Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A Must Share Tip for DIYers

Taking a break from my regularly scheduled DIY adventure in the disaster area formerly known as Rip Van Kitchen to bring you an quick but important announcement. 

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been crazy-busy with a great kitchen adventure as I wait for that cement board to become a new tile floor.

Just in case you didn't figure it out, here it is:
I'm painting my cabinets.


Did you guess it?

I've always loved the crisp look of white cabinets, but mine are 80s oak-ish. If I ever purchase new ones, I would choose white.  Unfortunately, new cabinets aren't in the budget.

Paint is.

So since 2013 is my year of Stepping Out, I decided to step out on the wild side and paint those 80s oak-ish cabinets myself.

The doors will actually be sprayed, but I'm currently painting the frames. I'm working slowly and carefully because I want to actually like them when I'm done.

I don't want them to look all painty if you know what I mean.

I'd rather the white look as much like a smooth second skin as possible. Kind of like the custom ones that the Duchess put in a few years ago.

Thou shalt not covet thy mother's kitchen...


Toward that end, I have become a lean, mean, sanding machine. I sanded them before I painted, and then in between each coat, and  I'll probably give them a finish sanding before I apply some wax, too.

I've kicked up so much dust around here that Rip Van Kitchen, which was recently renamed Katrina, has even more recently been renamed Sandy.


And that's what brings me to my very important 
tip of the day. 
Here it is:

Folks, if you have reached the age when sneezing has become problematic
do not...

I repeat... do not...

 ...double knot your sweat pants
before kicking up a super storm. 

And that's all I have to say about that.

Back to the old grind.
And I do mean that literally. 

Do you have any painting tips you can share 
to help in the Sandy relief effort? 


46 comments:

ellen b. said...

I always leave and let my husband do the painting! Your kitchen is going to look fabulous with the white cabinets instead of oak-ish. We, well he, painted our kitchen cabinets and I'll never go back to oak-ish.

Vee said...

LOL! Thank you for that tip! Can't wait until we have the final reveal and learn paint color, et cetera. All the best as you carry on! Don't be eating watermelon either!

Sharon said...

Gives a whole new meaning to the saying "don't get your panties in a bunch."

Good luck with the DIY project. I was supposed to get granite in on Monday (after 6 months) - but it snowed on Sunday night. The granite guy (justifiably, but still...) said he wouldn't drive up, too slippery.

I need a name for my kitchen. Maybe Sue Nami - (say it out loud)

xo :)

Angel said...

Oh, Debbie, you've got me LOL as usual! Thanks for the DIY tip. :) Sorry I do not have any painting wisdom to share. But it looks like you're doing a fine job and I can't wait to see your finished kitchen!

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

HAHAHAHA! That tip is priceless!

Can't wait to see Sleeping Beauty once you awaken her to her truest glory!

Be safe!
Kelley~

Denise said...

You're not really coveting thy mother's kitchen, you are being inspired by thy mother's kitchen.

You always spend the necessary quality time on a project and everything always shows your effort. I'm sure this project will be beautiful as well. I can't wait to see your finished room. (floor, cabinets etc).

Thanks for the sweat pants tip. I'm at that same age (because I am older and you are not) and needed the heads up. Keep up the good work Sandy!

Debbie said...

Oh HOW MUCH I want to do this to my cupboards, but I just can't do it for so many reasons....I want white too, or maybe an off white. Can't wait to see yours all done, I'll live vicariously through you. ; ) HUGS

Unknown said...

Debbie,
Sanding is good, primer after is great, then the paint. Good idea to spray the cupboards. Just don't do it when it's super windy and have to re do six doors.
oh, and I think depends are on sale for constant sneezers like us.
xo

Barbara F. said...

So now it is you and Whoopi!! Ay yay yay! And to think I threw myself a Celebration of Life party when I turned the Big 5-Oh! Didn't know it would be this hard. ;-)

Can't wait to see the finished job, which I know will be great xo

Chatty Crone said...

I understand that tip! And I wish I could or knew how to do this myself! They will be gorgeous!

Christine said...

Painting Tip: Hire it out!

Gayle said...

I've been eyeing my kitchen cabinets since 2007, but that's all I've done thus far. They are on my list of "things to do," however, and I do plan to paint them...or hire somebody else to...one day.

Best of luck and here is my favorite blog for tips of all kinds.

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/03/painting-a-kitchen-table/

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

you go girl...you are doing a wonderful job!!! Oh I have done this before...I loved the end results, but it was a lot of work

Been thinking about you...praying...enjoy, you will so love your new kitchen and worth every minute of your labor

Oh I love Pintrest for all of these things...I have a huge board, and I am learning all I did wrong in the past before blogging days!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I want to paint my cabinets too! I want white cabinets!

They look great already - so does your mother's kitchen!

Now if I can just talk my husband into painting the cabinets!

Deanna

Sharlotte said...

Wow you are really "stepping out"!! Those cabinets are really going to look fabulous! I love white cabinets too, they always look so fresh and clean. Keep us posted on progress!

Elizabeth Dianne said...

I have several pair of drawstring sweatpants and I'm thinking of throwing them out for that very reason ha ha

Tricia said...

Giggling in Texas! Wow, that is a huge job, painting your cabinets. I'm impressed! Can't wait to see the big reveal!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Only you could be so forthcoming with such tact! :-) ...Once again you're inspiring me with your project. I'm certain it's going to look great because you're doing all the right things -- and seemingly with patience. Good for you!

Lynn said...

Can't wait to see it when it's done! Keep it fun for yourself:@)

Merlesworld said...

Looks like you are doing a great job.
Merle........

Tanna said...

LOL! I've learned about the knotted sweat pants the hard way! NOW you tell me. LOL! Your work is looking great, Debbie. You are going to be so happy with this when you are done! blessings ~ tanna

Miss Merry said...

You are hilarious! Your cupboards are looking lovely already and we all can't wait to see the finish of the MAJOR project. I love to read your blog - I really enjoy your sense of humor.

Amy Kinser said...

Thou shall not covet thy friend's white cabinets...Thou shall not covet thou friend's husband's permission to paint thou friend's cabinets. Thou shall not...Thou shall not....

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
Your cabinets will be beautiful! I painted my cabinets back when I was single parenting. Sand, prime, paint...I didn't think I'd ever get done...there were like 25 cabinets.
My dad said just to look at the job as I went, not think of how huge it was. Like how you eat an elephant, a little bit at a time. Yuck.
I can't wait to see the end result!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Man, you have taken on one humongous project!! Wow, Wow, It looks fabulous so far...It will look wonderful...I am so proud of you I ALMOST pee'd my pants....You notice I said ALMOST...Unlike some people I know!!

Carol

Mevely317 said...

Whew, girl ... won't you send me some of those vitamins you're taking? I get "bushed" just reading!

I've no DYI tips, sorry. My story is, hiring a professional is cheaper than psycho-therapy ... and I'm sticking to it!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Well, aren't you a smartie!! I always loved/preferred white cabinets and finally got them when we moved into this house!

I'm wondering if you have to put a coat of clear varnish (or something) over the white for protection and easier cleaning?

Can't wait to see the finished project!

Katherine

elizabeth said...

I am so excited to see what you do with your "remodel"! I wish I'd had you around when we were doing our kitchen cabinets. The painter we had do them said they didn't need sanded, only primed. Now they're all chipped and will have to be sanded and redone!
Laughing about the double knotted sweat pants. I've been very sneezy with this recent bout of the flu, so I can relate perfectly to the danger involved. :)

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

HA-HA-HA! I know exactly what you mean, my friend.

Painting my cabinets from varnished-oak-so-shiny-you-could-see-yourself-in-them to an antique white nearly did me in back a few years ago. Not a job for the faint of heart.

I wish you well and I can't wait to see the final results.

Miss Char said...

This is my big project for this year too Debbie, I need to wait until spring though. Can't wait to see how things work out for you and your "new" kitchen. And as for your sweat pants tip...at my age I've switched to elastic for several reasons :)

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Debbie,
I love what you're doing in your kitchen ... the finished room should be beautiful. White cupboards are a favourite of mine....I don't have any painting tips to share....I lime whited my cupboards and used contact on my fridge and freezer....shows the kind of DIYer I am.....a quick fixer.
I stopped wearing trackies with string 25+ years ago when my first grandchildren were born. Now my first grandchild has children of his own... and around we go.

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Debbie... me again.... sorry to ramble on... I realised that what you call sweat pants in America .. we call track pants or trackies for short, here in Australia
Love your sense of humor...
Barb xxx

Alycia Nichols said...

Aaaarrrrrrgggghhhhhh!!!! It ate my comment!!!!!! I can't go back and do that all again, so I'll just say, "Good luck!" I'm looking forward to watching the progress!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh, I have been in that position before!! You made me laugh - as usual. Those cabinets are going to look fabulous. You ARE going to love them. Your kitchen is already looking so bright and fresh. The memories of Katrina will fade, and you will no longer covet your mother's kitchen. laurie

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

LOL! Thank you for the tip!

Are you doing the spraying? Or are you sending the doors out to be sprayed? I'm pretty sure I'll be painting my cabinets this summer and I do have a really good sprayer. The last time I painted my cabinets I used a good brush and it was a pain.

Debbiedoos said...

WHAT? I leave for one minute and look what happens..girl gone wild! WOW Debbie what a huge undertaking.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This looks like they will be so pretty! and it looks like hard work but worth it...I do not have any sneezing problems yet

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

I wanna paint mine white too. It's on the list. Probly on page 294 or so.
Do you have an auto paint shop in town? Had a friend who took her dining room set to them and they painted it for her when they did a car the color she wanted. A paint job to last for sure !
(())

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Debbie,

White cabinets -- Yay!! You're much braver and more intrepid than I, because I'd never have the nerve to paint my cabinets myself. However, I will say that your doors look to be in much better shape than our old ones were; they were simply beyond help. I think yours will turn out really pretty! I think this is a great idea for your kitchen, and you will feel so much better about it. I cannot wait to see the finished product. :)

Have a wonderful weekend, Debbie!

Denise

Kathleen said...

Hi Debbie, you really are busy at your house. I have oak cabinets but would go for something lighter next time. No tips from me. I've never had the talent (or the nerve)to paint anything in my life!

Renée said...

I revamped cabinets in my last home and so I'm smiling and cheering loudly for you! I already love the major changes you are making. I look forward to seeing sandy Katrina all spiffed up. Have a whirlwind weekend my friend.

Ivy and Elephants said...

The cabinets look great. It's going to be so worth all the hard work. Can't wait to see it all put together!
Hugs,
Patti

no spring chicken said...

Oh yes, I have missed my visits here! Not only do I laugh but I learn new things! And that's all I have to say about that. :)

Blessings, Debbie

Decor To Adore said...

I need to paint my 80's oak kitchen and am NOT looking forward to it.

corners of my life said...

Amazing project. I am tired just reading about all your hard work.

Debbiedoos said...

Look at you! I just caught up and LOVE the new tile. What a great makeover and transformation this is going to be. I know a lot of blood sweat and tears, but oh the reward is so worth it.

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