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House Beautiful writer Kelsey Stewart says two rolls of marble-pattern contact paper bought on Amazon transformed the look of her dark rental kitchen countertops. She reports the project took about seven hours and that the covering had stayed in place for roughly a year, while warning that installation was difficult and left imperfections.
House Beautiful writer Kelsey Stewart says she used two rolls of marble-pattern contact paper bought on Amazon to brighten the dark granite countertops in her rental kitchen. The DIY project cost about $50, took roughly seven hours and, according to Stewart, had stayed in place for about a year when she wrote about it.
Stewart described the project as a cosmetic update rather than a countertop replacement. She said the dark counters made the kitchen feel dim and that applying the adhesive-backed paper gave the room a brighter, more modern look. The article presents her experience, not a product test or a guarantee that the material will perform the same way in other kitchens.
She ordered two rolls, noting that the product was sold in a range of sizes, from 11.8 by 78.7 inches to 47.2 by 196 inches. Her advice was to measure the surface before choosing a size. She also recommended cleaning the counter first, peeling back only a small section of backing at a time and smoothing the paper as it is applied. The backing has grid lines to help with measuring and cutting.
Stewart said she worked alone and found the application challenging. Air bubbles were her biggest problem, and curved countertop edges added difficulty. She said a smoothing-tool kit helped, and that an extra pair of hands could have made the work easier. She described her finished counters as imperfect but said she did not regret the project.
A Lower-Cost Countertop Refresh
The report offers renters and homeowners an example of a temporary-looking, lower-cost alternative to replacing countertops or undertaking a larger kitchen renovation. Contact paper can change a surface’s appearance without removing the existing counter, an appealing prospect for people seeking a visual update on a limited budget.
Stewart’s account also shows the trade-off: the material may cost relatively little, but applying it can take time and careful work. Her seven-hour installation is specific to her kitchen and circumstances, not a standard estimate. The article does not establish how the covering handles heat, spills, cleaning products or long-term wear, so readers should not treat one person’s year-long experience as proof of broad durability.
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How Stewart Applied the Covering
Stewart framed the project as a personal DIY update to a rental kitchen with dark granite. She said she expected trial and error, ordered two rolls and applied the paper herself on a Saturday. The job took about seven hours; she attributed some of the time to being new to the material and working alone.
Her described process was to clean the counter, measure and trim the paper, then attach it gradually while using a smoothing tool to press out air bubbles. She said the product’s backing grid helped with cutting. The article also notes that the paper comes in other finishes, including wood and plain white, and can be used on surfaces such as furniture. Those are potential uses, not results documented in Stewart’s countertop project.
“The project was anything but easy, though that was partly because I tackled it solo.”
— Kelsey Stewart, writing for House Beautiful
Durability Beyond One Kitchen
The report is a single person’s experience and does not provide independent testing, a full product specification or a comparison with other countertop coverings. It does not say how the surface performed under frequent cooking, direct heat, standing water, abrasive cleaning or heavy use. Stewart reported that the paper had not budged after about a year, but the account does not establish whether it will remain adhered for longer or behave similarly on different counter materials.
The source also does not identify a specific price for each roll, the exact total area covered, or whether preparation and tools were included in the approximate $50 cost. Readers should check current listings and product instructions and confirm that the material is suitable for their surface before buying.
Measure Before Ordering
Anyone considering a similar update should measure the counter carefully, check the product’s current dimensions and instructions, and plan for more time if the surface has corners or curved edges. Stewart’s account suggests applying the covering gradually and using a smoothing tool to reduce bubbles; a second person may help manage the backing and placement.
There is no follow-up test or broader durability data in the report. Whether the finish suits a particular kitchen will depend on the counter’s condition, the installation and the household’s expectations for a decorative surface.
Key Questions
How much did the countertop project cost?
Stewart describes the Amazon find as costing about $50 and says she ordered two rolls. The report does not provide a detailed cost breakdown or confirm whether tools were included in that amount.
How long did installation take?
Stewart said the job took roughly seven hours on a Saturday. She was working alone and applying contact paper for the first time, so that timing may not match other projects.
Was the paper still in place later?
Stewart reported that it had not budged after about a year. That is her experience with her own kitchen, not an independent durability assessment or a guarantee for other surfaces.
What made the installation difficult?
Stewart cited air bubbles, working alone and curved countertop edges as challenges. She said a smoothing tool helped and suggested that another person could make application easier.
Can the contact paper be used for other projects?
The House Beautiful report says the paper is available in other finishes and can also be used on items such as wall surfaces, nightstands or dressers. It does not document those uses in Stewart’s project.
Source: housebeautiful.com
