I wanted the kitchen cabinets updated, he didn't.
Do you have a family member who is stuck in the past, maybe a parent or a grandparent who just doesn’t want to do an update to their kitchen? I do—and it took some talking to get Jamie’s dad to let me give his kitchen cabinets a makeover. His house is a 100 year old farmhouse. The kitchen was updated in the 70’s, long before we bought this house. There are many updates that need to be done, but for now, I am just tackling the cabinets.
Here is the before and after. Quite a change, don’t you think?
The steps involved were as follows:
- Wash all wood with TSP
- Lightly sand all surfaces with fine grit (220) sandpaper
- Wipe down all surfaces
- Remove doors and drawers and all hardware
- Put hardware in a safe place, being careful not to lose anything
- If necessary, sand (built up grease) edges of doors
- Use painter’s tape and newspaper to protect inside of doors from paint.
- Add picture frame molding for detail
- Prime all wood surfaces with a light coat of primer
- Allow to dry
- Lightly sand all surfaces, apply another light coat of primer
- Allow to dry—lightly sand
- Apply a light coat of Semi-Gloss paint
- Allow to dry—lightly sand
- Apply a second coat of Semi-Gloss Paint
- Allow all surfaces to cure well before re-installing doors and drawers. I waited two weeks after last coat of paint. Due to storing the doors/drawers in the garage, they were still a little tacky. The facings and other surfaces in the kitchen cured much more quickly.
- Drill holes for new knobs, reinstall hardware—I switched from handles to knobs
- Spray paint hinges/drawer handles, install hinges and doors. I used Oil Rubbed Bronze Spray Paint
- Step back and SMILE! Pat yourself on the back!
I used the touch up roller for the first coat, but after that I switched to this foam roller. The foam roller does a much better job getting in tight places around the trim.
*this post contains affiliate links, read more here*
I have a Homeright Finish Max paint sprayer that I used on all of the doors and drawer fronts. It really makes the job go quicker. I find it works best with the surface held vertically. I sprayed the surface with the Zinser oil based paint, then laid the door down to get the edges.
I used this combination square to make sure the molding is all equidistant from the edge.
A handy nail gun, and some wood putty made this job easy.
I used EasyCare in semi-gloss (Sugar Sweet) on these cabinets. A good paint brush is a must.
I made a little template out of some thin plywood to insure all my knobs would be placed the same. It was two-sided—one for left knobs, the other for right knobs. I placed the dot into the corner where the knob was to go, marked it with a pencil, then drilled my hole.
Some new bead board and the window frames got a nice coat of paint also.
In addition I bought two new blinds to brighten up the space.
Is the kitchen fully updated? No—but this was a huge step in the right direction, and Jamie’s dad loves the new look!
How about you? Do you love the updated look? Is there someone in your family resisting change?
gail
Related Content:
Repurposed Cabinet Door Projects
Gina Duarte
Hi. The remodel looks great! I'm not clear about how to add the molding. Did you use wood glue and then nails? How many and where? Apologies if I missed these details in your instructions - I'm no quick study when it comes to these types of projects! Thank you!
Gail Wilson
Gina,
No glue, only nails. It wouldn't hurt to add glue, just know that it may be visible when painted (if any oozes out) 🙂
I don't mention how many nails, but I would guess about every 10-12 inches. Don't shoot them too near the corners, or the molding will split.
You can see how I did my molding on my fireplace with glue only here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/its-coming-along/
good luck!
gail
Arty
Great job! I am thinking of doing the same with some drawers I have. I am concerned the trim with come out of place or buckle since the slab drawer front its glued on top of will contract and expand throughout the seasons. Have you noticed your peices moving out of place? Also, are the old cabinet doors made of solid wood or sometime of plywood?
Gail Wilson
Since these cabinets are not in my own home, I can't just walk in the other room to check them out. But, last I saw them, they were doing fine. With the glue and finish nails, I don't think they will move. Someday, they may need some caulking if there are any small issues.
They were real wood doors from the 70's.
gail
Marsha
Was the reason that you didn't paint the backs of the doors because you did not want to paint the inside of the cabinets?
Gail Wilson
Yes, Marsha. I wanted the cabinets to look uniform when the cabinet door is open. In addition, not painting the inside of the door made the job go twice as fast. 🙂
I'm really happy I did it this way and don't regret it one bit. If I were to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
gail
Tanya Blackwell
The cabinets look great! My neighbor and I are getting ready to do this exact same thing to her cabinets. How far in did you go with the molding. 1 or 2 inches?
Gail Wilson
It's difficult to say.... I think it would depend on the size of your doors Tanya. Looking at the combinatin square it appears that I put mine just over an inch. It really doesn't matter how far, just that you make them all the same around each door. 🙂
good luck, have fun!
gail
Cheryl Skala
Great remodel! I wish someone would help me with my plain flat repainted 1960's kitchen doors. I don't have or know how to use the tools needed BUT Im gonna give it a go! Thanks for the inspiration!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Good luck! You may surprise yourself. 🙂
gail
lisofby
i had thought to do this a few years ago with cheap picture frames ( right size of course)
Cathy
Wow! I recognize the Scheirich cabinets because they are the same cabinets that are in my 100+ year old Victorian (probably updated in the 60's or 70's). While I hated the orange color I loved how well they were made and didn't want to replace them. I did the same thing you did here except I used 1 1/2 in. wood strips around the edges giving them a Shaker style. I wish I had known not to paint the inside of the door. The curing time took forever!! Next time, I'll check your site for tips before doing something I know nothing about. 🙂
Nance Greenwell
It really gives new life to the dated kitchen, so clean & fresh. This gives me ideas for my plain inside doors on my bedrooms until I can get new ones, thank you!
Nance Greenwell
Wow, you did a great job!
Meari
The cabinets look great, Gail. What kind of trim did you use?
Jo Ann
What a great renovation!!! I do love a white kitchen. Hope you are not over-doing, though.
I have a question about using TSP. All the warning labels sound dire. Do you pour the used solution down the drain?
Thanks!
Jo Ann
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Oh my Jo Ann--I did NOT read the dire label warnings. I probably did pour it down the sink.....well, not MY sink. 😉
I'm not overdoing it, this project was pre-hospital...in fact the weekend before I went to the hospital was when I put it all back together.
Thanks for your comment, and now I guess I'll have to go read that label! yikes!
gail
Diane
What a beautiful job. Paint is the quickest remodel but the trim really brings things up to date.
Dawn
Love the fresh new look. You did a great job!! I do have a question about the molding, did you cut the miter cuts yourself or do they come precut? I am always nervous about mitered cuts :-0
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
I had to do the miter cuts myself on my compound miter saw. The molding comes in very long lengths.
Thanks for your comment Dawn!
gail
Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG
adding this post to my arsenal in trying to convince the hubby to paint our 90's orange oak cabinets...thanks for the inspiration!
Shawn
This looks wonderful. What did you use to fill the gap between the beadboard and the counter?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Shawn,
I didn't use anything between the beadboard and the counter (backsplash) It fit REALLY tight. I did have to use a piece of quarter round in the corner where the two pieces meet.
gail
Shirley
What kind of sprayer do you use?
Emma Kate at Painted Style
That looks amazing. Like a new kitchen. I have to do this.
Holly
Looks great Gail! I love the molding!
Diane Cash
I have got to go something to our blah cabinets, this is the ticket!
Karen Marie Kedzuch
Wow you did a Great job. That is a lot of bang for your buck.
Korrie@RedHenHome
It's a grand improvement, Gail! Hope you are feeling well.
Jana
Love it!!! Absolutely love it!!
Shelley T
Great job Gail! I love it!
Pat
Paint goes a long way to update!
I think it looks fabulous... you did a wonderful job.
Patricia
Suzanne
Beautiful. I love the update! So fresh and clean!
Sylvia
A parent or grandparent with a kitchen stuck in the past? Hmm, no. I do know someone like that.... me. Builder's grade oak cupboards, laminate counters but at least the kitchen floor is hardwood. You did a fantastic job on the cabinets just as you always do. It is amazing what a difference a little trim and paint can make. Oh, and removing dark wallpaper.
Nancy
Looks fantastic! Glad it was done before & that you are continuing to rest and taking care of yourself. Best wishes for your continuing good health.
Sue
It look so much better now Gail! But I was thinking the same in terms of you overdoing it, giving the time frame of curing, this was hopefully done before the Hospital stay.
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Sue,
You're right--I finished this project the week after the garage clean out. I'm still taking it easy, but ready to get back at it. 😉
gail
txvoodoo
Sweet!! You resting up enough? Yeah, I worry. I'm Sicilian, it's genetic!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Yes, I'm not doing anything these days.
thanks for your concern, how sweet!
gail