tales of an ugly kitchen: painted cabinets!

Flooring, check.  Appliances, check. Countertops, check. Wall paint, check.  Ahhh, progress!  Next up, cabinetry. In any kitchen remodel, the cabinetry is a key element that really defines the mood and style.  With so many styles and choices out there at varying price points, the selections can be daunting. Should we go for glossy, sleek and modern?  Painted, glazed and old world European? Distressed, rustic, farmstyle? I happen to have an intimate relationship with cabinetry as my dear husband has worked in the architectural millwork industry for years. You could say I have the inside track, but the truth is that while he works in six figure kitchens regularly, we can’t actually afford one.  So, we’ve decided to paint our existing maple cabinets and go for a cool and contemporary vibe to stay true to our mid-century ranch’s inherent style. It was a totally manageable process, and the payoff is huge, so here’s a handy little tutorial on just how to solve your cabinet conundrum on the cheap. Read on!

Step 1:  Sand the cabinetry. Frankly, this step just plain sucks because of the dust and elbow grease involved, but it’s essential if you want the paint to stick, and you do, don’t you? By removing door fronts and drawers to a garage or outdoor area for sanding, this eliminates some of the indoor dust. When Steve emerged from garage after sanding the door fronts he looked like a skinny snowman wearing a baseball cap and goatee. Wish I took a picture to prove it! Plan on a lot of time to wipe everything down after the dust settles. It was a mess.

Step 2:  Primer.  We did one base coat of Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 water based primer. A lot of folks will tell you to use an oil based primer, but I’m not a fan. Too smelly and messy. The guys at Guiry’s told me to go for it with the Zinsser’s primer, and they know their stuff.

Step 3:  Paint.  After a variety of colors from beige, to gray, to even sage green, we decided to go with my perennial favorite “White Dove” from Benjamin Moore. I love how the warm white tones complement the cool, charcoal gray countertops and steely backsplash. One tip on painting cabinets, add some Floetrol paint additive (available at Lowe’s, Home Depot or any paint store) to diminish your roller and brush marks. The paint will have a smoother look, and you’ll feel like a pro.

Step 4:  Enjoy!  We’re almost there!  Next up, knobs and a new light fixture!