Persuade my husband to paint oak cabinets!

14 years ago

I have a 1980's orange-ish oak cabinets that I am dying to paint white. They are high quality and still in good shape. My husband doesn't like the look of painted oak because the grain shows. I don't care about the grain showing. I want an updated, brighter kitchen (it faces north). For 15 years we've had this same argument. I do all of the cooking and cleaning. I'd paint them myself while he is out of town (as friends have suggested), but health issues prevent that. The saying, "Happy wife; happy life" isn't getting through to him. Help! I need some good sound advice that he can read.

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Mint Design

14 years ago

Are they sealed? If so consider stripping and whitewashing....or washing in any other color. If not, simply clean and whitewash. It will get rid of the orange which is what I gather bothers you, retain the grain but not in a way that is any different than what you have now. There are pre-treatments that say they get rid of the grain when you paint, but I have not used any and have a hard time buying that.....How about "if Mama ain't happy, nobody's happy?" Hope these photos help! :)

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Comments (6)

lefty47
14 years ago
HI -- Tell your husband that they are very out of date and the wood it still there . There comes a time when things need to be updated , walls painted , drapes changed , new appliances and so on . The era of oak has been gone for awhile now. IT"S ONLY PAINT. Don't discuss just do. Have some quotes done on having them done , less work for you and the finish will last.
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vjs12
14 years ago
I would sand them lightly and put a gell stain in a darker color. It will look rich and cozy. Painting oak cabinets white really cheapens them. Oak cabinets will be back in style; as most things do come back eventually. I have honey oak cabinets and plan on keeping them. Good luck (post some pictures).
lrhome
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
One designer told to me that all men like wood, and most women want white. I am updating my kitchen and I struggled with this for a long time. I really wanted to like the wood look but I just can't bring myself to do that. Finally my husband realized that it is very important that I am happy with the kitchen. He said I can do what ever makes me happy. I will most likely choose white.
sharleeg
14 years ago
use those products that help disguise the oak grain but yes, please paint! No more orange cabinets!!!Oak is very outdated. I cringe when I see it. i ran into someone recently who actually choose oak for their cabs recently!!! My jaw fell to the floor. they juts did not get it!Cream is good choice and with new hardware will look like you have new cabs!
sharleeg
14 years ago
Benjamin Moore has the product. Just ask at the paint store! ( Cabicote??? I forgot what it is called)I have not used it personally, but actually read posts on this site that you can really not see the grain at all after this application.