prospectparkgirl's Profile
Author's Posts
April 12, 2008
A lot of work to paint kitchen cabinets?
Is painting wooden kitchen cabinets a doable DIY project for a beginner?
I have 16 cabinet doors and 2 drawers of varnished maple, in good condition, that I want to paint white. There are plenty of instructions online for this kind of thing, I just wondered if it is realistic project for someone who has not done it before, in a small house.
Because it's a process that takes a few days, I think I would have to do it 4 at a time (the basement is the only place I could leave them to dry away from cats and kids). Would that make it interminable?!
Any comments or other tips from people who have stripped and painted cabinets would be appreciated.
Thanks!
January 27, 2008
Where to buy freestanding cabinets for kitchen?
Where do I find a piece like the one shown in the picture?
Instead of putting in built-in cabinets along one wall of my kitchen, I want to put in a sideboard type piece, which is big enough to store dishes and plates, has drawers for utensils, and is high enough to use as a kitchen counter (36 inches). Where do I find such a critter? I have looked and looked online, and this is the only piece I've been able to find. (I like it, but prefer to see it in person first.)
Thank you.
January 21, 2008
Replacing a wired doorbell
My wired doorbell makes a nice ding-dong sound on the first floor, and also activates a nasty buzzer on the third floor that makes us jump out of our skin. The buzzer is surface mounted (although has been painted over many a time, so is seriously stuck to the wall). Is replacing the buzzer with a nicer sounded chime something that I can do myself, or do I need to call in an electrician?
I know that they make wireless "add-a-bells," but I still would have to disconnect the buzzer somehow anyway.
Many thanks!
Author's Comments
Thank you for all the great ideas and leads.
The photo posted above is from
www.katemadison.com
Posted by: prospectparkgirl at January 28, 2008 7:21 PM in response to Where to buy freestanding cabinets for kitchen?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
You can try Trailerpark in parkslope. They have similar pieces and are also willing to customize.
Good Luck.
Posted by: guest at January 29, 2008 9:30 AM in response to Where to buy freestanding cabinets for kitchen?
Kitchen cabinets can be complex to paint because of surface grim (grease) from being in the kitchen. Thorough cleaning and surface preparation is key.
I painted cabinets once upon a time and would not do it again. I was dissatisfied with the final finish after an incredible amount of work. If you want a project and also to limit costs I suggest you paint the cabinets and take your doors and drawers to a professional finisher who had the equipment and skills to give a perfect finish.
Just my .02 on this topic.
Posted by: guest at April 12, 2008 3:29 PM in response to A lot of work to paint kitchen cabinets?
Painting is the easy part. The sanding sucks. But here are a few tips...get yourself a palm sander for the flat areas. Use a saw horse to save your back and knees.
I did a DIY post a while back...
http://reclaimedhome.com/2007/10/02/diy-repainting-cabinets/
Posted by: rh at April 12, 2008 5:12 PM in response to A lot of work to paint kitchen cabinets?
You actually could do them half-painted. There are high-end cabinets made that way and it's fashionable now to have mixed surfaces and colors on kitchen cabinets. You could remove, sand and paint just the doors white and leave the boxes the woodstained finish. It would have a mid-century or 60's modern look. Then change the knobs and pulls to something chic and modern. Simply changing the knobs does a lot towards making a kitchen look better.
Posted by: guest at April 12, 2008 6:17 PM in response to A lot of work to paint kitchen cabinets?
You actually could do them half-painted. There are high-end cabinets made that way and it's fashionable now to have mixed surfaces and colors on kitchen cabinets. You could remove, sand and paint just the doors white and leave the boxes the woodstained finish. It would have a mid-century or 60's modern look. Then change the knobs and pulls to something chic and modern. Simply changing the knobs does a lot towards making a kitchen look better.
Posted by: guest at April 12, 2008 6:18 PM in response to A lot of work to paint kitchen cabinets?
You can try using Cabinet Coat by Insul X:
http://www.insl-x.com/viewProd.asp?prodID=180
I haven't tried it, but people have reported having great luck with it, especially on the gardenweb forums
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 9:49 PM in response to A lot of work to paint kitchen cabinets?
Thanks, those are wise comments. I can't afford to hire someone to do it, so it's just to decide whether I can do it well. Can't have them only half painted, or with lots of cat hairs dried onto them! :)
Posted by: prospectparkgirl at April 12, 2008 3:00 PM in response to A lot of work to paint kitchen cabinets?