Cabinet Cover Up
When we moved into our house three years ago, I was psyched about many things in our kitchen…but not the orangey-oak cabinets. Now and then we whined about how we wished the original owners had picked out more high-end finishes when they built the house…but then we reminded ourselves that any high-end finishes might have precluded us from buying it.
And so, we lived with the cabinets, adding a faux-tin backslash with the hopes that it would help…
Photoshop simulated photo (read: I forgot to take a before picture until after the top row of cabinets was already painted...)
Fast forward to this past August. I couldn’t take it any more and I was Googling “how to paint cabinets.” That is when I found Young House Love with the handy step-by-step instructions (I love how they type things out so that I don’t have to!). They made it look so easy and so appealing, so I set into action, running to Lowe’s for supplies and returning to get started. Chris looked scared.
After dismantling, removing hardware, cleaning, and painting four coats (one coat of oil-based primer and three coats of high-gloss ultra white finish) nine hours had passed. Here is the half-way done result. What a difference, right?
But wait, it gets better. Three weeks later I actually finished the job during Project Week. And then 2.5 months later I actually got around to photographing the finished product:
When this was done I swore that I would never pick up another paintbrush. I had blisters and cramps in my hand from grasping the brush and roller for so many hours! Never mind the impossible-to-remove oil-based primer all over my hands, feet and legs! But, it was so worth it and, truth be told, I would do it all over again. (And it didn’t stop me from painting the guest bedroom later that same week.)
I should also note that somewhere along the way we painted the previously primed-only kitchen walls a nice shade of Olympic Glazed Pears. The dark pictures don’t show it well, but this warm white color actually balances the white cabinets and white floors quite well.
What do you think?!? Do you like our transformation as much as we do? Can you believe they are the same cabinets?
Erin – kitchen looks absolutely fabuloso…….it’s amazing what some white paint and hard work can do..makes the kitchen look oh so modern and light.
Well done, big pat on the back.
Stunning! The white was meant to be, it brings the look all together. And the tin is perfect. When shall I come over for dinner?
Check the Building Materials Reuse Association, maybe you can find a place within driving distance.
http://www.bmra.org/listings/browse-by-state?catid=3
Jessica,
Wow, what a great link. Thanks so much for sharing! The is one within an hour and several within two hours, so I am psyched! Dinner is a done deal anytime you find yourself in Maine!
- e
Thanks, Janis! That dinner offer to Jessica applies for you, too!
- e
This looks AWESOME. Painting cabinets is a lot of work but ALWAYS worth the effort. We painted our rental house cabinets and it was night and day, too.
The white really pops off the backsplash, too. Go girl!
(And, PS – I was totally like, “What is UP with the top cabinets?” I was perplexed. =))
Thanks, Kim!
Let’s be honest, my Photoshop skills are minimal! But it sure helps the after picture really stand out!
- e
I’ve been blog-stalking you for a week or so now and I am SO impressed! I can’t wait until my boyfriend gets home tonight so I can show him how good painted cabinets look. I usually can’t stand the sight of painted wood, but we’ve got the same orangey cabinets in our kitchen and it just feels so dark! Definitely adding this to my inspiration folder.
D,
Blog stalkers warm my little heart, so thank you! Go forth and paint those orangey cabinets…you will not be sorry!
- e
What a difference a little (or a lot) of paint can make! I love the result!!
oh WOW!!!! i can’t believe how amazing that after picture is…way to go!!!!!!!!
Hi Leah,
Thanks so much. I feel lucky to look at the “after” every day! I’m so glad that you stopped by!
- e
yes, yes, yes! i LOVE the white cabinets! woo hoo!
It turned out great! As many times as I’ve seen it, I’m still amazed at what a huge difference painting the cabinets can make. Good job!
Good for you. The kitchen is beautiful. And nothing is greener than using what you have instead of remodeling!
Kathy
Those look awesome!!! I would love to tackle my kitchen cabinets but I’m scared!!! Great work! What a difference!
~stevie
1000 times better. Sounds like a lot of work, but I think it was worth it!
Thanks, everyone! It’s nice to see so many people stopping by and commenting from the Thrifty Decor Chick’s before & after party!
xo,
- e
your “new” cabinets look FANTASTIC!!! I’ve really been contemplating painting my cabinets white, but I’m so worried about them looking worn and dirty after a while. But I SO LOVE the look of the painted white cabinets. Great Job! And, I’m glad to finally see someone say that it WAS hard work, everyone always makes it look so easy in blogland!!
No I can’t believe those are the same cabinets. What a great makeover!
Your kitchen looks beautiful! I once painted a kitchen white, also.
Big improvement!
your cabinets look great. we bought a house and are painting ours next week. what kind of paint did you use and what finish? i was thinking sherwin williams and semi-gloss or satin. i’m also spray painting the hinges and getting new hardware.
Hi Brittany,
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. I used all Kilz oil-based primer for the first coat. Then I did two coats of Olympic Semi-Gloss (ultra white). I finished it off with Olympic’s High Gloss Enamel finish in ultra white. It has worked well for me so far.
Good luck with your painting!! Please send pictures so that we know how it went!
xo,
- e
You post great articles. Bookmarked !
You know I love me some painted oak cabinets! Great job! You have a wonderful blog here. I’ll be checking in…