Hey all!
I’m getting back to “normal” after travelling like a gypsy for 10 days straight. I’m happy to be home and have been busy catching up on the blogs I read laundry.
I gave you a sneak peek at my painted kitchen island, but am here now to share the finished product. Quite frankly, I was a bit nervous about tackling this project, as painting cabinets is something I would typically leave to the experts. But, I figured painting my kitchen island would be a good testing ground for my skills (or lack thereof), and would help me determine whether I was crazy enough to attempt painting the rest of my kitchen cabinets.
I will do a follow up post/tutorial on the methods behind my madness, but let’s get on with the pictures, shall we?
So, here we go with the Before and After:
I have to tell you, I got a bit of a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I sprayed my first bit of black paint on the cabinet doors, since there was technically nothing wrong with my island. It’s more of an evolution of style (alas, the inspiration behind the name of my blog) and the direction I want to go with my kitchen. I would be lying if I said that the words “What have you done?” didn’t rattle through my brain on more than one occasion.
Admittedly, it’s more distressed in some places than I like, but I can fix that (and deal with it in the meantime). And, I want to get different pulls for the cabinet doors and drawers. Patience, my friends.
But, I will say that this project was a big confidence boost for me in terms of tackling intimidating projects. Is it scary? Yes. Is it rewarding? Definitely.
The best part was when I was looking at it with a critical eye, and my husband came in and said that it looked “really good” and “professional”. I’ll take that.
Linking up to:
Miss Mustard Seed – Furniture Friday
The Shabby Nest – Frugal Friday
Remodelaholic – Remodelaholic’s Anonymous
Dittle Dattle – Amaze Me Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – Tuesday Treasures
Savvy Southern Style – Wow Us Wednesdays
Fingerprints on the Fridge – Feature Yourself Friday
Between Naps on the Porch – Metamorphosis Monday
DIY by Design – Fall into Fall
Somewhat Simple – Strut Your Stuff
Just a Girl – Show and Share Day
Tatertots & Jello – Weekend Wrap-up Party
Thrifty Decor Chick – November Before & After
45 Comments
Katie
October 13, 2011 at 12:30 pmLove your painted island! The black looks so rich with the granite top. Also love the distressing.
Kim {ShopKim on Etsy}
October 13, 2011 at 1:22 pmIt looks wonderful! You did a great job on it.
Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement
October 13, 2011 at 3:24 pmIt does look professionally done! Great job. I really like the way it contrasts, yet coordinates with the other cabinets and your tile floors.
Have a great day.
Pam
Laurie
October 13, 2011 at 3:31 pmYour island turned out beautifully! I think the distressing looks great. I'm sure it was scary when you first started painting. Good job for taking a risk!!!
Passionate for White
October 13, 2011 at 4:28 pmIt screams professional to me as well!
A Vintage Vine
October 13, 2011 at 4:32 pmI really like it, but I knew I would….So you said "spray" did you use a sprayer and which one? Maybe that is in a previous post..I'll go look. You did such a great job on this…..I say go for it!
Connie @ Sensible-Redesign
October 13, 2011 at 4:44 pmIt looks amazing!! love the kitchen
Lisa @ Shine Your Light
October 13, 2011 at 7:39 pmIt looks really great, Jenny. So scary to paint a perfectly good piece but I think the "after" is really custom and I like that it's different from your other cabs. Congrats! And what a sweet husband!!
Sarah, Three Boys
October 14, 2011 at 2:28 amYou rocked it! It looks amazing and really brings a lot of warmth to the space. SCORE!
Anonymous
October 14, 2011 at 4:30 amWow, it looks like a professional job to me. I would really LOVE to hear or see a tutorial on how you eventually fix the "over distressed" areas. I did the same thing on my family room table and am not sure what to do to fix it. Oh please share, pretty please. ;0)
Catherine A.
Crissy @ House of Marlowe
October 14, 2011 at 2:04 pmI think you did a great job! I would NEVER be brave enough to attempt that. Love the mix of wood/painted pieces!
Honey at 2805
October 14, 2011 at 10:21 pmYou did a beautiful job! It's very chic!
I would be delighted if you would like this or one of your other creative projects to Potpourri Friday currently in progress!
Anonymous
October 14, 2011 at 11:15 pmYour island is beautiful. Distressing seems to be a very personal taste and I do like how you've distressed your island. I have seen furniture distressed to the point where it looks as if the piece was tied to a back of a truck and dragged down the street. Your piece is not anything close to this. I look forward to reading your tutorial.
Jules
Kathryn Ferguson Griffin
October 15, 2011 at 10:41 pmLove it! I prefer it much better black than before. Looks great against your other cabinets. Great job!! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Anonymous
October 16, 2011 at 3:53 pmoh Jenny it's gorgeous!!!! I know that feeling but in the end when it looks fabulous you can take a big breath and enjoy!! Happy sunday 🙂
XO
Kristin
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
(sorry, blogger issues)
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here
October 16, 2011 at 4:09 pmJenny, I love it painted black! Great job.
Hugs,
Sherry
Sally
October 17, 2011 at 5:31 amThat looks great! I'm trying to decide if I'm brave enough to paint my kitchen cabinets. I'm your newest follower. I just started a blog called Love of Homes. You can follow me here:
Loveofhomes.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Katie Franck
October 17, 2011 at 2:20 pmI think it looks great!!
debbie~refreshrestyle.com
October 17, 2011 at 6:33 pmI think it looks great! I've seen several pics of black islands and love them and yours! Makes me want to paint mine!
Debbie
High Street Cottage
October 18, 2011 at 12:36 amHi Jenny, I think you did a wonderful job! I honestly dont' think it's too distressed but I know when you are going for a certain look, you want it to feel great and look great.
I had a difficulty with your link over at Kristin's blog, so I searched your blog and got here that way, the photo of the island had me curious, and so glad I stopped by.
Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR
October 18, 2011 at 12:56 amHi Jenny! I just saw your post on Tuesday's Treasures. What a great job you did on this island!! This is just gorgeous!! I am now your newest follower; and I hope you will follow me, too! Blessings to you!!
Maury
October 18, 2011 at 1:26 pmThis is amazing! Great job. It's a huge upgrade! I'm a new follower! I hope you'll follow me back but no pressure 🙂
Pam - diy Design Fanatic
October 19, 2011 at 1:46 amYou did a fantastic job!So glad you took the chance!
Pamela
October 19, 2011 at 1:54 amMy husband would have divorced me if I had painted that. It looks fabulous though!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style
October 19, 2011 at 2:59 amI love the black. When my cabinets were professionally painted because I wouldn't tackle them they used jacobean stain over the sanded edges. You might want to try that instead of painting the black again. Thanks for joining Wow.
mrshinesclass
October 19, 2011 at 6:07 amThe island looks great! I'm glad you did it, not because the cabinets needed it, but because of your newfound confidence. That's always worth it. I look forward to seeing your post on the painting process. Thanks so much for sharing!
Sharon
Hartwood Roses
October 22, 2011 at 10:28 amIt looks like a whole new island! I think your granite looks WAY better on the black than it did on the wood. What were you thinking … thinking of a really great idea, I think. Great job!!
Stacy Curran
October 23, 2011 at 3:03 amYour husband is TOTALLY right…prefect and profession it is. It looks totally perfect….I love it!
Stacy
Carrie @ Dittle Dattle
October 23, 2011 at 11:12 amI have been think about painting my island for a long time. I think I might have the courage to do it now see how beautiful yours turned out! I am crazy about the black and the distressing 😀
Elaine
October 24, 2011 at 1:46 amI think it looks fabulous! Do I dare try painting ALL my cabinets? It's only paint, right?
Really Rainey
October 24, 2011 at 5:23 amYou really did go a good job on your island and it looks professional. I would like to do that too… I think your photos gave me the inspiration!
Have a Great Week!
~Rainey~ @ The Project Table
Jenny @ Simcoe Street
October 24, 2011 at 8:32 amIt looks beautiful! Great job!
Jenny
http://www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
Suzanne
October 25, 2011 at 3:29 amI think it looks awesome! Well done!
Allyson Pecilunas
October 25, 2011 at 6:17 amI love your kitchen island! It turned out fabulous!! I have painted a few pieces black and distressed them as well. I am loving it! My next project is painting a hutch. Anyhow I just found your blog and I am your newest follower. Stop by and check me out if you get a chance.
Noplacelikehomeally.blogspot.com
Erin @ How to Nest for Less
October 25, 2011 at 12:21 pmGreat job Jenny! You're giving me confidence to paint my own kitchen island. Visiting from Uncommon Slice!
Between You and Me
October 30, 2011 at 1:36 amover from MY UNCOMMON SLICE OF SUBURBIA….love what you've done in your kitchen….the island looks fabulous!
I love the parts that you marked as "too distressed."
A Lived in Home
October 30, 2011 at 2:59 amWhat a huge difference!! Great space you have!
Giggles
November 8, 2011 at 11:42 pmWonderful job! Really made things seem current and updated!!
Daffodil Hill
November 19, 2011 at 11:38 amThis looks so great. We moved into our house two years ago, and our bathroom cabinet was "professionally" done. Yours looks exactly like it! I love the contrast with the light and dark cabinets. Beautiful work! You are a pro:-)
Selin Incedayi
January 25, 2012 at 10:01 pmGood job on painting but I personnally like old color much better