So, we moved into this rockin' 1960's house back in September. The kitchen has had some random updates - Saltillo tile floors, "granite" countertops (achieved with 12" squares of granite), tile backsplash. In some odd kind of way, it all kind of works together. At some point (guessing 6 - 8 years) we will do a full gut and remodel. Truth be told, my husband isn't a "live through a kitchen remodel kind of guy." That said, we are desperate to lighten up the space.

What we are committed to:

1) taking down the cabinets over the peninsula. They drive me crazy. Can't talk to my kids while they're doing homework.

2) painting the cabinets. Lighten them up. I know this may push some of you - the die-hard-knotty-pine-or-die crowd over the edge, and for that I do apologize. I just want/need a different look in the kitchen.

Specifically, I'm looking for feedback from those who have chalk painted cabinets. My husband and I have chalk painted (both with Annie Sloan and our own mix) a half dozen or so pieces of furniture for a cottage at the shore. They have held up great - but they don't get the wear and tear that the kitchen cabinets will.

I haven't chalk painted knotty pine before. Will I need to shellac the knots before I start to prevent bleed through? Shellac all of the cabinets? (that defeats the purpose of "ease of painting" the comes with chalk paint)

As you can see in the picture, we have a wood edge around the granite tiles on the countertop. Is that going to wear/chip easily?

Cleaning/prep first? With the furniture pieces, honestly I just sprayed them down with a little 401 cleaner and dried them off. La-ti-da. But they didn't have 50 years of kitchen crud enhancing their beauty. Deglosser? Alcohol? Blow torch? :>)

I'm thinking I will use General Finishes High Performance Water Based top coat instead of the Annie Sloan wax. Just thinking I need something more durable - and maintenance free - than the wax. Thoughts/feedback?

And lastly - sorry if I offend anyone - I hate the black wrought iron hinges and pulls. Do I chalk paint the hinges and replace pulls, or replace the hinges as well?

Sorry for all the words. Looking forward to input and feedback!

-Susan