When my sister and mother bought their home in
San Diego eight years ago, there were priorities.
Painting the kitchen cabinets wasn’t one of them
(although I may have mentioned it a few times).
Until now!
Below is their kitchen before…
the only before photo I could find.
Alie wasn’t cooperating. Don’t you hate that?
So, to be fair, here is another shot of her with her Uncle Joe
(same kitchen, you just can’t see much of it).
We had to work with the granite countertop colors
and try not to highlight the floors
(which my sister hates, she has replaced
the ceramic tile elsewhere with wood…
but this wasn’t in the budget).
I suggested Benjamin Moore’ Revere Pewter
for the cabinets and my old standby,
White Dove, for the walls.
We also tested two colors for the island.
With a job like this that requires sanding, priming, sanding again and spraying…it’s important to have good painters.
Javier Galvan and his painting crew did a fine job.
Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray and Kendall Charcoal.
With all the votes in, the Kendall Charcoal won
…for more contrast.
I recommended finishing the hood with some wood
trim like below.
I screen shot this before I knew the importance of crediting photographs. If anyone knows the source, please tell me.
See how plain the hood was before?
The hand painted Italian tile of the Madonna
you see there was broken.
Our cousin, who is an artist, believes she can repair it…
and it will go back in it’s place of honor
(possibly in a darker stained frame).
Here’s the hood with the new trim detail created by Javier.
The Revere Pewter paint looks pretty with stainless steel.
My mother and sister say they love coming
downstairs in the morning
for coffee in their bright and fresh kitchen.
Down the road…I’d like to add cabinet hardware, pendant lights and
a window valance but I’m keeping my mouth shut for now.
Down the road…I’d like to add cabinet hardware, pendant lights and
a window valance but I’m keeping my mouth shut for now.
Have a great day!
Participating in
Participating in
At Rivercrest Cottage says
Great makeover. I'm showing it to my daughter asap.
Ciao! Newport Beach ~ Fabiana says
I love the transformation. Hope to see you soon!
xo
Sherry Thecharmofhome says
Great makeover! This will be featured today at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Hi Mary Ann, I wanted to drop by again to let you know your mom's beautiful kitchen is being featured at this weeks Open House party.
xx,
Sherry
Nita Stacy says
The kitchen looks fantastic! I especially love that you added trim to the hood…it just makes it! Great job!
Stephanie says
It is a HUGE transformation and so beautifully done. You did good, and were so patient to wait until they were ready. Allie looks super cute, she just doesn't know it, cause she is young and pretty lol {being old makes you appreciate those younger years} Hope they get knobs and pulls and some pendants soon, they will wondering why they waited so long to do it. Love the contrasting island, great choice in paint colors!
Trish says
Do you suggest "do it yourself" for a job like this or should we hire a pro?
Renae Moore says
That looks great! I soooo want to paint ours, but the MR says no. wah! Maybe one day, he does travel a lot, maybe when he's gone?
kim at northerncalstyle. says
Mary Ann,
I am amazed the change just paint can make. It really looks all new. I had similar cabinets in my last home and when we sold it, my realtor suggested painting. I wish I had done it earlier, it made such a difference! Love the darker island color as well.
Thanks so much for your note on my blog! It's been crazy lately, but always love coming here and seeing what you are up to down in So. Cal!
Have a good weekend!
xx
Kim
Mimi says
Love this! They must be very happy and it is uniquely theirs!
Melanie says
Amazing and beautiful transformation! Anytime you want to come over to my house and paint my old oak cabinets, you are more than welcome. 🙂
Therese Long says
You are a genius!!!
Amazing transformation.
I can hear the phone ringing now, I think they are ready for the next step.
XO
Vicky says
Absolutely gorgeous!I love what you've done, it looks bright and fresh , Love your makeover!
xx Vicky
Tiffany says
Wow, what a huge difference. Amazing color choices. I can see why they're so thrilled!
Linee Zajic says
Amazing transformation! I can imagine that they are in love with the new and bright results! I also love the trim detail and how it completely redefines the hood. Amazing that just a little trim can make such a big difference. Beautiful beautiful beautiful! As always!
Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says
It's beautiful! I love how the new colors make the room pop!
So well done!
Pam
Elisa of Fancy Free Me says
I love it! It's so dynamic now. The hood is amazing painted and I love the island color. Fabulousness 🙂
the girl is craftee says
I'm so glad you posted this Mary Ann. I would say my kitchen is similar in materials but different colors to your mom and sister's kitchen. Mine has been bugging me for years. I feel a little guilty changing stuff because it's a perfectly fine kitchen and many people would love it and be grateful, but it's not me. This is a great transformation to show how simply just painting can really transform a space! I'm curious, were the frames of the cabinets wood or laminate and if laminate, what kind of paint was used?
Karen at Home Sweet Hollywood says
It looks fantastic Mary Ann. Love the new color. I particulary took note of your comment "try not to highlight the color of the floors" when choosing the paint color. THAT is something I need to learn about color. Very tricky, but you succeeded because the color looks great.
Kathysue says
Mary Ann, what a great transformation. Oh My, what a little paint, elbow grease and molding can do for a room. Love it and I am sure they are so very pleased with the results! Great job and choices on color.
Happy Tuesday,
Kathysue
annie@mostlovelythings says
Beautiful Mary Ann! What a difference adding that trim made to the hood…and the colors…I can see why they are thrilled with the results. Ummmm….love your commentary….has Alie seen this? I can just hear my daughter…"mooooooooouuum….who knew "mom" had two or more syllables?!
Mary Ann at classic•casual•home says
I did get an angry text this morning…followed by an "oh well." It was the only photo I had…seriously, Annie.
Leslie says
Beautiful job here Mary Ann! The hardware will come … and in the mean time there is lots to enjoy about this newly painted kitchen. I like the color contrast choice! Well done!
Fletcher @ High Cotton Style says
What a difference!
Amber B (Simple Dwellings) says
Amazing before and after! Oh, the power of paint! These were perfect color suggestions. Beautiful work!! 🙂
Beth C. says
That paint took the kitchen from ho hum to wow! In our current home we had similar cabinets in our master bath. We painted them a Ben Moore charcoal black. It completely transformed the space. Paint covers over a multitude of sins! Best, Beth C.
Nancy says
Beautiful… I am always amazed at the power of paint! Love the additional wood trim on the hood as well. Pendants lights? Oh, those will look sooo pretty!!!
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Hi Mary Ann, I love the new lighter look and the wood trim on the hood makes such a difference.
xx,
Sherry
Gail Storti says
WOW….what an amazing difference! I'm SO glad they finally came over to the "painted cabinet" side!!! I love your choice of colors, it looks like a whole new space. And with your additional special touches that you have in mind, it will be perfect! Once again….a GREAT job!
Diane Haynie says
Looks great. As a fellow San Diegan can I make a suggestion that you paint those two tiny areas under the arch of the hood the same color as the island to allow the beautiful hood to stand out. Looks like a bright and sunny San Diego kitchen!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
In my next life I am requesting you as my sister. You are a magician with paint colors! And the trim on the hood – that is a little detail that made a huge difference! Love it.
Abby M. Interiors says
I am always pro-painting cabinets. 😉 These colors are the some of my favorites and this kitchen looks GORGEOUS! I love that your mom and sister are so happy with it. They are lucky to have you on their team. 😉
Abby M.
Di B says
A beautiful transformation! Kudos on your insistence 🙂
Sticking my 2cents in: I would suggest not hanging the Madonna tile in it's previous spot. It is truly gorgeous & worthy of a special place. The problem with it on the hood is that it hangs a bit high to appreciate its detail & slanted. Now also because that wall looks wonderfully spacious with the complimenting colors & less contrast, the tile is just too small. If it needs to remain in the kitchen, perhaps over the arched doorway, on the side of the cabinet over that adorable little dog, or somehow front n' center of the window over the sink.
Mary Ann at classic•casual•home says
You may be right about that Di. We might just eyeball it to see how it looks…if too small, there are lots of other good places and the aqua in the tile is a nice color addition.
cindy hattersley design says
What a transformation…just lovely! You can never go wrong with white cabinetry!!
Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt says
Amazing what a little paint will do…it makes everything look so much better….I love your vision…
AntiqueChase says
so glad to see the before picture. proof that paint is the best weapon around! gorgeous!
pam {simple details} says
Beautiful choices, Mary Ann! It's amazing what paint and vision can do to update a space!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Looks great and my bathroom cabinets are Revere Pewter.
An Urban Cottage says
That…looks…awesome!!! I don't know why so many people are afraid of painting their cabinets. This should be highly Pinterested as a great transformation.
Cathy Wall says
What a difference a little paint can make! A great choice of colors and fabulous transformation. The addition of the moulding was spot on too, great job!
SHERRY HART says
Revel in your great decisions….they should be listening to every one of your suggestions for that space!!! Love the colors:)
Linda {Calling it Home} says
What a makeover! I love the new colors and it is the best solution. Adding wood to the hood was genius.
The enchanted home says
Amazing what a little paint and a great imagination/vision can do! Looks fabulous!
Marsha Splenderosa says
Oh, I love what you've done. Nothing is ever really finished, it all takes a bit of time for character to build, but what a transformation!
Acquired Objects says
That is a great makeover! Smart girl you know when to back off, baby steps. But wow, what fabulous steps!
XXX
Debra~
Chic Coastal Living says
Wow! What a difference! The how it came out and that the center piece was painted gray! Lovely!