A few weeks ago, our kitchen stood at a pivotal point in its journey towards a brighter future. Following the successful transformation of our painted brick fireplace, the kitchen presented a canvas ripe for change, initially looking like this:
Our initial step involved a significant structural change. To prepare for a future extra-wide doorway that will seamlessly connect the kitchen to our dining room, we removed the built-in desk and its accompanying upper cabinet. This strategic removal not only cleared the way for the doorway but also simplified the wall for painting. After applying a first coat of primer, which, to our dismay, offered minimal coverage against the dark paneling, the kitchen transitioned to this state:
The priming process proved to be a formidable challenge. The stubborn wood paneling resisted our efforts, leading to maddening bleed-through issues. What we anticipated as a straightforward task escalated into a two-day marathon of applying coat after coat of three different types of primer. It was a true test of patience and persistence, a battle we extensively documented here. Finally, we achieved the perfect, opaque base:
And now, after meticulous effort, the heart of our home shines with a fresh, inviting hue. While these photos might lean a bit more yellow, in person, the color boasts a lovely greener undertone, radiating a distinct warmth.
Embracing “Grellow”: Our Chosen Color Palette
Our chosen shade is a captivating warm golden-green, affectionately dubbed “grellow.” It’s a sophisticated blend, reminiscent of the earthy yet vibrant color found in the heart of an artichoke. This unique tone brings both character and an unexpected freshness to the space, truly transforming its ambiance.
While there are still many elements to address in this ongoing kitchen makeover, we are incredibly relieved and proud to have conquered the daunting task of priming and painting the paneling. To give you a taste of our journey, here’s a fun time-lapse video that compresses days of hard work into just three short minutes. It’s quite ironic, considering the extensive time and effort it took us in reality! You can watch it below or on YouTube.
Deep Dive into Our Paint Choice: Benjamin Moore Sesame 381
The selection of the perfect paint color for our kitchen was not a hasty decision. After considerable debate and thorough consideration of the adjoining rooms that flow into the kitchen, we finally settled on our new favorite shade: Sesame 381 by Benjamin Moore. We had this exquisite color custom-matched to an Olympic No-VOC paint in a semi-gloss finish, ensuring both beauty and environmental consciousness.
Our inspiration for this distinctive hue stemmed partly from a stunning kitchen we discovered via Pinterest. That image perfectly captured the bright, inviting feel we envision, especially since our existing cabinets will eventually be painted white, possibly along with an updated backsplash.
We deliberately chose this warm yellow-green color for several compelling reasons. Our kitchen lacks direct windows to the outside world, with only one looking into our sunroom, making it notoriously dark before this renovation. Our primary goal was to infuse the space with brightness and a sense of happiness. Furthermore, we knew the room could elegantly carry a decent amount of color because:
- When we introduce the extra-wide doorway to the dining room, directly across from the fireplace, very few long stretches of wall will remain. This means the color will appear in inviting slivers, preventing it from feeling overwhelming or too intense.
- A subsequent phase of our kitchen makeover will involve painting the cabinets a glossy white and simplifying the backsplash. These lighter elements will act as a beautiful counterpoint, further tempering and balancing the vibrancy of the wall color.
- Eventually, we plan to replace our currently too-small kitchen table with a custom island. This island will feature a different countertop and likely a non-white base, adding intriguing layers and visual interest to the space, breaking up any potential monotony.
- The kitchen sits centrally, surrounded by rooms with soft gray walls – the dining room, hallway, and living room. We deliberately sought to create a cheerful, distinct personality for this central hub, allowing it to stand out with its vibrant warmth amidst the calming grays.
Our Swatch-Selecting Strategy & Key Decisions
When it came to selecting the perfect swatch, our technique was simple yet effective: we hung up numerous contenders and observed them throughout various times of day. This allowed us to gauge how the natural light influenced each shade and helped us confidently narrow down our options. Ultimately, we chose this specific golden-green tone for several strategic reasons:
- This golden-green tone beautifully complements the existing chartreuse curtain tones in our dining room and the cheerful green in our shaggy living room rug. The beauty lies in its harmony without being overly “matchy-matchy” – we intentionally avoided an identical green tone throughout the house to prevent an overly orchestrated feel.
- While a warm yellow kitchen is a timeless and classic choice, this particular color feels decidedly modern and crisp due to its subtle green undertones. It also surprisingly works quite well with our current oak cabinetry, which will remain for a little while longer, proving its versatility.
- A playful yet significant detail: this very tone is present in Sue the Napkin – albeit a touch darker. This connection was a reassuring sign that it would seamlessly integrate into our entire home’s evolving color palette.
- Crucially, unlike some of the softer greens and gentler green-gold tones we considered, this vibrant shade truly makes the white trim pop. Lighter swatches failed to achieve the same crisp and defined effect when juxtaposed against the fireplace or the other white trim elements in the room.
Here’s a glimpse of the first coat of paint going up around the fireplace, a testament to all that diligent primer prep – the coverage was truly exceptional. Again, these photos tend to emphasize the yellow notes more than the green, but you can distinctly see how the crisp white trim stands out and how this vibrant hue transformed a previously dark, brown-dominated space into a sunny and bright focal point in the heart of our home.
Beyond Paint: Small Changes, Big Impact
While the paint itself made a monumental difference, we also recognized it was the perfect opportunity to address some smaller, yet impactful, details. It was high time to replace all the existing “bisque” colored vents, electrical outlets, and light switches, which felt dated against the fresh walls.
We procured a selection of crisp white replacements from Lowe’s. The process was straightforward: after safely turning off the power, we carefully removed the old fixtures, connected the new wiring in the same configuration, attached the outer switchplates, and restored power. This entire switch swap took approximately twenty minutes, yielding a dramatically cleaner and more modern aesthetic:
Some homeowners prefer to paint their vent covers to help them blend seamlessly with the walls. For now, however, we are genuinely thrilled with the crisp, new white appearance. Having been accustomed to old, drippy, paint-splattered covers, these clean, paint-free versions feel like a true luxury. We’ll certainly keep you updated if we decide to apply a few thin, non-drippy coats of paint to integrate those vents more fully in the future.
Fireplace Evolution: A Complete Transformation
It’s incredibly satisfying to reflect on the transformation of our fireplace, which originally presented a vastly different picture. It started its journey looking like this:
Our initial steps involved a significant overhaul: we removed the old, unused wood stove and proceeded to paint the brick, instantly modernizing its appearance. This phase dramatically altered its look to this:
It’s truly astonishing how much more the newly painted paneling has brightened and refreshed the entire area, creating an even more cohesive and inviting atmosphere:
We are particularly fond of how elements like the clean white frames and the elegant round mirror positioned above the fireplace effortlessly integrate with the glossy white trim and ceiling beams, creating a layered and sophisticated aesthetic.
Even Burger, our discerning furry friend, seems to approve of the transformation – he certainly knows how to make an entrance on this newly refreshed stage!
Adding Life: A Touch of Hydrangeas
Oh, and notice those beautiful pink hydrangeas? While I’d love to claim credit for growing them, they are a delightful store-bought addition. We felt that celebrating all the intensive priming and painting warranted a soft, sweet touch. These charming little pink snowball-looking blossoms instantly won us over (the vase, by the way, is a cherished old find from Target).
Looking Ahead: The Future Dining Room Connection
Regarding the planned opening to the dining room, here’s where it will eventually be located. This new, wider doorway will be strategically aligned with the dining room window on the opposing side, ensuring perfect symmetry and balance in the layout.
We’ve since learned that knocking out such a significant portion of a load-bearing wall will require a permit, meaning this exciting project won’t be a quick undertaking. We will undoubtedly be enlisting the help of experienced professionals for this complex structural work. However, we eagerly anticipate tackling it as soon as we navigate the permit process and secure the right expert for the job.
The Power of Before & After: Our Kitchen’s Incredible Journey
Now, for my absolute favorite part: the before & after comparisons! Here’s how our kitchen appeared on moving day, roughly six months ago, still in its original, untouched state:
And here it stands today, revitalized and bright! Of course, we’re still dreaming of the day we add that island, paint those cabinets, and upgrade the flooring and appliances, but the progress is undeniable:
Another look at moving day (yes, one of the lights was out, adding to the general gloom):
And its current, cheerful incarnation:
The most remarkable aspect is that these photos were taken around the same time of day. This starkly demonstrates just how much lighter, more open, and undeniably cheerful the space now feels, with the oppressive dark paneling relegated to a distant memory. The impact of paint on a room’s atmosphere is truly profound!
Budget Breakdown: Investing in Our Dream Kitchen
Here’s a transparent look at the costs associated with this phase of our kitchen transformation:
- Olympic Premium No-VOC primer from Lowe’s: $12 (Our initial attempt at priming.)
- Behr 2-in-1 Primer + Paint (in semi-gloss white): already owned (Used sparingly for touch-ups or specific areas.)
- Kilz Clean Start No-VOC Primer from Home Depot: $20 (The hero primer that finally conquered the bleed-through!)
- Olympic No-VOC paint (in Sesame by Benjamin Moore) from Lowe’s: $22 (The beautiful topcoat for our walls.)
- New vent and outlet covers from Lowe’s: $43 (A small upgrade with a huge visual impact.)
- Brushes/rollers/tape/paint tray: already owned (Utilizing existing supplies helped keep costs down.)
- Total: $97
Phased Renovation & Future Aspirations
So, there you have it: the kitchen makeover madness has officially commenced! As we previously mentioned here, we are absolutely committed to tackling this renovation in phases. This allows us to diligently save our pennies and undertake projects as our budget permits, ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable process. This journey promises to be a tremendous amount of fun – certainly more enjoyable than a barrel of monkeys, and unequivocally more fun than priming that paneling five hundred times!
Do any of you have grand, long-term kitchen plans similar to ours? Perhaps painting cabinets, adding an island, upgrading flooring, or revamping overhead lighting? (We are definitely in need of some lighting upgrades ourselves!) The possibilities for transforming a kitchen truly are endless, and we’re excited to continue sharing our progress and hearing about yours.
Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.