We were excited to share Kim’s freshly painted kitchen cabinets, the result of a color palette we developed for her a few weeks earlier. Her transformation is a great example of how thoughtful color choices, a bit of elbow grease, and modest spending can completely revitalize a room. Below, Kim’s note and photos tell the story better than we could.
I couldn’t wait to get home today and send you the pics of my new kitchen! It took me a week from start to finish (with a full time job, 2 kids and 2 dogs) and I can’t believe the transformation. It feels like a totally new kitchen. Since I really didn’t like this room when we moved in 2 years ago, I never displayed any of my cherished belongings. And now I have pulled out my creamware pitchers and my sugar and creamer sets to line the counters. Your suggestions were spot on and we did it all for under $200 (including new hardware for all the doors and drawers). And yes I did one coat of tinted oil based primer and one coat of latex paint in semi-gloss just as you suggested.
Thanks again for your help! I would have chosen warmer beiges and then it would have been a big adobe mess, so you were right on to go with the green/gray undertone. I used Behr paint color matched to the Glidden swatches you recommended after reading your comments on quality of paint. The pictures don’t do it justice — it looks great! — Kim
Before and After
To help you visualize the dramatic change, here is the before image that shows the original cabinet finish and overall tone of the kitchen.
And here are the after photos showing the newly painted cabinets and the fresh, cohesive look throughout the space.
Paint Choices and Why They Worked
For the base cabinets, Kim chose Le Chateau by Glidden, a muted tone with subtle depth that grounds the room without overpowering it. For the upper cabinets, she used Stonington Beige — slightly darker than the originally recommended Sand Beige — to account for her specific kitchen lighting. This slight adjustment prevented the upper cabinets from appearing washed out and helped to balance the overall palette.
One key detail that made the finish durable and professional looking was the application method. Kim followed a simple but effective approach: one coat of tinted oil-based primer followed by one coat of latex paint in a semi-gloss sheen. The oil-based primer improves adhesion and seals the original surface, while the semi-gloss latex topcoat is easier to clean and resists wear in a high-traffic area like the kitchen.
Budget, Timing, and Styling
Kim completed the project in about a week, juggling a full-time job and family responsibilities, and kept the total cost under $200. That included new hardware for doors and drawers — a small investment that significantly elevated the final look. Once the painting was finished, Kim felt confident bringing out treasured items that had been packed away, arranging creamware pitchers and sugar-and-cream sets on the counters to add personality and warmth.
This makeover demonstrates how relatively small changes — thoughtful color selection, proper priming, a quality topcoat, and updated hardware — can transform an unloved room into a space you’re proud to use and display.
Lessons and Tips
- Test paint colors in your kitchen’s lighting before committing. A shade can read very differently under natural and artificial light.
- Use a tinted oil-based primer for surfaces that need better adhesion or sealing, then finish with a durable latex in an appropriate sheen like semi-gloss for cabinetry.
- Don’t underestimate the impact of new hardware — it’s a budget-friendly detail that completes the look.
- If you’re unsure about warm vs. cool undertones, a palette with green/gray neutrals can prevent a room from feeling overly warm or “adobe” when that isn’t the intent.
We’re grateful to Kim for sharing her photos and process. If you’ve completed a makeover or are testing colors and want to share your results, send us your after photos — seeing real projects is one of the best parts of our work and always inspires others to take the leap.