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House Beautiful writer Kelsey Stewart reports that two rolls of marble-look contact paper from Amazon changed the appearance of her dark rental-kitchen countertops. She says the project took roughly seven hours, was challenging to install alone, and had remained in place for about a year when she wrote the report.
House Beautiful writer Kelsey Stewart says she used two rolls of marble-look contact paper bought from Amazon to cover the dark granite countertops in her rental kitchen, reporting that the project cost about $50 and made the space feel brighter. Her account describes a do-it-yourself cosmetic update, not a renovation or an independently tested product review.
Stewart wrote that the dark countertops made her rental kitchen feel gloomy, prompting her to try adhesive contact paper with a marble pattern. She ordered two rolls and noted that the product was available in multiple sizes, from 11.8 by 78.7 inches to 47.2 by 196 inches. The report does not identify a single size as right for every kitchen; buyers would need to measure their own surfaces before choosing.
The installation took Stewart roughly seven hours on a Saturday. She worked alone and said it was her first time using contact paper. Her process began with cleaning the counter, then peeling away the backing a little at a time and pressing the adhesive surface down while smoothing out bubbles. Grid lines printed on the backing helped her measure and trim the material. She recommended a smoothing-tool kit, describing it as helpful during her own installation.
Stewart said the work was difficult, particularly around air bubbles and curved countertop edges. She described her finished result as imperfect but said she was pleased with the visual change. At the time she wrote the article, she said the covering had stayed in place for about a year. That durability statement reflects her experience with her own kitchen, rather than a guarantee for other surfaces or conditions.
A Low-Cost Surface Makeover
The report offers renters and homeowners an example of a comparatively inexpensive way to change a kitchen’s appearance without replacing the countertops. At about $50 for the materials Stewart used, the project may appeal to people seeking a reversible-looking cosmetic update or a way to brighten a room on a limited budget. The article describes the material as contact paper; it does not establish whether removing it will leave every countertop undamaged.
The account also makes clear that a low purchase price does not mean the job is quick or effortless. Stewart spent about seven hours applying the paper, and solo installation contributed to the difficulty. Readers considering the project should weigh the cost against the time, careful measuring and surface preparation involved—and should not treat one person’s year-long experience as a product-wide durability finding.
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How Stewart Applied the Paper
The House Beautiful report is a first-person home-improvement account, centered on Stewart’s rental kitchen rather than a controlled comparison of countertop products. The writer says her interest in DIY projects influenced her decision to try the update, and that the existing dark granite made the room feel darker.
Her described method was to clean the counter, uncover a small portion of the adhesive backing, position the paper, and smooth it down as she worked across the surface. She used the backing’s printed grid lines for measuring and trimming. Stewart said another person could have made the process easier, particularly when handling the paper and working around curves. The report also notes that marble was one of several available styles, with wood-look and plain white options among the alternatives.
“The project was anything but easy”
— Kelsey Stewart, writing for House Beautiful
What the Account Cannot Establish
The report does not provide a controlled test of the contact paper, identify the precise roll size used, or document how the covering performs on different countertop materials. It also does not establish how the paper responds to heat, water, cleaning products, heavy daily use or removal. Those details remain unknown from the account, as does whether the covering left any residue or surface changes when removed.
The stated price is tied to the writer’s purchase and should not be assumed to represent a current or universal Amazon price. Stewart’s estimate that the paper remained in place for about a year is a personal observation; it does not confirm that the same result will occur in other kitchens. The source also does not report whether the product is approved or suitable for every countertop or household use.
Measure Before Choosing a Roll
For readers considering a similar update, the practical next step described in the report is to measure the countertop and select a roll size that fits the project. Stewart’s experience suggests preparing the surface, applying the paper gradually and using a smoothing tool to address bubbles. A helper may make it easier to handle and position larger pieces, though the article does not test that approach directly.
No further testing or product follow-up is specified in the source. The next useful evidence would be information about performance on different surfaces, care requirements and removal; until then, the reported cost, installation time and year-long result should be read as one renter’s experience, not a prediction for every kitchen.
Key Questions
How much did the countertop update cost?
Stewart’s headline and report describe the Amazon find as costing about $50 for the contact paper she used. The article does not provide a current price guarantee, and the cost can vary with roll size and listing price.
How long did installation take?
Stewart said her project took roughly seven hours on a Saturday. She was working alone and had not used contact paper before, so the time may not match other installations.
Was the contact paper easy to install?
No. Stewart described the process as difficult, citing air bubbles, curved edges and working alone. She said gradual application and a smoothing tool helped her manage the job.
Did the paper last?
Stewart reported that it had not budged after about a year on her countertops. That is her account of one installation, not a general product test or guarantee.
Can contact paper be removed without damage?
The House Beautiful report does not say how easily the paper came off or whether removal affected the countertop. Removal results are unknown from the source, so renters should check the product’s instructions and consider the risks to their specific surface before applying it.
Source: housebeautiful.com
