How to lighten up a dark kitchen
May 24, 2010
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I have so many projects in mind to lighten up our dark kitchen without painting the cabinets!
I showed you last week how I wanted to install crown molding throughout the kitchen:
![[butcher[9].jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMtS_P_He6EmfC73v0xciRnh-_PIMi0FnMyFsKivtisooU0fbNue4UgcUcJZQfD6DHUq1ms5mDptOhWjOkMsLzBy9naAJuaGaWxqKpJRaU6SRFduzKVJP5cblZ2nPy6V-H9zUNPfe5HA/s1600-rw/butcher%5B9%5D.jpg)
Since our kitchen and family room are really a big great room, I got enough crown to go around the whole space. Last night I played around with my compound miter saw and some scrap crown and I *think* I figured out how to cut it. I am SO EXCITED!!
I tell you what, the corner pieces I usually use make installing crown VERY easy, but they can get expensive. Because of all the corners in this space, the corner pieces were going to be at least $150 – so figuring out how to cut the molding is going to save some major cash!
I think it’s going to take some trial error and a few bucks worth of crown molding, but I’m determined to get it – and I’ll let you know how it goes!
The next purchase was one I’ve been wanting to get for at least two years, probably more. I present to you…my new pantry door:
I still need to get the film that I’m going to put over the glass to hide the not-always-organized-pantry, and I need to paint the door. In my head it’s always been black, but I’m not sure what to do now. White? Black? Fun color? The room will have accents of apple green and yellow, so I could do one of those colors. Thoughts?
The next purchase for this week was beadboard to redo the backsplash. I went back and forth between a cream tumbled stone in a subway pattern and beadboard. Our counters have plenty of color and texture to them, and I wanted to go as simple as possible – the tile was just WAY too much. (For me anyway.)
I covered our kitchen island in beadboard last year, and I was a little concerned it may be beadboard overload. But now that I look at it, it’s really going to tie the island and the rest of the kitchen together, which is a very good thing.
Then, today, I got a wild hair and started thinking about the demo of the original black tile – and realized I could totally just install the beadboard right over the tile. I know – craaaazaaay:
As I showed you last week, that tile is up there GOOD. I don’t mind taking it all down, but I do mind the mess, the time, and the likelihood that I’ll have to replace all of the drywall.
I have only made some cuts and leaned the beadboard up there for now, because I want to check on one more detail before I glue anything down with Liquid Nails. But just having a third of the black covered is already SUCH a huge difference – I am SO SO excited!!
I got some supplies to start the redo of our kitchen table – and I’m hoping to get to IKEA this weekend for the butcher block island countertop. (Yippee!!)
Otherwise, I’ve been slowly reaccessorizing the room – I got some cutie patoot flower pots from Home Depot to hold all of my herbs on the windowsill:
Half the things I got are actually going back because they just didn’t work, but I did get a couple itty bitty metal pitchers:
(Of course I spray painted one. I couldn’t resist!)
And I’m sorry. But I’m a thrifty girl through and through. Right after Pottery Barn, I headed straight to Goodwill, where I found this little crate for a buck:
The shelves were $4 finds at Goodwill a few weeks ago, and the rest of the accessories were from around the house. I still need to paint the shelves and the stuff on them will most likely move around a bit, but I love the way the they give the wall some depth. The art I had up there before never seemed just right.
It’s going to be a busy week! I’m so excited and of course feeling so fortunate that I was asked to be involved in the Amex spring home makeover. Whoo!
So…because you all are SO HELPFUL – I need your advice once again! What color would you paint the pantry door? Hmmmm? And has anyone out there successfully glued anything over existing tile? Am I crazy?
Oh PLEASE paint the door green! I would love to see that, it would just pop and add SO much character! You could always tone it down with some smoke glaze if you didn't want it too bright. Can't wait to see what you decide to do.
ReplyDeleteMy backsplash in the kitchen is just a painted wall and the thought of beadboard is rather appealing to me. Hmmm, will mention to the hubster and see what he thinks of the idea.
ReplyDeleteLove the little white shelves and items displayed... the white crate with green paint on 'apples' really works!
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
Paint the door apple green!!!! Holy Cats that would be soooooo cute!
ReplyDeleteFIRST. Those pots are cuties!!!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I am on a huge red kick after seeing Sarah's House last night and her mudroom doors.. *major swoon*.. anyways I think it would contrast nicely with your cabinets and countertops..
Last.. I'm loving your little apples box. So perfect. I'm hoping after my kitchen looks semi finished I can start collecting sweet little pieces like this.. but for now.. I'll just look :)
Sarah I think a black door would be crisp and really pretty with the apple green pops throughout the room. Love your new shelves and the little *apple* tray. Too cute! Great job so far.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the process! ~Melissa :)
PS Wow! What a fun trip too!
I am so jealous of your pantry door. Although mine is often in shambles so it's good I have a solid door. I'm not a big risk taker so I say stay with white, even though the apple green would look fantastic but what do I know. I always change my mind and paint colors so often that for me a white door would go with "everything". I can't wait to follow your journey in the kitchen redo. I'm digging what I am seeing so far. You are amazing! Keep it up!
ReplyDeletepaint the door a FUN color! red or yellow sound awesome... LIVE A LITTLE!
ReplyDeletecan i just say that i am so jealous of these amex point you've "been asked to use"... i thought about not commenting just to show my annoyance... but i caved and here i am.
looking forward to seeing your goodies!
ps. i really love the bead board back splash.
angie
Love the beadboard! Black would definitely be unifying, but bringing in the fun apple green would be fab too.
ReplyDeleteWhat about painting the door black and getting that stained glass paint and painting the glass your apple green instead of buying film? Although will the white molding contrast too much with a black door?
ReplyDeleteI vote you paint the door apple green. It would be so much fun - and if it's too much you can always go black later on. Take the risk and go with a fun color!
ReplyDeleteHmm I would paint the door black, nice and crisp.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the backsplash here is an idea. Why don't you use velcro i stead of glue. Just use the sticky ultra heavy duty kind. You can even get strips of it at Walmart. Than when you get bored with it you can just pull it right off. That way you do not ruin the great tile.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you! What a great blessing to be able to use those reward points for your kitchen makeover. :)
I am glad you are doing the beadboard backsplash. I think it will look great. My husband said you can definitely glue the beadboard to the tile with some high strength adhesive caulk. The best stuff out there is called PL. Here is the link: http://www.stickwithpl.com/
He said it is stronger than "liquid nails". But also warns not to get it on your hands or it will take a week to get it off. Hmmm...sounds like he's talking from experience! :)
I love the new pantry door. But I'm not sure what color you should paint it. I am one of those "gotta see the whole room to get the feeling" kind of girls. I painted my door in my kitchen black and absolutely love it though.
You are going to have a busy week, girl! Looking forward to seeing the progress!
Blessings!
I say paint the door a color. I'm all for the apple green but I haven't seen what yellow you will be using either. I just think it will be just the right amount of color since so much of the door is glass. You know, not screaming in your face. Is the island staying black or will it be the same color as the back splash?
ReplyDeleteMy husband laid down self stick linoleum tiles directly on top of our 1950's tile floor in the bathroom. It's been over a year now and it's held up great!
ReplyDeleteAnd I vote green! At least give it a try, you can always repaint it later. :)
I vote for red or green on the door. Sarah's House has me leaning towards red, but do what works in the space. I used Photoshop to mock up colors in my kitchen. Can I help you with that? Email me, if so.
ReplyDeleteLove the beadboard!!! I can't imagine having too much of it anywhere. My entire house is recently re-decorated in that wonderful apple green & white with brown & antique silver accents. Of course, I have to say, paint the door green. It would be the perfect pop in the room.
ReplyDeletea yellow door would be so great-- i LOVE a yellow door and especially since you're trying to brighten things up, that would definitely help. i'm jealous you actually even HAVE a pantry!
ReplyDeleteGirl, you are on a roll! Brilliant, if you can just cover the blacksplash with the beadboard. It is such a messy job, best to be avoided if possible! This is going to be fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteI vote yellow! But, what do I know? Lol.
ReplyDeleteI vote black or red for the door, then the third pick would have to be green. SO fun, can't wait to see what you choose.
ReplyDeleteYou have given me so much inspiration and motiviation to make the most of my 46 (+) year old home...my husband is thrilled with the changes! My vote is for apple green!! Go for it.
ReplyDelete-Kelli
Love! I'm envious of that pantry door! I've considered chaning mine out for the same kind. My kitchen is small, and I thought it would bring the illusion of "openness". Did you have to special order it, or was it stock?
ReplyDeleteI echo the green door. What a statement. I am loving the apple green color right now!
ReplyDeleteI think a fun color for the pantry door is a must! Beadboard over the tile-Brilliant! I was in Ikea last weekend and could spend sooo much money in that store (but could get a lot for it). I wish you were like I am and had a Pottery Barn outlet near you. You would be in heaven! Can't wait to see what you get accomplished this week.
ReplyDeleteI would paint the pantry door black as every room needs some black to ground it! i would stick with the Apple Green for accents. I like to change things up every now and then so to me a black door gives more freedom for change. Love your site...just found it the other day and it is one of my new favorites. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas.
ReplyDeleteWould you mind sharing a picture of the top of your cabinets? I have all this empty space on top of mine and I'm looking for inspiration - yours look great from the picture I saw. I just have no idea what to put up there!
ReplyDeleteAnd, for the door, I vote for apple green.
Love the door- since I'm a chicken about major changes all at once, how about priming the door white, then painting just the inside edges that frame the windows in the apple green? Then, if you like it (or don't), you can go from there. (You'd need to prime anyway.) As for the beadboard, I would worry about cleanup- backsplashes can get pretty dirty- all those grooves! As for installing, gluing should work- saw a project on HGTV just yesterday where they glued decorative tin over the tile. Can't wait to see your next installment!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, one more thing, a belt sander works the best for taking down a tiny bit on the door.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking go white on the door and instead of the frosted glass, get some fabric in the accent color of your choice and put a panel behind it, with a rod on top and bottom. That way plenty of color shows through, you can change it as you wish and it still hides the pantry contents.
ReplyDeleteWhat a list! Love the new pantry door. I'd probably go with the black, even though you'll be covering up your black tile, but your island is black and your stove {I'm guessing the other appliances, too}. Love the idea of frosting ~ what about doing it so you can have the word "Pantry", too.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is, THANK GOODNESS you are putting frost on the pantry door to cover the glass! I just finished saying, "OMG! WTH is she thinking getting a glass door for the pantry?"
ReplyDeleteMy husband then said, "Who?"
"Sara." I reply.
"Sara who?"
"Sara, Sara."
"Who is Sara?"
So then I had to explain who you were, which confused him beyond words, b/c he didn't quite understand how I know so much about your house, yet not very much about you (except for NKOTB & the Bub), but yet talk about you as if we've been friends for eons & have coffee every morning (which we do BTW-I have the coffee).
Anyways, I finish explaining that whole mess & proceed to continue reading...ahhhhh...RELIEF..."Hallelujah! She's FROSTING the glass babe! She's frosting it! Genius."
Eyeroll from hubby. lol
Erin D.
I love all the little knick-knacks you bought - the tiny crate, the metal watering cans - they are so adorable.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see the granite be replaced by butcher block. Maybe do a giveaway on that granite piece:)
ReplyDeleteMy Design Guide.com stone recommendation for kitchens and bath- carrera Marble. Now available and affordable even at Lowe's. Goes with every decor and classic - never, never,never goes out of style.
I bet it's going to look so nice once you are done!! I really need to work up the guts to work on my kitchen. I just haven't gotten there yet though. (sigh)
ReplyDeleteI love the door and I think it's going to look fabulous with the frosting on it. If you already have a lot of black going on, then white or even the apple green would be a nice pop of color. :) Love your new accessories too. This must be so exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you for the beadboard gluing idea! We're planning to replace our tile backsplash with beadboard and we were dreading taking down the tile- and seeing the mess we made on the drywall. I can't wait to see what you do and how it works!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time commenting. I love you blog. And I'm crazy about what you did in your son's room! Thanks for the inspiration!
I usually vote for COLOR, but this time I'm going to say black. I think it is more timeless. You can always change the rest of the accessories anytime you get a wild hair, but you don't want to keep repainting the pantry door. Also, if you do black, you could always put something fun in the panes to make it pop. Or, paint it black and then use a green vinyl "Pantry" sign on it or on top to make it pop.
ReplyDeleteLove it all so far! Stay away from light colors for your pantry door-I regret painting mine so light-they show smudges so easily when they are light!
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor redid her kitchen last summer and put in a black pantry door (glass like yours). It looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWell, here's another thought. Have you thought about putting swinging doors (saloon doors) in for the pantry? That's what we just did. Brilliant! Painted them white (same as trim) and they are so modern and cool looking. Everyone compliments them when they walk into our kitchen. I love how the light shines thru over the top and how efficient they are just pushing your way through when your hands are full. I need to write a post on my swinging doors! :))
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen is turning out awesome!
Hello girlfriend! I HAVE indeed glued stuff on top of tile and it works like a dream! :-) No ripping, tearing down of drywall and best of all...no mess! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou can see my kitchen re-do and see my before and after pics here...
http://mycottagecharm.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets.html
Have a great day my friend! Oh and think either green or white for the pantry door. :)
Hugs
Melissa
okay, I'm going to go out on a limb here and give a totally different suggestion. White I'm afraid will look like every other door in the house and apple green while pretty might really stand out (stealing the show from everything else), plus you may tire of it in a few years. Soooo, I'm thinking why not stain it to look like the rest of your cabinetry? It looks like visually you see it with the rest of the cabinets why not make it a part of it? Just a thought! Amy
ReplyDeleteI love the green AND the white AND the possibility of stained to match the kitchen cabinets with color inserts/covers in the windows ...sorry...just can't make up my mind.
ReplyDeleteGuerrina in CT
waters7989@yahoo.com
You can get patterned vinyl cut for the windows and get little shapes cut into them, like apples, or something. But I, personally, would go with patterned/opaque glass, apple green around the edge, and yellow between the glass. Because I like a lot of color, and it would be cute and bright, especially with all that natural light streaming in right there. I would probably also get a little apple cut out of vinyl and stick it in the middle of the door knob, because I love little details like that. (my knobs have a little flat one inch circle in the middle of them, asking for a sticker).
ReplyDeleteYou are soooo lucky! I love the pantry door. Distressed black! Home Depo Im sure could give you tips on how to make that work. Love your blog. WOOO to the HOOO (as you say! love it!)
ReplyDeleteSally
I think you should go with candy apple green for the pantry door. I think that would look adorable.
ReplyDeleteIf it were my home, my first choice would be black. My second choice would be green. Good luck, I cant wait to see it all finished.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Apple Green!!!!! Would look so AWESOME!! I LOVE GREEN!! You are so talented BTW, love seeing all your ideas! You motivate me to decorate AND go to IKEA! Can't wait to see it all done!
ReplyDeleteYou are on a roll girlfriend! Love the accessories, as I am a HUGE PB fan!! (much to hubby's chagrin) Love the pantry door. I'd love a glass one...of course, all of my girlfriends would really hate me then. I am already considered the "organize freak"...a see thru pantry door would put them over the edge!! I think the apple green would be pretty, but you might tire of it quickly.
ReplyDeleteI would go for either black for the door, or a nice stain to match your gorgeous cabinet color. I think black would win, and I'd frost the glass panels, bc my pantry is tooo messy.
ReplyDeleteThe APPLE crate is a perfect touch. I need to garner some of your insight bc if I saw that at Goodwill I would never "see" the finishe product like you can.
I was just wondering if you would be able to sand down the pantry door. If its only a tiny bit I am guessing a sander would be perfect for the job....
ReplyDeleteOooh, loving it!! And can I tell you how impressed I am that you know the word "mortise"? What was that the word? I'm too lazy to go back. "Martees" "Morti" "Muerto"? It was something like that :).
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing well!
I absolutely love the color scheme and the bead board backsplash. I definitely say paint the door apple green. Can't wait to see the finished product!! I know it will look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI just used the prepasted beadboard wallpaper on my tile backsplash. Mine is light cream tiles so your black ones might show through. But it was a really easy way to brighten up that space!
ReplyDeleteApple green would be perfect !!!! So fresh and what a fab pop of color, and I think the backsplash will be fab too ! How to adhere, epoxy ? Silicone ? Can't wait !!! I'm excited for you !!
ReplyDeleteSarah- We just added crown molding to my aunts cabinets. Crown angles get tricky but you need to review with this video first
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20056482,00.html
It will help you out tons! I vote a toned down apple green. :)
Apple green!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of an apple green pantry door. I can't wait to see, and drool over all your changes. I'm sure they'll be great!
ReplyDeleteoh apple green all the way!!
ReplyDeleteI vote for black. Apple green is probably my favorite color but I like it more as an accent in this case. Also, I think if you have been thinking black in your head there is a reason - go with your gut. By the way I love the "apples" crate.
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm so excited for you! What a bonanza to get all those points to use! And who better to make good use of them. :o) I just passed up the opportunity to get two shelves like yours at Goodwill...like a silly. Tomorrow..I'm heading straight back. I love the way you used them!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm terrible at colors...so you don't want to take my advice. :o)
Oh! A green door would be fun, but I have no idea what you kitchen is going to look like after the redo so I will keep my opinion to myself until I see it all! ;D
ReplyDeletePlease stop by my blog thepaintedcupboard.blogspot.com to get your Versatile Blogger award.
ReplyDeleteI had to copy the button and insert it as an image.
Hi
ReplyDeleteI think you should paint your door green too! though black would look great if you popped some green containers in your pantry.
Secondly, you might be able to plain a bit off the width of the door to make it fit. Hubby is a builder and he often does that to make the door fit perfectly. If it is a sold core door it is no problem. Even if it is a hollow core door, you only need a little bit to come off.
I vote green for the door. Just do it! If you hate it, it'll be easy to repaint black someday. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! It's so cheerful and clean-looking with the white and apple green colors. I love it and can hardly wait to see the rest of the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you should definitely paint the door green.
http://photocraftbook.wordpress.com
I love this shade of green & ivory together!! It's my style! I have green walls in my kitchen & I never get tired of it!
ReplyDeleteI'd do your accent green color.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove all of your ideas! I would vote either black or white for the pantry door ... just incase you change your mind in a year or two!
ReplyDeleteWell I'm a bit of a green fanatic so that sounds great but I also have a lot of black...hmmm....not much help. But I have a very similar pantry door and I put a gathered curtain behind the glass - a red and white toile
ReplyDeletehttp://tinypic.com/r/ds7kj/6 which has been a great way to hide the not so perfect pantry. Except everyone forgets to close the door! Looking forward to seeing your results!
DEFINITELY green. it'll pick up all of that lovely apple green you have in the hanging colander, the bottle, the new apple crate, the herbs... yes!!! congrats, this is great :D
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was black. I want to paint my front door (on the inside) so that was what came into my mind. I love the door by the way.
ReplyDeleteI think you should do the pantry door black. :) Lookin' good!
ReplyDeleteI would paint the door a nice yellow! So cute.
ReplyDeleteSo excited to see your beadboard backsplash! (and for you teach me how to do it) :)
ReplyDeleteFor your pantry door, this might mean a liiiitle extra work, but I think it would totally be worth it. And I don't know how to do it, but I bet you do :) I think you should paint the door apple green, but then paint black over top of it and then distress it so you get some of the green coming through.
Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will be UH-mazing ;)
Paint the door white and then paint the trim around the glass green--or vice versa.
ReplyDeleteI just bought that exact same door and I have the same problem. It's just a smidgen to big and we are worried about getting the hinges in so it's sitting in the hallway for now.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the others who say black for the pantry door - maybe black chalkboard paint on the little windows, to write notes. :)
ReplyDeleteBadger. (I always do what I'm told)
ReplyDeletebeautiful! Your kitchen is looking fabulous!
ReplyDeleteDid you know Krylon makes a frosted glass spray paint? I haven't tried it, but I think that would be the best way to get a professional looking finish rather than using the contact paper-like film. I am thinking the door should be painted the same color as the other doors in your house or it may just stick out like it doesn't belong.
ReplyDeleteI am trying REALLY hard not to be super jealous of your kitchen right now :) I was wondering, what color are the walls in your kitchen?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the paint color you used for your kitchen? The tan-ish color?
ReplyDelete