Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Kitchen Cabinetry

I've had a lot of people email about and comment on my black kitchen cabinets.
I always considered myself more of a white cabinet kind of girl.
But when I learned (the hard way) that polyurethane painted on top of white paint, turns yellow...I knew I would never be happy with the durability level un-polyed white cabinetry had to offer. So that's when I researched my other color options.
I am a Gemini. And let me just tell you, we are a spontaneous, indecisive and imaginative bunch. And that is why I was basically forced to paint them black. If I had picked any other color, I would have wanted to change it within 48 hours. I knew that black was a great, solid, classic color and that I could change out my accent color whenever I pleased. (Please excuse the lack of a backsplash and the unfinished trim in this photo)



That being said, I ADORE brightly-colored kitchen cabinetry. I am SO envious of those of you who's kitchens are graced with red or green or yellow cupboards!
But for us Palmers, the color will have to come in the form of dishes and artwork, and that sort of thing. :-)

I have also received a lot of comments asking about the trim we added to the top of the cabinets to make them look taller. You can see in the before picture above, they used to be pretty short and plain. Here's how Kevin and I did it:



We used the decorative trim to cover the seam between the top of the existing cabinetry and the newly added 1x6. Pretty nifty huh? :-)

And, I'm not sure if you noticed in the video I posted a while back, that I attached mirrors to the backs of the open cabinets. I just took the measurements and had a local frame shop cut them for me. Total was around $60.00, and it really opened up the space. There is, after all, only ONE tiny window in our Kitchen. :-( (Mental note: take a picture of the mirrors sometime in the near future)


And here's a picture of what is on the top of the fridge today:



I got the birdcage from a little shop here in Prattville called "Main Street Interiors". The rust-colored bird was a gift from my Mom. It's actually a tealight candle holder. The candle rests in a shallow hole in its back. The book, called "Give Us Our Dream" was purchased at "Eastbrook Flea Market" in Montgomery, Alabama. Three floors of booth after booth filled with goodies galore! What a fun place that is to shop- highly recommend it! And, last but not least, the topiaries came from Marshalls, a long, long time ago.

I'm sure the next time I post pictures of the kitchen, the top of the fridge will look different. You know us Gemini's. :-)

22 comments:

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Ok...that is one of the best stock cabinet re-do's, bar none!!

What are you thinking of for a backsplash??

The black works so beautifully! Thanks for telling us about the thought process!

Lacy said...

My husband and I totally love your kitchen. I love how drastic you kitchen looks. I love how it looks like furniture.

My Beautiful Mess! said...

I love your kitchen. I have so wanted to paint my cabinets since I moved here six years ago..don't know why I don't just get off my hiney and do it. I love the birdcage on top of your fridge - what a great idea!

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Well, I ADORE your black cabinets. White is pretty, but these are different, and I like to be different!
Love the birdcage.
Great mirror idea too!
Nikki

Blogger said...

I love your kitchen and your nifty ideas, it makes such a big difference!

It's funny that you showed the top of your fridge...I have NEVER decorated the top of my fridge until YESTERDAY, lol.

I was bummed out about my kitchen after posting pics of it on my site..so yesterday I went to town cleaning it and de-cluttering it and DECORATING it! It made such a big difference just doing that! I can't wait to paint those cupboards and rip out the wallpaper and 8 foot high chair moldings ;) LOL, that was a funny comment!

Thanks again for giving me advice on my kitchen, I appreciate it! And PS, not only do you have the prettiest kitchen in town...but the best HAIR eva!!! :) Love it!

Bella:)

Deb said...

I know how you feel about being envious of the bright kitchens. I was nervous about painting my cabinets black as well, but really loved how it looked at other people's houses. So I just jumped in with my eyes closed and hoped for the best. In the end I love it. It is different, and dramatic, but everyday I walk in and am so glad that I did it. I would have liked the white Pottery Barn look, but I also don't like the yellow poly look and sure didn't want to use oil based paint. So I have come to grips with the fact that I am just not a Pottery Barn kitchen owner... oh well.

Inspired Kara said...

Yes, just as suspected I am even more in love with your kitchen today than last time I saw it. I adore the mirror idea, and I think black looks FANTASTIC. And, it's classic. Well done as always.

If only I wan't in a rental property...

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Layla, I just adore your kitchen. It does take a lot of guts to paint black, but y'all have pulled it off perfectly. Adding all that molding is genius. I went through a kitchen remodel in GA, so know all the work that goes into that. It really looks like you have a lot of light coming in there, so I'm surprised at only one window.

Gorgeous!!

Now that you are done with work, I can't wait to see your creative side really kick in.

Rhoda

PS Do you really need to keep letter verification up?? You can take it off & just keep comment moderation on & then we don't have to type in those pesky letters! PLEASE??!

Anonymous said...

Im in love with your kitchen. I was thinking of painting mine a cream but looking at your sleek black.... Lets just call it love!!!! I so heart you!...Susie h~

Anonymous said...

I love your kitchen...I'm working on ours now and soooo wish I had your style and know how! Y'all are doing an awesome job!

{{Big Hugs}}

Cathy

Anonymous said...

Oh My Goodness!! I am so not a person who "does" astrology, but I too am a gemini and I just posted about my need for neutral because I am forever wanting to change things for seasons, holidays, etc. I did paint my cabinets in a creamy color, but, well, I tried to antique them and I'm not liking them so much. I was quite tempted to try black, but hubby said we don't get enough light. Well, with white dishes and fun accessories, I am inspired to try black!
Please share the process you used to transform your cabinets as well as what type of paint.

LOVE that birdcage too.

Anonymous said...

I love blogs like this!! They give me inspiration for when I finally get my home :-)

God bless,
Sallie

Nancy Hood said...

love it, love it, love it!!! Makes me want to paint these apartment cabinets!!! ha ha

Anonymous said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! That is all I can say~ Most of the wood in my home is painted black (hubs wasn't sure at the time) and now I scour things to paint black. Maybe someday I will be able to have a kitchen so pretty! You are an inspiration.. I'll come over and bake some cinnamon rolls with you~!!
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Judy said...

Layla: I think you've visited my blog but I had to comment today on what I see on yours. First, the owners of Main Street Interiors (Bill and Debbie Chiles) are my cousins! (Bill is my cousin...I posted about their store on my blog a little while ago). Secondly, I love your dark kitchen cabinets. We're getting ready for a little kitchen face lift until we replace cabinets, floor and countertops (next year maybe?) so I'm really impressed with yours.

I found you today thru Rhoda...we've met twice and plan another meeting in the next week or so. I am in Montgomery and I would love to meet with you sometime!

Please check out my blog at www.gracioussouthernliving.blogspot.com!

Judy

Judy said...

OH, I forgot, until this past May I had a booth at Eastbrook....love that place!


Judy

Kristen said...

Ok, I love it, I really truly do. But something you have is keeping me from doing that in my own house. Does it bother you at all looking at those gorgeous black cabinets and then having white appliances? I have all white (stove, micro, fridge and sink) and there is no budget to replace them for stainless right now.

Or am I the only one who thinks maybe not to do it because of that?

Also, were your cabinets all solid wood? Or just wood faces with that wood like siding? That is another thing stopping me...we have the wood "like" siding and I'm not sure how to paint it or if it will paint at all!

ugagirl30 said...

Two things....my sister lives in Prattville, too. And what kind of paint did you use on your cabinets? I guess I am asking what sheen? Is it a gloss?

Lettered Cottage said...

Linda-
The backsplash is going to be beadboard, painted with glossy paint. Dying to get that project done! :-)

Suzann-
Here's the link to the post where I shared how the process on painting my cabinets. It's a lot of work, but worth it! http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/2008/06/tgit-kitchens.html

Kris-
The cabinets were solid wood. I'd love to see a picture of yours on your blog!

ugagirl30-
I used a Satin sheen, because I knew it would appear glossier than it looked after I poly-ed over them. I actually even used a Satin poly. They're still a little glossier than I would like, but hey, they look better than before! :-)

Layla

Anonymous said...

The top treatment for the cabinets is BRILLIANT and deserves it's OWN award. That's the best answer I've seen, and it does a way with the need for an ugly furdown. It gives it an unstructured British look. LOVE IT.

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

It's been the sloooooowest Friday afternoon at work today so I decided to entertain myself by looking at old posts on people's blogs.

Your comment about being a Gemini totally cracked me up. I'm a Gemini and I always say the same thing....how can we possibly be asked to make a decision when our mind will change again in five minutes?! Ha!

Koekkener said...

Excellent, its so nice kitchen cabinet. Bravo, because its so beautiful, keep up the good work. Thank you for sharing.