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THIS Is Why You NEED to Paint Dated Cupboards!

By Julia Fedak

Home Stager with Platinum Home Designs

July 20, 2008 01:58 PM

I get this hesitation time and time again with my clients

They are nervous about painting their cupboards.

Even if they are dated--the arguement being, the wood is in good condition.

Every situation is different and must be evaluated so.

However, most often than not...it needs to be done.

So don't be afraid...seek out a paint brush and start with the inside door if you are nervous.

Well...pictures speak louder than words.

You decide...the right thing to do?

Master Bedroom Ensuite Bathroom

After

Main Bathroom Before

After

For all of your design, decor, and staging needs, call.....

Julia Fedak, Design Consultant and Home Stager

Platinum Home Staging and Design

"Design for Living, Design for Selling"

c. 289.260.9404

b. 905.561.1916

www.platinumhomestagingdesign.com

Comments(45)

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Reba Haas

Team Reba of RE/MAX Metro Eastside www.TeamReba.com - Bellevue, WA

Team Reba, CDPE

Very nice job in both scenarios. I've found that if you are working with oak you'll typically need an oil based paint since the grain is so heavy.

I get the same hesitance from certain clients but many times they are pleased with the end result.

Jul 22, 2008 09:06 AM

Chris Williams

Creative Staging Solutions LLP - Ponca City, OK

Creative Staging, Solutions HSR Certified Stager -ASHSR

Well done!

Jul 22, 2008 12:40 PM

Julia Fedak

Platinum Home Designs - Burlington, ON

IRIS, CSP

Thank You everyone for the fantastic feedback and support!

Sorry for the delayed response....I'm on holidays.

Cynthia..there are a couple of different ways of painting cabinets...

for vanities...
I TSP it (trisodium phosphate) first to clean it up.

then I lightly sand, prime and paint.

I do not use an oil based for the bathroom cabinets.

For kitchen cupboards, though, I have used the melamine paint for added durability.

Hope this answered your question.

Kathy..Thank you for featuring this post. Greatly appreciated.

thanks once again for all the comments!

Jul 23, 2008 10:37 AM

Tina Parker

Calgary, AB

REALTOR, Associate Broker

Love the transformations! Here's the thing - ever notice women tend to agree and men refuse to paint wood? Personally, I'd give my husband $100 to go play poker while I paint the cupboards.

Jul 23, 2008 11:31 AM

Erin McGinnis

Picture it SOLD! Home Staging - Novato, CA

Marin Home Stager Staging

Hi,

Amazing transformation! It seems like such an antiquated point of view to be against paintng woodwork. It's the same with bricks!

I've never done black on cabinets, but this give me courage! I saw your post about how you did it, but what kind of paint did you use -- semi gloss latex? Or acrylic? Combination of both?? Thanks in advance!

Jul 23, 2008 02:40 PM

Chrissie Sutherland

Ready Set Stage - Greensboro, NC

I love the black. It looks so updated and striking. Great job.

Jul 25, 2008 09:19 AM

Sue Shockley

Setting the Space - Plymouth, MA

It is amazing what paint can do to transform and give new life!

Jul 25, 2008 02:42 PM

Michelle Minch

Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA

Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

Julia: Thank you for posting these before and after photos. I am going to forward the link to this blog to one of my clients. He really needs to see it.

Jul 25, 2008 05:35 PM

Julia Fedak

Platinum Home Designs - Burlington, ON

IRIS, CSP

Thanks for all the feedback!

Since this staging, I have used these photos over and over to convince not only staging clients, but design clients as well, that painting wood (or wood veneer) is a VERY good thing!

Michelle..I hope it has convinced your client to use it. I had a client last week who had wood panelling half way up his bathroom wall that surrounded his bathtub....eeeshhhh...it was just bad. He was skeptical....but now that he painted it...he loves it, and glad he did!

Julia Fedak

Aug 26, 2008 08:39 AM

Jessica Cox

Perfectly Polished Home - Dallas, TX

Dallas Home Staging

Looks great~ love love love paint!

Aug 26, 2008 09:51 AM

Sharon Parisi

United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX

Dallas Homes

The proof is in your photos. Thank you for demonstrating your wisdom! Great ideas!

Aug 27, 2008 02:26 PM

Michelle Pimentel

Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA

ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Julia,

When budget is a factor, a quick and easy update for dated cabinetry is always paint and new hardware. Great transformation! The master bath black has really updated that tired old look. Continued success!

Aug 27, 2008 08:11 PM

Lisa Roy

SPACELiFT HOME STAGING, Greater Vancouver - Vancouver, BC

Thanks Julia for the photos. I showed your photos to this client to convince her that it was ok to paint the cupboard doors. She went for it and it looked great. She was thrilled.

Aug 30, 2008 03:45 AM

Kathi Presutti

RE:STYLE LLC - Brighton, MI

Re:Style, LLC

Wow! i've been considering painting my own cabinets, and now I think I have to! Great post, thanks!

Aug 30, 2008 11:55 AM

Julia Fedak

Platinum Home Designs - Burlington, ON

IRIS, CSP

Great feedback! Thanks!

LISA ...Great job! The bathroom looks fantastic.

In my first home, I was unable to replace the kitchen cupboards. So I primed and painted them, and the countertop.The results were amazing! It was the most cost-effective option at the time, and it lasted for a few years!

Julia Fedak

Sep 03, 2008 02:16 AM

Cindy Bryant

Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX

"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Love the black. I'm so tired of white and wood cabinets. Great idea.

Sep 04, 2008 04:34 PM

Tanya Venable

Orlando, FL

SEO, Mobile SEO, and Internet Marketing Consultant

Julia, Amazing trransformation! A little paint can go a long ways!

Sep 05, 2008 01:19 AM

Sharon Hendrix

Hendrix Interior Design and Staging - Las Vegas, NV

wow they look absolutely beautiful...I just finished a project where the kitchen cabinets were oak, and we wanted to paint or stain them,

but it was a no-go from the client. I wish I had seen these pics to forward to him...I'm interested, what kind of paint was used to get such

a beautiful finish?

Sep 05, 2008 08:35 PM

Julia Fedak

Platinum Home Designs - Burlington, ON

IRIS, CSP

Thanks for all the great comments...I continue to paint, paint, paint! Even awful kitchen backsplash tile that is high gloss and have fruit on it! YES! You CAN paint tile!

The paint used in this situation was Benjamin Moore..semi-gloss in the black and satin for the cream coloured cupboard.

If you are not getting them sprayed, paint them with a sponge roller and sponge brush to avoid brush strokes.

Happy Painting!!!

Oct 02, 2008 12:06 PM

Dean Bergstrom

Bergstrom Realty Inc., Brokerage - Stoney Creek, ON

Broker of Record

It's amazing what small improvements at a low cost can do to transform something old into something new. Well done.

Jan 18, 2010 03:00 AM