Name: Jennifer Izu
Location: Irvine
Time: Actual labor: 8 hours; primer-induced clean-up time: 3 excruciatingly stressful hours
Cost: No more than $400
Jennifer's January Jumpstart literally started off jumpin'...with a can of primer spilled all across her floor. But despite the messy setback, her project resulted in a beautiful finish, nonetheless. Take a look below at her January Jumpstart, from start to finish, with photos of the finished kitchen, tools used, instructions and VOTING below...
MATERIALS & TOOLS
Share the tools used for your project:
We were inspired by the Ralph Lauren guide to aging wall treatment. We used sandpaper, primer, paint, the RL glaze, an assortment of paint brushes and rollers, wood fill, painters tape, and (most fun) green glass knobs. We didn't include in our picture the numerous old bath and beach towels used to clean up the "Great Primer Spill of the Century".
BEFORE
Share step by step instructions for how you completed the project:
- Remove hardware, pulls and hinges from cabinetry.
- Number and sand all surfaces.
- Prime (don't leave the full can of primer on top of the fridge...), and paint all surfaces, allowing 24 hours to set between applications.
- With one person applying the glaze, another person follows with a rag, wiping off excess glaze, and letting it settle in the corners and mouldings.
- Add a pretty variety of antique glass knobs from our favorite store, Anthropologie. Voila!
FINISHED
Damn, girl, I want you to come do my kitchen, minus the primer spill, of course! Nice job!
view ladybug5's profile
I'm impressed! Nice job
view Laura's profile
I painted my kitchen 3 years ago and I am still scarred. I have my money saved for the painter when I decide to change the color.
view luvdecor's profile
Omigod, you poor thing--I think I would have thrown myself out the window. You look remarkably cheerful in the PrimerExxonValdez picture.
view Jenny in DC's profile
I've tried to do this and did a craptastic job. Yours looks beautiful!
view omamia's profile
For a second there, I thought you had a great Marshmallow Man explosion! Really, it kind of looks like marshmallows.
The finished product looks good - the new hardware is fun!
view bumblebeechicago's profile
That's a fab improvement over those builder's oak cabinets. Now it looks lovely and custom.
view LBhirise's profile
soooo cute...I lOVE the painted wood, so much better!!Somehow actually feels more modern!!
I used to be a painter and did the whole 'spill a can' thing a few times (oops is right!!); thats a great pic of you, should frame it and hang in the new kitchen!!!
view bgball's profile
bonus points for the spilled primer! i wish there was a detail picture of the cabinets...
view meredith's profile
Fantabulous after pic. I love the color and I agree with bgball it looks more modern, despite the "aging" technique you used. I love it!
view aspw's profile
I feel you. My planned January jumpstart was derailed when my cat escaped the safe bedroom and jumped onto the freshly primed kitchen counters....
This looks great!
view Cassis's profile
This may not be my personal style, but it does look great. A massive imrovement.
view Garrett's profile
Without question, one of the more ambitious Jumpstart projects, even without the spill!
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
the only thing she forgot ... what was the paint color? and what glaze? clear?
view Joan Vignocchi's profile
great job!
view AndreaU's profile
i like it! great job!
view Lizzykewl's profile
I think the Great Primer Spill of the Century might beat my Great Sander Episode of 2008 for my non-submitted January Jumpstart project. (Used power sander inside--dust everywhere--hours of cleaning). Looks fantastic! I wish my parents would take this as inspiration and paint their peeling cabinets!
view Christine (the one in DC)'s profile
ahahha, thats great. Both, the messy picture and the end-result.
view Rob @ I Love Substance's profile
Love it love it absolutely love it!
view artbyash's profile
I have painted kitchen cabinets too but I have mostly succeeded in blocking out the memory. Fantastic job! Give us details of the materials used and a close-up shot of the results!
view lookingupatleaves's profile
The primer spillage reminds me of the time that a couple of squirrels got into my parents house and knocked over some extra cans of paint which were hanging around in the basement. The aftermath was pretty funny.
Fortunately, a couple of live traps later two rather strangely coloured squirrels were released elsewhere. The basement remains mottled.
Your kitchen looks great.
view sciencegeek's profile
Cheerful attitude in the face of adversity = cheerful warm kitchen. Coincidence? I think not :-)
view KarenH's profile
bravo!
view SD913's profile
You've definitely moved my opinion on painting wood toward the positive. That kitchen looks spectacular.
view John H's profile
I think you get the Miss Congeniality award for keeping your sense of humor in the face of great adversity. I have very similar oak cabinets and seeing your after photos is giving me ideas.
view Aldyth's profile
That's awesome. I just painted my closet...no spills but I did an awful job. At least it's just a closet...
view Aggie927's profile
Wow! Great Job! I think my current cabinets are the same color as your "old" cabinets...I'm inspired! Oh and I love the green knobs!!!
view absurdlittlebird's profile
Jennifer, this is wonderful. I have similar cabinets and have been wanting to paint them for months, but too afraid to start. Thanks for showing it can be done, and done well! Did you paint the inside of your cabinets? Sanded by hand or machine? Kilz for primer coat?
view viviennelee's profile
Wow, thanks for the great feedback! It is nice to know that I'm not the only one that has had some major DIY obstacles to overcome. Squirrels?? What a great story!
For those of you who asked, I'll give 'ya all the paint/primer/closeup details you would like. As soon as I get my kids off to bed. My best advice is GO FOR IT! It wasn't nearly as daunting as it seemed (which was why I waited 8 years to try).
Oh, and to give my awesome little sister Ashley some overdue credit, she was a real trooper to see me through the project. She's still finding primer in undisclosed physical locations. She's the "marshmallowman" pictured.
view jenizu's profile
That spilled paint reminds me of a picture that was floating around the internet a while ago:
http://www.neatorama.com/2006/07/07/kids-and-an-open-can-of-paint-what-could-go-wrong/
It turned out that the picture was Photoshopped -- hmmm?
view Dani's profile