Let’s talk about something that isn’t often talked about when it comes to interior photographs for magazines, online publications, social media, etc. Yes, we all know about styling and filters, clever cropping, and fancy photoshopping. But let’s talk about the fact that you just don’t get the full picture in a picture. In some ways, you can see more in a photograph, like if something is crooked or if a space is too cluttered. You just have more time to study it and see those things that are off. But, in other ways, you see less. You don’t see the little details that you see in person. The little stains, chips, dirt, and imperfections that come with using a space every day. So, let me give you a little peek to confirm that our house gets wear and tear just like any other house. In today’s post, I’ll focus on the painted kitchen cabinets and how I go about refreshing them.
dual fuel range | Staub Cocotte | marble backsplash
This is a picture I took a couple of weeks ago. The cabinets look pretty good, don’t they? Well, let’s zoom in just a little bit on the kitchen island…
Yep…that’s what painted kitchen cabinets look like after five years of heavy use. I use high-quality adhesive primer and paint and I do all of the proper prep work like cleaning and sanding. This isn’t just paint slapped on a cabinet. But, life still takes a toll even on work that is done well. The cabinets are painted, not coated in Kevlar. The good news is that it’s an easy fix. Rarely do the cabinets need to be repainted entirely if you’re not changing colors. They do need a little more than a spot touch-up, though, because that is typically pretty visible.
(As a note, if you are changing the color of the paint on the cabinets, I highly suggest using a primer tinted to the color of the paint. It really does help with adhesion and there will be far fewer chips and scratches over the years.)
So, I repainted just two sides of the island that have the most wear. The other two sides were still like new.
I would typically take off the doors and take out the drawers when painting kitchen cabinets, but in the case of a quick refresh coat, I was able to keep them on and just work carefully.
I gave the cabinets a good cleaning and a little scuff sanding just to rough up the paint that I was going to refresh. I then applied a light coat of paint…
paint Pelican bucket | liners | my favorite sash brush
I use Benjamin Moore’s Advanced in satin for cabinets and trim. The color is a custom-mixed color and you can find the recipe HERE. It is a waterborne enamel that dries hard and is self-leveling. It barely shows a brushstroke or roller mark for super-smooth painted kitchen cabinets, even if the paint is not sprayed.
You can find a tutorial series on painting cabinets here…
painting cabinets | applying paint
I also share a bunch of information and advice about painting and customizing cabinets in my book, Feels Like Home. I even include a bonus video tutorial for those who purchase the book.
Now you can zoom way in. The paint looks good in pictures and in person.
It’s not the kind of makeover that’s dramatic or exciting or that anyone else might notice, but it makes things feel fresh and new. The project only took about an hour. Painted kitchen cabinets can go south after a few years if they aren’t maintained and refreshed now and then, especially for more saturated colors. That’s just the nature of painted kitchen cabinets.
This little refresh was a part of sprucing up the kitchen for spring. I cleared away some of the accessories just to simplify and give myself the space to try something different. It also helps me to take stock of my collections, which can easily get out of hand! I’ve decided it’s time to thin down my ironstone collection just a little bit, so I’ll be having an online sale for that soon.
I also cleaned out and rearranged the shelves at the end of the island. It was a good time to remove everything, wipe the cabinets down, and then just put a few things back.
Fresh, clean, and ready for spring.
It’s good to know that real life happens in your house, too! ? I think sometimes what gets in the way of doing the minor refreshes, for me at least, is the sense of “it’s too much work”. Thanks for the reminder than an hour of sprucing things up will give you many more hours of enjoyment.
Loved this post! You are so right that viewers often see everything in photos as being absolutely perfect. Appreciate your sharing that that’s not always the case – ahh, these rooms ARE used and sometimes they look like ours do. Thank you so much for making us all feel a little better today!
Happy to see you are the same as a lot of us. I use that same paint in Simply White, and keep a small can of it for touch ups. Adults here and I haven’t had to repaint the whole cabinets. I learned many houses ago, to always keep a refresh can of your paint for walls and cabinets. Your kitchen is always a breath of fresh air!
Love the chairs at the island. Where did you get them?
They were from Restoration Hardware, but are retired!
“That’s just the nature of painted kitchen cabinets.” – Thank you so much for this! I didn’t actually know that this is normal wear and tear for well-painted cabinets. It actually motivates me more to refresh ours.
Thanks for the real life view. With five children it seems like painting goes south in five weeks rather than five years.
My husband has always wanted a pot rack. I thought it would make the kitchen look more cluttered and let’s face it, my pots are well-used and have the markings to prove it. Do you use those pots and pans or are they mostly for design purposes? How do you keep the stainless steel one’s so nice?
Oh, I love a pot rack. Not only does it provide tons of storage, but I think it makes a kitchen look warmer and gives it more personality. Most of my pans are ones that we use, but some (like the antique copper molds) are just decorative. I keep the stainless steel pans shiny using Barkeeper’s Friend. It shines them up nicely.
I do store my non-stick pans in a drawer since they aren’t as pretty.
You won my heart seriously. I enjoyed your blog post thoroughly. The mustard seed color look so gorgeous. Earlier i dont think it work but now i am convinced.
Can you please share ideas for rooms as well?
So good and timely for me. My black painted cupboards have worn and some even have a gummy feeling. Can I sand down the gummy areas and work from there? Not all cabinets are affected. Just the high traffic ones. Framing is all good.
That gummy feeling is grease/oil that is airborne in kitchens and is added to by the oils from our skin when we touch surfaces. They will need a good cleaning with a grease-cutting soap followed by light sanding. That will do the trick!
I was just eyeing my cabinets today and thinking that it was time for some paint. Thank you for the encouragement!
This is great information to have! I had my cabinets painted a couple of years ago and I definitely have some areas with wear and have been upset with my painter. Maybe I need to cut him some slack and do a refresh. 🙂
I would love to know if you have any tips on getting my cabinet hardware on evenly. Our cabinet doors have a traditional feel and the usual jigs don’t work because of the curved edge. They’ve never had hardware, so I will be drilling new holes and I’m terrified! Obviously, because I have a box of pricey hardware that has been sitting here for 2 years waiting for me to get up the nerve.
Help!!!!
We have homemade pine cabinets, and not many, but we had them
painted red many years ago. Need to keep the cabinets but want them white.
I will have the painted in place. Do I want sprayed or rolled?
What do I ask the contractor for when obtain a quote? I don’t know where to begin.
Any help will be appreciated!!
Nan, Good questions! I think it’s preferable to have a finish sprayed, so it looks smooth and more like a factory finish. I would ask how they prep the cabinets (are they cleaned, sanded, and/or is the old paint stripped), what products they use (would they use a good adhesive primer that will block the red from bleeding through and help with preventing chips), and what paint do they use. It should be a high-quality oil or waterborne enamel. More than likely, a professional would take the doors and drawer fronts and finish those in their workshop with a sprayer. The body of the cabinets would then be rolled and brushed. I hope that helps!
Could you make your own template that fits your cabinet with a piece of cardboard? Something like that could really help!
Love this post! Sometimes I feel like my cabinets must get more wear and tear than usual since yours always look so great in pictures. My cabinets have been green for nearly 20 years (I did tweak the color a few times). but they do need a touch-up every few years for sure. I love my green cabinets (very similar color to yours- a bit darker) as much as I did the first day. I like your white ones too, but the green ones speak to me. My family actually calls that green “Donna green” in my honor. I try to use a bit of it in every room and have a few sweaters that color too! Love when you post about REAL LIFE and let us know that your house isn’t always up close photo ready. ♥
Thank you for an honest and simple yet encouraging post! Truth be told, these are some of my very favorite type of blog articles because they help to knock down that invisible yet disheartening wall of Instagram perfectionism. Your kitchen is lovely but it is nice to know that even Miss Mustard Seed’s cooking domain needs a touch up now and then!
Thanks for the real life dose of keeping it real, Marian. And I must say that shade of green is fabulous. TY for sharing
that formula too and reminding us about your tutorials.
Great to see you sharing your cabinet refresh. Lobe that green!
I recently painted a bedside chest with the BM Advanced paint and was very pleased with the result! A very light sanding between coats was all I did besides the paint, and it turned out beautifully! The coverage and adhesion of the Advance paint is superior to regular enamel. Will definitely be using it again!
Hello,
Love your ability to inspire and boost my confidence to try something new. Would you kindly tell me where to purchase the brass and crystal hardware on the cream cabinetry?
PS -Your blog is a highlight of my day! Thanks for sharing your artistry and creativity!
Thank you! The hardware is from Hobby Lobby.
I love seeing how people arrange things on the kitchen counters. I always feel mine are cluttered but there really isn’t anything I can remove. Where is your coffee pot? Toaster?
Such a pretty color! Will you share the details of your tile backsplash?
I love your kitchen! It’s so fresh and welcoming. I especially love the green island.Just lovely!
I’m reading this post from my kitchen island and I’m noticing that my cabinets are almost an identical color of green… I love them so much and I’m enjoying knowing you enjoy that green also. 🙂
My first thoughts about refreshing my kitchen was that it’s too big of a job for myself!?then I said I can do it and I did, the joy comes from the finishing were outstanding! My green and white kitchen is beautiful!
Good for you! Yes, it’s a manageable project if you break it up into sections.