive. It takes time and research to find great people, and you then have to weigh the cost of the project versus doing something else.
Painting furniture - it depends. I have done that with hydrophobic mdf cabinets in my bathroom. It is a lot of work - it takes time to research the correct materials, and prepare, prime and paint properly - so it’s not a quick and easy DIY project, but I do think it is worth it in certain contexts.
Great video. Since I live in California, of course I am vigilant about wildfire awareness. Read recently that flat pack furniture only gives you around 3 to 4 minutes to vacate your home if it’s on fire versus vintage or old or more traditional all wood furniture which is somewhere between 13 to 15 minutes before it goes up in flames Food for thought. My numbers might be slightly off, but it’s still important to know this.
My advice to myself is stay away from anything diy. I need to constantly be reminded of this because in my mind it always “seems” like a good idea. Until I start the project. Any project. I’m meant to be drinking Pina Coladas on the beach while a professional does the job that I’m incapable of doing. It does, however, substantially add to the cost of the job with plane fare and hotel etc.
We successfully painted the tile in our bathroom (not the shower surround - nothing that regularly comes into contact with water). It was a lot of prep work (sanding the glaze off the tile, scrubbing the grout, priming with a tile-specific base, then actually applying the enamel with a spray applicator) but it turned out really clean and durable and saved us a load of money. You DEFINITELY have to do the research and put in the work, though!
*Re-Glazing, DIY For Resale* . I hired a pro to re-glaze the tile in the primary bathroom, (postage stamp size (shower, toilet, pedestal sink) of my previous home to ready it for sale 8 years ago. Mustard yellow in 4x4 tile didn't cut it and I wanted neutralized. I invested in a new toilet and sink, updated fixtures, all was good. My kitchen had dusty rose formica counters, not the "it finish". I didn't have the budget to install new counters so I DIY'd to have a granite look. It was a pain staking process but they looked amazing and the house sold quickly after I made that cosmetic shift. The home I purchased, previous owner, DIY'd the harvest gold formic counters with Rustoleom Texture Counter Resurface paint. I've been here eight years and it's holding up well. I stated all of that to drive home a point, DIY is a great option for re-sale-ability. For me, the *Budget Friendly* worked out well as a seller and a purchaser. At the end of day, it's lipstick on a pig, but the pork is worth it.
I love how you make people feel great about their spaces. Trends come and go, being happy with your space is more important. Garrett, you're my calm videos. Thank you.
Terrific advice about leaving granite alone. It's so durable and easy to clean and maintain. Some things need to get a gate pass when it comes to trends, and granite is one of them.
I installed a peel and stick backsplash once before committing fully to the design. Turns out, I ended up hating it, so I’m glad I didn’t go all in right away. Solid advice in this video, as always!
I recently painted and stenciled my mud room and adjoining half bath tiles. It turned out amazingly beautiful, but let me tell you- it was UNBELIEVEABLY difficult. It nearly killed me. I did use the proper paint and I made sure I had three full days to complete the project. Not an easy fix, and not particularly cheap, but much much much cheaper than retiling- you just have to know going in that it is requires tons of patience and time.
Me: Gets mimosa, grabs headphones and puts on new Garret video, sets up to paint her freshly primed hand me down dresser… Garret: “the first DIY project we hate to see is PAINTED FURNITURE.” 😂😂😂 I have rules about this- i only paint low quality furniture, nothing that is old or should be restored, nothing I spent good money on
Me too Tammie! I like to refurb old crappy particle board stuff, something that evolved naturally from being a broke artist and buying a microwave cart for $5 at goodwill and that being my only furniture. I like to keep things like that out of the landfill if I can. There’s nothing more maddening to me than watching vids where people go to lovely little antique stores and buy a fully functional, gorgeous, solid wood $500 piece without a single flaw and then they just dump Annie Sloan onto it and “distress” it… like, NO. Show me an old crappy tv cart you had in the basement and fixed up, people! It takes no skill to put paint on a pretty surface.
Oh Garrett, I have a confession to make. I have committed three of these sins in my lifetime! I have painted furniture (five pieces so far), I have used peel and stick (as a renter), and I have painted hardware (only once!) In my defence, I was a professional painter before my disability! And the furniture really wasn't worth preserving (except MAYBE one end table that belonged to my parents, but I still don't regret it, lol). Fortunately you came along JUST in time to save my grandparent's tall boy dresser from my wicked ways! 🤣 Thanks for upping my game, Garrett! You're videos are awesome! ❤
Garrett, after bragging about you, my skeptic hubby watched this vid with me. I wanted to dispell his preconceived idea that all designers just want viewers to spend money on never ending trends. After watching you... He thinks you are amazing! He appreciates that you give sound advice not wasting money on cheap DIY projects or cheap furniture. (We curate from around the world). Also, he appreciates that you are not overloaded with sponsors and ads. Hubby is an airline pilot and a mechanical engineer and a very no nonsense kind of guy, so when he gives approval, it is well thought out🤔 and well deserved. Garrett, you have certainly earned his respect! I got to say to him...I told you so!🤪 Lots of kisses for the furry kids...💋💋💋
I made the mistake of painting my stair rail hardware and railing, and now I am about to tackle the stripping process after realizing that it looks so much better as it was! Just like when we first moved into this space- we gave everything a quick coat of fresh paint, and now only after being here for a few years, that we need and love colour! Thanks for this :)
Like you, I do not appreciate it when someone paints a beautiful antique piece of furniture. But today i found a video "Desert DIY" with "10 trash to Treasure" furniture flips I did appreciate! The furniture was in seemingly hopeless condition but was given new life.
New subscriber here. Really love your videos. Great tips. I make a rule to only DIY mass produced things that we already have to keep them out of landfill . We updated a 15 year old bed that came from “ The Brick” ,a furniture store here in Canada, that is still retailing for about $1500.00 for less than $100 and used DC Fix contact paper on a flat packed shoe rack to turn it into a wall hung vanity in a guest room ensuite. Good advice to weave quality pieces into the design scheme as is and appreciate them for what they are, and update or repurpose mass produced things if they can be saved. Our house in the city was built in the 1960s while our place in the country was built in the 1920s. Both of these places really came alive when we stopped trying to fight against the original design and began to listen and to work with the original intent. Neither of these places are open concept or trendy, but they always seem to be full of family and friends and provide a sanctuary for my husband and I. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the world. You are a joy to watch. I love your sweaters and your dogs. Take care and I hope you are having a great day.
Yay! I’m so glad you are enjoying, and thanks for sharing! Welcome to the channel Maria. It’s great to have you as part of our very valued subscriber family.😊😊😊
The only "hardware" I ever painted were vent covers for the HVAC ducts. Those things are so pricey! I took them down, cleaned them, and painted them with a roller and Rust-Oleum enamel paint. They look brand new and match our new freshly painted white walls! No more dingey beige! 😁
Honestly with love I have successfully painted many old dated and in some cases very worn furniture successfully. I was diligent, did my research and meticulously followed directions and used quality products. By general finishes and Sherman Williams. I saved thousands and do not regret
Peel and stick brick is a no. I will say, I used a product called Spread stone, a roll on/painted on textured stone coating product by Daiche on very worn laminate cabinets. We were selling our house, and we were going to have new counters professionally installed, but materials were on backorder for several months. So I used this product in a white color and the everyone loved how they turned out. They looked like quartz. Very durable as well.
Hi Garrett, why I don't know, but stripping furniture with oven cleaner has become a big fad. I've seen videos where they've applied it 3 times and scrubbed and sanded like heck to get to bare wood, and they go, oh yeah! This works great!!! What??!!? 🙄 A quality wood stripper will always be your best option for refinishing furniture.
When I was house hunting and saw DIY upgrades, in my mind it added to the cost of the place because I was going to have to strip out the DIY upgrade. I would never do any of the things on Garrett's list. I would sooner buy used furniture than waste money on flat pack furniture. It looks cheap; it is cheap.
Thanks again, Garrett! Another video that should be required viewing before anyone attempts these DIY projects and ruins what they have. Some projects shouldn't be attempted at all and those that might work out for you...not as easy as they look and will have unintended consequences. FYI-I had my bathtub re-glazed by a pro. It came out great and lasted for years. I watched the process. I don't see a DIY person pulling it off.
im soooo with you on the painted furniture and tile thing - around 30 years ago in my first flat when i had a tiny budget for upgrades i painted loads of things thinking there would be cohesion? well everything was the same colour but my oh my it looked cheap, drips every where ( before chalk paint & foam rollers were a thing 😂😂never again😂😂
The idea of reglazing my tiled bathroom had never crossed my mind. I have a love hate relationship with the 50's gray and drk red tile. It's in great shape but not my fave. Now to research and lots of thinking... Thank you :)
I enjoy watching your videos! I repainted my kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them. I used peel and stick backsplash to see if the design would be suitable before investing permanent tiles. It also may be a good way to change it up anytime with peel and stick too. Renovations can be expensive too. I have re stained furniture and it turned out great. Tackling these kind of projects can be rewarding if done correctly.
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I agree with you about not painting good quality surfaces. Painting tile particularly irks me. Tile can survive for millennia, for example the mosaics in Pompeii. Painted tile, on the other hand, is much more delicate. I will admit I did paint the doorknobs in my rental, but that's because it's an older building and the chrome coating peeled off all the doorknobs but one (which I didn't paint), exposing copper underneath which was leaving green marks on our hands and green drips on the doors if they got wet. The holes in the doors are not the current standard size, so even if I could afford to buy new doorknobs, they wouldn't fit. So I ended up spray painting over the copper. 10+ years later the doorknobs still look almost perfect, except one which which has green copper crud coming through, I guess I didn't prepare the surface well enough or didn't use enough coats of paint. My least favourite DIY is those mirrors framed with expanding foam. I don't like the way it looks, and I wonder how easily it can be cleaned.
Hi, great video! We have a great consignment shop in town that has a lot of high-end heirloom quality furniture at great prices. Sometimes I forget to shop there and start looking in furniture stores. I am looking for a piece to use as a small bar table and the furniture stores have nothing. Thanks for the reminder, I will be heading over there to see what they have. The only DIY I have done is paint finishes on the walls and wallpapering. Then I spent time taking the wallpaper off years later. Now it seems like wallpaper is "back". Your videos are so helpful.
Hello 👋 yeah for the life of me I cannot understand why folks would diy a natural stone into something else. I say go for it on old laminated countertop but leave the natural stone alone. Great video 😊
Hi Garrett, I'm new to your channel and I am loving it. I wish the Wavecrest Management who is now managing our development would have had you on their design team. They are renovating our apartments and they don't seem to have an idea on how to use the right cabinets, fridges and stoves among other things and somehow making the apartments even smaller with all the sheetrock they are using to cover up the heating pipes and radiators. I guess they went the cheapest route. Now we're faced with changing things on our own. They haven't gotten to our building but they are working their way to us so it's only a matter of time and I so wish they would have had someone like you on their team. Love your videos and all your ideas. Will have to see more and get more ideas to correct what they are doing. Keep up the great work! You rock!
Your advice is outstanding! Most of my old wood furniture was not expensive. I got a 1920s-era dresser for 125$ in a junk store that has a solid bird's eye maple top(Try finding that these days) which I refinished but I would never think of painting it. Twenty-five years later I still love it.
I live in an apartment and a previous tenant painted the freaking bathtub with latex paint. What a disaster, I don't know how to get it off and it's just peeling everywhere, ugh.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on DIY. You Tube often shows a’DIY’ project done by someone with experience and knowledge along with a tool selection to rival “This Old House”. People need to truly understand the process before trying something and having to call a professional to fix the mess
Yes … I agree stay away from spray painting…. I used to be an expert about spray painting an object but no matter how hard I tried unless you are in a closed area… but the fumes… you get debris… so perfection meant you choke on fumes…. Also spray paint is inconsistent so you end up with water marks…. I have completed some great pieces but it took time and practice. Thanks again for sharing!!!😊
I should be watched this video earlier! I’ve been loving the tool of black chairs and natural wood table on a dining set and I thought it was easy to achieve. Just sanding the chairs was a mess, so much work. Now I wish I could go back to the natural wood look they had.
I love what you said about the granite, I am total with you on that and I love even more what you said. "it's okay like different stuff" I feel like everybody's home looks like everybody's home.
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Very wise advice, Garrett! It's your home. Don't cheap out on it. I tend to be frugal, not having a large budget, and have to remind myself not to be drawn in to some of these ideas. They can look very easy online, but that doesn't mean that I can do them. My talents are in other areas. As always, Garrett, thank you Great video!
Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying the videos. Please take a moment if you haven't already to support the channel, and become a very valued subscriber.
Had a friend years ago and when I visited she proudly boasted she wallpapered her kitchen herself. Glancing it looked fine, but husband noticed at the very top there were a few staples. She said, my friends said it looks professional! He held the thought back, “get honest friends”😂
Hello Lovely LeChic fam! Garrett, you are my go to designer! You give us such great advice, because every once in a while, we think to ourselves.. I could do that & save money. Darlings.. please listen to someone who has made these same mistakes. Not everyone has the talent to makeover an object and make it look good. Just a little p.s.a. from a home diyer like myself. If you do, then good for you! Until next time, hugs xx
Great point! DIY is definitely not for everyone, and that is important to contemplate before taking on a project. It’s usually better to have a trained and experienced artisan or contractor do it for the best result, and for safety. 😊😊😊
I have been watching your videos for about a month and I love how you balance "splurge vs save". Great advice and your passion for your work really shines through! Thanks for the great content from a new subscriber 😊
I want that suede Moto jacket! I love my granite countertops and would never paint over them. Granite in my opinion is easy to maintain and very functional.
My husband is a professional painter/stainer and faux finishes when ppl hire for that. It takes a very long time for them to prep correctly, use the correct product & the correct techniques. He will do what the client desires, though he will give his opinion before proceeding. He hates painted wood unless it’s destroyed and there’s no choice. Years ago I insisted on staining something myself. He disapproved. He did one piece; I did the other. Now, he will have to completely start over with my diy job. Hire a professional. Just because it looks good on RUclips doesn’t mean it will look good closeup, to a professional, or in a year. I’ll stay in the kitchen and let him be the pro. Ty as always for the best interior design videos out there! Jacket looks fantastic!
I had an antique rocker refinished professionally. It belonged to my husband's grandmother. The finish (stain) was flaking off and the cushion was in poor condition. I know they say refinishing an antique can impact the value. However, we have no intention of selling it or getting rid of it. We use it everyday in our bedroom and it was the right choice for us.
OMG Garrett! Where were you years ago when I attempted to DYI so many projects that ended up in a catastrophe exactly like you mentioned! 🤦♀️😂 I will say that a few of my DYIs turned out great but overall, I agree 💯 with you that buying quality pieces and working with the space is the way to go otherwise, overtime you end up paying more bc you realize that this DYI project doesn’t last and you need to purchase what you needed to start with and you end up double spending (DYI material and then for the piece (s) that you needed to start with 🤦♀️) You are right on again with your suggestions. ❤️
I have granite countertops in a guest bath and a bar area and your video has helped me reassess if I really have to change them or just enhance them with how I decorate around them.
Great video, I've never heard of epoxying over granite, absolutely ridiculous. Never mind personal safety applying this, what about food safety? Thanks again Garrett for another informative video.
I would caution against any DIY "chandelier" or other lighting fixture using hot glue and "dollar store" items. You may "save money", but what about the time and all the little doo-dads you need to do to make it look presentable? Or, that you'll have to repair/replace in 6 months? As you point out Garrett - durability and craftsmanship are a huge factor to consider, even if the initial outlay is a little extra.. It really is true -- you get what you pay for!!
I appreciate how respectful you are with your comments. "I love that for you" is priceless. That being said, I would much rather have a piece of furniture, or anything, from a thrift shop than Ikea. Actually, I've never made a purchase from Ikea. My mom always told me, quality over quantity. I'm a fairly new subscriber and I love your videos and content and your dogs! 🐶😊🙋♀️
So true about people overpaying for new ‘vintage-style’ furniture. I have a friend who bought a a CB2 MCM style sofa that cost them over $2500. For that amount of money, they could have bought an actual Danish high end sofa from the era that was created by a named designer. I bought a France and Son Minerva sofa designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for a few hundred dollars less than what they paid for their sofa. My sofa will only appreciate in value because it’s an actual collectors piece while his sofa will only decrease in value over time🤷♀️
DIY painted kitchen cabinets….everyone thinks it’s so easy, however, like furniture, it takes a huge amount of prep and work! They rarely come out looking good. Save your money and wait until you can have it done professionally. We’re a world that wants instant gratification and it’s not always for the best.
Another great video, Thank you Garrett ! And lol the dreaded painting the counters then adding a bowl of fake fruit on top with fake ivy hanging from top cabs .
I was considering painting my shower tiles, not because I hate the original color but because at one point part of the bottom original tiles were removed from the floor and half way up and don’t match the rest. In texture or color. So I thought I’d do everything in white because it’s a tiny shower in a dark bathroom. But I’m not very experienced and a senior who has health issues. Maybe I should just paint the walls and upgrade my shower head!
Oh my! Another nail hit on the head! The 'let's paint every and anything that isn't moving' fad intrigued me for a bit. Some pieces by utubers were done quite well. Yet the repetition of so many versions, for myself anyway, and the decals all start to look the same. Plus any in person results I saw didn't look as professional. So this was a quick fad that has faded for me! Your message reminds me of a person I knew who just had to have 'the latest fashion' and decided to make it herself. I'm all for creativity but honey...when it's looking homespun I have to pass. Another excellent vid Garrett. Thank you.
Oh! It’s not diy exactly, but buying kitchen and bathroom fixtures from Amazon! I got all matte black for my bathroom, which I use daily, and the paint is peeling after only a few months from hot water. It looks terrible. So replace them again? I guess that’s what’s going to happen. And I’m sooo disappointed. It was my last room to redo, and the first one that have to be redone. 😢 I got stainless for the kitchen and it looks terrible. I use these these thing many times a day. So invest in bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
Yesss love this video! I also love my not trendy black granite countertops- installed by the previous owners 20 years ago and they still look brand new! Marble could never ;)
Thank you, Garrett. I am having to repair/replace some of the previous homeowner's DIYs. I am trying to go for better quality and longevity. Obviously not cheap, so a little at a time.
Garrett- have you tackled the DIY “custom” shades? I’m considering a natural-looking roller shade. But it’s made of 100% polyester. Would it be better to get the truly natural Roman shade? What about the mechanized feature? Thanks for your insight!
Thanks for watching! Please take a moment to support the channel, and become a subscriber. However, because I am very straightforward I rarely do DIY or videos on DIY.
I hate stone countertops. Hate. Our countertops are laminate and I’m keeping them until we move. They are really ugly but I still prefer them to the feel of stone wether it’s marble, granite or quartz.
Paint tile??? URGH! Now we did have a company reglazed a corner tub to match the tile, back in the 90's when my parents let me design my bathroom when I was in college. The tub was white and needed to be reglazed after it was installed and got scratched during installation and was bought discount at a bathroom fixture warehouse and had been sitting outside for a while at the store's yard.
I think DIY is really overrated in many cases. I have done a couple projects with the help of a friend who is much better at that stuff than I am. And even then, by the time you spend the money to get the proper tools and supplies. Sometimes it's just easier to buy a quality piece to begin with.
And sometime a custom furniture just around 30% higher than a flat packed furniture and it can last in my family for years, in fact they even last over 50 years. When you have the budget try to look some carpenter, artist, or crafter before grab an easy flat packed furniture, they are easy grab but takes time to put together Great job Garret ❤️
Great video! Over the years I’ve found that some “cheap and easy” DIY projects end up costing way more than you thought they would and fixing errors is another added cost. Actually it’s often cheaper in the long run to have a professional do the job right the first time.
Thanks so much!☺️☺️☺️
It seems social media has really made some people think that DIY is easy and given people the false sense that they have more skill than they actually do. 😆
I hired a GC to do our bathroom remodel. I asked him if he could raise the vanity 4" and paint it a new color. He said yes. I offered to properly prep the wood for paint. He declined, and said he would be fine.
Raising it went well.
But, he did not clean, sand, prime and paint it!!
He just slapped regular latex paint over stained wood!!!!
He was fired. Now, either I have to do it, or hire a professional painter. It's chipping and peeling everywhere. Love you!
2:55 "All design is created with good intentions."
You clearly haven't seen my kitchen...
All my past DIY projects were time consuming mistakes! The problem with hiring expensive professionals lately is that they weren't much better. 🙈
Finding great artisans is not necessarily easy or inexpensive. It takes time and research to find great people, and you then have to weigh the cost of the project versus doing something else.
And remember that DIY projects are often more difficult than the RUclipss make them look.
That part!
Plus the youtubers don’t work.
And the You Tubers don't always consider durability.
Indeed
Painting furniture - it depends. I have done that with hydrophobic mdf cabinets in my bathroom. It is a lot of work - it takes time to research the correct materials, and prepare, prime and paint properly - so it’s not a quick and easy DIY project, but I do think it is worth it in certain contexts.
Great video. Since I live in California, of course I am vigilant about wildfire awareness. Read recently that flat pack furniture only gives you around 3 to 4 minutes to vacate your home if it’s on fire versus vintage or old or more traditional all wood furniture which is somewhere between 13 to 15 minutes before it goes up in flames Food for thought. My numbers might be slightly off, but it’s still important to know this.
Great point! Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Interesting!
My advice to myself is stay away from anything diy. I need to constantly be reminded of this because in my mind it always “seems” like a good idea. Until I start the project. Any project. I’m meant to be drinking Pina Coladas on the beach while a professional does the job that I’m incapable of doing. It does, however, substantially add to the cost of the job with plane fare and hotel etc.
Thanks for sharing!!
🤣😂😜!!!!!
We successfully painted the tile in our bathroom (not the shower surround - nothing that regularly comes into contact with water). It was a lot of prep work (sanding the glaze off the tile, scrubbing the grout, priming with a tile-specific base, then actually applying the enamel with a spray applicator) but it turned out really clean and durable and saved us a load of money. You DEFINITELY have to do the research and put in the work, though!
Awesome! I'm glad it worked out well.
*Re-Glazing, DIY For Resale* . I hired a pro to re-glaze the tile in the primary bathroom, (postage stamp size (shower, toilet, pedestal sink) of my previous home to ready it for sale 8 years ago. Mustard yellow in 4x4 tile didn't cut it and I wanted neutralized. I invested in a new toilet and sink, updated fixtures, all was good. My kitchen had dusty rose formica counters, not the "it finish". I didn't have the budget to install new counters so I DIY'd to have a granite look. It was a pain staking process but they looked amazing and the house sold quickly after I made that cosmetic shift. The home I purchased, previous owner, DIY'd the harvest gold formic counters with Rustoleom Texture Counter Resurface paint. I've been here eight years and it's holding up well. I stated all of that to drive home a point, DIY is a great option for re-sale-ability. For me, the *Budget Friendly* worked out well as a seller and a purchaser. At the end of day, it's lipstick on a pig, but the pork is worth it.
I love how you make people feel great about their spaces. Trends come and go, being happy with your space is more important. Garrett, you're my calm videos. Thank you.
Thank you!! 😊
Great to hear someone talking common sense when it comes to DIY. Thank you, Garrett.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed. Please take a moment to support the channel if you haven't already, and become a very valued subscriber. :)
Terrific advice about leaving granite alone. It's so durable and easy to clean and maintain. Some things need to get a gate pass when it comes to trends, and granite is one of them.
"Your eyes are insulted by what you are seeing" I just love that! I might even use it one day.
🤣🤣🤣
Please do a video on how to incorporate vintage pieces so the place looks cohesive. Thanks.
Hi Garrett! I appreciate the idea of letting materials remain authentic and curating a space. Great video - love your channel!
Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying. Please take a moment if you haven't already, and become a very valued subscriber. :)
I installed a peel and stick backsplash once before committing fully to the design. Turns out, I ended up hating it, so I’m glad I didn’t go all in right away.
Solid advice in this video, as always!
Granite is so beautiful. Covering it in marble print paper sounds preposterous.
Agreed
I recently painted and stenciled my mud room and adjoining half bath tiles. It turned out amazingly beautiful, but let me tell you- it was UNBELIEVEABLY difficult. It nearly killed me. I did use the proper paint and I made sure I had three full days to complete the project. Not an easy fix, and not particularly cheap, but much much much cheaper than retiling- you just have to know going in that it is requires tons of patience and time.
Me: Gets mimosa, grabs headphones and puts on new Garret video, sets up to paint her freshly primed hand me down dresser…
Garret: “the first DIY project we hate to see is PAINTED FURNITURE.”
😂😂😂
I have rules about this- i only paint low quality furniture, nothing that is old or should be restored, nothing I spent good money on
Me too Tammie! I like to refurb old crappy particle board stuff, something that evolved naturally from being a broke artist and buying a microwave cart for $5 at goodwill and that being my only furniture. I like to keep things like that out of the landfill if I can. There’s nothing more maddening to me than watching vids where people go to lovely little antique stores and buy a fully functional, gorgeous, solid wood $500 piece without a single flaw and then they just dump Annie Sloan onto it and “distress” it… like, NO. Show me an old crappy tv cart you had in the basement and fixed up, people! It takes no skill to put paint on a pretty surface.
Oh Garrett, I have a confession to make. I have committed three of these sins in my lifetime! I have painted furniture (five pieces so far), I have used peel and stick (as a renter), and I have painted hardware (only once!) In my defence, I was a professional painter before my disability! And the furniture really wasn't worth preserving (except MAYBE one end table that belonged to my parents, but I still don't regret it, lol). Fortunately you came along JUST in time to save my grandparent's tall boy dresser from my wicked ways! 🤣 Thanks for upping my game, Garrett! You're videos are awesome! ❤
My pleasure Dodie! I'm glad I could help. Thanks for all your
support. :)
Garrett, after bragging about you, my skeptic hubby watched this vid with me. I wanted to dispell his preconceived idea that all designers just want viewers to spend money on never ending trends. After watching you... He thinks you are amazing! He appreciates that you give sound advice not wasting money on cheap DIY projects or cheap furniture. (We curate from around the world). Also, he appreciates that you are not overloaded with sponsors and ads.
Hubby is an airline pilot and a mechanical engineer and a very no nonsense kind of guy, so when he gives approval, it is well thought out🤔 and well deserved. Garrett, you have certainly earned his respect! I got to say to him...I told you so!🤪
Lots of kisses for the furry kids...💋💋💋
Thats such a kind story! I really appreciate it, and the support you give every week. You are such a valued member of our subscriber family. :)
I made the mistake of painting my stair rail hardware and railing, and now I am about to tackle the stripping process after realizing that it looks so much better as it was! Just like when we first moved into this space- we gave everything a quick coat of fresh paint, and now only after being here for a few years, that we need and love colour! Thanks for this :)
Thanks for sharing!
Like you, I do not appreciate it when someone paints a beautiful antique piece of furniture. But today
i found a video "Desert DIY" with "10 trash to Treasure" furniture flips I did appreciate! The furniture was in seemingly hopeless condition but was given new life.
New subscriber here. Really love your videos. Great tips. I make a rule to only DIY mass produced things that we already have to keep them out of landfill . We updated a 15 year old bed that came from “ The Brick” ,a furniture store here in Canada, that is still retailing for about $1500.00 for less than $100 and used DC Fix contact paper on a flat packed shoe rack to turn it into a wall hung vanity in a guest room ensuite. Good advice to weave quality pieces into the design scheme as is and appreciate them for what they are, and update or repurpose mass produced things if they can be saved.
Our house in the city was built in the 1960s while our place in the country was built in the 1920s. Both of these places really came alive when we stopped trying to fight against the original design and began to listen and to work with the original intent. Neither of these places are open concept or trendy, but they always seem to be full of family and friends and provide a sanctuary for my husband and I.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the world. You are a joy to watch. I love your sweaters and your dogs. Take care and I hope you are having a great day.
Yay! I’m so glad you are enjoying, and thanks for sharing! Welcome to the channel Maria. It’s great to have you as part of our very valued subscriber family.😊😊😊
Garrett, thanks to you I learned that it's OK not to love absolutely everything about your space and how to deal with it🌹
Love that!
The only "hardware" I ever painted were vent covers for the HVAC ducts. Those things are so pricey! I took them down, cleaned them, and painted them with a roller and Rust-Oleum enamel paint. They look brand new and match our new freshly painted white walls! No more dingey beige! 😁
Honestly with love I have successfully painted many old dated and in some cases very worn furniture successfully. I was diligent, did my research and meticulously followed directions and used quality products. By general finishes and Sherman Williams. I saved thousands and do not regret
This video is invaluable. DIY can be a cautionary tale
Thanks so much Lucy!
Peel and stick brick is a no. I will say, I used a product called Spread stone, a roll on/painted on textured stone coating product by Daiche on very worn laminate cabinets. We were selling our house, and we were going to have new counters professionally installed, but materials were on backorder for several months. So I used this product in a white color and the everyone loved how they turned out. They looked like quartz. Very durable as well.
Thank you for always preaching used, vintage, and quality materials over trends. And for using your influence against fast fashion interior design!
My pleasure! Quality is key whether new or vintage. 😊😊😊
Hi Garrett, why I don't know, but stripping furniture with oven cleaner has become a big fad. I've seen videos where they've applied it 3 times and scrubbed and sanded like heck to get to bare wood, and they go, oh yeah! This works great!!! What??!!? 🙄 A quality wood stripper will always be your best option for refinishing furniture.
Thank you so much for backing me in regards to my beautiful 20 year old granite. I adore your mindful approach.
You are so welcome!
When I was house hunting and saw DIY upgrades, in my mind it added to the cost of the place because I was going to have to strip out the DIY upgrade. I would never do any of the things on Garrett's list. I would sooner buy used furniture than waste money on flat pack furniture. It looks cheap; it is cheap.
Thanks again, Garrett! Another video that should be required viewing before anyone attempts these DIY projects and ruins what they have. Some projects shouldn't be attempted at all and those that might work out for you...not as easy as they look and will have unintended consequences. FYI-I had my bathtub re-glazed by a pro. It came out great and lasted for years. I watched the process. I don't see a DIY person pulling it off.
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed Linda. :)
I did the same thing and it has lasted 20 years so far!! Get the pros people!!! They know what they're doing!!!
Every single one of these!!! (Oh my, I have made some of these DIY mistakes!)
I love your honesty, your knowledge of installation & processes, and THAT JACKET!
Thanks so very much!😀😀😀
im soooo with you on the painted furniture and tile thing - around 30 years ago in my first flat when i had a tiny budget for upgrades i painted loads of things thinking there would be cohesion? well everything was the same colour but my oh my it looked cheap, drips every where ( before chalk paint & foam rollers were a thing 😂😂never again😂😂
Please do a video showing how you search for vintage and second hand pieces!
Thanks for watching! Please take a moment to support the channel, and become a very valued subscriber. :)
Oh thank you! Somebody had to say it! Agree with you 100%
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Only thing I DIY was change out silver drawer pulls on a credenza to brushed brass.
The idea of reglazing my tiled bathroom had never crossed my mind. I have a love hate relationship with the 50's gray and drk red tile. It's in great shape but not my fave. Now to research and lots of thinking... Thank you :)
I enjoy watching your videos! I repainted my kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them. I used peel and stick backsplash to see if the design would be suitable before investing permanent tiles. It also may be a good way to change it up anytime with peel and stick too. Renovations can be expensive too. I have re stained furniture and it turned out great. Tackling these kind of projects can be rewarding if done correctly.
Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you are enjoying our videos. Please take a moment to support the channel if you haven't already, and become one of our very valued subscribers. :)
How dare some wannabe "style" insult my eyes! What's not insulting my eyes is your super cute jacket. Love you & all your Chicness! :)
Aww thanks so much Wendy! :)
I agree with you about not painting good quality surfaces. Painting tile particularly irks me. Tile can survive for millennia, for example the mosaics in Pompeii. Painted tile, on the other hand, is much more delicate.
I will admit I did paint the doorknobs in my rental, but that's because it's an older building and the chrome coating peeled off all the doorknobs but one (which I didn't paint), exposing copper underneath which was leaving green marks on our hands and green drips on the doors if they got wet. The holes in the doors are not the current standard size, so even if I could afford to buy new doorknobs, they wouldn't fit. So I ended up spray painting over the copper. 10+ years later the doorknobs still look almost perfect, except one which which has green copper crud coming through, I guess I didn't prepare the surface well enough or didn't use enough coats of paint.
My least favourite DIY is those mirrors framed with expanding foam. I don't like the way it looks, and I wonder how easily it can be cleaned.
Thank you Garrett, you really do look out for our health, safety, finances and the beauty of our lives!
My pleasure! Thanks for watching. Please take a moment to support the channel, and become a subscriber. :)
Hi, great video! We have a great consignment shop in town that has a lot of high-end heirloom quality furniture at great prices. Sometimes I forget to shop there and start looking in furniture stores. I am looking for a piece to use as a small bar table and the furniture stores have nothing. Thanks for the reminder, I will be heading over there to see what they have. The only DIY I have done is paint finishes on the walls and wallpapering. Then I spent time taking the wallpaper off years later. Now it seems like wallpaper is "back". Your videos are so helpful.
Thanks so much Amy!🤗🤗🤗
Hello 👋 yeah for the life of me I cannot understand why folks would diy a natural stone into something else. I say go for it on old laminated countertop but leave the natural stone alone. Great video 😊
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.😊😊😊
You can also do a video about DIY small decor items that can go wrong, like lamps, wall art frames, flower vases, faux stained glass, etc.
That’s true. I could. Thanks for supporting the channel by subscribing and watching.
Hi Garrett, I'm new to your channel and I am loving it. I wish the Wavecrest Management who is now managing our development would have had you on their design team. They are renovating our apartments and they don't seem to have an idea on how to use the right cabinets, fridges and stoves among other things and somehow making the apartments even smaller with all the sheetrock they are using to cover up the heating pipes and radiators. I guess they went the cheapest route. Now we're faced with changing things on our own. They haven't gotten to our building but they are working their way to us so it's only a matter of time and I so wish they would have had someone like you on their team. Love your videos and all your ideas. Will have to see more and get more ideas to correct what they are doing. Keep up the great work! You rock!
I’m glad you are enjoying. Thanks for supporting the channel by subscribing and watching. I appreciate it.
Your advice is outstanding! Most of my old wood furniture was not expensive. I got a 1920s-era dresser for 125$ in a junk store that has a solid bird's eye maple top(Try finding that these days) which I refinished but I would never think of painting it. Twenty-five years later I still love it.
Thanks so much, and thank you for sharing!😊😊😊
I do love a beautiful lacquered (painted) wood case piece. I agree though, only if properly done.
I live in an apartment and a previous tenant painted the freaking bathtub with latex paint. What a disaster, I don't know how to get it off and it's just peeling everywhere, ugh.
😫😫😫
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on DIY. You Tube often shows a’DIY’ project done by someone with experience and knowledge along with a tool selection to rival “This Old House”. People need to truly understand the process before trying something and having to call a professional to fix the mess
Glad it was helpful! I appreciate you sharing. Please take a moment to support the channel, and become a very valued subscriber. :)
Yes … I agree stay away from spray painting…. I used to be an expert about spray painting an object but no matter how hard I tried unless you are in a closed area… but the fumes… you get debris… so perfection meant you choke on fumes…. Also spray paint is inconsistent so you end up with water marks…. I have completed some great pieces but it took time and practice. Thanks again for sharing!!!😊
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Great points! I have ugly granite but I replaced the faucet with a black faucet and painted the backsplash black.
Thank you!
I should be watched this video earlier! I’ve been loving the tool of black chairs and natural wood table on a dining set and I thought it was easy to achieve. Just sanding the chairs was a mess, so much work. Now I wish I could go back to the natural wood look they had.
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel by subscribing!
I love what you said about the granite, I am total with you on that and I love even more what you said. "it's okay like different stuff" I feel like everybody's home looks like everybody's home.
Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying. Please take a moment to support the channel, and become one of our OG subscribers on our track to our first stop at 100k subscribers. :)
I can paint walls fairly well, and I can sew cushion covers but that’s the extent of my DIY capabilities. Such good advice, as always. Thanks again!
You are so welcome!
Very wise advice, Garrett! It's your home. Don't cheap out on it. I tend to be frugal, not having a large budget, and have to remind myself not to be drawn in to some of these ideas. They can look very easy online, but that doesn't mean that I can do them. My talents are in other areas. As always, Garrett, thank you Great video!
Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying the videos. Please take a moment if you haven't already to support the channel, and become a very valued subscriber.
@@GarrettLeChic No worries, I am subscribed.
@teri-joscott8279 Yay! Glad to have you with us. :)
Had a friend years ago and when I visited she proudly boasted she wallpapered her kitchen herself. Glancing it looked fine, but husband noticed at the very top there were a few staples. She said, my friends said it looks professional! He held the thought back, “get honest friends”😂
Mam, your husband is shady 😂
Hello Lovely LeChic fam! Garrett, you are my go to designer! You give us such great advice, because every once in a while, we think to ourselves.. I could do that & save money. Darlings.. please listen to someone who has made these same mistakes. Not everyone has the talent to makeover an object and make it look good. Just a little p.s.a. from a home diyer like myself. If you do, then good for you! Until next time, hugs xx
Great point! DIY is definitely not for everyone, and that is important to contemplate before taking on a project. It’s usually better to have a trained and experienced artisan or contractor do it for the best result, and for safety. 😊😊😊
"DIY yourself." That phrase made me giggle.
I have been watching your videos for about a month and I love how you balance "splurge vs save". Great advice and your passion for your work really shines through! Thanks for the great content from a new subscriber 😊
I'm glad you are enjoying! Welcome to the channel Caroline. It's great having you as part of our very valued subscriber family. :)
I want that suede Moto jacket! I love my granite countertops and would never paint over them. Granite in my opinion is easy to maintain and very functional.
My husband is a professional painter/stainer and faux finishes when ppl hire for that. It takes a very long time for them to prep correctly, use the correct product & the correct techniques.
He will do what the client desires, though he will give his opinion before proceeding.
He hates painted wood unless it’s destroyed and there’s no choice. Years ago I insisted on staining something myself. He disapproved. He did one piece; I did the other. Now, he will have to completely start over with my diy job.
Hire a professional. Just because it looks good on RUclips doesn’t mean it will look good closeup, to a professional, or in a year.
I’ll stay in the kitchen and let him be the pro. Ty as always for the best interior design videos out there! Jacket looks fantastic!
Thanks, and thank you for sharing!
I had an antique rocker refinished professionally. It belonged to my husband's grandmother. The finish (stain) was flaking off and the cushion was in poor condition. I know they say refinishing an antique can impact the value. However, we have no intention of selling it or getting rid of it. We use it everyday in our bedroom and it was the right choice for us.
Very cool!
While scanning marketing place for specific pieces for our small space I have seen so many fake vintage and mid century pieces. It’s an epidemic.
Great advice! I believe you have to be selective about where to spend your money rather than rush to a diy project. Better use of all your resources.
Thanks so much!
OMG Garrett! Where were you years ago when I attempted to DYI so many projects that ended up in a catastrophe exactly like you mentioned! 🤦♀️😂
I will say that a few of my DYIs turned out great but overall, I agree 💯 with you that buying quality pieces and working with the space is the way to go otherwise, overtime you end up paying more bc you realize that this DYI project doesn’t last and you need to purchase what you needed to start with and you end up double spending (DYI material and then for the piece (s) that you needed to start with 🤦♀️) You are right on again with your suggestions. ❤️
Thanks so much! Just trying to be helpful.
I agree with all of this.Specialy on faking materials...it doesn't make sense 🤦🤦🤦
I have granite countertops in a guest bath and a bar area and your video has helped me reassess if I really have to change them or just enhance them with how I decorate around them.
I found white subway tiles for 15 cents. if you look around, you can find better materials that look good and last longer for DIY.
Great video, I've never heard of epoxying over granite, absolutely ridiculous. Never mind personal safety applying this, what about food safety? Thanks again Garrett for another informative video.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing! I don't recommend using epoxy on countertops.
OMG Garrett! Your video thumbnails get better & better every time! Loved the video content, too ❤️
Yay! Thank you!
I would caution against any DIY "chandelier" or other lighting fixture using hot glue and "dollar store" items. You may "save money", but what about the time and all the little doo-dads you need to do to make it look presentable? Or, that you'll have to repair/replace in 6 months?
As you point out Garrett - durability and craftsmanship are a huge factor to consider, even if the initial outlay is a little extra.. It really is true -- you get what you pay for!!
I appreciate how respectful you are with your comments. "I love that for you" is priceless. That being said, I would much rather have a piece of furniture, or anything, from a thrift shop than Ikea. Actually, I've never made a purchase from Ikea. My mom always told me, quality over quantity. I'm a fairly new subscriber and I love your videos and content and your dogs! 🐶😊🙋♀️
Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying, and welcome to the channel.
Faux marble is best found in certain Baroque churches in Europe. That quality, however, is out of this world and not something for DIY either 😃
So true about people overpaying for new ‘vintage-style’ furniture. I have a friend who bought a a CB2 MCM style sofa that cost them over $2500. For that amount of money, they could have bought an actual Danish high end sofa from the era that was created by a named designer. I bought a France and Son Minerva sofa designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for a few hundred dollars less than what they paid for their sofa. My sofa will only appreciate in value because it’s an actual collectors piece while his sofa will only decrease in value over time🤷♀️
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I spray painted a brass door knob black , not such a good idea. Now it's scratched and I need to replace it. Totally agree don't paint hardware
DIY painted kitchen cabinets….everyone thinks it’s so easy, however, like furniture, it takes a huge amount of prep and work! They rarely come out looking good. Save your money and wait until you can have it done professionally. We’re a world that wants instant gratification and it’s not always for the best.
So true!
Another great video, Thank you Garrett ! And lol the dreaded painting the counters then adding a bowl of fake fruit on top with fake ivy hanging from top cabs .
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for talking about granite. I love granite
I was considering painting my shower tiles, not because I hate the original color but because at one point part of the bottom original tiles were removed from the floor and half way up and don’t match the rest. In texture or color. So I thought I’d do everything in white because it’s a tiny shower in a dark bathroom. But I’m not very experienced and a senior who has health issues. Maybe I should just paint the walls and upgrade my shower head!
Thanks for sharing! My opinion is for you not to put yourself at risk, and get licensed contractors to do the work. Health and safety first!
Oh my! Another nail hit on the head! The 'let's paint every and anything that isn't moving' fad intrigued me for a bit. Some pieces by utubers were done quite well. Yet the repetition of so many versions, for myself anyway, and the decals all start to look the same. Plus any in person results I saw didn't look as professional. So this was a quick fad that has faded for me! Your message reminds me of a person I knew who just had to have 'the latest fashion' and decided to make it herself. I'm all for creativity but honey...when it's looking homespun I have to pass. Another excellent vid Garrett. Thank you.
Thank you very much!
Hi Garrett,
Agree to all of the points.
Thank you for the video.
You have a wonderful weekend and hear you soon:)
Ramani🥰
Thank you! You too!😁😁😄
@@GarrettLeChic Ta🤗🥰
Great advice 👍🏼. Also, love the black shirt and cognac jacket combo. So sharp!
Thank you!
Oh! It’s not diy exactly, but buying kitchen and bathroom fixtures from Amazon! I got all matte black for my bathroom, which I use daily, and the paint is peeling after only a few months from hot water. It looks terrible. So replace them again? I guess that’s what’s going to happen. And I’m sooo disappointed. It was my last room to redo, and the first one that have to be redone. 😢 I got stainless for the kitchen and it looks terrible. I use these these thing many times a day. So invest in bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
Yesss love this video! I also love my not trendy black granite countertops- installed by the previous owners 20 years ago and they still look brand new! Marble could never ;)
Thanks so much, and thank you for watching! Please take a moment to support the channel, and become a subscriber. :)
DIY I have never done - I so agree with you on all these points!!!! Great video as always - thanks for all your great advice ❤️ btw love your jacket.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for the amazing tips
You're so welcome!
Your videos are so very helpful! I am learning so much. Thank you!
Yay! Glad you are enjoying. Thanks for supporting the channel!😊😊😊
Thank you, Garrett. I am having to repair/replace some of the previous homeowner's DIYs. I am trying to go for better quality and longevity. Obviously not cheap, so a little at a time.
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed.
Garrett- have you tackled the DIY “custom” shades? I’m considering a natural-looking roller shade. But it’s made of 100% polyester. Would it be better to get the truly natural Roman shade? What about the mechanized feature? Thanks for your insight!
Thanks for watching! Please take a moment to support the channel, and become a subscriber. However, because I am very straightforward I rarely do DIY or videos on DIY.
I hate stone countertops. Hate. Our countertops are laminate and I’m keeping them until we move. They are really ugly but I still prefer them to the feel of stone wether it’s marble, granite or quartz.
Paint tile??? URGH! Now we did have a company reglazed a corner tub to match the tile, back in the 90's when my parents let me design my bathroom when I was in college. The tub was white and needed to be reglazed after it was installed and got scratched during installation and was bought discount at a bathroom fixture warehouse and had been sitting outside for a while at the store's yard.
I think DIY is really overrated in many cases. I have done a couple projects with the help of a friend who is much better at that stuff than I am. And even then, by the time you spend the money to get the proper tools and supplies. Sometimes it's just easier to buy a quality piece to begin with.
Hi Garrett great video as usual!
Glad you enjoyed!
And sometime a custom furniture just around 30% higher than a flat packed furniture and it can last in my family for years, in fact they even last over 50 years. When you have the budget try to look some carpenter, artist, or crafter before grab an easy flat packed furniture, they are easy grab but takes time to put together
Great job Garret ❤️
As always, an excellent episode. Such practical advice.
Glad you enjoyed it