Big Changes in the Kitchen

For the past two weekends, Himself and I have been busy in the kitchen. Repainting, that is. When we bought this house last August, the kitchen was so glum. Dark cabinets, original (YES!) wallpaper, vinyl flooring, and dark stained trim. Our very first project was painting the kitchen cabinets, which you can read about HERE and HERE.

Two weeks ago, we had the popcorn texture removed from all the ceilings downstairs. I wrote a check for that since it was not a project we wanted to tackle ourselves. We know our limits. Before the workers began, though, Himself took the opportunity to remove the soffit boxes above the kitchen cabinets. He carefully removed the cabinet trim I'd already painted, thankfully.

No soffits!

Once the ceilings were done, we started on the kitchen walls and trim. The ceiling contractor applied a texture to my kitchen walls, which saved me having to do it. Himself and I are partial to yellow kitchens; also we wanted a nice sunny color to brighten up the space. After testing out a few colors on posterboard, we went with SW's Humble Gold. It's not as bright as the photos below might suggest. I cut in and Himself rolled. It only took one coat! Then we primed all the woodwork, including the paneling below the chair rail. This took one weekend.

The next weekend, we started painting. Sadly, it is taking two coats of SW's Dover White -- and in many places three -- to cover all that dark stain. So we're not quite finished. But the difference is simply amazing! The kitchen and breakfast area are so much brighter now!

See the dark stain peeking through?

We are thrilled. At least I am. It takes something like the Red Sox winning the World Series to evoke a feeling of thrill in Himself.

But of course I've kept something up my sleeve. I plan to paint the pantry door another color, like perhaps ASCP Duck Egg Blue or something similar. Or perhaps milk paint. Why bother Himself with such a teensy detail like that (and give him the opportunity to say no)? And wouldn't a glass door knob be perfect, too? I'm also planning to cover the louvers with a piece of burlap or the like, with maybe a stenciled design. . .  A bumblebee or something else from The Graphics Fairy seems just lovely.

Just don't tell Himself, okay?




Linking up with:
Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond
Be Inspired at Common Ground
Before & After Wednesdays at The Dedicated House
May Before and After at Thrifty Decor Chick