You know those off-the-shelf from the big box home improvement store oak cabinets that seem to appear in every apartment, inexpensive contractor re-do, and unfortunately unsuccessful remodels completed with little or no taste…I mean budget? You know the ones…and unfortunately the previous owner installed them in my nearly 100 year old home. Nothing about these cabinets leant themselves to the charm and period of my home that was built in 1911.
The starting point:
Being budget conscious, sticking to my intention to reuse something in perfectly good and usable shape, and desiring that designer touch that gives also honors the period of my house I decided to give them a fresh look. I gave my cabinets an affordable face lift by removing and painting each door as well as adding glass inserts and hardware for added style.
The final result:
How did I accomplish the affordable face lift of the oh-so-average oak cabinets? Here’s how…
A gallon of primer and a gallon of oil based Benjamin Moore paint (stinky yet extremely durable), new cabinet hardware, reeded glass inserts, a tube of silicon glue, a handful of foam paint brushes (eliminates appearance of brush strokes) and a few pieces of middle grade sand paper did the trick.
What is priceless is my friends’ reactions which have included comments such as “You did this? Yourself? They look brand new!” which makes me even more appreciative that I completed this project myself.
In approximately a week the kitchen cabinets were complete and I had a whole new look that provided a period yet modern feel to the typical oak cabinets. The only task I hired out was removing the existing panels in the upper cabinets where I later installed the reeded glass inserts.
Insider DIY Tips For This Project:
1. Number the door fronts so they go back in the same place and are easy to level when you reinstall them.
2. Take the already cut cabinet doors to the glass shop so the glass inserts fit perfectly. This eliminates unfortunate errors in measuring.
3. Paint the insides of the doors and cabinets for a more professional appearance.
Check out more DIY Projects where I’m participating in ”Do It Yourself Day“ at A Soft Place to Land!
www.stelladot.com/darcytidd
I love this transformation!! You did good…bravo!
XOXO-
wowsers! fabulous new look! Wonderful work! you rock!
gail
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am always surprised when I LOVE grey cabinets. But I ALWAYS DO! Yours look beautiful, and I just love the hardware you chose. GREAT JOB!
Thanks! The color is “Eclipse” from Benjiman Moore. I love the grey because they really don’t show the spills and mess that you can often get in a kitchen. The hardware was pretty inexpensive too and were purchased at Lowes for about $3 to $4 per handle.
Great job! I love it – what a great transformation!!!
Oh, lovely! And so much better!
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They look wonderful! What an impressive job and you’d never know there were the same cabinets! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Do you think that Latex vs the oil-based you used will look just as nice?
I used oil-based and NOT latex. I actually think the oil-based looked better because it had a smoother finish and in the end is more durable. However, latex also works but make sure you select the proper finish because if the paint is too flat it will chip or show wear and tear more quickly.
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Great job! I’m in total kitchen envy! How much would you say the face lift cost you?
Thanks! It’s been a while since I did that project but paint and materials were probably about $85, it was $13 per door to have the insert cut out for glass, the glass panes were $15 each, silicone to install the glass was about $8, hardware was $3.50 each, laminate countertop (a DIY install job) was in the neighborhood of $350, sink $250ish, plumbing fixture $275ish. All totaled it was approximately $1,250 (sales tax too)… plus the sweat equity of me and my Dad.