I reblogged a post yesterday about painting cabinets. I thought this was a perfect post because I made a really drab kitchen, really beautiful last year. I truly wish I could find the old photos for before and after but I think that was before I had a digital and only God knows where the photos are now. But I did take a picture of the cabinets in the bathroom that are still there---they looked exactly like them.
In this kitchen, we put in the two windows that are to the left of the sink. Before that there were no windows there--just another bank of cabinets. The stove also sat on this wall and dishwasher was to the right of where the stove is now. The window to the right of the sink used to be where the microwave is now and the sink was where the stove is now. The picture out those windows is way to beautiful to not be able to see all the time. In my post last week when it snowed, I showed you what I see out those windows. Check them out HERE. ~~ I made the pictures pretty big so you can see better.~~
Before I started, the cabinets were very dark colored old cabinets. In some places they were pretty beat up. Here is the process I followed to do the cabinets. First we stripped and sanded all the casings and the doors and primed them. Then I painted the cabinets and doors with an off white color. After they dried I took a meat tenderizer, screw drive and a butter knife to the cabinets and doors and gave them a stressed look. After they dried, I painted a dark brown color over the top of the white. Before it could dry I took a rag (make sure you get one that does not have lint) and wiped it off. The paint filled the cracks of the cupboards doors, the stress marks AND it filled the grain of the oak which really made it look cool. I took a close up so you can see it on one end. Unfortunately, this is where my husband painted sideways when he primed and didn't go with the grain so there is a little affect from that. After the brown dried I went over them with a clear lacquer. I chose matte lacquer but my husband liked the shiny-- you can do it what every way you like.
On one wall about 3 feet up there is waynescotting and it is also under the bar. I did the paint procedure with that also. I will say that there is a trick to it. Don't and I repeat DON'T try and do it when it is really hot. If it gets cold in the winter where you are, wait until winter because on the long runs it is hard to get the paint off before it dries. There are a few places I need to redo because I tried to do it in the summer when it was 90 out. Our air conditioning couldn't keep up.
My husband rebuilt many parts of the main cabinets. I don't know if you can tell but the microwave sets out a bit from the other cabinets because the microwave was deeper than the cabinets. We do need to finishe the trim on the upper part of the cabinet to the left of the microwave. Everything got new knobs and new hinges and we put in a new sink with a new faucet. We also retrimmed the whole kitchen with the wide moldings and the decorative tops and painted them white. My husband did trim work also but a finish carpenter showed him how to do it.
We also put new counters down. I layed the new floor which is laminate. It was so awesome to see that ugly linoleum gone. It also had a drop ceiling with those ugly plastic pieces. I ripped that out to and my husband put in recessed lighting. I also installed the ceramic tyle back splash. And then we installed stainless appliances. I love, LOVE, my stove that doesn't have a back. The old cabinets were low and we had to work with that to put the microwave in so it is a little low but with the flat cook-top it looks pretty cool! I also took the old plain glass out of the china cabinet and bought the bubble glass to put in. That really made that area look nice.
I really wish you could have seen this kitchen before ---it was U G L Y!!!! Really ugly. The counters were yellow and the cabinets were so dark. Everything was dark! I am thrilled, extremely thrilled with my new kitchen. These pictures don't do it justice but I have people I don't know dragged through my kitchen all the time so they can show their husbands what they can do with the old drabby dark cabinets.
As you can probably tell, my husband I are pretty handy people. We have always done everything ourselves because we couldn't afford to have someone else do it. When I take buyers looking at houses, I can give them all the possibilities AND I can usually explain how to do it. Although, there have been many, many times I have went and helped my clients after they purchase a home. I can always get them going with tile or paint. My husband has also shown them how to do trim work and many other things. I am probably a pretty strange women but I know how to roof a house, side a house and I can sweat two pipes together with the best of them. I can do minor electrical and I know how to drywall . . . but I hate it!! These skills come in pretty handy when helping a buyer to visualize what can be!!!
This is what I see from my sink:
Tami,
Impressive transformation, but I like the painted cabinets also!!! Thanks, Fran
That is gorgeous! I want to try this on my horrible oak cabinets in a rental property I own.
Marcy Moyer Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto Ca
Hi Tami - what a fabulous transformation, and how awesome that you and your husband can do all that work yourselves! You did a beautiful job, and having those windows there must make a huge difference! Very nicely done.
Ann
Wow! Your kitchen is gorgeous! I've never seen the glazing before, so this is really helpful. Thanks Tami.
Tami ~ wow is right, what a difference. It looks fabulous!
I prefer the new cabinets... they look fresh and modern... have you considered some under cabinet lighting??
Hello, I'm also trying to decide with my current home if I want to redo the existing cabinets or get new ones. thanks for the post and information.
Fran - These are painted cabinets . . lol I'm glad you like them!
Marcy - I have rental property also and I have did it in one of my duplexes once!
Ann - I am very fortunate that my husband is so talented.
Kris - Thank you! I finished it Christmas Eve last last year at about 2 am. Then I just stood there and looked at it!
Kathy - Thanks so much for your kind words!!
Alan - I would prefer new cabinets too but the $$$ isn't in the coiffers! We have under cabinet lighting!
Greg - Hope it helped --they really do look awesome!
Tami... i'm sorry.. .I didn't say that well... I meant I like the newly reglazed cabinets better... (Fran had said he also liked the old look).
Tami, the transformation is great, but that view is amazing. What a nice picture to see out of your new windows.
Yea! Tami, congrats on the feature! Great looking pictures of these cabinets! KM
Tami, Wow, what an amazing job. I have maple cabinets in my bathroom and HATE them..so it looks like I can handle this! It was great "seeing" you in "RAIN radio:) (HuntsvilleElizabeth)
We'll learn as we go together!
Tami, your kitchen looks great. I did the same in my kitchen, although I used a pale yellow with a mocha glaze. I, too, wanted a whole new kitchen but the $$ was not available. It's a great feeling of accomplishment to do it yourself. Isn't it?
Tami...
Whoo-hoo a gold star for you! And a wonderful kitchen transformation, but I like the view the best. But it does look really, really cold.
They look great. The view from your new window is fabulous too! I wouldn't want to miss seeing that.
Your cabinets look just wonderful. Great job.
You Rock. I think you should have your own HGTV show. They look awesome. My husband I do tons of work on our house. We love doing it. My stager is a designer and loves what we do. I think she took a photo of my master bathroom and took credit for it? Might have to smack her. LOL. I think it looks fabulous and love your view. Good for you!!
Painting cabinets takes a lot of work and patience. The hard work payed off for you, the cabinets were truely transformed.
Tami,
That looks awesome! Great work.
And I love the last picture....
Ann
I don't which I like more the cabinets or the view. GREAT post!!!
I don't which I like more the cabinets or the view. GREAT post!!!
The cabinets look beautiful! Where did you get this idea? So cost-effective:)
Sounds like a lot of work, but the results are beautiful and definitely worth the effort! It's amazing how a space can be transformed by re-finishing.
Alan - Don't be sorry . . goodness your my friend . .
Amy - I do love the view but if you saw the old you would understand why I am sooooo happy to have my kitchen done.
Kristin - I didn't even know it was a feature until I read YOUR comment and I so love hearing it from you. Isn't funny how you get to know people on line and you just truly get attached as friends!! You are truly a friend!!
Marla- It is a great feeling. When I was done at 2 am on Christmas eve last year I just stood there. My husband kept saying, go to bed but I just couldn't believe it. This is such an old farm house that it was nice to have just one room that looked really good , . . .uneven floors and all!!!
Richard - Kristin just "told" me about the gold star!! I am geeked!! It is such a cool feeling to know that your post was chosen out of thousands . .just rocks my world. I love the view too. Someday I will get a vid of the horses playing for all of you . .now that is way cool.
Jen - Thank you. I do love it. When the boys are playing we used to all run to that one little window where the door is. Now we don't have to fight for a spot!
Marlene - Thank you so much for the compliment!!!
Nameless-- lol I wish I knew who posted . . I already like them as they use my word . .You rock!!
Morgan - You could not be more right. I won't tell you all how LONG it took to do this . . .but it was worth it!
Ann- Thank you so much. I love the last pic to. Actually if you look out the window to the left you see the more of the paddock area and our big barn.
Kelly - You are so awesome . . .I don't think I could tell you which on e I love better!
Olena - I don't remember where I got the idea. I just remember thinkging . .I can do that. So I got a door panel from my friends work that looks exactly like it, took one of my doors and headed to our local paint establishment . .Seven's Paint and Wallpaper in Grandville. They walked me through what I needed to do.
Lola - It was a lot of work. I paid my kids to sand them, that was the worst part. It was definately worth it. Thanks so much for stopping by!! Hope everything is going good for you.
Nice change from ordinary oak cabs. I'm sure it was a lot of work but worth the effort in a nice light kitchen.
Cindy - It was a lot of work but oh so worth it. Makes one room in this old farm house pop!!
What an improvement, it looks great! My dad is a painter and refinishes cabinets with cool glazes like this, it always tranforms them amazingly.
What can I say....Absolutely Fantastic! I have need of some work in my house, are you and your husband available?? LOL--seriously you both did good work, and WHAT A VIEW!
WOW-Looks nice. We have contemplated that for our kitchen. I've seen some really nice made over cabs this year.
I especially liked all the trees and the horses. We live on the prairie with few trees.
Laren - That is so cool that your Dad does that. We found someone that did it but the amount he charged would have bought us new cabinets!
Rebecca - I am so lucky that has a husband that can do about anything. He is actually an Ironworker in the rigging area which means he moves really big things. There isn't much he can't do. And we work pretty well together!
Steve - I don't know what I would do without trees. In our yard we 4 big old maples that are over 100 years old. We wanted to buy the corn field next to us and build but I just couldn't leave the trees. Glad we didn't because the economy would have put us under . .my trees save me . .lol
Hi Tami,
I'm so glad you reposted so I could see. Are these white washed? They look so amazing---what a huge difference! My husband built me pine cabinets last year, which I adore, but yours would be my second choice.
PS
The view from your sink is the one that really sent me reeling. Wow....I sure wish I had that kind of view...someday!
Tamara
Tamara- Thanks for the comment. I'm glad you like them. I am very fortunate to have the view I do. I gave up a beautiful home in a sub-division for a old farm house but I love the land and love that my horses are right behind me!
Tami, your kitchen is beautiful! Maybe you and your husband could come down here and redo mine! Thanks for posting all these pictures :)
Tami, You and your hubby did a great job. I really love the distressed look. That big double window over you sink is to die for, especially with such a nice view. It is a great asset to be able to give homebuyers pointers on re doing a home they are interested in.
Good job!
Debbie
Tami....when I commented above I had clicked your post via my subscription list. I was just checking out the featured and realized this had been featured! Hurray! And very well deserved. I know you are very excited!
Debbie
Ann- Can I bring my horses . . .when I come to help you . . .lol I'm sure riding in AL is much better than it is in Michigan right now!!!!
Debbie - Thank you very much my friend. It is actually on of my favorite part of shopping with my buyer/friends is thinking about what could be!!!
I did this same thing to the cabinets in one of my homes that I restored. I truly LOVE this effect! It transforms old cabinets into something amazing. I'm jealous, though...because I did NOT have THAT view!! ~GBU~
Hey Tami: You did it! A GREAT POST and A GOLD STAR even plus A BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN ! My oh My you and your hubby do fabulous work!! You really rock Tami!!
Great work, I'm impressed.
Tami-I had to stop by again and look at your cabinets. You are making me believe I can redo our bathroom cabinets myself. You did a beautiful job. What a view outside your window as well!
Hi Tami, The new windows make all of the difference, don't they? A corner sink is always so nice in the kitchen. The wide trim work is an especially nice touch and the 'distressed' finish is a great look. Can you look out & see the horses? I get a great sense of satisfaction and peace whenever I look out of my windows & see my horses grazing or begging for treats
Fellow Horse Girl ~ Marian!
Beautiful job! I always try to remind my buyers to look at the affordable solutions to a house when they can't see the potential...yours is a clear example of what can be done with time and paint!
Elizabeth- Somehow I am not one bit surprised that you and I had done the same thing . . LOL Love ya girlfriend!
Dona - Thank you my hubby does most of the incredible work rebuilding cabinets!
Marilyn - Thank you very much!
Elizabeth - You can do it its really not that hard . .just time consuming.
Marian- Yup I can look out and see them. We just extended the paddock so now they can go in the round pen in the winter also. In the summer they are out in the big pasture but we pull them off in the winter or they will wreck the pasture. I truly enjoy watching them!
Theresa - Sometimes our clients just need a little help seeing and a helping hand getting them started.
It's amazing to see what we used to call "antiquing" in the 70's come right back around. That appears to be what is fashionable again. Looks good.
WoW.. You did a GREAT JOB ! The view is breath taking as well
Lovely cabinets -- honestly they look very very good. Have a nice holiday and a great coming new year.
Tami - What a change. I love the new look. I was thinking of painting my old oak cabinets and could not visualize how it would look. Now you convinced me.
Tami - I forgot to log in. That was me.
UNBELIVABLE - But I'm not sure I'd have the courage to do it... I may try it on my vacation home - I hate the oak and I love the look you ended up with - WOW!!! Can I rent you out???
UNBELIVABLE - But I'm not sure I'd have the courage to do it... I may try it on my vacation home - I hate the oak and I love the look you ended up with - WOW!!! Can I rent you out???
Wow, what a huge difference a little paint and glazing makes. I can't believe how much it brightened up the kitchen. I also enjoyed your peaceful photo of the horses.
WOW!! What a huge difference that made to the kitchen I would love to do it to one of my rentals.. Thank you for the great idea...
wow that is so pretty. I am jealous. really. that is georgeous.
I love this blog post. I'm such a sucker for remodeling projects, it's like I am drawn to them for some inexplicable reason -- like a moth to a flame. Like you, I can do just about any home improvement project myself. And I do find that knowledge comes in extremely handy when working with buyers -- whether it's tips for fixing up the home later on or simply understanding the home inspection report.
Your cabinets turned out lovely, too! Isn't a great feeling of accomplishment when you are finally finished and can admire your own work?
Great post! May I ask, what did you use to strip the cabinets and what would you estimate the number of hours for stripping and sanding. I need to set some time aside for this project! dar
What wonderful information to share--the cabinets look just beautiful and I bet you saved a small fortune doing the work yourselves. I wondered how they would look and the pictures showed an absolutely lovely kitchen!
the cabinets look very nice, beautiful, amazing what a little workand a little more creativity can do, nicely done
Wow, what a change Tami!! I've been considering a change like this as well at my house.
Thanks for the info,
Dan
I think it turned out pretty good. Congrats on all your hard work!
Tami,
Very nice update for dark cabinets. I repainted mine, but didn't go the glazing way...still love them...but will keep your tip for future reference....
Lori Cofer, Beasley Realty
I was delighted to see this. Do you think it would work on cabinets that are stained dark cherry with a shiny finish.
Great that you posted pictures of this job! It's so satisfying to be able to look at a job like this every day, and know that you did it.
Tami - it's amazing what you can do with glazing. I have seen cabinets that had the pink glazing that doesn't age well reglazed with a mocha inset around the trim and it was wonderful. It's great so show the photos so people can see what you can actually do. Your kitchen is beautiful, your view is priceless!
Tami,
Looks like a wonderful place for you and your family...
Ann
HI Tami...You are so fortunate to have such a great view from your "new and improved" kitchen.
Kate
Wow. I wish buyers had more vison like that.
Kevin - You got to give them the vision! If you see it they will see it!
Kathleen - The view is the best part there is no doubt about that!
this really looks fantastic..I had no idea..I have seen people paint over cabinets before.. but never looked this good,.
this really looks fantastic..I had no idea..I have seen people paint over cabinets before.. but never looked this good,.
this really looks fantastic..I had no idea..I have seen people paint over cabinets before.. but never looked this good,.
Thanks Konnie- I won't say it was easy - it was a lot of work - but it was worth it because we didn't have the money to buy new cabinets!!