Editor's note: Here it is! Our last Style Lush giveaway (for a while, at least). Good luck!
by Christina
If one thing I've mentioned here a million times, it's that I don't like my kitchen. Our home was built in 1992 and it we got the builder grade deluxe! Formica counters, orange oak cabinets, bone appliances. It's not hideous but it's not attractive either. Here it is before:
The folks at Ace Hardware offered to help me with this project and sponsored the paint. I used Clark+Kensingtion in two colors and in two coats (three if you count the stain-blocking primer) the kitchen was transformed!
I'm not here to tell you I'm a master DIYer. I'm here to tell you that you can do this too! Nothing about this project was hard, and I did it alone.
What does it take to accomplish this? Here's a break down of what I did:
- Remove the doors and drawers and all hardware. (I tried to leave the hinges on and paint around them but it looked messy, so take it all off)
- I used TSP (Tri-sodium phosphate) to clean, de-grease, and de-gloss. It stinks and it's hard on skin but it eliminates the need to sand! NO SANDING! Holla. With a sponge nearly saturated, wipe down the fronts, scrubbing where you feel any grease buildup, wipe up the excess and then rinse with a second sponge with fresh water.
- Prime
- Caulk. I filled in any gaps between the walls and the cabinets and where the cabinetry was connected together. You don't notice seams much with oak but with a color they will stand out.
- Paint two coats
- I painted my hinges with rub n' buff. Sounds a little daunting to take a tiny brush and paint them but this product is crazy, one tiny tube covers 20 square feet and it spreads so fast and easy. I could have spray-painted but I chose the rub n' buff because it's made of actual metals and my goal was to get the antique brass to match the new brushed nickel hardware.
- Attach the hinges
- Hang
- My hardware is on order, so that's another step.
It took 6 days with drying time (let the primer dry overnight) and wrangling two kids but it was so worth it.
How much will this cost you?
- 1 gallon of primer $18
- 2 gallons of clark+kensington $45
- 1 tube of rub n' buff $5
- Misc. supplies (your needs may be different) $50 (foam rollers, TSP, disposable gloves) (if you don't have a GOOD brush, get one, and I'm talking $15-20 for 1. Trust me, it's what you need!)
- Hardware $140
So, about $250
My neighbor just had hers painted and it cost her $900.
And because Ace Hardware helped me out with this project, they'd love to get you started with one of yours. We have a $25 gift card for you.
Details:
- To enter: Let us know what room you'd paint with $25 from Ace Hardware. (We won't hold you to it, promise!)
- Giveaway ends: January 31st, at 11:59 PM EST.
- Who can enter: All U.S. readers!
- Other notes: One comment per person, winner will be selected by random.org and announced as an update on this post by 2/1.
Editor's note: Ace Hardware provided Christina with a $25 gift card to go toward her Clark + Kensington paint purchase with no obligation of a review. The opinions in this post are her own.
