Redecorating a kitchen

[DragonLady]

My lovely, fantastical Darling Husband has given me permission to redecorate our kitchen!  This is a big deal for me...he likes our kitchen; and I hate it.  I've promised to do it as thriftily as possible, and to make sure we can both live with it.

So...first, I have to clean everything and make a few repairs.  No point in putting fresh paint down on stuff that really needs refurbished or fixed, right?  Then...well, I have figure out what to do next.

On three walls we have an ugly wallpaper -predominatly green- that's still in good condition.  I plan to simply paint over it, as I know the walls underneath are cheap plywood, and the paper goes under and around some of the moldings in there...a real PITA to try to remove. I assume I'll need to put a coat of KILZ on it first?  Or can I just paint over it the way it is? 

The last wall is 70's-style wood paneling -the cheap veneered kind with the vertical grooves.  I'm hoping to fill in the grooves with spackle, then paint over them.  Does anyone know if that will work? 

Sadly, we have carpet in the kitchen (one of the single stupidest ideas, ever).  It's a nasty dark green color, made worse by all the years of stains and flood damage and mud and pet hair and such.  I hope to pull it up, and put down something else...anything else.  I don't like vinyl flooring much, but it has to be better than the carpet.  Has anyone done this?  I don't know what to expect, or how exactly to proceed.

And finally...I get to choose paint and new curtains and such.  So...I'm looking for ideas and any tips any one has.  I've never done this before, so I'm both excited and scared.  I don't want to mess it up.

Anyway...I posted some questions on a couple of DYI boards, but never got any responses. I want to know exactly what needs done, so I can make a reasonable plan for how to do it.

Also...I'm on a really limited budget.  I promised to stretch it out -one step at a time- so it wouldn't kill our bank account. Another reason for a solid plan, so I'll know exactly what I need, and can pick up any bargains or sales if they come along.

[Zazzy]

Paint is surely the most cost effective way of changing the look of a place.  So many choices!  I don't know that you need kilz - I doubt the paper will stain through, but I'm going to guess you'll need to prime it at least for better coverage.  I'm not sure the spackle will work on the paneling.  I'd afraid it'll chip off.

A thought - if you like the rustic look that was popular a few years ago you could pickle the paneling.  Make it look like the old painted bead boards you find in some older homes? Do a country theme. 

[DragonLady]

A thought - if you like the rustic look that was popular a few years ago you could pickle the paneling.  Make it look like the old painted bead boards you find in some older homes? Do a country theme. 

I was just looking at something like that...but it may take skills I don't have?  They say these "faux finishes" are easy...but, maybe not easy enough for a complete newbie like me?

[Zazzy]

You are talented and creative, I'm betting you can handle it.  I found a nice source for DIY help - I don't know whether it's the one that's part of the DIY channel - it doesn't appear to be, their website is less helpful.

http://www.diyonline.com/servlet/GIB_BaseT/diylib_article.html?session.docid=1465

[DragonLady]

Thanks!  I saved the whole page.  I guess I'm just going to collect a bunch of ideas, then DH and I can go through them and find something we both like that's within our abilities. 

[DragonLady]

I like the "Tuscan" faux finishes!  They're subtle enough to live with, but interesting enough to be really different and appealing.

And, I found the coolest cabinet hardware...they're little knives and forks and spoons.  No drawer pulls, though...I'll have to find something that will look good with them.

This might turn out to be fun. 

[Zazzy]

Oh that sounds so cool!  I love the custom hardware - it can really make the place!

[DragonLady]

Here are the handles I'm looking at:  http://wwhardware.com/catalog.cfm/GroupID/Cabinet%20Knobs%2C%20Pulls%20%26%20Handles/CatID/Amerock%26%230174%3B%20Accent%27z%20Cabinet%20Knobs%2C%20Pulls%20%26%20Handles/SubCatID/Utensil%27Z 

They're a bit pricey; especially considering I need nineteen of them, plus new hinges and drawer pulls that will coordinate.  But, I really like them, and I think I can save money on other stuff to make it worthwhile.

I just hope they don't discontinue them before I have a chance to buy them. 

[Zazzy]

I like the veggie'z drawer pulls.  It's kinda a theme... 

[DragonLady]

Well, I've learned more about kitchen remodelling and redecorating than I ever wanted to know.  And the more I read and see, the more unhappy I am with what I have. 

Suddenly, I want a new sink, with new faucets.  And I want to replace the carpet with nice tile and the panelling with drywall.  Oh, and I want to rip out the existing light fixtures and put in new ones.  Right after the new appliances....

I think I better stop reading about doing it; and just jump in and start doing it.

On the plus side, I do think I know now what needs to be done, and the very basics of doing it. 

Now, how do I convince DH that I really, really want a tropical theme in our kitchen?  I have a feeling he's not going to be very receptive to the idea...but I think it would look great -all bright and cheery.  But I just don't think he'll like the colors of mangoes and pineapples and such.

He's more of a "nice beige with subdued trim" kinda guy.... He's a minimalist and doesn't like flashy stuff much.

Maybe I should pitch it as "sunset colors" or something?   

[Zazzy]

Who uses the kitchen most?  I think I tend to be a minimalist but then I see some of the very cool things people have done and I say, "WOW!"  I saw one kitchen with these dark red walls..... it was so cool.  Very intense.

[DragonLady]

We both use the kitchen about equally...well, he isn't home very much, but when he is he cooks. 

I painted a mock-up to show him what I had in mind, but he nixed it.  He wants something more subtle and less "girlie". 

And since this whole project is based on the promise we'll both be able to live with it, I really do have to find something we both like.

[Betsyv]

DL: did you start yet? I must confess I don't check in here very often.

My lovely, fantastical, darling husband offers the following tips:

If your wallpaper is actual paper (read "old") then it will take the paint fine. If it is vinyl or vinyl-coated (from the 70's), the paint may not stick, but it may peel off reasonably easily. Test some paint on the paper and see if it sticks before you commit. Depending on how dark it is, you may need KILZ or a primer coat under the paint color.

The spackle in the grooves and paint will work fine on the panelling. You probably will need KILZ on this under the paint. DH actually recommends drywall compound over the spackle-brand stuff, which isn't really meant for large surface areas. The compound will have to be sanded down. This makes a big mess, by the way, dust masks mandatory.

On the floor, he actually suggests putting down a pre-finished floating floor like a Pergo product (non-wood). The material is actually similar to formica, so will stand up to kitchen use and be more attractive than vinyl. One thing you should be prepared to face: a bad subfloor. I recommend against ceramic or other hard tile flooring in the kitchen. It is critical the floor be perfectly level under ceramic or vinyl tile and that can be a horrendous project. Also: It is very tiring to stand on for any length of time, and it is really cold in the winter.

You don't mention the color or tone of your cabinets and countertop. Personally, I go for a light, neutral color on the walls. The look can thus be easily changed by simply hanging different tea towels on the oven handle or changing the curtains for different seasons. I wouldn't put too much work or worry or money into the curtains. They must be washable - being in the kitchen, they will get dirty just by hanging there.

I'll have to check back on your progress,

BetsyV

[DragonLady]

DL: did you start yet? I must confess I don't check in here very often.

Not really.  I started scrubbing and de-greasing all the cabinets and such.  And I had DH bring me a couple quarts of paint stripper so I can start on the cabinet doors.  I hope I can just strip them in the areas that are worn and bubbled.  Either way, I haven't started yet -it's just been too hot.   


Thanks for the advice about the drywall compound.  I'll look at it next time I get a chance.   

[Eve]

Being new today I know I'm really behind the times.  Did you finish your kitchen? One of my favorite passtimes is watching makeover shows on TV.  So, naturally, I'd like details of your transformation. 

[DragonLady]

Welcome, Eve.  Sadly, I have not.  I had a series of breakdowns along the way -including disagreements with DH about which direction to go, the discovery that some of our wiring will need to be rewired ($$$), and a dental emergency that sucked up my available cash.  But, we're slowly getting back on track, and I hope to start accomplishing more soon. 

I think it will be nice in the end; but we want to take it one step at a time & do it right, so we don't have to rip anything out for repairs later or decide halfway through that we should've done something differently.

It will get there.  Eventually. 

[Eve]

Life does keep getting in the way of what we want to do.  If you're still interested in using the flatware-looking hardware - have you considered using actual flatware?  I've seen this on a couple of the makeover shows.  You get inexpensive flatware at garage sales or thrift stores, drill holes in the bowl of the spoon (or near the tynes on a fork) and in the handle for the screws, then do a bit of shaping so it makes a handle.  Use decorative screws to attach to cabinets.  I think you can even make this work as a drawer pull by curling the handle and attaching with one screw so it looks like a little knob.  Just a thought.  I hope your troubles are behind you so you can get back to the fun stuff.

[Eve]

You might try sanding the cabinets rather than using the stripper.  Sometimes this is easier and less messy.  Especially if you have an electric sander.