Basic kitchen facelift

We want to do a basic kitchen upgrade in our apartment – mainly paint the kitchen cabinets white and install a subway tile backsplash. Any recommendations on someone who could do this for a reasonable price? We’ve considered doing it ourselves but I worry that it might be too big an undertaking for a novice. Has anyone on the forum done this themselves by chance? If so, I’d love to hear about it. Pictures below.

Greene44

in Renovation 11 years and 8 months ago

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newhome | 11 years and 8 months ago

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Hi LivingGreen, I’m sorry my reply is not about cabinets, but actually is more of a response to your quest to find a place. Congratulations on finding a place! I read your Ridgewood query and some others you’ve written, and it sounds as if you were in a similar conundrum as we’re in now. We’ve been living in Fort Greene for 13 years and love it, but have been looking to buy a place in Bed Stuy (since 2011!). As prices soared overnight, it’s looking like we’re priced out of that idea now. So we’re venturing out. Did you end up in Ridgewood? Would love to know where you landed and what neighborhood/s you might’ve discovered along the way. It’s nice to know you found a place and that it’s possible. Would love to hear from you. Thanks so much! And feel free to email me offline: kdispaltro@gmail.com Best, Kristin

rh | 11 years and 8 months ago

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It’s really not as big a project as you might think. I’ve done this on a few renovations now and they have really held up over the years. I usually do an effect such as distressing or antiquing so it’s not just straight paint. Here’s the thing… Sand cabinets down. Prime with oil or shellac based primer. Paint about 3 thin coats. Do your effect if you wish. Seal with poly. If you start with oil primer, you should stick to oil throughout the entire application. Shellac base does the job and then you can use latex. Keep in mind that oil poly will yellow, so if you go with a lighter color, water based is your best bet.

mruby36 | 11 years and 8 months ago

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I am no expert on painting cabinets, that said; I have never seen it done well, it generally looks like, painted cabinets… If the doors are taken off, sanded and sprayed in a controlled booth environment maybe. Done right, this would not be inexpensive. Have you priced replacing just the doors? That or maybe leave the cabinets as they are and accent or perk it up in other ways? The counter tops might be a good place to start. Light color solid surface would really change the look and feel. And at the perimeter, maybe a crown molding, with the walls and trim in complimentary colors. Add to that the tile backsplash and you might end up with something pretty nice without getting a second mortgage. Just a thought. As for recommending someone, well you could speak with me if you like:) BTW, did you ever do those bookshelves? I just completed some in Pk Slope similar to what you previously were considering. I can get a few pictures at some point if you’re interested. Thanks and hope this helps! Matt R www.nyc-hs.com

lino | 11 years and 8 months ago

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Greene44 | 11 years and 8 months ago

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