- The 12 Best White Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White
Another Monday brought another noticeable step forward in our kitchen project. Last week we finished priming and painting the trim, doors, crown molding, and paneling white. This week the walls received their new coat of Nelson Blue—the soft, light blue we planned to use from the start.
It’s a relief to be rid of wallpaper and the unsightly patches of raw drywall that showed where cabinets once were. The room already feels cleaner and calmer with the fresh paint. We briefly debated the intercom: we haven’t removed it because we may want to repurpose the wiring later for something like a multi-room music system. For now we plan to hide it behind a framed corkboard so the wiring stays accessible for a future upgrade.
One noticeable change is that the bulky over-the-range microwave is gone. It’s the only appliance we decided to replace in Phase 1. The microwave dominated the space above the stove and limited our preference for a range hood for better ventilation. We bought a stainless countertop microwave that we’ll eventually install in the pantry once we add an outlet there. It was an inexpensive find and fits our long-term plan, not just this first phase.
Removing the old unit took a bit of creativity. The mounting screws were recessed and hard to reach, so we used a drill with a long bit and some battery-powered fairy lights to illuminate the tight space. I supported the cabinet from beneath while Sherry removed the screws above, and when it came free it was heavier than we expected—likely full of wiring and other components.
Behind the microwave was a vinyl backsplash. We prefer a smooth, painted wall for this phase of the renovation, both for aesthetics and because painted walls are easy to wipe down. The vinyl peeled off easily with a spackle knife, but it left the wall pockmarked. That required spackling and sanding, which we already had planned because we had numerous nail holes and other small imperfections to patch around the room.
We paused after the patchwork for a trip and returned on Friday to apply primer. Even though the new color is light and the existing walls were light, priming made sense for two reasons: the areas behind cabinets had never been primed, and older walls can soak up paint unevenly. A coat of primer helps seal drywall and often ends up saving paint in the long run—one coat of primer plus two coats of paint is usually more efficient and cost-effective than three coats of paint.
We applied the primer during Clara’s nap using our usual method: Sherry cuts in the edges while I roll the larger areas. That base coat transformed the room from worn and patched to smooth and ready for color. The next morning we began applying Nelson Blue. We took care to tape tight spots—like the edges of door frames—so the clean white trim wouldn’t get paint on it. In open sections, Sherry freehanded the cut-ins, a skill she’s honed over years of painting together.
We also painted a few small eyesores, such as a yellowed doorbell box and an old phone jack next to the intercom, so they blend into the refreshed wall. At first Nelson Blue looked faint, but it became more distinct as it dried. The color is lighter than the paint we used in our first kitchen and leans a touch greener, which pairs nicely with the horizontal paneling on the lower half of the walls. While the room still has temporary elements—countertops, cabinets, and flooring—the blue already adds personality and makes the space feel more complete.
From certain angles the kitchen looks much closer to finished. The view from the front door is noticeably improved, and the breakfast nook is beginning to read as a cohesive mix of white trim, horizontal planking, blue walls, and rustic wood. The intercom and dated flooring are still visible, but those are on the list for later phases.
Speaking of the list, here’s our current Phase 1 progress and remaining tasks. We’ve crossed nine items off and still have nine to go. Some upcoming tasks are simpler—like swapping lights and hanging shelves—while others will take more time and steps.
Remove wallpaperMove fridge cabinet forwardRemove upper cabinets on window wall to prep for open shelvesReinstall crown moldingPrime & paint the pantry and the door to the garagePrime & paint the trim, crown molding, & baseboardsPrime & paint the panelingPrime and paint the wallsRemove the existing microwave and get a countertop one for the pantry- Install a simple range hood to improve the wall above the stove
- Patch and paint the ceiling
- Replace the fluorescent fixture in the cooking area and the pendant over the sink
- Replace and center the light over the dining table
- Hang floating shelves on the window wall
- Paint the cabinets (we’re narrowing down color options)
- Update old cabinet hinges and knobs
- Decide on a rug for the eat-in area or install peel-and-stick tiles
- Add curtains for the windows
For background on why we chose these Phase 1 steps—like painting the cabinets now, why we aren’t repainting the linoleum, and what we have planned for Phase 2—see our earlier post detailing the full plan and reasoning.
Our Favorite Paint Colors
If you’re deciding on a wall color, these detailed posts cover the paints we love and how they perform in real homes:
- The 12 Best White Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White