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Friday, September 14, 2012

Miracles DO happen!!!!!

 This is a photo of my kitchen from a few years ago. It has been the subject of much debate in my house ever since we moved in 12 years ago. I have been trying convince my hubby that the dark oak cabinets were dated and unattractive and just didn't fit the style of our home.. but his standing answer was always the same. "I like them. You don't paint hard wood" Argh!!!!!!!!!! But for the last couple of years, every few months I try again. Last year we came to a compromise, and he let me paint the inset panels. (I'll show you those photos when I do the reveal) But, it still wasn't right.  I've been collecting photos on my pinterest board to show him photos of clean white kitchens and his response has always been... "I'll think about it."  Again... Argh!!!!!!! 
Then last week I found this photo on Pinterest. It comes from a blog called The Money Pit andit turned out to be the answer to my dreams!!! I showed it to my hubby because as you can see, she had the same 1980's cabinetry as I do. "Just look at the transformation honey, Think of how much cleaner and fresher and more modern the kitchen will look. " And with one last ditch effort I said... "Pleeeeeease!!!!!!!!"

The angels must have really felt sorry for me because I think they came down and touched my hubby and whispered in his his ear. "Go ahead and let her paint those cabinets Steve. It will make her so happy."

And at that point, a miracle happened. My stubborn sweet hubby finally said okay!!!!
(Insert the sound of Angels singing)

So,  for the last several days, I have been slowly painting my kitchen. As soon as it is finished I will show you all the before and after pics, but in the mean time, here are a few from my pinterest board to show you more of my inspiration.

From the blog Solsjo

From the blog Velvet and Linen

From the blog My Sweet Savannah

I'm so excited, to finally be able to do this!!! It will definitely not be a weekend project, but I am hoping to show you the results in less than a month!!

52 comments:

Becky Voth said...

I have one of those in my house too! It took a plumbing issue to get him to change the fake, dark oak paneling in the family room! BUT, the compromise was to change it to real, light pine planks. Not really what I was going for, but better! Now, I NEED to work on the kitchen too! Can't wait to see the pix!

Valery Klassen said...

Good for you and congrats! That is so exciting and I can't wait to see the finished product. You are so lucky.

Stephanie said...

How exciting!! I know it's going to look completely transformed. He's going to say - wow, we should have done this a long time ago!

Diane said...

Wonderful!

If they would just listen to us in the first place......

Diane

Dora, the Quilter said...

I am so happy for you! The white will make a world of difference!

Lily's Lace said...

YEA!!!! He said yes! Paint that room asap before he changes his mind!!! It is going to lighten the kitchen even more and give it a face lift! I can't wait to see it finished!!! Hugs to hubby and fuzzies!
xoxoxooxo-cin

Kadee Willow said...

So, is it just you or is hubby helping? I cannot wait to hear the details... such as do you just paint the outiside or do you paint the inside, too. Did you roll it or use a paintbrush? And is the paint chalk paint or latex?i know... enough already!! tee, hee!!

stefanie said...

wow, I seriously thought that was an after photo of your kitchen....oh, its going to look sooooo goood!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful! I know you'll love white and it will make a big difference! Can't wait!

Karin said...

Ha! We must be married to brothers! My husband thinks it should be illegal to paint on hardwood.....so glad you got your way! can't wait to see the reveal!

Helena White said...

Fantastic! What it is with men and dark wood, that they just can/will not paint? I have an antique side board that I want to paint white...maybe there is hope? lol! I'm sure it will look amazing and that your hubby will love it too!Can't wait to see the transformation.

Judys Lace Creations said...

Oh the white will be so soft, clean, pretty, light! I love wood, but the darks do look dated now don't they? Good luck!Looking forward to seeing the transformation!

Amber ~ The French Pressed Home said...

YAY! for you, Karen!! It's gonna look fabulous! My husband (Contractor) just painted a neighbors cabinets from a honey maple to white. What a HUGE difference! Looking forward to your next post.

mon-coin-joli said...

quel dommage qu'il ne veuille pas repeindre ta cuisine, mais ne lache pas prise ! insiste, tous les jours et tu verras qu'il finira par dire oui, c'est ce que j'ai fait et même j'avais commencé à peindre les meubles et il a tout fini !
bises
Nicolette

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

We painted our dark walnut colored cabinets about 15 years ago and just last year we painted them white for a second time! Mine were almost black originally so the white is definitely better in my case.
Yours will look great and I can not wait to see the reveal.

Hugs,
Deb

Shabby chic Sandy said...

My poor husband never knows what he is going to come home too. I am so happy your husband has given his blessing. Have fun!

Traffic Pulse India said...

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Dianie said...

Karen,
You have the cutest kitchen!!! Love,love those windows :)
My hubby too, thinks wood should not be painted.. bah humbug I say, let the women paint away!!!
I am looking forward to seeing your vision complete, I know it will be amazing in that darlin' kitchen of yours:)

~Diane

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Yay! : ) What a guy! It's going to look great, Karen. I love the picture from the Money Pit blog you showed him. I was lucky enough to get creamy white cabinets when we moved, so my argument in our old house over our oak cabinets came to an end. My daughter would love to paint hers at some point {now she has the oak cabinets!}, but I'm helping her do things as their budget allows. Can't wait to see yours!

Rhonda said...

I'm fighting the same battle, Karen. He will NOT budge - ugh! Lucky you, I am sure your kitchen will turn out fabulous! Your images have got me very interested in another begging session, lol.

Anne said...

Karen,
YAY!!!!!!! I am so happy for you! You will feel a big sigh of relief when you look around your new bright kitchen.And your hubby will love it too.It is allot of work.Can't wait to see it!
xx
Anne

RetroSandie said...

Your kitchen is going to look fantastic! I can't wait to see your reveal pix. Good luck with the painting. I'm sure to's going to be so gorgeous, especially with those to-die-for windows!!!

Unknown said...

Oh Karen good luck to your project.
I believe that you're are so excited and tense in the same time as your dream finally came through. I'm looking forward to seeing after...
Jo

ImagiMeri said...

Oh Karen, I'm so happy for you. Although I loved your kitchen as is, I know you wanted to make this change. I guess I'll have to bring lunch over again when you're done!

Hugs,
Meri

Georgia Gibbons said...

I painted my dark cabinets "ivory tusk". It brightened up that dark kitchen sooo much. I love it. yours will be great, too.

Our Hopeful Home said...

I'm so happy for you! I, too, have tried to convince my husband for the past few years that we need to paint our dark kitchen cabinets white, but he had the same reaction as your husband. I've been keeping a "file" of before and after pictures to show him how great it can look, and I have a kitchens board on my pinterest page. I feel your excitement! Can't wait to see it and hear how the transformation went. Good luck!

This N That said...

I'm giving up my white kitchen when I move next month..It will be a tough adjustment for me..I'll miss my white cabinets..The new place has oak and I don't think I can paint them..I'm sure you'll love your "new kitchen"...

JD/ Jill said...

Oh Happy Day! I can't wait to see your after pics. I went though the same thing with my bedroom, it hadn't been updated in over 40 years...Please don't groan...I know that was a long time. My bedroom walls were DARK paneling. (it honestly was in style in the 70's. (but I didn't like it even then) He finally gave in, and let me take down the paneling...and paint! My room is so much brighter. I love it, and think he does too.

Pendra said...

Good for you hon...I'd get to painting quick before he has time to change his mind!! We just bought a home and it has the dark wood cabinets and I really want to paint them so please share your progress and finished projects...so I can have a little earthly & heavenly intervention as well!
Crafty Hugs,
Pendra

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Congratulations! Can't wait to see it!

Miss Gracie's House said...

Oh, Laren...this makes me smile! Enjoy your project...I can't wait to see it!
Rene'

Ava Gavloski said...

ha yes the kitchen. i admire your persistence.... looking forward to the photo's
ava

Sheila Rumney said...

Can't wait to see the transformation!

Terry said...

Hi, Karen!

Oh, your husband and my husband would get along well. I can do nothing in our home without his agreement. Ugh! We have a white kitchen and I love it! I can't wait to see your kitchen. Good luck!

Terry

fairyrocks said...

I did see the ray of light, Its going to be wonderful. Thanks for sharing the pinterest, with the links to original posts.
Keep smiling and creating

Marfi-topia said...

Glad you didn't give up!
Can't wait to see the transformation.

Betty Ann Harris said...

I have the same problem with my kitchen. We bought our house new about 10 years ago. Must have been the rage at the time-those oak cabinets. I'm hoping to do the same thing as you. Once you have you unveiling I'll show my hubby the photos of yours, and maybe the same thing will happen for me!

Charlene said...

GOOD FOR YOU!!! After seeing your house in person I KNOW it is darling but, I'm sure you'll make it even cuter. As you know (because you've been here too) I have white cabinets in my kitchen & I DO love them. I do think I want to put granite counter tops in but, not sure of what color I want to go with that...

Can't wait to see more photos. I will try to call you next week so we can chat. I'm really missing my gal pals... all this work at the house is BORING! HUGS!
Charlene

Blessed Serendipity said...

I am so happy for you to finally get the white kitchen you desire. The first inspiration photo is the same kitchen as yours down to the same island in the middle of the kitchen and appliance placement. I am sure your after picture is going to be beautiful. I can't wait to see.

Danielle

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

OMG thank you, thank you for posting this..I have been dealing with the SAME and after harvest I am hoping miracle #2 will happen. I love the brightness of WHITE kitchens and Lots of windows, which you cannot always have, but White is also so clean and refreshing.. So late tonight my DH will be viewing your great pictures and hoping he says "Ok..Ok.!!"
Have fun with your adventure and I know you will love the finished product.

Marlynne said...

Good for you! Will look forward to the finished product!

Natascha said...

Mine were ugly dark brown and I painted them red. It went from a dark drab space to warm and inviting. Its held up pretty well with two guys banging stuff top!

Sandy said...

Karen,

I feel your pain, for years I had orange-ish looking wood cabinets. I too wanted to paint them but the hubs said you do not paint real wood. A miracle did happen, well it was not viewed as one at the time, a pipe burst while we were not home and swelled all the wood and ruined out kitchen. I got new cabinets. Painting them would have been preferable but at least the wooden beasts are gone.

I am sure your kitchen will look stunning when you are done. Happy painting!

Unknown said...

Oh Karen!
I am so happy that he finally agreed!!!! Have fun! I can't wait to see the difference...:)

Unknown said...

Oh Karen!
I am so happy that he finally agreed!!!! Have fun! I can't wait to see the difference...:)

Bohemian said...

I'm so Happy that you and your Hubby could come into agreement about the Kitchen makeover. The Man really could care less what Projects I undertake in the Home since he considers the decorating to be my domain, but I always try to make it so that he and the Children feel comfortable with the environment too... unless we live alone the reality is that it can't always be all about us and so compromise and getting into agreement about shared Space is always the best way to go so that everyone feels the Home is where they most want to spend their Time. I can't wait for your big Reveal and I have a hunch that the Hubby will see that your Magical Touch is going to make the new Kitchen a place he'll want to spend more time in too!

Dawn... The Bohemian

Vintage Street Designs said...

So happy for you Karen...can't wait to see the results! I'm sure it will be beautiful!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hi Karen, I can RELATE TO YOU! We are just now finishing up painting and redoing our kitchen. For 32 years my hubby has said I don't like painted cabinets! I've always wanted white or shabby chic and he said he just couldn't handle all that paint and all that white! Yikes...but finally he said yes, but just not white. So I found a picture of Paula Deens kitchen where the cabinets are light cream but distressed on edges with dark knobs, and he went for that. But it has taken years......all that waiting....
I"ve used some of those same pictures as inspiration too. Love them.
Yay for you. Can't wait to see the finished kitchen. YOu will enjoy it sooooo much. Hahaha
Blessings,
Debbie

Unknown said...

Congrats after many days and months of convincing him, he finally agree. He will love it for sure.

Vicki Boster said...

Oh the joys of husband's--- lol!! Bless your heart for finally winning the debate!! Your new kitchen will be magnificent-- without even seeing photos I'm sure it will be gorgeous. I'm SO happy for you--- and I can hear the singing angels clear over here!!!

Xo
Vicki

Breezy and Me said...

I do not have a husband but I lack the courage to make a big change. I built a small beach cottage but was forced to have ugly brown stock cabinets from the big box store. Blek! I would like to remove the upper cabinets and have open shelving and remove the doors from the bottom cabinets and paint what's left white. Am I crazy ?
Color me a beach cottage girl

Christina said...

Wow, beautiful! Thanks so much for the inspiring post. I, too, have oak cabinets, but would love to do something similar. I would really love to see more photos of the birdcage kitchen (labeled "Solsjo") but the link takes me to a defunct blog. Does anyone have any more info, by any chance?

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