Kitchen Island Cabinet Transformation
I have been wanting to paint my kitchen cabinets for over a year.
My kitchen is sooooooo stuck in the 90′s…..
We bought our house in 1990 – and redid the kitchen a couple of years later.
So we have had these cabinets for 17 years or so.
There has been one constant immovable object that has kept me from painting them.
Mr. Little Brown House..
What is it with men and their aversion to painting over wood??
I finally convinced him to let me try just the island, and we could see how it looked.
I knew I needed a process that I could do by myself, would look great, and be inexpensive.
I decided to try Rust-oleum’s Cabinet Transformation Kit.
This is not a sponsored post, by the way, they have no clue who I am.
Silly Rust-oleum..
We decided which finish we wanted from the ones pictured on the back of the
box, and had the store tint the base coat in the kit the correct color.
And thus began the week of chaos in my kitchen….
We started by removing all of the cabinet doors and drawer fronts on the cabinets.
Then I washed them all and the cabinet base with soap and water.
My husband kept asking me about the sanding process – I kept telling him there was none.
Instead of sanding, the kit includes a bottle of Deglosser and some scrub pads.
He said that was still sanding, they just used a different word..
I disagreed….
This was the last step in the process that he helped me with….
I did the rest on my own.. when will I ever learn?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After letting them dry for a few hours, I got ready to apply the bond coat.
First I taped off and covered everything that I didn’t want coated.
The kit comes with a DVD which I actually watched, even though I hate following directions.
It was riveting….
But, I did everything they said. I figured this was a kind of costly thing to mess up..
I brushed the paint on with my Purdy brush, in exactly the way the DVD instructed.
It seemed very light to me, but I chose to trust them!
I let it dry for the length specified before I applied a second coat.
Then I let that dry before I began the glazing process.
This was the part that worried me the most. I did not like the way they looked without
it, and I began to second guess myself. Does that ever happen to you half way into a project?
I was sure I had wasted money and my husband was going to hate the way they looked…..
Then came the glaze.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My new motto in life is “Glaze makes everything better”.
I brushed the glaze on, again with my Purdy brush (love that thing!!)
then I wiped it off with the gauze that was included in the kit.
It took me awhile to determine how much of the glaze I wanted left on, I was really glad
I started out on the back of the cabinet door to get the process figured out.
The lower drawer front in this picture is glazed, the top one is not yet.
This needs to dry for 8 hours or over night.
Then comes to final and best step-
the shiny top coat!!
I decided that I wanted to add hardware to our cabinets – the original ones did not have any.
So I looked at a few examples of some on Pinterest (favorite place!!) and then
went to Lowes and purchased pulls for the drawers and handles for the doors.
I could go nuts in that aisle… love that stuff!
But – it really made the finished product so much better!!
Are you ready to see?
The thing that I think my husband likes the most about this treatment, is that it allows the
wood grain to show through. So he gets the wood look and I still get my white cabinets!
It’s a win win!!
I decided I wanted hooks on the end to have a spot for extra’s like towels and pots.
I really love the look.
I am also really happy with the oil rubbed bronze hardware too.
I was torn between that and brushed nickel.
You can really see the difference between the old cabinets and the refinished ones in this shot.
I will get the whole kitchen done, but it may take me some time.
But that’s ok – the kit was around $70 dollars, and I will probably need at least one more.
But that is a lot cheaper than new cabinets!
Of course, now I need new countertops… you understand right?
Rust-Oleum has a kit for that too – maybe I should introduce myself?
By the way, I will leave you with one last tip.
Just in case your husband didn’t get a chance to put the new hardware on your cabinets
because he went to spend the day plumbing a friends house, (Hi Debbie!).
And just in case you were absolutely dying to take pictures and get a post up..
well, then this tip may be a good one for you.
Blue painters tape will hold hardware on cabinets long enough to get a few shots..
if you have a desperate need too, anyway…
Kim V
263 days ago
Oh my goodness….BEAUTIFUL!!!! I had my hubs read this with me…lol! He said you did good!
We are in the process of building a townhome…we are starting over here in Illinois. I went back and forth with deciding between brushed nickle and oil rubbed bronze too…I chose the nickle first and ended up changing it to the bronze. I’m so excited! I chose the same drawer pulls that you did!
Congrats on your “new” island!!! LOVE IT!!!
Kim
[Reply]
Rachel
263 days ago
The island looks fantastic! So glad to learn about this kit, I have seen it and want to use it on my bathroom vanity. What color did you use? I’m going for an offwhite and that looks about right. thanks so much for sharing!
[Reply]
Beth
263 days ago
So how long did it take from start to finish? I’ve been thinking on doing this for a couple of months now and I figured it might be a good winter project. But I’m just a little scared to tackle it…??? I’d really hate to screw up my “husband liked” wood cabinets. We painted our island a while back a deep chocolate color and it didn’t go very well. BUT…I do feel that little bug coming back. Thanks for the boost to get back to it.
Beth
[Reply]
Melissa Kaiserman
263 days ago
It looks soooooo good! And hooray that you get to go ahead with the rest!
Hahaha about the painter’s tape. That’s awesome. I’m so stubborn (and hate to wait) that I would have gone ahead and installed them myself. Oh wait–I already did!
[Reply]
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
263 days ago
It turned out great, Sharyl! You have to do the rest of the cabinets now. I have the same cabinets as you. Luckily, in our move, I am getting the white cabinets I’ve wanted for a few years now!
[Reply]
gina
263 days ago
VERY nice! Good job, and you are right, that kit is way less than new cabinets. I really like the no sanding part; I don’t count it as sanding if there is no dust produced. I hate dust.
[Reply]
Cindy
263 days ago
HA! So funny with the painters tape…
Love your makeover, turned out beautifully!
[Reply]
Savannah Granny
263 days ago
Sooo funny you are!! Love that last pic and statement.
The cabinets are so great. You did a fantastic job. I know you are anxious to get to the rest. I saw that product. It is good to know that it works well.
Ginger
[Reply]
Teresa
263 days ago
I love it! Love the new hardware you chose too. And……..what a great idea for the hooks on the end of the island, love the look you created.
[Reply]
Elaine
263 days ago
I loved your last picture! Hahahah……….what a sense of humor. Beautiful job!
[Reply]
Becki
263 days ago
I was anxious to see how your cabinet would turn out and it is fabulous! You have to do the rest of the kitchen! I have white cabinets and changed to the ORB knobs and pulls and love them. Great job and fun tutorial!
[Reply]
Pam
263 days ago
GREAT job! I love the transformation!
Thanks for sharing.
Pam
[Reply]
Jan
263 days ago
Back when I was a youngin’ this same process was called “antique-ing” and Mother did quite a bit of it – I remember doing some myself. Yours turned out very nice – I’m sort of the same mindset as your hubby with not really wanting to paint over woodgrain – just my personal preference. But I think it will really lighten up and transform your kitchen – love the hardware as well – really accessorizes the finish.
[Reply]
Lynne
263 days ago
What is it with men and wood? I understand if it’s antiqued wood with a fabulous mellow patina, but 80′s oak is gross! I painted all my cabinets and you can see the wood grain which is nice so they don’t look like laminate cabinets. It made such a huge difference in the way the kitchen looks! Your island looks fantastic! Your husband must surely agree! Wish that kit had been available when I painted my cabinets! ( no offenence to anyone with oak or laminate cabinets! Just my opinion!)
Oh, I started out painting my island black, and my cabinets a warm white. I’ve since changed the island color to a distressed green. I love my island being more of a focal point in the kitchen.
[Reply]
jo
263 days ago
I’ve been trying to convince my hubby to paint over our woodgrain cabinets with no luck. He is afraid that the upkeep on white cabinets will be too much. Your island looks great!!
[Reply]
Judy
263 days ago
90′s no more. Love, LOVE it!!!!! What a brilliant idea to start with the island.
[Reply]
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home
263 days ago
What a great job, Sharyl! I love the look. I’m sure you do to and I’m glad Mr. LBH is happy, too. I am so torn about doing this to my own cabs., ’cause I’d like to move before too long… Hugs, Kim
[Reply]
pat kuehn
263 days ago
So excited that you did this… I have been eyeing the Rustoleum kit thingys for quite a while. My husband and I have a standing joke that if he dies before me…I will be calling the painters to paint the block paneling in our family room the day after the funeral…LOL…he feels it is a SIN to paint wood and I don’t know why but it is a relief to hear that he is somewhat normal if your husband and many others feel the same way. Yours looks great and it is very encouraging….I want to do our kitchen cabinets also,,,but you can see the dark wood paneling in the family room and am having trouble deciding where to stop painting..any thoughts on that?? Love your blog and really look forward to your fashion pics. every week. Thanks, Pat
[Reply]
Marilyn
263 days ago
That is a GREAT looking island!! I am planning next summer’s projects now and am thinking that would be something I could do to my cabinets. Thanks so much for sharing!!♥♫
[Reply]
Heather
263 days ago
I love the ORB hardware..good choice! I have about 38 cabinets in my kitchen (also from 1990) that I am dying to paint, but so nervous to actually dive in. Now I’m thinking maybe we should check out this product. I really love how yours turned out.
Heather
http://www.heatherluke.blogspot.com
[Reply]
Shelia
263 days ago
Oh, what a beautiful job you did on your island! I love it and I know you’re enjoying it so! I don’t know why men think you’re not supposed to paint wood. I have one of those hubbys too and it took me ten years to convince him we needed to paint our dark paneled den! Finally he caved!
Love your new hardware too and aren’t you the clever one to tape it on for your snaps!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
[Reply]
Cindy
262 days ago
Excellent job on the cabinets!!! A couple of years ago, before my hubby got too ill, we sanded and refinished our kitchen cabninets. They are beautiful but I would Love to paint them, however, now that hubby has passed away, I feel awkward about touching one of his last projects. So, I think I’ll be living with unpainted cabinets for a long time!! Great project!! And YES…that ol’ Rustoleum company needs to know who you are
[Reply]
Michelle
262 days ago
OMG – you have my exact 90′s style ugly yellow oak cabinets! I have been wanting to tackle mine.. I actually did my countertops already with a product called Aurastone. It looks fabulous if I do say so myself! The cabinets are next!!
Your cabinets turned out GREAT!!
[Reply]
Carmen Skyles Reply:
September 11th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
I was just talking about this product with my sister today! She isn’t happy with her cupboards even though the house was built only a couple years ago. I sent her this link! I have white cupboards that we painted a few years ago – boo to bad paint! we took too many shortcuts. and it needs to be done over, correctly. I am curious how the cabinets do with the Rustoleum! Michelle, I would love to see your counter tops!!
[Reply]
Ruth
262 days ago
Very nice! You are hilarious….
[Reply]
Carol-Anne (Use The Good Dishes!)
262 days ago
LOVE it! I had basically those same cupboards when I moved into my house 15 years ago. I painted mine white and was quite happy with them until we got new ones this year (due to a flood in our house). But honestly, yours look much better with that finish.
What is it about men and wood??? It’s still wood, underneath the paint!
[Reply]
Sandy
261 days ago
I think it is wonderful!!
[Reply]
Taylor
261 days ago
Love this!! Nice job
[Reply]
smalltowngirl
261 days ago
Glaze really makes the world a better place…lol Your cabinets are lovely!
[Reply]
Jessica
260 days ago
I have been wondering how that stuff would work! I see it all the time when I am buying paint! Looks fabulous! I just posted pics (regular paint and glaze) of our kitchen redo. Don’t you just love newly painted “anything”!
Jumped over from beneathmyheart
PS. your URL spot wouldn’t work for me? http://www.nucheysmommy.blogspot.com
[Reply]
melesa garrison
258 days ago
We just gutted our bathroom and are waiting for the guy to call and say “We are ready to start!” We are redoing the vanity and cabinet ourselves. I was going to sand, stain and destress them, but I’m all about NO dust! I think I may do it this way. Your island is just beautiful and the blue tape gives it just the right pop of color. Lol
[Reply]
Linny
258 days ago
I love it!!
I have cabinets that are what they call ‘pearl’ – i really love the light look. When I redid the kitchen and tried to save $$, I went on ebay and found my handles and knobs for cheap cheap cheap. They look great and I love a bargain!
[Reply]
TracyP
258 days ago
This looks great! I bought the same kit and practiced on my daughter’s headboard and oak bookcase. It worked just as they described. I’ll do my kitchen next!
[Reply]
Wendy-Lou
257 days ago
Now this is funny, I read your post and was going to post that my sister-in-love got the same kit and loved it. As I scrolled down thru the posts – whose post is the last one…My Sister-in-love, TracyP! Too funny. And I say Good for you! The island looks great and what a victory for us “Let’s Paint it!” crowd! My hubby also believes it is an abomination to paint over REAL WOOD. I say what ever- wood shmood! I love the fresh look and deff cheaper than new cabinets! You go Mrs. Little Brown House!
[Reply]
Paula Jo @ Home and Garden Decor
256 days ago
You really done a fantastic job, and I love your cabinets. They go so well with your wood floors.
[Reply]
kathy t
255 days ago
My husband and I just saw this kit at Lowe’s a few weeks ago. What color did you choose -it looks really pretty and how wonderful that your husband liked the final results too!
[Reply]
Lina
253 days ago
Ha ha! loved the ending! What a great job you did! Fun transformation
Lina
Fancy Frugal Life
Http://www.fancyfrugallife.blogspot.com
[Reply]
Home Lighting
245 days ago
Awesome transformation. The island is perfect and you made me laugh on the painter’s tape. Good job!
[Reply]
Kimi Boustany
224 days ago
I have a couple of questions about how to achieve this look?
I work in a wood furniture store and we have some painted pieces that would look much better with some glaze on them. We even have the glaze but I have no idea how to do it.
I googled it and I don’t like the effect where you can see the brush strokes. Can you explain what kind of gauze was in your kit and how you used it? Did you just smear it around?
Last questions? What is a Purdy brush?
Thanks loads if you can find the time to help!!
~kimi~
[Reply]
jenga
210 days ago
Hi – It looks wonderful! I have the same wretched cabinets! I am 98% ready to do this to my kitchen cabinets – what color did you tint the paint to from the kit?
Thanks!
[Reply]
Jenny
178 days ago
Looks great…What is the color you used?
[Reply]
carol@houseandhomedefined
141 days ago
OMG! I just found you through Southern Hospitality’s link party, and this post is the answer for me, I think!! I too have the wood loving husband with the same kitchen as you. I’ve never heard of this product — I think I am in love. Hello 2012 new kitchen. Totally inspiring. I am so glad I found you today. Now I need to go follow…
[Reply]