Kitchen Accomplished, FINI!!!

This is a repost. Check the bottom for where to link your kitchen!

Last weekend, I finally completed the beast that had been on my back for some time now. I painted my cupboards and island several years ago, but like many early projects, with time and improvement of skills, we see where improvements could be made. It was my goal to finish the kitchen this summer, and I almost made it. (My kids are back in school, so summer ended for us). 

I didn't take too many "befores" because I think I was just anxious to move on with the project, but here is the general feel:

I had originally painted them Antique White with a Tobacco Brown glaze over top. I did not have it within my budget at the time to replace the knobs.  I waited until I could find what I wanted at the right price....fast forward three years.  I not only found the knobs, I found the paint I wanted!

 One of the drawer fronts had broken, and we had a cabinet maker replace it, never quite got around to painting it to match.  Yikes!

 

I use such better quality products now, that are so much more hard wearing.  It was time to either seriously clean the cabinets up, or go a completely different route.

This was my island, I loved the cheery yellow, but the more color I put in my home, the less I like it in my kitchen.  I was longing for a more neutral pallet and something more distinct.

 

Yes, drawer broken here too....Ah, petits garçons 

 It dawned on my to take a picture of the front, when I started the prep.  This is always my first step in painting cabs. Putting the paper down. (After the TSP cleaning).

 

 Along the way, a happy accident occurred. I removed all the cabinet doors and drawers, stripped them and thoroughly cleaned them.  My plan was to do the island in black and the lower cabs, and the uppers in cream.  I had planned on the entire project going quickly because I was using my HVLP sprayer.  

The day I was all set to begin, I kid you not!  I was cleaning my gun outside (something I now do not recommend), a little teeny weeny part of the tip got lost somehow.  After fruitlessly digging through dirt, I gave up and started calling around.  NO ONE had my tip in stock.  NO ONE.  There was at least a 2 week turn around from everyone.  

I had a project to finish and decided to try a different take.  I realized from earlier projects that Chalk paint mixes very happily with my beloved Modern Masters Paints.  The Old White is the exact same color as the "Basic White" from Modern Masters.  By thinning the Chalkpaint  with another high quality  paint, I was able to stretch it for my whole kitchen.  However, now this must be done by hand.........

About two coats of the black and three of the white was all it took.  I highly recommend sanding with a 220 grit between coats, and finishing with a 400 grit to get a perfect finish.  The wonderful thing about chalk paint, is it is so soft when it is sanded smooth!

Now for the labor intensive part.  Instead of going with a poly finish,  I went with a hand waxed finish, on, the whole "ball of wax"! (or kitchen in this case) 

I love the contrast with the butcher block counter. Maybe it is inspiring my children to do more homework??

 A friend of mine painted that saying on the island many years ago, it represents my Scottish ancestry

 Before, the cream was washing out my granite counter tops, and farm house sink, now they pop!

 

This is the pantry area. The chalkboard panel was there before, but now just looks refreshed.

I love the contrast between the cream and black.  

 The Upper Cabinets

I was hosting my August book club meeting, where I make a large brunch.  Having a kitchen ripped apart was just not for me, so I had some motivation to finish! 

 

 

It was the best happy accident I have had.  I could not be more pleased with the results, and feel like this was how they were meant to be all along. 

 BON APEPTIT!!!

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