Something old, something new, something borrowed, and I’m not blue — Part I

This post is not about wool, not about sheep, not about sewing. But it IS about recycling. Specifically, it’s about recycling our kitchen and its original-to-1984 cabinets.

Here are the BEFORE photos, taken on a snowy February day:

I actually tackled these cabinets once before, about 10 years ago — I stripped and refinished them, repairing a couple chipped panels, and sealed them with polyurethane. They have held up great, seeing our family from grade school through college.

But a few factors got me started thinking about change again:

1. Our almond-colored laminate countertops were showing their age.

2.My husband gave me beautiful white dishes (Crate and Barrel’s Aspen) for Christmas.

3. A Craigslist search produced the island in these photos, filling our previously bare middle space and inspiring me with its butcher block top.

4. I read about Rustoleum’s Cabinet and Countertop Transformation kits.

Hmmm, it doesn’t look all that bad from far away — but I was ready for something different and eager to take advantage of the wonderful light of these south- and west-facing windows. I’ll share our kitchen’s change(s) with you guys bit by bit, the same way that I undertake them: as ideas come and as time permits!  So stay tuned for Part II…

8 thoughts on “Something old, something new, something borrowed, and I’m not blue — Part I

  1. You will love the results…sometimes all it takes to inspire you is “something new” like your Crate and Barrel dishes (which I love, by the way). It takes time to complete so take breaks if you need to! I did mine by myself . Best of luck and congrats on your choice to go green on this project!

    • I’m glad you like it already, Aunt Mary — I haven’t even posted an “After” photo yet! You have a gift for making people feel good about themselves :).

  2. It looks like fun! Having done three kitchens now, Including designing and building my own cabinets I wish you a happy remodel! I look forward to seeing the results.
    Bruce

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