I guess you could buy plaster at a craft store, they also sell it at HD or Lowes, but I only found it in ginormous bags. I bought the grout because I can use it on another project. I did two coats on my piece. I didn't sand between coats, but you could. When I finished the final coat, I sanded using 220 grit paper, and knocked off the paint on the high spots and edges. I then used just MinWax for waxing. I'd never used wax before, so it was different for me, but I did like the finish. I used a car wax pad! DH had some in the garage, so I used it. I don't know how long the paint would keep, I mixed up using only one cup at a time. The first coat had some left over, so I sealed it up in a plastic bag. It was literally freezing in the garage the day I painted, so the paint took a lot longer to dry than it should have. Once the first coat was dry enough for me to move the piece, I brought it inside and finished painting indoors. The 2nd coat dried sooo fast, but I let it sit over night before I sanded & waxed. I had a bit of paint left over, but just disposed of it like I would any latex paint, and I washed out my brush with no problems. It was a bit grainy, especially as it set up, but it also smoothed itself out a lot, and when knocked back with the sand paper, was no problem.

It has held up great! I have a couple scratches from kids cutting without cutting board and dent from someone dropping cast iron skillet. There is also a dull spot near sink. I see it but rest of my family doesn’t, I think because I know I said don’t let water sit overnight. Overall I would do it again. I still get compliments and people are shocked I did it myself.

okay..so so far I understood to you the granite is a biggest issue then..change for quiter countertop surface you love(but you need to decide whether you're changing color/stain of the cabinets. since they have to correlate, colorwise). different backsplash. quieter surface will give you more freedom with backsplash too. different pulls(unless you like the ones you chose) Learn pros/cons of your preffered countertop material in advance..Quartz is not bulletproof..(as granite isn't too. none of them are-everything will have pros/cons) for example, I love mitered edge more than rounded-but more possibility it might chip. Find as much as you can about every material you're going to install. If you do decide to paint/re-stain (and no, I'm not advocating white, like, at all)-it should be a pro job(unless you're willing to do it yourself..and know how, and will take lots of time) and yes, it'll chip too if say a fork falls or a knife and bangs onto it)) everything might chip-but on stain you'll see it less/will be less bothered in short learn as much as you can about what you'll be working with..and check your own tolerance to imperfections I can't see your kitchen fully..maybe you won't need any seams. if you do though-you'll see it to a degree on quiter light Quartz. not a biggie but first several days one can't keep eyes off that seam)) then one gets used to. backsplash-whatever will be-decide where you finish it(I'd do lower bottom cabinet level) and how. every guy/gal you'll talk to-being it a store or your GC or installer or..-ask questions. Don't presume they know you don't know..some will educate you, some won't. Ask everything..

Tia: I wish I could tell you. This was ten years ago. I'm pretty sure this particular style is 'out of date' like so many things go by the wayside after ten years, alas. I can say that I would upgrade. These floors take vigilant work and if I had children at home, there is no way. I have a grandchild who is a frequent visitor and not hard on floors. I have one cat; if I had a dog, these floors would take a beating. That said, I still love the color, its richness, and no regrets for us.