As of today, I have been chatting at the sky for exactly 300 posts! Let’s celebrate with a little kitchen tour. Ready to get right to it?
This is the part where the people before us had a washer and dryer in the kitchen. You can read more about their magic clothes and how we did a cabinet switcharoo in this post.
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This is the part where you get to see just how orangey-pink these cabinets really were. And the part where you notice how the island was green granite and the rest of the counter tops were green laminate. All the way up the wall. Awesome.
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This is the part where you notice how much better the island looks now and you decide to read all about the island transformation on my guest post at Nesting Place.
This is where I stood when we walked through the house for the first time and I almost cried because the owner had just told me they had recently updated their kitchen. This is also where I stood when I realized how much I hated it and I didn’t want to pay for their new, ugly kitchen in the price of the house.
This is the same place where I stand and make food for my kids and watch them color and fight and play cars. Its also where I chat on the phone with my sister and think up blog posts and love. my. kitchen. And we didn’t have to knock out walls or pay for new cabinets or buy a new oven. We made some drastic changes. But we didn’t have to start over. And the ugly kitchen wasn’t a deal breaker in buying the house.
This is the part where I tell you we considered knocking out that random wall to make the kitchen feel more open.
And this is the part where I tell you that, as it turns out, that vent on that wall is sorta important and when we heard how much it would cost, we decided to live with it and hang a yard sale picture there instead.
I know some of you would like to see what is behind that wall that we did not take out.
It’s basically a grown-up friendly kids corner. As opposed to a kid-friendly grown up corner. There is a difference.
Most of this work was done when we first moved in. But this week I finally finished putting the knobs and drawer pulls on the cabinets. Actually, that is a lie. I’m a little bit lazy. (and a little bit country. and a little bit rock and roll). I still have nine drawer pulls to go. Sue me.
One last thing.
The Details
Wall Paint: Sherwin Williams Ivoire (6127)
Cabinet Paint: SW Tricorn Black (6258) Semi-gloss finish
Any black will do. For me, I picked the blackest black on the color wheel.
Island Paint: SW Navajo White (6126)
Granite: New Venetian Gold
(Giallo Ornamental was in our old kitchen with black cabs)
Window Mistreatment Topper Fabric and Fringe: Hobby Lobby
Damask Window Panels: Target
Window Mistreatment Inspiration: The Nester
Back splash: Bevel Hampton Sand with crackle finish (2×4)
For more details, check out the follow up post.
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For more posts on painted wood, please visit Edie’s beautiful and creative blog @ Life in Grace.
This post is also linked with Sanctuary Arts at Home’s You Should Have Seen it Before! party.
153 comments
Can you tell me what is the name of the granite that you used? We currently have white tile and white grout! It is very hard to find a light colored granite that isn’t green.
what’s with that gigantical pot on your stove? do you really use that? make your own laundry detergent in it or something?
i love the results. my cabinets, all of them are sw navajo white and it’s just bad. they always look so dirty with the coke and juice and koolaid spills down their fronts and the dust since i’m a nonduster.
if i can ever get new countertops i will take your dare. right now my countertops are black and it would totally not go.
I don’t want to explain why I am up at 4 in the morning, but hey, I’m first!
Seriously, the kitchen in gorgeous, worth waiting all weekend to see. I wish I could paint my cabinets black, but the owner may not approve. So I have about four things out in the garage that I am spray painting black that will go in our kitchen. I will post them later this week. Love your grown-up friendly kids corner, BTW. There really is a difference, I agree.
Emily, I love it! LOVE. IT. Amazing. If you don’t mind me asking, how much do you think you spent on this transformation? I’m only asking in the interest of the down economy. And the grown up friendly kids corner is awesome. The whole space looks so warm and inviting. When can I come over for coffee (or tea in my case, since I don’t drink coffee)?
When I say that first photo with the washer/dryer I laughed because I remember the original post and every time I sort laundry I think about you wondering where they put their piles.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but have never commented before. On New Year’s Eve, on your year in review post, I saw the picture of your old kitchen with the black countertops, turned to my husband and said, “That. That is what I want for our kitchen.” He took me to Lowe’s that night and we painted the cabinets black. I.love.it. It’s so beautiful! We’re preparing to change our countertops, floor, and paint in a few weeks, and I will finally love our kitchen for the first time since we moved in. So I can say that I have already taken your dare–and I’m so glad we did!
My kitchen is so horrible, I would’ve been happy with the “before” kitchen, but I lovelovelove your makeover! I was sure we would replace our yellow (yes, YELLOW!) laminate (yes, LAMINATE!) cabinets as soon as we moved in…that was 10 years ago! Redoing the kitchen IS moving up the list of household projects though, I’m using yours as an inspiration.
Love the black! I have red red red cupboards, and they are *really* hard to clean. I tried Magic Erasers but they take off a lot of paint. How do you get food spills off of yours? Do share. Don’t be shy.
So pretty! What’s totally amazing is that even though it’s black cabinets…it’s bright and cheery! I love it! I think someone here likes Hobby Lobby as much as I do!
sandy toe
You have just given all those ugly kitchens out there hope. They are all gonna love you for this–it looks 984% better!
What a great change. I love everything about it. Thanks for sharing it with us & congrats on 300!!
I’ve included the name of the granite in the details part of the post. I knew I would miss something! And Melissa, that pot is too stinkin big to fit inside a cabinet. So I just leave it on the stove. We cook small animals in there. Just kidding.
Emily, it’s beautiful. So. Beautiful. I would never have noticed if you hadn’t said you weren’t done with the knobs and pulls. There is enough pretty in that one room to distract me from drawers
I have to say, from a girl who has lived through a LOT gutting a house and doing a lot of changes, that painting cabinets scares me. Your fabulous kitchen is very inspirational! Congrats on 300 posts.
Love it love it LOVE IT!!! Congrats on your 300th post.
WOW! It is just gorgeous! Great job/choices/ideas/inspirations!
I love it! Beautiful job!
That looks awesome! And I just love love love those knobs.
I love it love it love it! Those knobs look awesome! Thanks for all the before and afters from the same spot. Warm and cozy!
I am so in LOVE with this kitchen. I want my kitchen cabinets black, but I can’t get over the fear of painting them. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the island. I have shown it to everyone who enters my house. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Wendy
Emily.
Absolutely beautiful! I love that it is classy, traditional, simple and ever so elegant! I can see why you love it so much. I also wanted to let you know that I LOVE the new look of your blog.
I LOVE it!!! Gorgeous!! I didn’t really know if I would like black cabinets, but yours really look fabulous. I also love your little kid corner.
A drastic and BEAUTIFUL change! Great job!!
I love it! It looks so pretty. The laminate up the wall before was not only very unattractive but also very weird. I have never seen that and to think that was the redo? What did it look like before? Yikes! Nice work, thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing! It makes me even more confident in my newly painted black cabinets!
Wow, you don’t look 300 at all…….jk…..the kitchen it has a WOW factor of about a gazillion. LOVE it!!!
Suzanne
ALL THE WAY UP THE BACKSPLASH? Oh, my. Your tiles look so gorgeous compared to that laminate. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? Probably the same thing that the people who lived here thought when they put carpet in every. room. in. the. house. As in, every room. Even the front porch. Yes. The front porch. We’re still dealing with ripping it up. Whatever they put it down with, they didn’t want to get pulled up. We’ve tried just about everything to get the residue off. Sigh…until we find the magic cure, we’re stuck with an ugly, non-carpeted front porch. And carpet in the kitchen. Yeah. I’m thinking they were thinking the same as your people were thinking. Wait…what? : )
FABULOUS! Looks so much better. I LOL when you said the owner told you the kitchen had recently been remodeled. YIKES! I love Hobby Lobby…they have the most awesome stuff for everything you could ever imagine.
this is the part when I call my husband and say “See? this is the project I want to start in our hideous kitchen”
Oh, Emily, how much would you charge to come paint my cabinets? We have recently painted our kitchen lime green and I have black accents up all around…I think the black cabinets would be the icing on the cake.
Your kitchen is beeee-utiful!!!! I love it!!!
Oh it turned out fantastic Emily!!! Just beautiful!!! Oh, how I have wanted to paint a table black, and cabinets black…you have inspired me!!! I will show my husband this post so he can see the finished product and how neat it is! You rock!!! If you have time, stop by today for a giveaway…one of the itmes is a wrought iron towel holder that painted black would look terrific in your kitchen! As always, love your ideas!!!
I’ve told you before but I love what you’ve done. It makes me want to sell my house and buy one that needs some work just so I can have the fun all over again.
absolutely lovely!
Emily,
It looks amazing! The before and after pictures…wow…what a difference! It made me smile to think about you standing in your kitchen talking to Nester and enjoying your kitchen.
LOVELY, BEAUTIFUL, COZY, WARM, FRIENDLY, INVITING, PRACTICAL, AWESOME!!!
IN OTHER WORDS, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
HUGS FROM MAINE
WOW! I live in a house with kitchen cupboards from the 60’s that have not been painted since the 80’s. New cupboards are not in the budget for awhile so we have been trying to decide on a color to paint them DH would love black, I have been hesitant and most people we suggested it to have been negative so there they sit in all their ugliness. After seeing your photos I WILL paint them black and I plan to do so before family comes for Easter! Thank you!
It’s DREAMY!!!
It is so warm and inviting. I just want to curl up in that black wicker chair and have some java!
I recently completed a kitchen makeover. http://neweveryam.blogspot.com/2009/02/kitchen-makeover.html
Your taste is simply beautiful!
Emily, what a GREAT transformation in that kitchen! Loved seeing the before & afters. I really love the black cabinets and looks like you have plenty of light to pull it off. Glad you mentioned your granite color too, since I’m getting ready to do mine, I’m paying attention to all these things. New Ven. Gold was on my list, but I’ve decided on another one that’s similar, Napoli.
I just love, love all the changes you made! Truly spectacular.
Your kitchen looks so pretty now, Emily! I know what you mean, I have a brand new kitchen in my brand new house that I do not love. Sigh. But I am considering all sorts of inexpensive ways I can personalize it and end up loving it. In fact, I am thinking of ideas for all over the house because that is what I do. Dream up projects. I’m working on being content with what I have but excited about making my house feel like me. So fun to do that without ripping the whole house apart!
Lovely kitchen!! I am such a fan of subway tile, love love love.
blessings,
melissa
Bravo! Bravo! It looks so amazing. You should be so proud of yourself. I love your subway tile backsplash. I’m not sure I’ve seen mini subway tile before, and now I want it! Great job!
It looks great! And I love that you didn’t have to do a huge remodel to make it gorgeous. I wish my DH was more open to the idea of paint!
I usually read your blog in my reader, but i had to come out of lurkdom to tell you how gorgeous your kitchen is. We live in a rental with a galley kitchen and horrible old-school dark brown scratched-up fake wood cupboards. maybe someday I’ll get permission and energy to paint my cupboards too.
Wow! What a transformation, Emily! I would never have thought to do black cabinets, but they look so good. A decorating gene definitely runs in your family, a writing one too.
Speaking of genes, I had your sister over for brunch this morning and we wished you were with us. I thought she would pass out at the sight of my decorating malfunctions, but instead she was her usual encouraging self.
If I go out of town for a month or so would the two of you come and make my whole house over for me? You could pretend you’re hosting one of those decorating shows or something.
That, my dear, is one FANTASTIC kitchen!
I love it!! Sophisticated yet welcoming. Can you come over to my house? I NEED you!
Wow, I guess I have to be the outcast here and say I loved it the way that it was (colors and such… not necessarily layout). But to each his own… For your tastes and what you wanted, it does indeed look perfect now. Great job for you!!! Yeah!!!
oohh…beautiful!! Couple of quick questions…it looks like you have flat cabinets (ie. no detailing…which is what I have) – what did you use to paint them? a foam roller or brush? And secondly- did you use latex or oil & how’s it holding up? Thanks!
Very classy. We like lots of little rooms in our house, so I’m glad you didn’t knock out the wall! Just call yourself European and you can call it a style-thing!
Jamie
Excellent. I just did our bathroom cabs black and am waiting for some nice weather to hit the kitchen ones. I was thinking beadboard for a backsplash, but I do love your subway tiles. Do they come in a full sheet or individual? Interested in cost too. Beadboard is cheap and easy to install, but I bet those tiles are more durable. LOVE.IT. J
emily, i am J.E.A.L.O.U.S. especially if you got to hire someone else to do the work for you. i am an involuntary diy-er. especially with the painting. i want to paint my kitchen cabinets, but i want it to look professional without the patience and diligence to make it look professional myself.
here is what i think might be a dumb question, but i’m too lazy to drag all three of my born monsters to home depot to find out myself: does subway tile come in a panel thing, or are they just available in individual tiles that require cementing and grouting and multiple swear words? I really need to do something cool for a backsplash, but then the buying of millions of diapers comes into play again.
oh Honey, if we get this house that we have a bid on, you betcha bottom dollar i’ll be painting those cabinets black! If my husband wouldn’t kill me, I’d paint the cabinets black in THIS house (or course, that would be sorta grim, since our counters are shiny black already … )
LOVE LOVE LOVE it when you show me (is that self-centered?) your house
Blessings,
Karin
Love the black cabinets! Unfortunately, I think our kitchen is too small and not ‘open’ enough to handle this. Since we don’t want to do any major renovations, I think I’m going to go for an antiqued cream look. We shall see. But I do want to paint my bathroom cabinets black… but I was a bit afraid. If you can do your kitchen cabinets then surely I can do my bathroom cabinets. This is just the inspiration I needed!!!
Your kitchen is so pretty. I am taking your dare. We bought the black paint last weekend and will be painting this weekend. I saw your old kitchen and loved it and talked my husband into black cabinets. We have a laminate counters that look like granite and I think black cabinets will look awesome. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
I love your kitchen. Actually, I love your whole house. Just beautiful.
This is a night and day difference. It looks absolutely awesome!! Crazy what paint and countertops can do to a place. Great job girl!
Lovely, Emily! You are bold and daring and it all looks fantastic. Someday, when I’m not in a townhome (which, even though we own it, still feels transitional to me), I may do something to drastically alter my home in a way that I will love…and that won’t cause the resale value to plummet (like if I painted the cabinets I currently have). Sigh…someday…
Oh, how I am wanting some Bisque Crackle right about now. I cannot even tell you how much I love subway tile. And my backsplash is just begging for it. Pleading, I tell you. And with a name like Bisque Crackle…well, one could just crumble up the leftover tiles and sprinkle it on a bowl of creamy soup.
The whole kitchen is just oh so very yummy.
Thanks for sharing!
I love all of your choices! I consider myself pretty savvy, BUT, I confess I am not a Hobby Lobby shopper. I MUST go check them out! I especially love your backsplash tiles. Great choices!!
STUNNING! You’ve got my creative juices ramped up now.
I think Mike would be mad if I painted our brand-new cabinets black. I must reject your dare.
Looks great, though!
Love, Love, LOVE it! I’m so into black cabinets! You did a fabulous job!!!
WOW! Your kitchen looks like a page in a magazine. (Slapping forehead: Stupid Jill, stupid Jill for not putting black cabinets in your house!) I just love it! Beautiful!
Emily, I have one word. Fabulous! I loooove it! I wouldn’t have even known it was the same kitchen. It’s amazing what a lot of paint, some new hardware, tile & counters does! (I know there was a little more to it than that.
) The black and white/cream looks so fresh. I don’t think the “awkward wall” looks awkward at all anymore. I think that switching the fridge & putting in the little cabinet nook in it’s place helped the “awkward wall” blossom into being less awkward. Not to mention a few well placed accessories to give it a place in the kitchen. Kudos for braving a kitchen that wanted to make you cry and turning it into a space you love!
Way to go. You just gave a lot of guys a new project. But at least it’s black instead of something foo-foo.
oh Dad. It’s FROO FROO. But yes. Black is rather manly, I agree.
I personally think the island makeover is brilliant.
I would never have thought of black for kitchen cabinets, but you pulled if off well.
Oh – and I love the white frame arrangement back in the corner past the wall-that-didn’t-come-down.
My husband and I have been having this whole conversation. I want to pull the cabinets down (they’re really old) and put up open shelves. He says no. So, I’m trying to get him to compromise by letting me paint the cabinets black. I just emailed him the link to your post. Wish me luck. I love your kitchen. I love the black. I’m so glad you were able to turn something ugly (laminate all the way up the wall? yikes) into something so beautiful. I love your subway tile too. It’s exactly what I was thinking of doing to my backsplash. Thank you for the pictures.
That looks fab! I painted my counters black — and I used the same subway tiles on my backsplash. I just hope my room turns out as wonderful as yours!
This would be the place where I tell you that I failed you as a friend. I promised you I would search for your cabinet pulls at Hobby Lobby. I lied. But I can redeem my pitiful existence if you still lack cabinet pulls. Let me know if you need me to go on the hunt. I think I remember what they look like.
cowengilmore@yahoo.com
Emily – Fabulous kitchen! I have been following you for about a year now. love the new blog change too – so cute. I AM going to paint my cabs black – they are brand new too – kinda orangy, orange-ish. WHO chooses this color of wood?! Sheesh. But WAY TO GO – love the kitchen and love your blog! PS – would LOVE to hear more about grown up friendly kids corners as opposed to kid friendly grown up corners. Verrrry interesting topic and true – there is a HUGE difference. I need to achieve the former!
I have wanted to paint my kitchen cabinets black since the day I moved in (January 25th, 2000 to be exact!) I just have to get the patience to do it right since I am a little bit of a Veruca Salt (I want it NOW!) You kitchen looks fabulous!
first off… awesome.inspiring.simple.beautiful. secondly, is there anything I can do or say to convince a post on that fabulous window treatment? please OH please?? I am in love! Maybe at least a close up photo? I promise to name my first daughter Emily…
Blown away. Seriously blown away. Your knobs are fabulous. Does that sound a little forward of me? Well, they are.
And your granite is to die for. You have impecable taste! I have the same granite so that means I have impecable taste too, right?
And your grown-up friendly kid space??? I love it! I adore little hidden surprises like that. I think I like that even better than if you had been able to knock down the wall.
Kimba
Love the kitchen! It looks so much better. I love all of your choices, especially the backsplash and granite. It just so happens that my kitchen and family room are SW Ivoire, too!
Love it!!! We (maybe just I) want to paint our lovely oak cabinets so I love seeing how beautiful yours turned out! Thanks for sharing – especially all the details
Emily, I’m new to your blog, I saw it mentioned on Christy’s site Between Here and Home. What a wonderful introduction to your blog this post was! I love your style. I’m impressed with your kitchen transformation! I enjoyed reading a few of your older posts and will be back for more.
Besides the fact that all of us are standing, well probably sitting in awe…I just want to giggle at the little exchange between you and your dad…too cute.
A beautiful transfomation! I didn’t think it looked bad before, but it looks absolutely stunning now!
love the transformation! the new light fixture over the table. the black mirror. the beautiful window treatment/mistreatment…they are my favorite. i guess i love details.
enjoy it!
It’s absolutely perfect!!
I’m just curious about how you painted the cabinets. Did you spray or brush the paint on?
Thank you so much for the tour!
Okay, more fawning here…
I absolutely adore your new kitchen!!! Seriously, I want it. All of it. LOL!
I’m living with 80s style laminate cabinets/countertops – have been for 12 years and I’ve read about people painting over cabinets, but it scares the bejeezes out of me. Wood yes, laminate?? Yikes.
i LOVE what you did in your kitchen!! it is such an improvement. i wouldn’t have thought of black cabinets, but they are cool.
I’ve been reading and loving your blog for a while, and had to comment on this kitchen – it’s fabulous! I am so impressed with your bravery in painting all of your cabinets, and those tiles are really amazing. I’ve been admiring the subway tiles as a backsplash look in several places now, but think yours may be one of my favorites! Keep up the good work
tell me about the knobs! (FABULOUS kitchen makeover BTW!!!!!!!!)
Great pictures! Great kitchen!! You’ve also shown me how awesome black looks with SW Ivoire, which is my basement color, just in time to plan window treatments. I’m sure you’ve inspired many to go for it and paint their cabinets!
Uggh – now I cannot decide! White cabinets with tan walls or white walls and black cabinets……did you ever consider white cabinets? If so, what is the benefit of black or is it just what ya like? I love black too – I have farmhouse table with black chairs that I love so I think black may be good too- again, thanks messing with my mind
LOVE IT!
It’s truly lovely! We’re building a new kitchen as we speak and I’m nervous….
Emily. That is AWESOME. LOVE it. You are SUCH an inspiration.
Hi…just found your blog. LOVE it! I love your kitchen-it’s just what I want to do with mine. Can you give (or have you posted) details on how to go about painting the cabinets? The cabinets in my kitchen are so mid-1990’s. Builder’s grade yellowy oak (here in the house when we bought it).
blah! My kitchen floor? 9 yrs ago *I* chose yellowy oak looking Pergo. blah! What I wouldn’t give now for tile flooring or at least a different color laminate. Anyhoo, I love your kitchen. You’ve done a wonderful job!
I read often, but this is my first comment. I really love how your kitchen turned out. The details in it are amazing.
Of course, I have a question too. Can you give any more details on the subway tiles? Where you bought them, manufacturer, etc? I’ve tried googling the details you gave but I’m coming up short.
I have had no backsplash for 4 years and after seeing this, I know what I want! I’d so appreicate any more details you might have.
Thanks!
The kitchen remodel looks amazing! I love the black cabinets, my husband would freak out, but I think it’s just gorgeous! Gorgeous! -e
Wow, what a dramatic makeover! I LOVE the black cabinets. And the granite you picked out is such a great contrast to them.
Your kitchen is GORGEOUS!! I love it!
Your “new” kitchen is truly awesome. I love the black painted cabinets and your new granite and tile is just gorgeous. What a beautiful remodel. I would love to cook in there also. So well done. Hugs, Marty
Dad said “foo foo”. haaa haaa! Don’t tell the boys!
Wow. Your kitchen is beautiful. My cabinets are that same orangey color…but I live on a military base and can’t do anything about it.
I love, love, love your kitchen! I’ve been without a backsplash in my kitchen for a year and a half trying to find the right tile. Your tile is stunning and is exactly what I’m looking for. I would really love to know where you purchased it…please:)
Awesome kitchen, I love your black cabinets. I really want to paint mine black, but then I would have to change all of my white appliances and that is totally not in the budget, so my next choice is plain ole white.
I love the backsplash – Mini-Subway Bisque Crackle. Can you tell me where it was purchased?
I love those small subway tiles on the backsplash. I loooove them! I know exactly what you mean about people redoing a kitchen before selling and then you look at it and wish they’d just left it alone! If this was my kitchen, I’d probably be spending too much time in there and consequently weigh a ton.
) Y’all did a great job!
Popping in from the Shabby Nest…Your kitchen re-do is soooo pretty. I really love the white cabinet knobs and subway tile.
Love your kitchen!!! Please please tell us where you got your back splash!! and did you install it yourself?? Also… i am loving your black chairs in the kitchen!! where did you find those?! any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks!
Strong Work Friend! Beautiful. Ivoire is so purty on the walls. Lovin’ the subway tile. Lovin’ that you gave all the details of where you got what…Great, great job! Super fun!
I love your new look. Tell me about the wall with the tiles, did you place the new tiles yourself? I have wondered about doing that in my house. I am SOOO intrigued with the idea of painting my cabinets another color-the black might be too much with all our black, but did you sand them, prime them and paint them or just do two coats of paint?
I have been a follower of your sister for a while, adding you to my list! 
Anxious to hear some details about them!
LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
QUESTION….I AM DYING TO PAINT MY KITCHEN CABINETS WHITE. WE BOUGHT A SPEC HOME SO I DID NOT PICK OUT THE COLORS…BUT WERE YOUR CABINETS NEW OR DID YOU JUST SAND DOWN THE WOOD? I AM A BIT NERVOUS TO DESTROY YEAR OLD DOORS! PLEASE HELP!!!!
WOW! Your kitchen looks great! I’m totally impressed. I’m doing a post on painting cabinets very soon…by the time I get to it, everyone will be done! You did a great job. But we need to talk about those unfinished pulls…
Tim
Love your makeover.
You may not belive this, but in 10 days we are tipping out our black cabinets! They came with the house, and I have always had a hate/hate relationship with them. They a shiny nigh gloss, and show EVERY sticky little finger. Your look lovely though!
When my makeover is complete I will post pics, and hope it looks as great as yours.
If you want a glimpse of how it currently looks you can see it on my post of 31 Dec 07 – where my broken oven door is being held shut with a broom to cook our turkey on Christmas Day!
Your Kitchen is AWESOME!!!!! I love it!!!!! I need to go to Target and look for those panels for my windows, however, I’m not sure they will go with a “cherry colored” (I know that’s not the color of my furniture, but it’s the only thing coming to mind) (maybe mahogony??)dining room set?? What do you think?? You have given my inspiration for my next kitchen!! Thanks!
Great job….I love how your kitchen turned out! Sooooo much more elegant & classy!
Well… here I am posting way late; however, your kitchen transformation is gorgeous.
You are blessed to have had a great layout to begin with and as “they” say it had ‘good bones’ to work with.
Congratulations! It’s a beauty!!!
sad fact:
your ‘before’ is sixtymilliontimes more attractive than my current kitchen, with its fake-faux-wood cupboards of the laminate variety with square shapes, mismatchy edges, no drawers (NO DRAWERS. THERE IS NO SPOON), and sixtymillion other nonsensical things.
sometimes you just sit there and go “WHYYYYYYYYYYYY?!”
BUT
i have a big backyard?
lol.
suffice it to say our house is in the midst of a makeover… however we started with our (dungeon with six, SIX, different kinds of wood/brick fake-o panelling) basement
((lol))
I love love love how it looks! I’ve often considered painting our kitchen cabinets black too…but ahhh the fear! My walls are deep red and so I’m not sure if it will be just too dark. I love the poster board idea.
I can’t tell you how much I want to go to She Speaks this year. It’s just not going to happen! I would love to hang out again, my friend!!
I think it is just beautiful, but seriously…the first thing I see are a dozen pairs of eyeballs staring at me. The knobs are cracking me up!
Your cabinets look lovely! The cabinets in my 1-year-old house are that same peachy-orangy-pink wood colour that you had, and I don’t like it much. But I am married to the man who would never let me paint them
And I figure that there are bigger battles to fight.
I have wanted to paint my cabinets black for about a year now…with many saying no….I am so going to do it when we have a little extra.
I’d love to see it in person sometime!!! Looks so beautiful.
I love the black cabinets! What finish did you use as far as flat, satin, ect…? We are painting our cabinets black as well and I can’t decide on the finish. Yours is what I want.
Thanks!
Misty
Nice Job! Question… Did you need to sand down the cabinets before painting, prep them in anyway?
Thanks
I LOVE IT!!! You have given me such inspiration to re-do my kitchen. I noticed several people asked the same question – did you sand them down first? Also, what paint texture did you use? Flat, satin, etc.?
Would you terribly mind, just giving a quick run down? Thank you so much!!!
LOVE it! I did white cabinets and pick the same granite. It gets installed this week! I’m checking out your back splash too. I am still undecided. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful! I used to be all about white cabinets, but the more blogs I read, the more I think I want to go black in stead
I just ordered the same backsplash tile for my kitchen. (I recently put in new venitian brown counters) The manufacturer is Adex USA, I called them to find my local distributor:
http://www.adexusa.com/pages/home.cfm?CFID=920635&CFTOKEN=83948798
WOW! We are redoing our whole house next week (due to waterheater bust) thank goodness.I just may paint my cabinets black.I have been debating it.Thanks so much for sharing,it looks wonderful.
I love your kitchen. Welcome To the world of black cabinets. I’ve had black cabinets for 6 or 7 years, I love them. I had red cabinets at first but the black ones are magnificent. You have a more traditional style, for those who are more modern my husband used oil base paint they look almost like lacquer and I bought some really modern stainless steel handles from Ikea.
hi emily, your cabinets came out great. may I ask how the paint was applied – brush or spray? how much of the Tricorn Black paint did you use total?
-vince, san jose ca
Where did you get your Granite: New Venetian Gold?
Where did you get your back splash: Bevel Hampton Sand with crackle finish (2×4)?
Where did you get your cutie little knobs??
Can you e-mail me?
I love this–I have been trying to get the hubby to agree to painting our 93 style yellowy- orangey cabinets and island black. He is traditional in the sense that we shouldn’t paint wood, it must be stained….too much prep work for me! We have Baroque Brown granite counters and island counter. I’d love to build the island up with deco woodwork to resemble a furniture piece. Did you use a primer first? How did you prep the woodwork? A deglosser? Sanding? How many coats?
Love love love the outcome!
Oh my gosh! I loooove it! I have been teetering between white or black and I am so doing black. Its looks incredible! I was worried that my kitchen might not be big enough for black cabinets and its roughly the same size as yours (with plenty of light) and now I know it will be beautiful! Thank you fo much for sharing, this has been a great inspiration. Thank goodness for the internet.
I am so glad I came across your website. I just finished cleaning up my painting for the day wondering if I was crazy like my family thinks. I have painted my kitchen yellow with white trim and the cupboards black. My next step was to put up subway tile backsplash. Nobody has seen it yet, but they all just cringe at my color scheme when they hear about my endeavor. I really like your added touch of the white pulls for the drawers and knobs for the cupboards. Where did you end up finding them. I think your kitchen looks absolutely beautiful. It has made me realize that I’m not entirely crazy!
My carpenter said I should look online for some kitchen cabinets that I like. I’m in Fresno and have looked at a few local stores, but I’m trying to find a good gallery.
Do you know of any sites that have a good kitchen cabinet gallery?
Fantastic! I am loving that backsplash. It all looks incredible!
You are BRAVE! The cabinets turned out great! Love the knobs too! ~Ashley~ shanty2chic
I LOOOOOOOVE what you did! It’s like a whole new house! I am so glad you could share this with us! Thank you for joining in on the party! Jen
I love love love the black cabinets. Question though on the knobs, how did you fill in the old holes?
Great vision and what class! What inspiration for others. Thank you for sharing. Your home is beautiful.
Your kitchen is more than beautiful, it is absolutely exquisite and every other delicious word I can think of. I have been contemplating painting my cabinets black for a year now and today, after viewing your gorgeous kitchen, I have made my decision. I am going from boring old grainy oak to bold black. I love the subway tiles. Where did you purchase them? I googled the bevel Hampton sand and the tiles that are showing do not look like yours, they have a more beigy look. Your tiles look white, so I am assuming that sand color may not be the same everywhere. Great job! Thanks for the inspiration
I’d just like to say how amazing i think this is! I wish i had my own home so i can try this! but when i do i will most definitely be painting my cabinets black. i loved this.
I am so glad that I found your site. Several months ago, I had Venetian Gold counter tops put in but I have had the hardest time finding a backsplash. I got on the internet today determined to find someone else that had the same countertops and a backsplash that I love. I found it on your site. I am also in the process of painting my cabinets black. We must have similar taste (I also love Lisa Terkurst). I have goggled “Bevel Hampton Sand” and “Hamton Sand” and can not find your exact backsplash tile. Could you please let me know where you bought your tile? Did you use white grout?
Wow. So glad you are happy that is all that matters. BUT folks DONT paint your beautiful wooden cabinets. Imagine if this kitchen just had new granit, backsplash, new hardware and walls and window treatments. The floor could be redone easier so it isn’t so much like the wood in the cabinets. This painting cabinets black has the ring of sunset gold and avocado appliances in the 70’s too trendy look dated very quickly. I imagine you will get tired of looking at black painted cabinets very quickly and realize you’ve ruined beautiful wood. Wood lasts forever and when faded can be sanded and restained – dont paint them.
Dear folks, PLEASE, if you know you will never like the wood that your cabinets are made out of, DO NOT listen to Michael up there. 1. he is a man who thinks all wood is priceless 2. he does not live in your house
The decorating police will NOT come and arrest you if you paint your cabinets a color. LOTS of people have done this and are so happy with the results. Personally, I have sold two houses where I painted the kitchen cabinets myself–one sold in 7 days, one sold in 30 days–both by owner making a good profit. My sister sold her last home, where she had amazing black cabs in less than a month.
It’s comments like this that drive me insane! Yes, if you love your wood like Micheal does, by all means DO NOT paint them–but don’t confuse those who like their wood with some unwritten rule that tells us we cannot paint builder grade ‘would’ cabinets.
Go forth, paint, and enjoy your home!
PS, if you need more convincing see this post that shows so many women who LOVE their painted cabs!
http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-paint-cabinets-for.html
One more thing and then I will fall off my high horse, Layla at The Lettered Cottage just had the magazine “the Nest” come photograph her home complete with black cabs. Obviously black cabinets are so outdated.
http://www.theletteredcottage.net/2009/10/nest-shoot-day-one.html
Hello,
I love your Kitchen I am thinking of doing something just like that. However my husband and I are thinking of having children in a few years and I am worried that the black will show everything. Dust? Dirt? Food? Can you give me some advice? How has it been for you? Thanks and again I love love love it!
Thanks for letting me know how the other half lives. I’m glad that you’re happy with the transformation, but it really looks to me like a shift from GREAT to Okay.
The black works, but you’ve done just about everything that I can think of that would make this tacky. I think fake bricks are tacky, I think painted wood is an abomination, and I think your knobs are ugly.
(I’m assuming that the cabinets were originally maple or birch or some other nice wood, other wise, who cares.) I guess to each their own. Not trying to be a hater, but I think it’s important for somebody to say that they didn’t like the change.
On the positive, I love your new granite cabinet tops, really nice touch. I also like the extension you made to the back of the island, making the space multi-use. Very smart idea.
Love the black cabinets. Your kitchen went from tacky to classy. I can”t wait to paint my cabs black. Now I don’t need to replace my granite. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh, forgot to mention what does Andrew know he’s a man. My husband makes none of the decorating choices in our home. Ha! Ha!
I love the black cabinets!
I’m really digging the granite and knobs! Love the tile, too. You did such a great job!
LOVE YOUR KITCHEN! Love it! Question 4 U: I found your curtain panels on Target’s website…I want the valance too. I see you have “Window Mistreatment Topper Fabric and Fringe: Hobby Lobby”…does that mean you made them using fabric and fridges from Hobby Lobby? Hummmm Tell me Tell me how and what!!!
[...] friend, Emily from Chatting at the Sky, shares about how she painted her kitchen cabinets BLACK! So classy and beautifully done! If you haven’t heard the great news about Emily, she is on [...]
Emily, your kitchen looks AMAZING…I love it!
By the way…Andrew,I think you are trying to be a hater!
Been searching for pictures of cabinets – and I love yours! I have been telling people I want to paint my cabinets black and have gotten lots of sighs. Yours look great and have given me confidence to try it. Some sights say the black is hard to keep clean. Now that you have had them for awhile, what do you think? My cabinets are “pickled” right now, but are oak and have good “bones”. Just can’t justify tearing them out – very expensive. Hope this can work for me!
You’re kitchen looks beautiful and is my inspiration for our new home that should be done late this summer – I have to know – where did you get that beautiful vintage-looking black mirror on the dining room wall? I love it! Love everything about your new kitchen look!
I am in the process of giving my kitchen a face lift! It all started with the black and white damask fabric I found to make a kitchen valance. We are in the process of painting the lower cabinets black and the upper cabinets white (with a hint of cream). I really love the look of black cabinets. Your kitchen looks great. I love the bookcase and wicker chair in the eat-in!
Amazing! You went from Blah to VAVAVOOM!
Your “after” kitchen looks so much more upscale and expensive. It’a amazing what a few touches can do.
I would love to do this to my blah kitchen.