Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Busy Weekend and Icy Morning

Hello friends,...guess what I started this weekend??? I will give you a clue.
First I have to show you what I woke up to this morning...ICE!


That is a sheet of ice on my kitchen window and my deck is a solid sheet of ice also.

         

I braved the very real threat of slipping and breaking my neck and gingerly ventured out to fill the bird water dishes. Mr. Mockingbird was very appreciative.

Ok...back to my weekend. I finally started something I have been wanting to do for ages.
Paint my kitchen cabinets!


I'm looking for a brighter, cleaner look which is why I choose pale grey for the walls. I really love the look of a farmhouse style with a few open cabinets so some of my dishes will be exposed. I am thinking the middle cabinets above..the ones with the white dishes. I'll remove the rif-raf on those shelves and that will give it a tidier appearance. 


Are you a 'move everything out of the way' type of painter or a 'paint around it' type? As you can probably see from my photos, I paint around everything. I remove curtains and anything on walls, but that is it. I am a very careful and neat painter.


I got all my painting tools together.....Ooooops, not those tools


That's better!
I have used Behr Ultra before and had very good results. It is a pretty good primer/paint all in one. 
I choose a very calm off white called Bleached Linen.


My sweet hubby was nice enough to volunteer to do the sanding. Sorry, I can only show you his hand...if I show you his face, I will have to hunt you all down and kill you ;-)
After all he is a Federal Agent ! (he rolls his eyes whenever I say that)


To be on the safe side, I decided to use Glidden Gripper primer/sealer which is specially formulated to adhere to slick surfaces like metal, glass and porcelain. My Behr paint does have a primer in it, but it is not a sealer and I want to be really sure that the wood color does not show through.
  Here we go...first coat of primer is going on. I rolled the primer on and then smoothed it with a 3 inch angle brush.
This is my favorite part because it means there is no turning back.

I am going to paint this in two stages..first the top cabinets and wall units. Then the bottom cabinets. I am hoping that will cause as little as possible kitchen disruption.


See that wall on the outside of the refrigerator...it will get a pretty piece of beadboard to cover it. The shelves over the fridge will stay doorless. I'm thinking that is a great place for all my cookbooks.

See that door under the sink...it's coming off and I am going to sew a pretty curtain..like in a 1940's farm kitchen. I think that will be a fun way to bring in some color.
I have a cooktop island which will be surrounded by beadboard and painted black. I want it to look like a totally separate piece of furniture...no matchy-matchy.


I have plans to remodel the bottom shelf here to fit in my small microwave...up and off the counter.
The smaller doors from over the refridge will be installed here, above the microwave. All open shelves will get some nice finishing trim.

Click to get a really good look at this handsome guy!
Look who came to visit while I was painting!
Ok..so that is just the beginning..I will be keeping you posted on my progress. 
Have a great day!

Until next time...be kind and stay creative.
Come learn some cool things with Jenn at Hope Studios

17 comments:

Kelly Ann said...

when you're done there....just sayin'...xoxo

Gretel said...

Sigh...what a lovely huge kitchen...do you know just how jealous I am? :) Do be careful on that icy deck!

Tweed Thoughts said...

What fun to see your kitchen Janet - I feel like I could drop in for a cup of tea, hehe! Your post made me laugh out loud today - thankyou! :D

Good luck with your rennovations 'crafty lady' xx

Jennifer Juniper said...

I cannot WAIT to see it! And guess what? My island and cupboards are two different colors for exactly the same reason!!!

Danielle said...

I recently saw them do this on HGTV and really made me want to paint my cabinets. Now that you've done it, I want to even more!

Wanda..... said...

Your planned transformation sounds very nice, Janet. Good thinking to use the smaller doors above the microwave. I think that's one of my bluebirds visiting you. They leave Ohio during the winter, you know! Thanks for feeding him.

Aprons and More said...

What a GREAT kitchen you have! I love the transom windows above the sink! Can't wait to see the finished project!
Did you notice our ice looked like snow...very deceiving! Be careful out there!

Katy :)

Sweet Birdy Love said...

Wow Janet, it will look fab when finished. Love the colour you chose and the little curtain under the kitchen sink will look great and the open shelves. I have always loved that sort of look........

The first photo looking through the icy kitchen window, just beautiful. Yes, as Gretel said, please be careful on the deck.

Can't wait to see the photos of the finished kitchen.
Had to laugh at your hubby 'rolling his eyes'.........

Thanks for visiting, Brambly Hedge, I just love it. Shall think of Gretel in the Cotswolds when I use my mugs now.

Claire X

Atelier Conti said...

I wondered where you went! But now I understand. Painting and redecorating! I just love to do that...it's the perfect time of year too. You are so clever with your brush. I can't wait to see the final results. I will really be transformed. I have to say I'm slightly jealous of your bird life over there! Wow, so pretty. We didn't even have anyone that cute when I lived in California.

Zenitude said...

Looks like it will be a great makeover! Eager to see the progress.

Ms EM said...

Hey, if you aren't using that first set of tools, send them my way. Head to my house next, my cupboards need painting and we can share those tools! If you get a chance stop by my new sight and follow me! I lost my followers when I did a blog switch. :( Long story.

Annette said...

A kitchen makeover...how exciting! I know it's going to be fabulous and I can't wait to see it! I think the first set of tools would be easier for me to use, haha!!

sandra said...

This is going to be one awesome kitchen! You are quite talented and inspired to bite off such a big project. And the bird? Ah he's a dear. I'm going to paint him!

Kathleen Grace said...

I am so cracking up over thisw Janet! I took the top doors off my kitchen cabinets last weekend and started the painting process! Great minds think alike. Like you I am doing the tops first, and painting them white. I can't wait to see your finished kitchen, (heck, I can't wait to see MY finished kitchen!). By the way, I love that little bluebird, they are my very favorite birds:>)

koralee said...

Wow....good for you...I do know how much work that is because I have done it before! Love all your birds...ours up here are so different.

Hugs.

Audrey said...

I would much rather have lots of snow then a little ice!
Next summers project is painting my kitchen too. Not looking forward to it at all.

BumbleVee said...

Don't put your microwave too high..especially if you are a bit short..

It is not great to be taking out hot things above your chest...

Mine is on my counter right now...but, come summer I am remodelling...and it will go up a bit ..but only above a new drawer... about 6 to 8 inches....I love it at that height... easy to use....

I'm going to have pale sage green cabinets.....