This past weekend we started our kitchen renovation with the most fun part…painting cabinets! (Thats sarcasm, by the way). Despite that fact that painting cabinets is sucky, I was stoked to get started. So here is a photo bomb post covering the process. It mostly consists of a SUPER messy kitchen, me looking less than awesome, and my husbands back. And now that I have you all on the edge of your seat, lets begin.
Saturday morning – bright and early – the destruction begins. We started out by removing the drawers and doors, sanding, and priming. Elijah began the day by stuffing screws into the back of the oven.
Next we have photos of me painting. I also realize that this is the first time I’ve posted a picture of myself on this blog, and I can’t have the first picture you see of me be a paint covered, no make-up, crazy hair disaster. First impressions are very important after all. So here is a good picture of me before I post all the terrible ones.
and now back to business…
Oh, and something else most of you didn’t know…I’m pregnant. Significantly pregnant. I’m 30 weeks on the nose in these pics.
Here is the grey/blue slowly going on. The color is Grays Harbor, we used Sherwin Williams Duration paint (in satin) and I was super impressed. It was really thin and didn’t show brushstrokes, but also covered really well. I only had to do one coat of primer and two coats of paint. It dried super quick too.
but still, I spent allllll dayyyy painting.
We also bought new hinges. The old ones were a dirty brass and covered in this nasty clear resign. Of course, the new hinges used different holes, so rehanging doors took awhile.
That was Saturday…it was about 16 hours long. Doing a kitchen remodel while working the toddler rodeo (while pregnant) makes for a very long day.
Sunday we started in on the upper cabinets. A while back I posted our inspiration photo for our upper cabinets. I wanted them to be ceiling height, but didn’t want to spend the money for new ones. I also really like the look of open shelving, but an entire kitchen of open shelves just isn’t practical. Hmmm, what to do? And then I came across this photo, and I was sold. We could use our current cabinets, add a lower shelf…custom look, minimal expense. Perfect.
While on the topic of inspiration photos, here is the photo that made me fall in love with the idea of stormy blue lowers.
Sunday morning our kitchen looked like this…
(I warned you about all the messy kitchen pics!)
Adam and his dad started removing the upper cabinets…this was way easier than I thought it would be. Did you know that a cabinet is literally just held on by four screws?
Elijah watched the destruction over a bowl of oatmeal…eaten with his hands, of course.
Here is the kitchen without any upper cabinets. I actually really liked the feel of this – if only that was a wall of windows…
There are the cabinets…waiting for me…
Once sanded and primed, they go right back up…
Way up. The small gap left at the top will eventually be covered with molding.
Then I did something totally unexpected…
That’s right, I started painting.
You may be wondering if I am wearing the same clothes two days in a row. Why yes, yes I am. They’re my painting clothes, I was painting. I’m not one of those people that can paint in nice clothes and come out of it unscathed. I’m messy. Normal people, take my husband for example, paint in regular clothes and then when they get a little drip somewhere they have to stop what they’re doing, go get a rag, blah blah blah. ME? I wipe the drip up with my hand, wipe it on my clothes and keep going. Genius.
We also decided to raise the microwave so that the bottom will be even with the floating shelves. It only went up like two inches, so we can still reach it, no worries.
Let’s not forget about the boy. Someone had to be on toddler duty…here is Uncle Taylor rockin some peek-a-boo.
This is what what we looked like Sunday evening. We couldn’t hang the doors yet because I was still painting them. The white wasn’t nearly as good to me as the blue was. It took five coats on those babies to have them look decent. That’s five on each side, so it felt like ten. I didn’t finish until yesterday (Tuesday) night.
This is what it looks like Wednesday morning! Not an after picture by any means, but a huge improvement nonetheless.
Above the microwave we are going to do bead board and open shelving.
There are two missing drawers because that cabinet is a sink base cabinet, which means the drawers were fake. Why? I have no idea…builders cutting corners I guess. Anyway, we’re in the process of making drawers. Also, none of the lower cabinets had shelves (no pics, sorry) and everything has precariously balanced since we moved in. Now we have shelves…so nice!
I’m not going to paint where the cabinets used to be – that will all eventually be covered up by bead board. I can’t show you a picture of the other side of the kitchen, that’s where I had to push all the mess so that I could take pictures of this side :)
And that’s where were at! I’m really loving the grey/blue lowers, I think it gonna look great once its all pulled together. Isn’t it amazing that a coat of paint (well, a lot of coats of paint) can take crappy old cabinets to sleek and modern?
To read other kitchen renovation posts click the links below…
New Appliances, Butcher Block Countertops, Organized Pantry, Farmhouse Table, Penny Countertop, Planked Walls, Painted Walls, Pantry Door, Plate Wall, Windows, Command Center, Floating Shelves, Kitchen Reveal
Love, Love, Love it! I have been complaining during the process of painting and am so sick of it (we did 4 layers of polyurethane on top of the paint), but after seeing you pregnant and painting I can no longer complain. I also painted my top cabinets a white/cream color and the bottom ones darker. I even thought about that same blue color at one point, but mine look more like your inspiration picture. Thanks for sharing, I love seeing what others are doing in their kitchens.
I love the colors and the change made by raising the cabinets slightly. I can't wait to see it when complete…it is already a huge improvement!
Great Job, looks like tons of hard work but the results are/will be worth it!
I love all of it, My husband is not going to be very happy when I tell him that he has to help me raise up the kitchen cabinets this week. You gave me so many good ideas all the way to the bead boards backsplash!! You are so awesome!!!!
Loraine from Breakfast For Dinner.
You are too funny! Love your blog! Very inspiring!! Great Job!
It's looking amazing!! I love the two colors. The beadboard is going to look perfect! Can't wait to see the finished project. :)
i LOVE it! I've been wanting to paint our cabinets for awhile now, but have never decided on the right color. I'm really liking this combo tho!!
Great Job! I can't wait to see the final product! :)
They're looking great! Love that blue with the stainless steel! Can't wait to see the floating shelves and bead board!
Looks fantastic and I liked seeing your pics as this progressed.
The best to you!
d from homehaven
They look great! I've always loved blue cabinets for some reason, and yours are turning out great. Can't wait to see everything pulled together.
(You look great, too!!)
That looks great!! I so love the idea of cabinets to the ceiling and a floating shelf below…sorry had to steal that photo for “pinterest”..I have to remember that for a later date…
You are the cutest DIY pregnant woman!!!
This is so cool! I've looked at the same pictures as your inspiration and wanted to know what it would look like in a real kitchen. I'm a new follower so I can be around when you've added the beaded board and lower shelf. Great job! By the way, I'm a messy painter like you too. And I do paint (and other) projects hugely pregnant! :)
awesome! i am about to tackle repainting some cabinets and have never done it before – so scared!! Did you use a brush or a roller to paint the cabinets???
It's looking fabulous!
Love your kitchen so far!! I just came over from “Making the World Cuter” and am now a follower. We are debating whether to paint our bottom kitchen cabinets black or grey….your pictures are making me lean towards grey. Great job! Feel free to come visit me
http://blissfullyever-after.blogspot.com :)
~Jennifer
Wow!! Just plain fabulous!!
Can you share the exact SW color you used… I would love to copy. We are renovating a cottage & the cabinets need to be re-done…
Great transformaton!! & kudos to husband for raising those cabinets
that guy gets the gold star this week… : )
I’m also looking for that SW color. I love your kitchen. I have wanted it for a while. My hard decissions is I have 1 cabinet with a double oven and don’t know to ” split”. The color. Any advice
Girl!!!! It looks so awesome!!!!! Great job on everything! Very cool & inspiring. Not that we own anything to paint or remodel. Last time we were homeowners may very well have been the last. You guys are rockin' it though! I should have known…all that hard work at Jackie's…
Love the kitchen so far, can't wait to see it all finished. I share the stigma of being a messy painter, all of my clothes are slowly turning into my “painting clothes”
Really appreciate you linking up this awesome masterpiece at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop :)
Wow, you guys have done so much work! It looks awesome, thanks for the step by step! I love learning stuff like this for when we have a home! Visiting from Homemaker on a Dime!
http://www.modernwivelyhood.blogspot.com
What an inspiration!! I LOVE this kitchen!! I can already imagine all the pretty beadboard and how gorgeous it will be. I am dying to re-do our kitchen… I love what you've done! ps… I thought it was hilarious that you put your 'before' photo up! :o) You are cute, even with paint all over you!
Erin – I used a brush, but I think a combo of a super small roller and a brush (for the corners and whatnot) would have worked better. Good luck on your cabinets!
Hey great renovation! I finally just got our 70's kitchen pics posted with white cabinets to :) Fun stuff!
Wow! I think you must be some sort of super woman–to do all that while 30 weeks preggo! I repainted our cabinets last summer–before we moved into our house–and it was still a huge pain! I can't imagine doing it while living here, using it, AND being pregnant! Go you! The change is amazing! You have me wanting to repaint my lower cabinets, lol–if only I didn't know how much work it entails! ;) Can't wait to see the finished kitchen–it's going to look great!
Good luck with the reno! Can't wait to see it finished! You can see the results of my kitchen reno featured in the September Romantic Homes magazine! Stop by my blog for the before and during photos!
Now Following!
~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
http://www.shabbyfrenchcottage.com
LOVE! My sister wants to do this with her kitchen so I'm sending her the link. She'll LOVE this version! Very cute!
So impressive, esp with all the work you did being 30 weeks pregnant! It turned out so well!
It looks great so far! I'm envying your kitchen's style even on these in between shots. This kind of redo wouldn't work in mine, but I wish it would!
And WTG on persevering through 5 coats!
It's looking good! I really like that bottom color. I can't wait to see it all finished. I also have painting clothes – I am really messy when painting.
I love your painted cabinets! They're so pretty! Thanks for linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday!
Your kitchen is looking amazing! You guys really put in a lot of hard work and it shows. I'd love it if you'd stop by my blog and check out the giveaway I'm having for a Dremel Trio!
Beautiful! Be proud.
I'm a painter, and I can say that sometimes it takes that many coats to get it right, so good for you for sticking with it. Duration is excellent paint, by the way, so excellent call there.
The idea of raising your cabinets is genius.
Really enjoyed your post. I found you at Handy Man, Crafty Woman.
looks great! thanks for sharing! you rock!
This is already an amazing redo! But what is so amazing is…you! I hope you get it all finished before the baby arrives.
That is a big project with a little one running around! I really like how you used white paint on top, gray on bottom. I can't wait to see the finished kitchen. You look super cute pregnant too.
What a terrific job you're doing! I love it! Hope you'll post the 'final reveal' next week!
This looks fabulous! And I love your little baby belly helping you along with your painting skills :) I just finished up my kitchen painting project…I know how much work you had to do!
FOund you on Linking with Luna!
http://www.releasemecreations.com
Looks absolutely beautiful already! I can't wait to see the finished room!! Would love for you to come share this at Feathered Nest Friday sometime! :)
I am super impressed, not only have you done an awesome job on your kitchen but you have done it all with a toddler around and a baby in your belly!
I want to paint my kitchen cabinets but haven't worked up the nerve to put in all the work ha ha. You make it look totally doable!
Stopping by from Flaunt it Friday!
Wow, love it! The beadboard is going to look great with it!
Rondell
I love this! it's so great that you're going bold with the color – it's going to look so great when you're done!
I've been wanting to paint my kitchen cabinets for ages and keep chickening out. You give me hope that I can do it too!
I love your painted cabinets. I like the white on top with the blue on the bottom. That's a great idea to raise your upper cabinets to ceiling height. I think a shelf running around will be so handy for those items used everyday. I would love to paint my wood oak cabinets. I'm so tired of them. I, too, have painting clothes. I'm a mess when I paint too. And my hubby isn't. Just like yours. Well done and thanks for sharing. It looks just fantastic.
Very impresed with your chosen design, especially the colour combo and raising the cupboards. How useful it is to have a handy husband and family. Love your photos and yes I have paint clothes too. You are going to have a beautiful kitchen in the end just because you were willing to think out of the box and have a go yourself. Looking forward to seeing the finished look.
I clicked over from TT&J and, I'm addicted. I adore you “new” kitchen.
You are too funny and this is going to be awesome! I need to follow you so I can see how it turns out!
It's looking great!! I love the cabinet color!
xoxo
Jen
you have done a wonderful job! Great idea to raise the cabinets and put in a shelf. The paint color choice and the execution of it is genius! Will be watching for the final reveal.
It looks so good already! I can't wait to see it finished. I love it that you went with the blue on the bottom cabinets.
Krista
krista-artista.blogspot.com
Hello! I found your blog from a link on Addicted2Decorating and am totally excited to see your kitchen renovation. I have long been a fan of raising upper cabinets, just makes the space feel roomier. Happy Renovating!
-Cora
I love your color combo. Your kitchen will look beautiful!
Well done! Your kitchen is looking great! Thank you so much for linking up at Savvy HomeMade Monday. I hope you will link up again!
You are seriously brave! I thought painting the bathroom cabinets was going to kill me… I haven't even started the kitchen! Good work I love it! Can't wait to see what else you are up to… I'm your newest follower! :)
Meaghan @ thismessybusiness.com
I love the idea of having two different colours on your cabinet, keeping that in a corner of my brain… for my future kitchen remodel. I'm very impressed by that picture of you paiting on the ladder with your belly that big (no offense intended, I'm really jealous of the balance you have while being pregnant!)
LOVE IT! The base color is a fantastic idea with kids. I just painted all of my cabinets white in the past couple of months and have been regretting it ever since. They get so dirty so quickly with little hands or dropped cups of juice. This gives me ideas.
I want to thank you for linking up on my “Sundae Shake Up”. I love your new kitchen! You did a fabulous job.
I have a little bit of information for you. I will not be hosting my “Sundae Shake Up” party until October due to a new project that I'm doing… “30 Day Photo Fun Party”! I will be taking pictures based on a daily theme, and have invited all of my followers and friends to join in on the fun. I would love it, if you joined too. Stop by my blog for more info.
Jacque @ Jacque's Soda Parlor
thesodaparlor.blogspot.com
Looks gorgeous so far! I love the idea of raising the cabinets and using the shelf!
This looks great! I love the idea of raising the cabinets. Ugh, now I totally want to do that. If my husband tries to kill me, I am totally blaming you. :) We are in the middle of renovating our kitchen too. Can't wait 'til it's done. And I can't wait to see yours finished! New follower! :)
So when do we get to see the finished project? I can’t wait to see the bead board and floating shelves! Please oh Please tell me there will be an after after picture coming soon :) Love the Blue on the bottom cabinets!
Girl, I could have written your comment! If I could finish it myself than it would be done already. I told my husband I’d give him a month of not asking him to do any projects (we’ve been on a roll lately), but after that he’s fair game ;)
LOL I guess we should give him a bit of a break. You guys have done an AMAZING job on the house! I love the curb appeal, guest room, and the laundry room just to name a few.
You’ve been busy reading, haven’t you? Thanks so much! Sometimes I feel like we’re moving slowly, but then I look back at the pictures from when we moved in a year and a half ago and think we’re doing pretty well.
Hi!! I love this renovation! Could you post a picture of the finished product above the microwave with the bead board please? Thanks!!! I love all of your projects!
I would LOVE to post a picture f the finished product…except it’s not finished yet. I KNOW, how long can a kitchen renovation take? Turns out a really long time when you don’t work on it, lol. As soon as it’s finished I’ll post all about it, promise!
Absolutely love the finished kitchen cabinets!!! I know it was a lot of work but you were able to save so much money doing it this way. I enjoy your humor & honesty. :D
What is the name of the blue Sherwin Williams paint that you used? Thanks!
It’s the Duration line and the color is Grays Harbor.
I’d love to see a current picture. My husband and I need to do this. I’d like to see how you finished it off
Okay, as embarrassing as it is…we still haven’t finished. The most recent post I wrote on the kitchen was this… http://www.domesticimperfection.com/2011/11/and-then-there-was-beadboard-part-one/
Your cabinets look beautiful, and I’m now inspired to start on my own. Did you use water based or oil based paint?
Water based…oil based paint is a freakin nightmare. It’s Duration paint from Sherwin Williams
This post cracks me up because we’re in the middle of painting our own cabinets… I’m currently 29 weeks pregnant and were trying to do it all while chasing around a toddler, and working around nap/bedtime. As you know, this task/accomplishment deserves a gold freaking medal! Your kitchen looks great, love the 2 toned cabinets!
I hope you finish sooner than we did, its been a year and a half and we are still working on the dang kitchen. It’s just so hard to get anything done with the kids (two now, eek!) running around, and when you do have free time all you want to do is nothing, lol. Are you doing your cabinets two toned as well?
on the shelves yall installed in the lower cabinets what did yall use for the front supports? i’m assuming the back support is a board or cleat attached to the wall, but we have the same problem with no shelves and have yet to figure out how to support the front of the shelve.
michelle recently posted..Christmas Decor or {Inside Edition just not the "trash" TV edition} Sequel
Our cabinets are the super cheap kind with the adjustable holes on the side and the little metal thingys to hold them up, so our shelves were easy to support. Adam used really think plywood to keep it from bowing, and you could just put a lip on three sides of your cabinet and do the same, I imagine.
new to the site, but i must say that wow, I just love your taste! i’m SO ispired of your tutorials, pictures and all!
…and i just wanted to tell you that you look so cute and beautyful in that “real-life picture” – personally i like it better than the formal picture of you ;)
Thanks so much, glad you enjoy my site! I do really need to ditch that formal picture of me, it was from when I was selling real estate and I never really liked it for the blog. One day I’ll get around to it :) Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
I’ve been looking for idesa for months to redo my kitchen on a budget… I think I found my solution! I love your kitchen. For the painting process… Did u use a de-glosss or sand the cabinets? What actual color brands/names did u use? Just love your kitchen! Very inspired to do it even though I have a 13 month old ;) thank you for posting your experience
Thank you Julia! We did sand the cabinets before we painted them to get most of the gloss off, it was pretty fast and easy if you don’t count the edges of the insets. Hand sanding curves…bleck. I actually wrote a post about the paint color, here is the link…http://www.domesticimperfection.com/2011/08/kitchen-colors-update/.
And we have an almost three year old and a 15 month old, so I can totally understand the project hesitancy. Having toddlers around makes things 10X harder! Still, it’s doable…even if it takes you nearly two years (like it did us!).
Just wanted to say what a great idea.
I am so glad I found your site! I’m not in love with the cabinets in our new house and can’t afford new ones as of yet. I’m totally going to paint them. I do have a pantry door and a window sill that match the current cabinets. Would u suggest I paint those to match the cabinets? If so, the dark or light color? Or a completely different but complimentary color? I would greatly appreciate ur advice!
It’s hard to answer that without seeing pics…what are your cabinets now? Wood? Do you only one window sill (like over your sink or something)?