ic Kathe With an E: Kitchen - Before & After

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Kitchen - Before & After

So, waaaaay back before I started reading blogs and realized you should take lots of pictures when undertaking a home improvement project we decided the kitchen needed some help. This post will be heavy on words and light on photos.

When we bought our home 8 years ago it still had the Harvest Gold range.  Granted, it was in pristine condition. I don't think it had ever been used in its 20+  year life. But 1980's Harvest Gold was not going to work for us (Although it seems to be making a come back. I found out recently that someone sold theirs for over $1,000.00!) so one of our first purchases was a new range. We (meaning Mr. B) did spray paint the matching range hood with bisque appliance spray paint.

I could live with the, let's call them vintage shall we, goldish Formica countertops.  They were in great shape and the cost to replace them was not in our budget.

Now, the dark oak cabinets were a whole other story.  Man did they drag the whole room down! Even on the sunniest day I'd have to have all of the lights on just to see the controls on the range. We looked in to refacing but this kitchen is not short on cabinet and drawer fronts!  I think Mr. B is still trying to catch his breath from seeing that quote!
(If you look real hard you can see me standing in front of the stove.  
Just kidding lol!)
After much hemming and hawing and researching, we decided we could and we would paint the doors and drawers until we could afford a full kitchen reno.
(Check out the floor tile!  That used to be dark and somewhat sticky oak parquet. 
What a job that was to take up!  Mr. B laid all of the tile himself in the kitchen and into the eating area!)

I liked the idea of white to brighten up the room but didn't want it to feel to...oh...institutional, y'know? So we agreed upon a color called Queen Anne Lace from Lowes.

Mr. B added the bead board on the front of the return as well as on the side of the pantry.  It mimics the fronts of the cabinets so well.  He also added the molding on the return and painted it bright white to make it look more like a piece of furniture.

As amazing as it looks in the photo, it looks so much better in real life.  The lighter cabinets have really toned down the gold in the countertops and has just brighten everything up dramatically!  
I still love, to this day, the simple pewter knobs we chose.

This was all done 3 or 4 years ago and I still haven't decided on a paint color for the walls!  
Suggestions happily accepted.
 I enjoy cooking in, what to me is, my new kitchen so much! With very little cost and a few weeks of DIY labor we turned this out-dated nightmare into our dream!

105 comments:

  1. OMG! What a transformation! It is beautiful! Ahhh as you know we had to downsize a few years ago and my kitchen is so tiny as is the rest of the house. But i pray daily to one day have a kitchen as awesome as yours! :-)

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  2. Wow, that is amazing! The paint really does make a huge difference!

    Thanks for linking up to Latest and Greatest Friday!

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  3. well done!

    what huge transformation
    in the most important space in the house

    thanks for sharing at fridays unfolded!

    alison

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  4. Oh wow impressive and a lot of work!

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  5. Goodness, what a transformation! Your new kitchen is fabulous, how could you not want to cook in such great looking gal! Have a terrific cooking weekend. FABBY

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  6. Snap. I just linked up to My Romantic Home (the entry before yours) and I did a similar kitchen transformation. How funny. Love your 'new' kitchen.
    Kylie

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  7. Like night and day! Love the white cabinets!

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  8. How bright and cheerful it looks now...amazing what a coat of paint can do. I also like the wainscoating (sp?)on the bottom of the center counter. Looks beautiful. You could have any color in there. Kathi with an i

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  9. this does look marvelous! i'm just getting ready to undertake a kitchen transformation on a budget myself!

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  10. This is beautiful AND this kitchen is almost identical to mine! It was a remodel too, I thought someone had posted a picture of mine... LOL. Every single thing here is in the exact spot, my fridge, stove and breakfast bar. Only I have an over the stove microwave and my nest of drawers is to the right of the sink. Now I know what mine would like in white and using bead board! Great job!

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  11. Great job. I love the beadboard look.

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  12. What a difference! So bright and cheerful! I love the beadboard under the counter. Great job!

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  13. Wow! An amazing transformation, looks lovely and bright!

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  14. How nice! Great transformation. Thanks for linking to Things I've Done Thursday!


    Melanie
    Sew Rugged @ bear rabbit bear
    bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com

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  15. What a huge difference! It looks great :) I hope you enjoy your "new" kitchen.

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  16. Gorgeous! I've been in the middle of a remodel so I can truly appreciate the work that goes into them! So as far as wall color...What speaks to you? I could see a soft blue/grey or a soft sage green? Just some ideas. Anything you choose is going to look fabulous. :) Thanks for joining us at Inspiration Friday this week and sharing your kitchen!

    Heather

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  17. Awesome how much a little paint can change the whole look. It looks so nice!

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  18. Oh - wow - that looks so much better. I love how the white just brightens the whole room.

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  19. What a GREAT kitchen Make-over! I would LOVE to paint my cabinets, but I keep chickening out! You have given me great inspiration! I am a new follower! If you get the chance, I love for you to come check out my blog too! :D

    Jeni@ Becoming Martha
    http://jensidea.blogspot.com

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  20. Wow, looks amazing. I would be so happy too. Love white kitchens and yours is wonderful looking! Yay for you!
    blessings,
    Debbie

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  21. That is an amazing before and after! Fabulous, so bright and it looks bigger. Can't wait to get started on mine.

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  22. What a great transformation! I can't wait to do mine now!

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  23. What an amazing transformation. It is so much brighter and looks bigger. The color you chose is perfect.
    Ruth

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  24. What a difference!! It's so bright now. I am a new follower.
    Donna G.

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  25. What a wonderful transformation! The cor of the cabinets and the details you added are great! Your kitchn looks so nice and spacious.

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  26. It's amazing what a little paint can do to cabinets!It looks like a whole new kitchen, great job on it!

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  27. Your kitchen looks amazing! It is so bright and cheery! Thank you so much for linking it up at Freshmen Friday!

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  28. Wow, much better! I looks great!

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  29. It looks great! I want to paint our kitchen white--my cabinets are Burgundy right now.:)

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  30. I cannot believe that the counter tops are the same! I had to go back and re-read that section to make sure that I followed correctly that you did not replace them! That is awesome! Wonderful job on your kitchen!

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  31. It's amazing that it looks so much more bright and airy, looks like a completely different kitchen. Gorgeous.

    Stopping by from Think Pink Sundays!

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  32. What a difference! I especially like the bead board around the back of the cabinets.

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  33. Love the bead board.. great redo. I love taking baby steps and then looking back at the start.. great job!

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  34. Thanks for linking up to Sassy Sites FFA party on Friday!! I LOVE to see all of the great ideas! All week this week, we will be doing Thanksgiving themed link ups. Monday is all about Turkeys, so if you have something you've created that is turkey-ish :)... come by tomorrow and link it up!!

    XOXO!!
    marni @ Sassy Sites!

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  35. Awesome job! Looks so good. No wonder you are so happy.

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  36. OH WOW, simply stunning!!! I am your newest follower--so nice to meet you!!!

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  37. Wow - what a transformation! We just re-did our kitchen too and I'm still playing with dressing it up. Coming over from Met Monday and your newest follower! ;)

    Jeanine

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  38. It's amazing what paint will do! Looks fantastic! I've been trying to convince my mom to paint her cabinets. I'll have to show her your project! Visiting from Met Monday. I have a kitchen B&A, too...hope you'll come visit!

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  39. Stopping over from Debbiedoos...your kitchen looks fresh and updated. Great job!

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  40. Any color of paint is going to look awesome against those painted cabinets.

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  41. I love it! It makes me wish I had dark cabinets just so I could paint them and make such a huge change!

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  42. So much better! I did the same 2 years ago and have loved my kitchen so much since! I know you will too! Great reno!

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  43. WOW!!!! What a transformation, you guys did a great job! It is so much brighter now!

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  44. Wow! It doesn't even look like the same kitchen! Love the beadboard. Great job!

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  45. wow this certainly look amazing.
    Would luv for my readers to discover your blog, will you please join our weekly party at
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html
    have a great crafting week!
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

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  46. The transformation is incredible! I look forward to our kitchen getting updated; just not the work!

    One of your posts was featured.

    Erika
    It’s a Wrap Link Party at Artful Rising

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  47. What a great makeover! Thanks for sharing at Sunday's Best =)

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  48. Great job. I am trying to get up the courage to paint my cabinets.

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  49. Wow, what a great transformation! Really bright and inviting now!

    Meredith From A Mother Seeking Come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking...

    6p0148c699d311970c

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  50. I can truly appreciate a kitchen remodel, but the reward is greater in the end. Your kitchen turned out just fabulous, love the wainscoting.
    I am visiting from the Newbie Party and am now a follower.

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  51. Beautiful! I think if we ever sell, I'll paint my purple cabinets (no kidding) white. They started life as dark brown, ick. And nice to know there is appliance paint... our range hood is bisque, when it ought to be white!

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  52. It looks great! I love the white. New follower here. Would love it you would stop by and share this at my linky party :) http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/bedazzle-me-monday-8.html

    Also, PRETTY PLEASE check out Random Acts of Kindness Week going on right now!! Would love to see you be a part of it! http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/kindness-and-thanksgiving.html

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  53. Looks amazing! Great job!
    We switched out our dark cabinets for white (too much damage and mice problems to just paint them though, they got replaced)
    http://craftingintherain.blogspot.com/2011/07/kitchen-revealfinally.html

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  54. Fantastic transformation! You must be so proud... I would be!

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  55. I must say that I'm suffering from a serious case of kitchen envy. You did a great job with the remodeling.

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  56. Looks fantastic. Thank you for linking up to More the Merrier Mondays.
    Jamie
    http://diyhshp.blogspot.com

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  57. Awesome! Your before picture reminds me so much of my NOW picture of my kitchen--except I have brown tile walls, counters and floors. It is SO BROWN.

    Thank you for giving me hope!

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  58. Amazing what a little paint and a ton of hard work can do. Great job!

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  59. I love it! We've been updating our kitchen a bit too. It's amazing what a little paint can do, especially when you use whites. I'm very pleased with the paint we used. It's Behr's Renoir Bisque. Makes you feel like you are inside a cup of latte.
    Glad I found you through Debbie's newbies party. I look forward to visiting.
    Much love.

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  60. I am so glad you are sharing this at my party! I saw it last week and though it was just so pretty. I am a sucker for white AND beadboard!

    xoxo Bunny Jean
    Wednesday's Bunny Hop Party!

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  61. Wow what a huge change!! Looks so much better. I am sure you are loving your "new" kitchen :) That is always so exiting when major renovations are completed. I found you in a blog hop. I am your newest follower. Hope you have time to return the follow love back. Thanks!!
    http://theladiesloungeguide.blogspot.com

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  62. I know I sound like an echo to the many previous comments, but WOW! You have a beautiful cottage kitchen now. And how fortunate that your cabinets already had a beadboard look on the doors. Putting paint on anything like that always sets it off nicely. Enjoy your "new" kitchen!

    Erin @ Carolina Country Living
    (visiting from Momma Hen's Coop)

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  63. Very nice! We're faced with a similar kitchen problem and have decided to paint.

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  64. Wow! It made such a difference, the room looks a lot brighter. You must be thrilled with the result.
    Visiting from Welcome Wednesday Blog Hop x
    http://beingmama.com/
    http://ohsoprettylife.blogspot.com/

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  65. I have a kitchen that screams 1980 and I've thrown around so many ideas for updating it. And like you, my kitchen is not short on cabinets. This is a huge inspiration. I would love details about how you painted the cabinets. I have new applainces and tile, but those cabinets...Thanks so much for sharing your pictures.

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  66. Such a big difference! Looks so much prettier now!

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  67. Love the painted cabinets, it looks so much brighter and more modern! I want to paint my cabinets, but haven't found the courage or time yet!

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  68. Great makeover! I love how you brightened up the kitchen!

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  69. Great job! That had to take a lot of work, but it is well worth it! : )..

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  70. When was your house built? Cuz harvest gold was outdated in the 80s, lol! Your cabinets are so brightened up and the counters work well with that new, lighter color.

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  71. The power of paint never ceases to amaze me!

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  72. What a great transformation - you've inspired me!
    New followers via Shabby Creek! Love your blog.

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  73. Hey Kathe, I am stopping back by to let you know I am featuring this post on this weeks TTF party!

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  74. Wow it doesn't even look like the same kitchen! It looks absolutely awesome!! Isn't it weird how we do things now a days....back in the day we just did projects and cooked meals, and we didn't have to take a million pictures of the process ;) But glad that we do now, it is funner to share:) Thanks for linking up your awesome redo! Loved seeing it.
    Britney
    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

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  75. Awesome transformation, so much lighter and brighter!

    Love to invite you to share this project at my Thingamajig Thursday party going on now...http://radcrafter.com/2011/11/thingamajig-thursday-party-3/

    Alida

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  76. Have 't any long details to say about your excellent creation. In short it is awesome transformation, so much lighter and brighter! A great finished project which is really marvelous.

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  77. I used that same color as a base to paint my oak cabinets. Then, I used a chocolate glaze on top of that and I love it. Love your kitchen redo.

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  78. The transformation is amazing, I really like the cabinets white,and like the tile also. both really do "brighten" up the room. Have you ever thought of using the paint that rustoelum put out for counter tops? I hear really good things about it. Thanks so much for sharing at Sunday's Best. Great inspiration

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  79. Gorgeous!!! My kitchen is almost the EXACT same layout, size, spacing and the cupboards are the same color--- LOVE what you did, and I was thinking of doing the same thing with the beadboard to my kitchen--- good to see what it would look like in real life!!!!

    Questions for you: What *TYPE* of paint did you use? Kitchen and Bath enamel? What type of finish? Did you sand and prime them? Did you follow any specific online site's recommendation on how to refinish them? Did you paint the inside of your cabinets too? How long did it take you to refinish all your cabinets?

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  80. Oh, and may I recommend Giani Granite if you're ever thinking of re-doing your countertops? I've read a TONNNNN of info about them and I'm thinking that's what I will do when it comes time to pull the trigger on our kitchen remodel!

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  81. Wow, you certainly took this kitchen from dull & boring to bright & beautiful. I'm inspired just looking at it!

    Warmly, Michelle

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  82. Looks fantastic! What a diiference paint can make! Great job. thanks Deidre~
    http://simplysimplisticated4.blogspot.com

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  83. You are being fueatured at Once Upon a Weekend today. Congrats! Thanks for linking this up! Your kitchen looks so fresh and light, its gorgeous!

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  84. I featured your makeover.
    http://itssoverycheri.com/2011/11/19/saturday-showcase-11-19-2011/

    Cheri

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  85. What a beautiful makeover! Love the brightness and warmth of your new color choices! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. can't wait to see what you share next!

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  86. What a huge difference a lick of paint can make. Excellent job. I'm your newest follower, would love for you to join me too.

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  87. You've been featured in the Top Ten on Delightful Order!

    http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/11/top-ten-features-from-11162011.html

    Stop by and grab a button for your blog.

    Thanks for linking to my Thursday Party. Hope to see you back this Thursday!

    DaNita

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  88. Kathe, your kitchen looks beautiful in white!


    In this week of Thanksgiving I especially want you to know how grateful I am to have you be a part of the creative spirit and camaraderie at Rook No. 17. Thank you for linking up to “A Little Birdie Told Me…”!

    Yours,
    Jenn

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  89. Wow!! Looks like a brand new kitchen! Great job : )

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  90. Really amazing transformation! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thank you for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday!
    -Trish @ Mom On Timeout
    www.MomOnTimeout.com

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  91. Wow! What a transformation! The white even makes the countertops look ok. It would be tough to pick a color for the walls that didn't clash with the countertops. Good luck!

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  92. Thank you so much for sharing on Thingamajig Thursday! Hope to see you again this week.

    Alida
    radcrafter.com

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  93. Great re-do! Amazing what some paint and elbow grease can accomplish!

    I'd choose a paint color that you LOVE. You know you spend a lot of time in the kitchen :) So you may as well be surrounded by a color that makes you happy! In our last house we painted the cupboards white and I chose a buttery yellow for the walls. Today I'd probably go for a light blue or green, as those are the colors that draw me now.

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  94. I feel your pain.. I have the same kitchen. Even the same awful built in light.
    I just pulled mine out, talk about a world of difference for nearly NO money. You should totally try it. I'm painting my cabinets next.. thanks for the inspiration.
    http://themoney-pit.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-shave-30-years-off-your-kitchen.html

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  95. Love this. I think a light green paint would look good. Sherwin Williams SW6156 Ramie.

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  96. Your kitchen looks amazing! I want white cabinets so bad!
    -Shelley

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  97. The white paint has made an huge difference. I am considering doing something like this myself.

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  98. So much brighter! Love it : o )

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  99. Ya know, having a brighter kitchen is not just esthetically pleasing to the eye, but also to the soul. Especially if you live in the NW! LOL! We also have remodeled on a budget, not just homes, but campers also. I redid the counter tops in our campers, and had great success with the Giovanni solution. No one could tell it wasn't granite. Thanks for an informative sight and for sharing your projects with us ><>....Jen

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  100. Love it...wish I saw this in another house we had bought and lived in for 7 years....for the walls...since there isn't too much wall space...go for it! Great Big Burst of Color that you like! it will really highlight your cabinets!

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  101. This is EXACTLY the sort of makeover I want to do in our kitchen!!! I loved all the darker wood when we first moved in 8 years ago, but I have quickly come to realize it's just TOO dark. A white kitchen would work well for us in this Colonial-style house. You have given me inspiration and encouragement that it can be successfully done! I don't think I have the physical strength to do it myself, but at least I know there can be a wonderful outcome!!!

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  102. Your refinish is bright and your bead board is sweet touch!

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  103. Kathe, your kitchen looks so fresh and cheerful now. I just finished redoing the floor and painting our master bath, so I can really appreciate all the work that went into your project. Pretty much our whole house is in need of a fresh paint job, so it is going to keep me busy for months. There is something so refreshing about walking into a room with a new paint job. Your kitchen looks beautiful!

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