I enjoy a clean kitchen, and a Black and White Kitchen Makeover is a timeless choice. I originally wrote this post many years ago when my children were younger, and we could enjoy school breaks! Those breaks are long gone, but I am thrilled to say my Black and White Kitchen Cabinets still look almost brand new ten years later!
Last weekend, I finally completed the beast that had been on my back for some time. I painted my cupboards and island several years ago, but like many early projects, we see where improvements could be made with time and improvement of skills. It was my goal to finish the kitchen this summer, and I almost made it. (My kids are back in school, so summer ended for us).
I didn’t take too many “before pictures” because I think I was just anxious to move on with the project, but here is the general feel:
I originally painted the kitchen cabinets, Antique White, with a Tobacco Brown glaze over the top. The initial painting was entirely long before Debi’s Design Diary Chalk and Clay Paint came into my life, or for that matter, chalk paint even existed.
I did not have it within my budget to replace the knobs. I waited until I could find what I wanted at the right price….fast forward three years. I not only found the knobs, but I also found the paint I wanted!
One of the drawer fronts had broken, and we had a cabinet maker replace it, never quite got around to painting it to match. Yikes!
This was my island, I loved the cheery yellow, but the more color I put in my home, the less I like it in my kitchen. I was longing for a more neutral pallet and something more distinct.
Yes, drawer broken here too….Ah, petits garons
It dawned on my to take a picture of the front, when I started the prep. This is always my first step in painting cabs. Putting the paper down. (After the TSP cleaning).
Along the way, a happy accident occurred. I removed all the cabinet doors and drawers, stripped them and thoroughly cleaned them. My plan was to do the island in black and the lower cabs, and the uppers in cream. I had planned on the entire project going quickly because I was using my HVLP sprayer.
The day I was all set to begin, I kid you not! I was cleaning my gun outside (something I now do not recommend), a little teeny weeny part of the tip got lost somehow. After fruitlessly digging through dirt, I gave up and started calling around. NO ONE had my tip in stock. NO ONE. There was at least a 2 week turn around from everyone,
Using a Paint Sprayer or a Brushing and Rolling Paint
I had a project to finish and decided to try a different take. I realized from earlier projects that Chalk paint mixes very happily with my beloved Modern Masters Paints. The Old White is the exact same color as the “Basic White” from Modern Masters. By thinning the Chalkpaint with another high quality paint, I was able to stretch it for my whole kitchen. However, now this must be done by hand………
About two coats of the black and three of the white was all it took. I highly recommend sanding with a 220 grit between coats, and finishing with a 400 grit to get a perfect finish. The wonderful thing about chalk paint, is it is so soft when it is sanded smooth!
How to Top Coat Painted Kitchen Cabinets
Now for the labor intensive part. Instead of going with a poly finish, I went with a hand waxed finish, on, the whole “ball of wax”! (or kitchen in this case)
I love the contrast with the butcher block counter. Maybe it is inspiring my children to do more homework??
A friend of mine painted that saying on the island many years ago, it represents my Scottish ancestry
Before, the cream was washing out my granite counter tops, and farm house sink, now they pop!
Adding a Chalkboard Panel to your Black and White Kitchen
This is the pantry area. The chalkboard panel was there before, but now just looks refreshed.
I love the contrast between the cream and black.
Adding a Painted Black Island to a Black and White Kitchen
I love how long the Black Kitchen Island is. We love to entertain and there is plenty of room for everyone.
I was hosting my August book club meeting, where I make a large brunch. Having a kitchen ripped apart was just not for me, so I had some motivation to finish!
It was the best happy accident I have had. I could not be more pleased with the results, and feel like this was how they were meant to be all along. I love my Black and White Kitchen!
I love this, everything looks fabulous! How are the chalk paint cabinets holding up to the kids and to general life?
Must also comment that there is nothing like a visit from family or friends to spur one into finisheing projects. I have a few myself that I must finish before the relatives come in Sept for a visit!
It looks fabulous, I love the color contrast. Will the wax hold up to the wear and tear of kitchen use like poly? I would rather use wax if it can stand being wiped down frequently without constantly reapplying.
Hi, over from 504 Main..:) Your kitchen is adorable. I first thought, when you said you use AS paint, “wow, that must have been really expensive”..then I saw that you mixed paints.
It looks wonderful~ I love the dark mixed with the lighter and how your island came out! I would love for you to come share at Feathered Nest Friday at my blog sometime! 🙂
Beautiful! I love the black and cream, I love the quote and your accents! We're still deciding on the color of the island for our kitchen. I know I want distressed and I'm thinking a dark stain next to the white (actually they're gray but look white) cabinets. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring kitchen in the Roomspiration party! 😉
O.K, Girlfriend…..Scottish ancestry?….ME too! Haha! I am now picking up my chin up off the floor! Your kitchen is incredible! I want to put a wash up on my top cabinets….got any suggestions! I do like your choice to go black! Everything in there is perfect! I was a fan of your creations before but now….I am a “Fan X 3″…Thanks for sharing!
It's so crisp and fresh. We have blackish granite and it is so washed out by the dark cherry stain on the cabinets…I've been toyin' with painting them…I do believe you've inspired me to get my butt in gear…What ratio did you use to thin the chalk paint? And is the finish as Matte as it looks in the photos? I really like it.
Man, when you get the yen to power through something, nothing stops you! Great job, LOVE the lower cabs in black, and I also love your prayer on the counter. That’s something I’ll keep in my back pocket for the future!
Your cabinets look great! You really did a good job. And I like the darker color on the bottom cabinets. It really makes your countertop pop. Have a great week.
LOVE your kitchen re-do! Maybe part of it is because I just re-rid mine in the same colors. You’ve added some beautiful extra touches too. Blessings to you, Patti@OldThingsNew
Your copper pots really caught my eye. The entire kitchen is fantastic. I enjoyed reading and seeing the process even tho I am too old to do that. I have wanted to paint my island a darker color, I might could pull off that. Thanks for the inspiration. I am following, xoGinger
I LOVE it! the waxed look is so worth it if you can handle the time it takes! I hope to do wax finishes on my kitchen cabinets when i finally get to that project!
That was certainly a labor of love! I love the contrast between the cream and the black as well as the black and flooring. I also ADORE your beautiful long counter. What a pleasure that must be to serve (and eat) from!
Woo hoo! Everywhere I look I see something I love! I think your happy accident led to an amazing result. It’s one gorgeous kitchen, black and cream is a great choice!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. on July 29, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Oh wow Karen, your kitchen is striking! I love the contrast of the cabinets and your countertops and farmhouse sink really do shine now! Great hardware! And your copper pots just sparkle in the sunlight! You must be thrilled!
Karen, it’s super fantastic! Love the island!! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House! Here is the link to this week’s party. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Gorgeous kitchen. How are the finishes holding up? I found this blog post by searching for the image of the pot rack. Would you share your sources? Or post a DIY for the pot rack? Please??
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! looks so great! thanks for sharing the process
great job–I love the black and cream together too, also love you drawer pulls!
I love this! it's gorgeous! (I need the motivation of company coming over too…
They look fabulous! I love the black bases and white tops…perfection!
I love this, everything looks fabulous! How are the chalk paint cabinets holding up to the kids and to general life?
Must also comment that there is nothing like a visit from family or friends to spur one into finisheing projects. I have a few myself that I must finish before the relatives come in Sept for a visit!
What a fabulous transformation! I love the two colors together.
It looks fabulous, I love the color contrast. Will the wax hold up to the wear and tear of kitchen use like poly? I would rather use wax if it can stand being wiped down frequently without constantly reapplying.
Hi, over from 504 Main..:)
Your kitchen is adorable. I first thought, when you said you use AS paint, “wow, that must have been really expensive”..then I saw that you mixed paints.
I, too, have a two-toned kitchen. Here's the link
http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/2010/10/notesongs.html
Come by to see my fun kitchen, too. 🙂
xo bj
It looks wonderful~ I love the dark mixed with the lighter and how your island came out! I would love for you to come share at Feathered Nest Friday at my blog sometime! 🙂
So glad your accident turned into a gorgeous kitchen. I'm putting it in the PoPP Spotlight… thanks for linking up.
WOW! What a transformation. Oh you give me hope that I can do this myself one day!!!! Really, WOW. I'm bookmarking so I can remember this!!
I love transformations! I just turned my secretary into a bar area in my dining room. I really hope you'll stop by and check it out: http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com/2011/08/picture-is-worth.html
See you soon, I hope!
Artie
It's beautiful! Love the new look.
Hi there~ Just stopping back by to say thanks so much for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday 🙂
Beautiful! I love the black and cream, I love the quote and your accents! We're still deciding on the color of the island for our kitchen. I know I want distressed and I'm thinking a dark stain next to the white (actually they're gray but look white) cabinets. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring kitchen in the Roomspiration party! 😉
What a great kitchen! I love black and whites together and it looks great on your cabinets. Great sink and counters too.
O.K, Girlfriend…..Scottish ancestry?….ME too! Haha! I am now picking up my chin up off the floor! Your kitchen is incredible! I want to put a wash up on my top cabinets….got any suggestions! I do like your choice to go black! Everything in there is perfect! I was a fan of your creations before but now….I am a “Fan X 3″…Thanks for sharing!
Looks fantastic, and very European. I just did my first chalk paint project, it IS good stuff…!
It looks great, love the color mix!
Debbie
Cream and black together reminds me of Chanel – classic.
Thanks for sharing your kitchen in the Room By Room series!
Rene
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lovely, I especially love the pots hanging over the sink. Beautiful space!
That looks great! Last year I painted both my upper and lowers chocolate brown, but am rethinking perhaps lightening up the tops …
… it was a huge project … and I have a million other things to do first … and my husband would probably have me institutionalized!
It's so crisp and fresh. We have blackish granite and it is so washed out by the dark cherry stain on the cabinets…I've been toyin' with painting them…I do believe you've inspired me to get my butt in gear…What ratio did you use to thin the chalk paint? And is the finish as Matte as it looks in the photos? I really like it.
It looks great! (Coincidentally, I’m making my kitchen black and white this summer, too!)
What a beautiful transformation!
I love the transformation!
Fantastique!!!
-andi
Love the look of your new kitchen! wow, you worked hard..this is a fabulous transformation! Congrats.
WOW, Karen! it’s FABULOUS!!!!!! It’s so very you, too!
Man, when you get the yen to power through something, nothing stops you! Great job, LOVE the lower cabs in black, and I also love your prayer on the counter. That’s something I’ll keep in my back pocket for the future!
Your cabinets look great! You really did a good job. And I like the darker color on the bottom cabinets. It really makes your countertop pop. Have a great week.
Beautiful kitchen! Love the tall stools. 🙂
Totally beautious!!! I love two tone kitchens, and hope to do something similar in my new house! Great visual inspiration…thanks 🙂
LOVE your kitchen re-do! Maybe part of it is because I just re-rid mine in the same colors. You’ve added some beautiful extra touches too. Blessings to you, Patti@OldThingsNew
What a great job! I just love it.
Your copper pots really caught my eye. The entire kitchen is fantastic. I enjoyed reading and seeing the process even tho I am too old to do that. I have wanted to paint my island a darker color, I might could pull off that. Thanks for the inspiration. I am following, xoGinger
I LOVE it! the waxed look is so worth it if you can handle the time it takes! I hope to do wax finishes on my kitchen cabinets when i finally get to that project!
This is fantastic!
Gorgeous Karen!! I cannot wait to redo my kitchen, I hope it turns out as lovely as yours 🙂
xo, Tanya
That was certainly a labor of love! I love the contrast between the cream and the black as well as the black and flooring. I also ADORE your beautiful long counter. What a pleasure that must be to serve (and eat) from!
A lovely job…congratulations!
Small House / Big Sky Donna / White Oak Studio Designs / SW Michigan
Hand-Painted Vintage Furniture Transformations
Blog: http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com
Facebook: donnaallgaierlamberti@facebook.com (for portfolio of chalk painted work)
Came over from MMS’s. Wow, the kitchen turned out beautifully. I love the island..Happy Friday..Judy
Love the mix of black and white. Your kitchen really pops now. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays.
Woo hoo! Everywhere I look I see something I love! I think your happy accident led to an amazing result. It’s one gorgeous kitchen, black and cream is a great choice!
Still looks fabulous!!
Oh wow Karen, your kitchen is striking! I love the contrast of the cabinets and your countertops and farmhouse sink really do shine now! Great hardware! And your copper pots just sparkle in the sunlight! You must be thrilled!
Karen, it’s super fantastic! Love the island!! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House! Here is the link to this week’s party. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Great job, looks fabulous!!! Saw your feature at Make it Pretty Monday, congrats!
Mary
Love your kitchen. Especially the bar stools. Can I ask where you got them?
Thanks
Gorgeous kitchen. How are the finishes holding up? I found this blog post by searching for the image of the pot rack. Would you share your sources? Or post a DIY for the pot rack? Please??