I should start out by saying I’ve never been a fan of white cabinets for my home. I’m just not. I know that’s the trend (as in everyone is doing it), and they look pretty in other people’s homes, but it’s not been something I wanted. I love rich, dark wood with texture and love the warmth it provides.
However, this one corner of my kitchen is somewhat dark.
As much as I love the dark wood, I thought and thought about going with a lighter color on top for a while.
And you know how that goes. So I decided to paint the cabinets on the side of the stove and see how I liked it then go from there.
And I was still not sure about the change after several days. But finally, just having that dark corner lighter, made it grow on me. I left the middle cabinet black because the hood is black, and it will stay black for now. I also replaced the doors that had the glass insets with another set from the cabinet we took down when we added open shelves.
It really makes such a difference in the feel of the kitchen, and that dark corner just feels happier and brighter.
I used the same color as the walls, Geneva Swan Gray, Colorplace from Walmart, in a satin finish.
I did sand pretty heavily before painting, then brushed it on with a brush and finally a roller.
I then sanded *very* lightly on the high spots that would wear naturally and left it at that. All my painted cabinets have a wax finish, and they have held up beautifully, so I do plan to do apply some sort of wax finish but haven’t found the one I want yet.
Sometimes you just need a little change to brighten things up when you’ve been in the same house a while without the ability to really make big changes. There are still things I’d like to do — like change the hardware to gold/brass, decide on a real backsplash, etc., but I’m obviously not in a hurry.
However, those little changes did lead to a few other changes…
So there is more to come on that.
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I like the new look. It does brighten that corner. I have to say though, that I think white cabinets are a classic look, not a trend. They have been around forever.
Thanks Penny! I mean trendy as in *everybody* everywhere doing it. I know they were around, but not on the level they are now:-)
Love the white uppers, they look fabulous and totally change the kitchen.
Thanks so much Marty!!
ohhh….I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the change..and the soft gray is a nice middle of the road from your dark cabinets vs. going totally to white! Your photography is stunning, to boot!
Thank you Mary! I’m really liking the feel it gives that corner.
I love the new look and would consider doing the bottoms also. Would make the black appliances and other interesting items in your kitchen pop. I agree with leaving the range hood black, but the cabinet above would go white also. Sometimes it's fun to go out of our comfort zone.
Thanks Pat!! I love the gray on the bottom even more than I did when I found that color so those will not get painted. Plus I really like cabinets in different colors which is why I didn’t paint the uppers the same gray as below. I have a large island and another wall of cabinetry so I definitely would not want an all white kitchen🙂
i love the lighter look- it feels much more open!
Thank you! Yes that's what I really like is the openness!!
Love your kitchen! I did paint mine antique white on top and black on the bottom. Love that two tone look. One day I will do my counters like yours. Looks easy to do!
Thanks so much I love black on bottom and have thought about that as well. As for the countertops, no they were not easy at all. Now — I have seen bloggers slap some 2 x 4s together without any joining then fill the holes with wood filler and coat with poly, but I would never recommend that as it would not last. Our process required planing and sizing antique wood, etc. You can see all the steps listed at the bottom of this post: anitafaraboverubies.com/2013/09/antique-wormy-chestnut-countertops.html
Thanks! That is how I found you online several years ago.
Turned out so pretty !!! Excited to see your other changes ………………..
Thanks Lisa!!
GREAT JOB! This is something I have been long waiting to do, but walls and ceiling must be whitened first, because of the propane stove and heating system left soot on everything! Even inside the appliances, and around the windows. I need a professional to asses the damage. The blue and white is so classic, and never grows old!
Thanks Deborah!! I need to do some work on my mother's kitchen after she had some water issues that have hopefully been cleared up. Lots of hard work though!!
Awe girl, I am feeling ya! I am doing a makeover in the kitchen. I was interested in your cabinets. I love my cabinets. We had them custom built 25 years ago and I have also loved the lighter oak. I went back and forth with…paint them white or clean them up! LOL! I just couldn't go with the white. Love white and matter of fact doing a lot of white and grays in my kitchen but for now I am so glad I left mine the original color. Actually, after cleaning them with mineral oil and giving them a good old shine with Old English and new hardware, I was quite pleased. I will be looking for other changes on your blog. You always make things look so simple girl. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
I use to love dark cabinets too, but a few years ago we changed that. We had knotty pine and the walls was the same. I loved it at first, but after 15 years I wanted to brighten the kitchen up. We painted the whole kitchen ivory and put in faux wood floors. I love what you did. It looks so pretty.
I like the redo–brightens up that corner for sure! Love all your "accessories":china,pictures, etc.!
It's looking beautiful to me!! Of course I'm the person who loves RED!!!
If you are looking for brass hardware, go to D Lawless Hardware, and look in their clearance section. I am not in the least connected to them, I'm just a really happy customer as I just changed kitchen AND bath(2) hardware for about $50 🙂
Blessings,
J