I’ve been dreaming of a white kitchen since the day we moved in. If there was nothing else we would do, we were going to paint the cupboard doors. Oh yes, yes we were.
The reason I was so sure of this was because my lovely boyfriend, W, sprays cars for a living. And what better way to have something professionally spray painted than in a car body shop? Sounds a bit mad, yes, but the paint used is fantastically durable, easily cleaned and will never yellow.
If you are new here (and if you are, why hello there you sexy thang! Thank you for joining me!), you can read about my kitchen design influences here, discovering the hidden ceiling here, tearing it down here, putting up the plasterboard and pendants here, plastering here, putting in the cooker hood, the backsplash and tiling here and putting up the open shelving here and finally, installing the crown molding and the risers here.)
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| A reminder of what the kitchen looked like before we started work. |
So when W realised he had a spare Saturday when the workshop would be available for him to take the doors, we started our prep work. The first thing we did was remove the existing hardware and drilled holes for the new hardware. We also filled the old holes – first on Wednesday night to allow it to ‘set’ (sink in) for a few days (as it will do) and then again on Friday night.
On Saturday morning, we took all the doors off the cupboards and off to work W went.
The cupboard doors were prepped with a bit of sanding prior to be taken into the booth.
They were then given a coat of ‘adhesion promoter’ which is basically like a clear primer and allows the paint to ‘stick’.
Once 2 coats of paint were applied (just one coat to the backs), they were allowed to ‘slow bake’ at 60 degrees Celsius for about an hour to set the paint.
Once they come out of the booth, they remain tacky until they cool. We gave them around a half hour before they were put into the back of our cars and driven (carefully) home.
When we got home and reinstalled the cupboards with the new hardware installed, they simply transformed the space… the kitchen looks lighter, brighter, cleaner and more cohesive.
Oh I’ll just stop rambling and show you some pictures, shall I?
I love that the paint is fine enough that you still have the grain of the wood showing through.
What is that I hear you ask? You want a before and after? Oh of course you do…
Here we go then. Before…
And after…
What do you think?? Better, no? I am aware the space has ‘cooled’ slightly because the warmth of the wood has been removed but please bear in mind, this will be restored with the addition of gorgeous richly stained butcherblock countertops. Oh no, I do not want a clinical box, not at all – I want a lovely, bright, inviting space that people will want to hang out in! I do feel as though I’m starting to get it as well… *beams*
Best part? We only paid for the cost of the paint which was around Β£50. Bargain! I do realise that many people will not have a car paint sprayer handy for jobs like this but then, we haven’t had any tradesmen help on this project whatsoever so I suppose it was time to play our ‘ace’ card… and if you’ve got it, you might as well use it, right?
Next up? We were going to tackle the kitchen counter tops next but it’s looking like we’ll be doing the floors instead. So soon you will see beautiful slate tiles with underfloor heating. We are so close to completing this project now, I can practically taste it!
Sharing here today…
i LOVE it … like seriously amazing!
WOW that is some difference. I love it!! can totally understand why you do, and if I'm guessing right, you walk to the kitchen doorway just for a little peak of your new doors and kitchen, and then carry on with your day……
turning cartwheels across the atlantic for you!! i LOVE LOVE LOVE it. this is an incredible transformation and did you leave this detail out earlier (that you planned to white-i-fy?) cuz i am delightfully surprised and thrilled about the after.<br /><br />it looks stunning.<br /><br />hugs to you, gorgeous red hot mama.<br /><br />michele
Me likey!
LOVE IT! It's a perfect finish and it looks bright and stunning. I am all for spraying in a car body shop, I just hope if ever I need to, I don't get looked at funny when I haul in a large furniture piece for painting at my local car body shop. <br /><br />Fantastic transformation and recycling on an equally fantastic budget! Well done you :-) <br /><br />Meera xx
WOW!! First of all, LUCKY YOU to have the use of an auto body shop. The finish must be SPECTACULAR! Your kitchen looks fabulous…be still my old heart…<br /><br />Deborah (happily visiting from http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com)<br /><br />{Hope you can drop by…}
Your kitchen is just amazing. Worth the wait…wow…this needs to be in a magazine. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy the day. Bobbie
Beautifil!! Every part of your kitchen is absolutely beautiful! My brother paints cars as well, so I know all too well about painting furniture, etc w/ a spray gun! Actually, my dad recently painted my hutch w/ a car spray gun and it looks amazing. Check it out on my blog thecurvylife2011.blogspot.com if you like.
Lovely makes your space look so much more open.
Hi- I just clicked on your blog from another. LOVE your kitchen! It looks so amazing! I love how you used the dark grout in your subway tiles. I used white and regret it every time I see the dark! I will be following your blog because I can not wait to see the floors and counter installed. Have a great evening!<br />Stephanie
Those turned out AWESOME!~ WOW what a great looking kitchen. Love the lighting too. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with the newbie party.
The kitchen is looking so cohesive now! Bring on the butcherblock counters, I say!
Oh wow, I love your kitchen! The lights, the cabinets, the backsplash – it all looks fantastic!
Lovely transformation, your kitchen is looking gorgeous :) Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing at BC Good Life Wednesdays.