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White Kitchen Reveal ~ A Before & After

by Jessica 57 Comments

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We have lived in our current home for quite a while now, and I have hated the kitchen since day 1.  It’s not like it was absolutely horrible, it just wasn’t me.  I love white.  I have wanted white cabinets for years, but was terrified of painting them myself.  I thought it would be horrible…lots of sanding, priming, painting, then repainting.  So I just lived with the dark, smudged, and faded cabinets until two weeks ago.
Please do excuse the dishes…we live here ;)  Okay, see the faded cabinet right under that sink of dirty dishes?  I can’t tell you how much that bothered me!  I tried touching it up with stain, but it wouldn’t stay…that door gets a ton of use because our trash can is behind it.  There were smudges and scratches everywhere, and I just couldn’t fix them.  So, when Brooke at Get Outta My Head {Please} posted a Nuvo Cabinet Paint Giveaway, I entered…AND WON!!!  Woot woot!
I painted those dark and dirty cabinets a lovely white!  It took me two days, because I was also doing other things at the time.  I cannot tell you how easy it was!  I started by opening my cabinets and painting all of the small wood pieces first…yep, I left my cabinet doors on while painting!  It took 3 thin coats to cover the dark cherry, but it went on like a charm and dried pretty quickly!  Isn’t it lovely?
Now I can decorate with all of the pretty bright colors I love…everything bright and cheery!
While I was brightening up my cabinets, I decided to take the leap and put up the beadboard wallpaper I had bought months ago…I love it!!!  My friend Meg at Nutmeg Place used it on her backsplash, and gives the full tutorial on how to hang it!  All I can say is I LOVE IT!
A good friend gave me an entire bag of rubbed bronze knobs, which happen to match our light fixtures, so I saved a pretty penny there…aren’t friends great?  My chalkboard menu used to seem lost in all of the darkness…now it just pops off of the wall!  Looks like my sweet Kate left her momma a nice little note too ;)
We made a little area by the toaster for breakfast prep…cinnamon toast, french toast with powdered sugar, and sweet paper straws for our milk can all live together now.
Now my kitchen and Breakfast Nook are a match made in aqua and white heaven!
So, what do you think?  Do you like the before or the after?  Do you dare paint your kitchen cabinets?  The sink and counter tops are next!
Wanna see more?  My entire home is on display at Debbiedoo’s !
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~Jessica
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Filed Under: Home Decor, Home Tour

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Comments

  1. How to Nest for Less says

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    Great job Jessica! Lovin’ the white with pops of aqua. Looks absolutely fantastic ;)

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  2. Kim @ seven thirty three says

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    I think it looks amazing! You did a wonderful job and I wouldn’t even guess that the cabinets were painted. I love the color palette and your style. :)

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  3. Starr says

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    It looks very nice. We are going to paint our kitchen cabinets in the next few months, but I’m dreading it. Our hinges are visible, so we’ll have to take the doors off. I’m estimating 2 weeks of work.

    Anyway, I usually don’t go for white, but white really is a great choice for kitchen cabinets, and yours look fabulous. That’s what we’re doing!

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  4. Janel from NellieBellie says

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    Yes please!!! Looks great! What a difference that white made!

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  5. Brooke says

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    WOW!!! I love it .. its totally you now . Hugs Brooke

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  6. Anne says

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    Sweet! Love your fresh new kitchen!!

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  7. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

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    Very pretty! Love all the details with the decor.

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  8. Betty Hayden says

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    Love the White! I painted our cabinets white years ago when we moved in – makes everything so much brighter & clean looking.
    Your pops of aqua didn’t “pop” much w/the dark cabinets – now they do!
    I also love what you did with the little chalkboard clips on the basket. I bought some of those from Michaels weeks ago, simply because they were cute. Had no idea what I would do with them :)
    Great job!

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  9. Leshia @ Southern Chic Love says

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    I love a white kitchen. Looks great!!

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  10. Meg says

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    Oh Jess, it really looks amazing! Mine took 2 weeks! I’m jealous it only took you 2 days! I’m partial to the backsplash… just sayin’!

    XO

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  11. Eclectically Vintage says

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    How cool that you didn’t have to remove the cabinet doors to paint!! That’s my kind of project!

    Love the lighter, brighter kitchen! Is there any french toast left over for me?
    Kelly

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  12. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

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    It looks amazing, fresh and new!! Wonderful job!
    XO
    Kristin

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  13. Danielle @ 2 Little Superheroes says

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    Wow what a fantastic makeover. I love the look of painted kitchen cabinets. Everyone has boring wooden kitchens.

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  14. Our Pinteresting Family says

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    Looks great, Jessica! The white really pops and I love your accessories. I have my kitchen half white and half black and it makes a huge difference.

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  15. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says

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    Love it! I can’t believe what a big difference a little paint can make. It looks great with your breakfast nook!

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  16. Four Marrs and One Venus says

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    Sweet Moses…smell the roses!! WOW is all I need to say- and I will say it one more time..WOW! Gorgeous!

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  17. Hi I'm Shannon! says

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    You KNOW I love a white kitchen :) Looks great Jess! I bet you just stand there and gaze at it :) You do huh? It sure came together pretty. Kudos on all your hard work!!

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  18. Laura @ Our Prairie Home says

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    Jess! WOW! What a difference the white makes! I am sooooo totally going to paint our cabinets! I think I’ll wait for a day when Scott’s off pheasant hunting, so it’ll be all done when he gets home. HA! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Can’t say it enough! It looks absolutely fabtastic!

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  19. Suzanne Warner says

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    Looks great! I think the countertops look awesome with the black appliances. Black and white have made a comeback! In one of the pics, is that a toilet paper holder storing your soup bowls?

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  20. Julie says

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    I love it so much!!! I love looking at all your little details! My Mom had that white bowl with the tulips on it…my sister has it now…I am trying to steal it ;) ~Julie

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  21. Debbiedoo's says

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    Girl this is an unbelievable makeover…I just can’t get over how cheery and bright it looks now. Can’t wait for the tour tomorrow.

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  22. Shelia says

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    I love your newly painted kitchen. I love the white cabinets and have them too. Love your beadboard wallpaper too. You did a great job and I know you’re enjoying it.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  23. Shelia says

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    I love your newly painted kitchen. I love the white cabinets and have them too. Love your beadboard wallpaper too. You did a great job and I know you’re enjoying it.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    Reply
  24. Anonymous says

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    Love them! Your kitchen is adorable! Question – what kind of paint did you use?

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  25. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME/Doublewide Decor says

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    Hi…saw your home at Debbies…I love your painted stained glass…and your pillows on your couch!

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  26. Shabby chic Sandy says

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    Wow– the power of paint for sure. Love the white! Love your little menu sign too–how nice to be organized enough to have your meals planned. I so need to do that :)

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  27. Pat@Back Porch Musings says

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    You did a beautiful job. I am here from the pinit party. Pinned your kitchen to my kitchen board.

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  28. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says

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    LOVE a cream’ified kitchen and you did an awesome job. Featuring your kitchen in the PoPP Spotlight.

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  29. Chrissy says

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    Your kitchen looks so crisp and bright and everything just pops. What a difference some paint can make :) I am stopping over from Overflowoing party.

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  30. 4 You With Love says

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    Wow, what a transformation! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your new kitchen!

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  31. Elizabeth (Blue Clear Sky) says

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    Love the fresh new white and of course the aqua too (it is one of my favourites.) Looks great!

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  32. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says

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    Looks amazing! We have a lighter brighter kitchen now too and love it.

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  33. Jenn says

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    White kitchens are my favorite right now. I love the remodel.

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  34. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

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    It’s so bright & fun!! Love the beadboard wallpaper & all of your fun details! Great job!!

    {HUGS},
    kristi

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  35. Kathryn Ferguson Griffin says

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    You did a wonderful job! It’s all so fresh and pretty! Isn’t it much nicer to walk into a bright kitchen than a dark one? Love it. Saw you over at DIY Parade. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House which goes live at 8am CST on Monday. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  36. 20 North Ora says

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    Wonderful job!! Did you have to put a varnish or finish coat on your cabinets?

    Judy

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  37. Johnnie says

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    This looks amazing, Jessica!! My friend is talking about doing something similar. I can’t wait to show her your transformation. Great job!

    Johnnie

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  38. Carmella says

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    Oh, I just love it! The cabinets turned out great, I can’t believe you didn’t even have to take them off!? and the beadboard wallpaper, did you say?? awesome!!

    Your breakfast nook is still just so inviting, and wants me over for coffee still, hehehe…there I go again, inviting myself to your house ;)

    Great job!!!

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  39. DIY Show Off says

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    I think it’s gorgeous! LOVE the white – perfect for your colorful accents and looks so pretty! What a great transformation!

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  40. Holly Lefevre says

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    What an amazing transformation! So bright and just perfect!

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  41. michele@Betterorganizedliving says

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    The kitchen really turned out nice! You did a wonderful job. I like the idea of the menu chalkboard too.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  42. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says

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    oh…great job jessica!!!! love all the details…soooo cheerful!!!

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  43. Jessica @ FourGenerationsOneRoof says

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    I love the white! We got rid of our dark cabinets as well and went with white. Isn’t it so fun waking up to a bright white kitchen in the am :) I love having my cup of coffee now in there :)

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  44. Stacia Liechty says

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    Gorgeous! I’m going to pass on what you used to my mom who has been wanting to do that to her cabinets for as long as I can remember. Looks incredible!
    Stacia@ http://feathersandsunshine.blogspot.com

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  45. Cass @ That Old House says

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    wonderful makeover!
    i painted our kitchen cabinets a creamy white 2 years ago — love them. just remember to save some paint for those touchups.
    Especially the cabinet under the sink! I touch up the cabinet paint once a year, before Thanksgiving, and that’s enough to keep the paint looking fresh and chip free.
    You will adore your “new” kitchen.
    I do mine.
    Cass

    Reply