[title subtitle=”words and images:Lee Anne Henry, Whiteline Designs”][/title]
Let me say this — I want to inspire you to consider painting your stained kitchen cabinets.
You’ve heard how those stained kitchen cabinets would never go out of style. They remain the cornerstone of classic design. Okay, that’s true, but the fact is that white (or off-white) painted cabinets are also a solidly classic design. This means painting your cabinets is not a short-lived whimsical design trend.
At Whiteline Designs, our design firm, our philosophy is to establish a neutral backbone and introduce personalized elements to add color. Rather than having a red kitchen, for example, the walls can be neutral and the bold color can take the form of artwork hanging on the wall.
We advise people who are building new homes as well as those who are remodeling on a budget. To both clients, we give the same message. It’s this: consider painting your cabinets white. There are many different shades of white, so I’m not necessarily saying bright white is the way to go for you.
And if you’ve had problems selecting that perfect color — I’ll go ahead and share mine. It’s Sherwin Williams “Eider White” (SW-7014). Again, this is not the brightest white, but it’s also free of unwanted pink or lime green hues.
Let’s also talk about cost. The good news is that painting your cabinets white is actually an amazing transformation that costs very little money compared to a full remodeling job.
For that reason, my advice translates well to you courageous weekend adventurers or those who have opted out of a new kitchen or bathroom because new cabinets are simply too expensive.
What can a coat of paint accomplish? The proof is in the photos you see here. The before photos show a very classic and beautiful kitchen. To me, the kitchen felt too heavy, dark, and cluttered.
You’ll notice there was nothing wrong with the original cabinets, yet for $2,100 they were updated and transformed, with the help of a professional painter. Experienced DIYers, with enough research and instruction, could tackle the painting on their own.
As you can see, we kept several key elements, including the beautifully stained pantry door. A small change in hardware, as well as replacing the tired pendant lights over the island, gave these homeowners a completely different kitchen. Adding inexpensive mirrors to the cabinet doors revealed a kitchen that feels much larger and lighter.
As an interior designer, I celebrate a home that is designed with intention. I prefer a clutter-free and modern kitchen. Painting your kitchen cabinets could turn out to be that perfect visual, emotional and cleansing event for you and your home in 2015 at an affordable price.
Fresh, clean and light. Ahhhh. Change can be a beautiful thing.
Lee Anne Henry, owner of Whiteline
Designs in Fayetteville, Arkansas, expresses her love of art through interior design. She looks forward to getting to know her clients and creating a sense of calm in their personal spaces.
