I’ve disappeared for a bit! For me that means one of two things… either I’m being extra lazy or I’m being extra busy. This time it was the latter.
I’ve been wanting to paint my kitchen cabinets white since before we moved in (January) and even bought the paint months ago! I got all the supplies and EVERYTHING I’d need so that when the moment was right, I wouldn’t have an excuse to stop in the middle.
Last Monday, I knew I would have family over for Mother’s Day lunch so I decided it was the week to paint the cabinets!
We had the kitchen painted a pale shade of blue the day after we signed the papers on the house. My husband’s uncle, Luciano Souza, of LS Remodeling, painted the kitchen and the trim and calked everything all in a matter of two days! It was so NICE not to live with a red kitchen! The color is Timid Blue by Sherwin Williams.
And here is what it looks like today:
I used what Miss Mustard Seed used on her cabinets. One coat of Zinsser 1-2-3 Primer (about 1 quart), and 2 coats of Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo Oil Based off-the-shelf white (2 full quarts for my kitchen).
The oil based paint was a special treat (enter sarcasm). I used Penetrol (oil-based paint conditioner) that is supposed to eliminate brush strokes. Let’s just say the whole process was a huge learning process.
Don’t get me wrong, I love how they look and I can tell it is durable. But…. my basement where I painted the cabinets wasn’t exactly 100% dust free so I did plenty of sanding between coats. And there still is some small fuzzies in some areas that I need to sand and touch up.
Once a little dust gets on the brush, you have to completely wash it, because it will keep on leaving dusty-fuzzy things that will make you crazy! And because the finish is semi-glossy, it shows more.
I also tried used a cheaper brush for oil-based painting. I ditched it quickly and opted for my Purdy Glide brush. I ended up NOT using a roller, like Miss Mustard Seed recommends, for the doors. There was too much bumpy texture (even with the Penetrol) and I didn’t like it. Bruno, my husband, and I hand-painted the entire kitchen. We started with the primer coat on Tuesday night and finished the 2nd oil coat on Friday night.
And one more, side by side this time!
I love it!! Great job, and what a transformation. Also, I love that secretary (?) in the kitchen, too. Super cute.
Wow! What an amazing difference that paint made! Your kitchen looks so much bigger! You are motivating me to do it on my own now!
I love your transformation! But what’s wrong with a red kitchen? 🙂
So gorgeous, Rachel! The cabinets and the whole kitchen is gorgeous. I’ll have to use all these tips when I get around to painting my kitchen! I wonder, can you do oil over latex or do I need to completely sand the paint off and start again! x
Incredible transformation. I’m sur it was a lot of work, but what a gigantic difference. Love it!
Beautiful! It’s so bright and welcoming. That chandelier looks perfect in there!
What a difference, simply beautiful!
Wow, what wonders white can do… Great job.. Also love your skirted chair covers 🙂
Rach this belongs in a magazine! I would so say while flipping through that I LOVE this kitchen!!
Hi Rachel! Awesome job! Do you recommend using an oil based paint for the cabinets? I have knotty pine cabinets I am dying to paint! I am worried about the knots bleeding through, and I don’t want to use paint that gets sticky. Thanks!
Wow! Perfect! I love what you’ve done here, very beautiful and classy!How I wish my kitchen looks like this! I recently remodeled my kitchen, the cabinet, floor and the lighting and I was instructed to use LED as my lighting because accordingly, it saves electricity. Our floor and cabinet is made of wood, it saves me money and electricity as well.