When we left off on Monday, our open shelves had been primed and were ready for installation. While the primer was out, we also primed the hood cover using a 2″ angled brush to get into the seams and a small foam roller to smooth the surfaces. That step immediately softened the heavy wood look on that wall.
After the primer dried—Zinsser Smart Prime, a low-VOC product recommended by a few cabinet painters we know—we painted the brackets, shelves, and hood with the same high-durability cabinet paint we used elsewhere in the kitchen. We applied two thin, even coats over the single coat of primer, using the same 2″ angled brush for tight spots and a small foam roller for a smooth finish. The paint is Benjamin Moore Advance in Cloud Cover, which many pros rely on for cabinet interiors and exteriors because it cures hard and holds up to daily use.
The fun part began when we actually put the shelves on the wall. Since we had already drilled all the screws into the tile and marked the layout, hanging the brackets on the shorter side was quick and painless. Moments later the shelves were sitting on those brackets, which felt solid and stable.
Before committing to the long side, we double-checked the level. Everything lined up perfectly, so we moved on and installed the remaining brackets and shelves down the longer wall.
Originally we planned to anchor the shelves directly into the wall and had even made pocket holes for that purpose, but after feeling how secure the brackets were and not wanting to add more holes to the tile, we adjusted our approach. Instead of screwing through the face of the shelves into the wall, we used the pocket holes as a guide to attach the shelves to the brackets. The screws went straight down into the brackets, not at the pocket-hole angle, so the hardware is hidden and the fix looks clean. In hindsight the pocket holes were unnecessary, but they gave us a convenient place to conceal fasteners that we could caulk over.
Caulking was the next finishing touch. Where the shelves met the brackets there were small dark seams, so we ran a thin bead of paintable white caulk along the top of each bracket and smoothed it with a finger. That small, tedious step made the shelves and brackets read as a single integrated unit. After the caulk dried we touched up the paint so everything matched seamlessly.
With the physical work complete, the only thing left was patience. We resisted the urge to immediately load the shelves with dishes and accessories so the paint and caulk could fully cure. Waiting prevents dents and dings during the first few days of use, and following the paint manufacturer’s curing times will keep the finish durable long-term. Tomorrow we’ll fill the shelves and shoot a time-lapse video of the styling process.
We still plan to add crown molding to the ceiling above the hood to create a more finished transition, and there are a few patches to touch up on the ceiling. Those final details will help the top of the hood blend in and make the whole wall feel more cohesive. But with the hood painted and the shelves in place, the space is feeling much closer to finished than it did at the start.
We’re happy with the bracket choice and aren’t regretting not using true floating shelves. These brackets are charming, very stable, and allow plenty of usable shelf space. The shelves are deep enough for 12″ dinner plates and the bracket spacing gives us room for everyday items without crowding the display. Open shelving tends to stay practical when used for frequently handled items, so we expect these shelves to be both pretty and useful.
It’s been fun to compare the current progress with the room’s earlier condition. The transformation is dramatic, and it’s surprising how quickly your perception of a space changes once you start layering improvements—paint, hardware, trim, and styling. If you’re experimenting with open shelves or looking for vertical storage ideas, try planning the hardware placement carefully, use a durable paint system, and allow full curing time before loading shelves to ensure long-lasting results.