Saturday, October 24, 2009

Lightening up - Painting the kitchen - Part 2 (after pictures)

These first two pictures were taken before I painted the cabinets, very dark and the white fridge really looks out of place.

very brown, and the granite and backsplash is not so noticeable because you just see brown.

To see more pictures of when I painted the cabinets go here

A nice big kitchen but this brown was just feeling too dark for me:











I had about 1 1/2 gallons of paint leftover from when I painted the kitchen cabinets a few months ago, so this project was free!
The paint I used was Zinsser perma white - "Two coat system, no priming required". I had used it on the cabinets and it covered well, so I thought it would be good for covering that dark color too. It is a satin finish and looks so much nicer than the brown did - it was a glossy paint and showed all the imperfections in the walls - the previous owners had removed wallpaper and the walls are not super smooth). The color is Sherwin Williams softer tan #6141 (they can mix any SW colors at Lowes if you are on a budget like me - this paint was under $20 a gallon). I have to thank Janell from the blog Isabella and Max Rooms where I got the idea for this creamy color for the cabinets instead of the traditional "white".
The room feels so much more balanced now with the light color - and it is a much better transition to the family room which is painted a gold color. I will probably change these curtain valances for some other curtains at some point.



another blog idea I used was the giant fork and spoon in the kitchen
Mine came from Goodwill and were $2.99 - I spray painted them black - I actually used the chalkboard paint because that's what I already had.

these pillows were a yard sale find from a month or so ago, and they are perfect for these chairs. The chairs were $20 each - yes also from a yard sale and when I looked them up online I found they were originally from Pier One - $99 each - yay! We don't actually use them that much - mostly the kids backpacks stay here during the week to organize their things for school, but they sure look nice!

a 99c Goodwill store Halloween decoration

the white fridge does not stand out so much now. Eventually in a couple of years or when this once breaks it would be nice to have a fancy stainless steel one here. I haven't put any decorations back up on top of the cabinets yet. I love this color - even though the cabinets and walls are painted the same color it looks different depending on the light.

view from the family room




one more little project on the "to do" list is take off the shiny brass door knobs and spray paint them the oil rubbed bronze to match the cabinet knobs.

from the kitchen to the family room













the table and black painted chairs look much nicer against a light color

I had not thought to use this little window to display things before

the paint transition from one room to the other





Posted on Between Naps on the Porch - Metamorphosis Monday
and DIY day at A Soft Place to Land

DIY Day @ ASPTL

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

The kitchen looks great! I agree that the lighter color was the way to go. Looks so fresh and bright. Cute accessories too (love the inexpensive knife and fork!).
pk @ Room Remix

Anonymous said...

I love it!

Julie

beth said...

LOVE the lighter colors! Good job! :)

nannykim at spindle cottage said...

This is fantastic---it looks WAY WAY better!! AMAZING what color changes can do--love it!!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

The lighter color on the cabinets really sets off your kitchen. I know you are loving the light and airy feel of it now. Great job! Linda

Atticmag said...

Perfect choice and brings out the beauty of your granite. A real metamorphosis!

Jane T.

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Three cheers to the power of paint. What a difference. The granite and tiles just pop now. It looks so clean and fresh and even more welcoming, I think. Great job!

Terry said...

Now you breath in the kitchen. I particularly like your dining table amidst the widows. I want to have dinner there.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Looks great! Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy seeing everyone's kitchen redos, because I need to get busy on mine.

Lori said...

Beautiful!! I love it. I can't wait for spring so I can get mine done.

WhisperWood Cottage said...

It really is like night and day! It has such a positive energy about it now! Beautiful!!

Amy

Phyllis @Around the House said...

It is always so remarkable when you brighten a kitchen with lighter cabinets and walls, I think it just simply lifts your spirit...

Jenn @ Livin' the Simple Life said...

OH wow! What a difference the light colors make! Very fresh and cozy.

Kammy said...

Wow, so much richer looking - when I would have thought the brown was richer...very nice change !
Kammy

Unknown said...

wow! Hands down a Fabulous transformation! Mishelle

Nancy said...

Your cabinets and wall transformation is just wonderful. I would not have known it was the same color just by looking at it. I did notice the white fireplace, which I love, ours MUST be painted. It all looks so nice.

Marti @ The Next Fifty Years said...

I love the colors of your kitchen! It really makes the color in the granite come out, but the real bonus is the light and spacious look it gives the whole area.

Michelle said...

Lovely job, That's the wonderful thing about paint a cheap fix that makes such a difference~! Great Met post! Stop by for a visit soon!
Michelle

Shannon said...

Your kitchen looks amazing. One of these days I will get the nerve to do this myself. Fabulous transformation!

Natasha in Oz said...

I love what you've done. Those over-sized utensils are perfect for that spot. You have created a beautiful hub for your home.
Best wishes, NM.

Unknown said...

I'm on it!!! Zinsser Perma White for cabinets. How's it holding up. Is it just two coats of that and that's it?? This transformation is too good to be true. Amazing job!!

When visiting my post, be sure to click on the "Follow" button if you like what you see. This way we can share one anothers creativity!

Michelle said...

Wow...what a huge differenece and it looks great.

Love the transom window above the door and cute idea for display.

Sherri said...

Love your cabinets and yes it makes it TONS lighter! I SOOOOO want to paint my kitchen cabinets. I just know it's a time consuming project!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh the cabinets and the kitchen looks fabulous. I love the granite too. Everything is wonderful and has a great flow with the family room. Hugs, Marty

rebekahweckerly@gmail.com said...

What a differance!!! looke much bigger, too!

Heidi said...

Wow! Your kitchen about doubled in size with the new paint. What a difference. I love white cabinets, mine are too! I think it keeps the kitchen looking very fresh.
Nice job on the eating area, and I love the bronze finish on the knobs. Now I am inspired to paint my door knobs, I had never even considered it an option until you mentioned it, and I hate the color of the ones we haven't replaced yet. What a low cost option, thanks for the inspiriation.
Hope you can stop by sometime!
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

Unknown said...

fabulous kitchen!! I love it!!

Brenda Pruitt said...

It looks sooo much better now! It was so dark before. We have about that same cream color on our cabinets, and looks like the same granite color countertops we chose. And...the same color backspash! But ours are 4x4, and I couldn't tell if yours were smaller or not. Looks great!
Brenda

Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating said...

Beautiful! It's so light and bright. What a difference!

You should link this at my Progress Report Monday at A2D.

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

The color really makes the granite pop now. I'm a bit jealous of your giant fork & spoon though :-) I've been looking for some cheap ones. You did a great job.

Debbie @ The Shabby Bungalow said...

I absolutely love your kitchen - the light units look so fresh and new - you have really done well - can you come and do mine!!!!

Karen said...

I love the bright new look, but I think many people would be thrilled to have your "before" kitchen too!

cindy@cottage instincts said...

Ah,yes the cream makes the whole space look more open and airy. Just love it. Good on ya!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Your kitchen looks wonderful. That must have been A LOT of work...great job! Very fresh and clean.

Delightful Dwelling said...

It looks great, I love the lighter color. I had to reread that you used the same color as the cabinets, they look slightly different and the cabinets stand out yet still blend nicely at the same time. Gorgeous.

Visual Vamp said...

I love deep color, but what a difference the lighter color makes in your kitchen!

I'm in a color contest now. WOuld you please vote for me? Youonly have 24 hours. Thanks! xo xo

http://contests.apartmenttherapy.com/2009/color/main/faceoff/56

Brittany at Mommy Words said...

Wow the lighter color makes a huge difference! Just beautiful. Everything looks so much brighter and cleaner. You did a fabulous job!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Your kitchen looks amazing! I love the color you painted the cabinets. It really brightens up your space. Very nice redo!

XOOX
Jen

Ashley @ AshleysBusy said...

Wow! Great transformation. Now its lovely, light, and airy. :)

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

I love the contrast between the countertops and cabinets now! Wonderful job ... and you're right, the fridge DOES recede more into the cabinets now!

Heather Henderson said...

oh how gorgeous - I want a kitchen just like that!!

BlueCastle said...

I can't believe the cabinets and walls are the same color! I kept reading that over and over. :) You're right - it looks like the walls are just a shade darker than the cabinets. It looks very nice. Soothing and such a nice flow into your other rooms. Good work!

Ashlee said...

Your kitchen looks amazing! It looks so much better brighter!!!

BJ_Mama said...

GORGEOUS!!! You may have just inspipred me to repaint my kitchen!