cabinets #1: Painting An Oak Kitchen

Before I hear all the screams I might add that if this where a “real” kitchen the owners would probably have never wanted it painted. I have two thoughts on kitchens. Prefabs are often junk and custom is often over kill. This kitchen is in the junk category. The install was fair but the design just inhaled large volumes of air….anyway many times lowest bit is also a hurried piece of junk. Did I tell you the house and garden are very nice. In a beautiful neighborhood. I’m talking granite counter tops on prefabulated chunks of “the contractor had to save a few bucks.”

Hear is the plan. Skin the island with bead board. Take some stair spindles, split them in half and put them on the outside of the island. I used a vinyl under coat that matched the wall color. A nice creamy green. Sprayed the island. 2 hours to mask 10 minutes to spray. The sprayed a coat of conversion varnish. Followed by a burnt umber glaze and a final coat of conversion varnish.

Glazing is an emotional process. First you cover all you beautiful work with this poop colored material. Then you as you wipe it off all the defects stand out like a sore thumb. My mantra becomes “just wait till it is done it can’t look this bad.” From two feet away it looks ok. From three it begins to look good. The homeowner loved it.

Now the balance of the cabinets are going to get bead board. Some new trim and a bit of phufo. Then get covered in white conversion varnish. I’m hoping to do that monday morning. If I remember to bring my camera I’ll see if I can get a picture.

-- http://woodsongsfurniture.com