Lol daisychain. I have to admit, I hated that double basin sink so much, it is unfathomable to me how anyone could like it, never mind prefer it! I've been schooled…again!

Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful, and an inspiration to anyone who is contemplating a DIY makeover, Shee! Your colors and lighting choices, appliances, backsplash, new window treatment, have more than updated----they've transformed. I am so impressed that you have even had the time and patience to do all this work while caring for a toddler! You've done a wonderful job creating a kitchen that flows seamlessly into the transitional decor of your home!

I'll say it's dramatic!! Your attention to detail is amazing and it shows. Every element works so well together and creates a harmonious look overall - nothing jarring that makes me want to jump through the computer and tweak! Wonderful job, shee.

Ditto to everything kswl said. You should be very proud of yourself.

Beautiful! It's hard to believe the change made in the cabinets. Your perseverance is admirable!

Looks great! You get 4,000 thumbs up from me for staining your cabinets....they came out beautifully. I tried staining our bedroom furniture a few years ago and just couldn't get the hang of it, it looked terrible so I gave up and just painted It.

You did a super job with everything....love the pendants and the chandy too.

Your kitchen looks beautiful. Congratulations! The lightis are the icing on the cake.

very nice!! it is such a nice feeling to finally have a project complete! I am very impressed that you patched your light hole--- that is one diy task I have tried many times and just cannot perfect! I always can see an obvious smooth spot....!

No kidding about the dramatic transformation! Really lovely, and the beadboard backsplash was a great idea.

Wow.

Wow, indeed. That's amazing.

Hope you are enjoying it! It really is quite a transformation. It is especially impressive that you did all those cabinets by yourself!! The lights are perfect, and make such a difference.

Great job Shee!!!

Well done!!! You did a very professional job. It looks lovely.

Beautiful!!

love it!

Wonderfully finished!

It does not look like the same kitchen. What a transformation. Gorgeous.

Oly, it sure looks like Shee's kitchen in the before. The after is fabulous! Great transformation!

Thank you everyone!
Yes, it’s Shee. I changed my name a while back for a few reasons. I'm still not used to the new one.

Tibb – Oh no, no! If I were putting in a
whole new kitchen I’d still put in a double stainless sink. Was your two sided sink not deep maybe? Mine’s at least 8 or 9 inches and I wouldn’t
like something shallow.

Nosoccer – I used General Finishes Gel Stain in Brown
Mahogany. I removed the doors and did three
thin coats on everything with a foam brush (fronts and backs). I topcoated with General Finishes High
Performance Poly – two coats in Satin and two coats in Flat. The Satin was shockingly shiny. The Flat looks like Satin, IMO.

The counters didn’t change and are solid surface. We removed the splash before adding the bb. Here’s a shot of the counters with the
fabrics. I would love to have light/white counters.

I'm still need to add trim to the roman and finish it. Ugh.

I should post on the kitchen forum with full instructions
and notes. I would have loved to find
something really specific before starting.

I have an L basically with the same amount of cabinets I think as you, but no island (however, am considering having a set installed in wall to basement steps possibly for more storage). Mine were similar in color, but we painted the slab doors white long ago. I am gearing up for reno with new cabs. I KNEW I wanted beautiful rich, dark cabs (not quite as dark as your beauties). Have known this for over a year. Until 2 days ago when I was washing dishes and thought, for a south facing kitchen, it's not as bright in here as one might think. Maybe dark cabs will be too dark in here. :0 (ranch with overhang)

I am so upset, it's one thing I had totally decided on, now I am second guessing and looking at Antique white kitchens, no white. So my question is, did it seem really dark to you? Has it been an adjustment? Did you love it at first site. Please do tell. :)

Beth - I can understand you second guessing yourself. My kitchen is north facing and I was concerned about it feeling like a cave, but I haven't found that to be the case at all. It honestly feels brighter, and I didn't think my kitchen felt like a cave before. I think the wall color has made the difference (BM Shaker Beige). I wouldn't like it with a dark color on the walls as well. Once I got enough depth on the cabinets I did love it. It feels right and like it fits me. The room feels cozy and I really enjoy being it in. I don't think the pictures do a great job of showing this, but don't look painted and aren't opaque. I can to the stain decision because I prefer rich, stained colors for cabinets. I do like painted ones, but they usually have more oomph and special details to them. I also prefer antique white with brown, but can't see it working with the white in my floors and I'd have to repaint all my trim.

I known it's a big decision. I'd go through your inspiration photos and double check what you're most drawn to. What's are your light sources? If you install the rich stained cabinets and you do find it too dark, it may be a pain and somewhat costly depending, but you could always add more lighting or even just change the types of light bulbs or the ceiling fixture itself. Also if you go with stained and it feels cave like and you don't like it you could always paint. I know that sounds crazy to touch new cabinets, but it's easier to paint over stain then the opposite! It could be a plan c, lol. It was a back up plan for me.

That's another thing. We've talked about installing additional can lights and got pricing from a few places. Since the new pendants went up and throw a lot of light, It just seems excessive for us. I really don't know when I would ever use them - even on a dimmer. We always have the under cabinet lights on and there's the can at the sink.

Busybee - I'll admit the patch isn't perfect, but it looks pretty good. Ha, I'm still not going to point it out to anyone. I've been pretty successful patching wall holes, but it was definitely harder to work on something right over your head while standing on an island. I was most concerned about the paint flashing, but it dried fine thankfully.

beth09, I don't want to hijack misformink's thread, but thought you might want to start your own thread asking about others with dark cabinets. We have them and our kitchen is in the center of our home with the only windows in the adjoining Sunroom viewed through an 11.5' doorway between the two rooms.

misformink, thank you SO much for the indepth response. I really do appreaciate it.

While I certainly do appreciate light and airy, I tend to be drawn to dark, warm and cozy more. And yes I would definitely have to have a very light paint. My light sources besides two sets of windows (1 small, 1 med), would be an already existing recessed light in ceiling of one side (which I never use because I don't like overhead lighting at all), a recessed light above my sink, and whatever I would put over kitchen table. Definitely getting UCL which I think I will love. I guess I could do more canned lighting if need be, though not loving that idea.... Funny that it feels brighter, but that is so encouraging, especially in a north facing room.

Well enjoy that gorgeous room, you did really well! And thank you again so much for your thoughts. :)

jgtbm, thank you, had been considering that. Will do!

Yes, please, please post on the kitchen forum!
There are so many threads asking for an alternative to gel stain Java/espresso, so this would be so useful.
It's pretty amazing how your counters look different with the different stain, or is that an"optical illusion"?

I LOVE the transformation and the pendants are calling me.
I only have one question How did my cat get in your kitchen???

It really is a dramatic transformation. You executed it beautifully. One of the very best DIY's I've ever seen.

Beth - You're welcome. I hope you are happy with whatever cabinets you end up choosing!

Nosoccer - It's pretty amazing how your counters look different with the different stain, or is that an"optical illusion"?

No, they really do look that different. I remember holding a dark stained buffet drawer near the original oak cabinets and was quite surprised at the difference it instantly made. I think it really helps that the yellow tone isn't clashing anymore with the pinky brown of the counters and flooring.

Mustangs - Ha! I remember seeing your pretty kitty. My little guy's really starting to show his age. :(

Outside - Wow, thank you.

I'll get a post together with full instructions in the next day or so and get one over on the KF.

What a lovely transformation!

I keep on referring people to this link. Huge demand!!!!

Where did you get your pendants, I think they might suit my new kitchen too!

shee - it looks beautiful! I cannot believe you did that yourself! You go girl!

Thanks everyone!

Nosoccer - I know, I know...I need to post it on kitchens with instructions. I'll try and get to it tonight.

Roseabbey - The pendants are Z Lite Mason 8" pendants in olde bronze. There's another bronze that doesn't have any gold highlights. I bought them from LightingDirect and they matched them to Overstock's price. I had issues with flaws in the shades, but LD was very helpful and sent me new ones - no charge, no hassle.

Side note - I went out shopping the night the pendants were installed and saw these at Lowes. They totally stopped me in my tracks. They're outdoor lights, but I assume you can use them indoors, right? This photo really doesn't do them justice at all and I couldn't find a pic of them in the dark bronze. It's like a reverse hundi. You can't see the bottom detail on here, but it's a straight line with an open circle in the middle. The glass is seeded if I remember right. They were sharp and a much better size for my island and ceilings and the PB Hundi. And while I really like my pendants and don't regret them, as smitten as I was with hundi, I would have bought these without a second thought or asking for opinions if I had seem them prior to asking for help here.

Allen+Roth North Haven light. You can hang them on the wall or with a chain. $79.

hi, would there be any chance you can post a close up picture of one panel door of your cabinets? i've been waffling between using gel stain and rustoleum's cabinet transformation kit and i hear about streaking. i love the overall picture of your transformation and wondered about a close up of one door in good lighting...thanks for considering!!

Tjkyonga - streaking with which one? Both? The gel stain looked streaky to me until I hit three coats. To make the gel stain look good the final look needs to be a good bit darker. It doesn't have to be opaque...but just lightening a tad won't work with the gel stain. I originally was just going to darken them a little. I'll be back with photos later today!

Thanks for being willing to post a close up photo, misformink. I saw some pics on other posts about the gel stain having a streaking look and the people hated it. I guess they didn't do enough. I look forward to seeing your work! The overall kitchen photo makes it look impressively different!

I’ve been hesitant to post a close up because it seems
almost impossible to get the stain to photography accurately. Even the finished photo above I posted looks
much better/different IRL than shown. The richness seems lost.

I’d describe the cabinet color as a dark, rich, brown
cherry. It’s more brown, less yellow/red than I can
get any close up to show. You’ll have to
trust me on this.

Wall color is definitely off here. Ohhhhh I almost hate to post these because it just looks better in person!

This person mentions the same gel stain & color not
photographing well.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2617577/gel-stain-freakout-lots-of-pics

As for streaking, looking at photos or staring at the
cabinets, I can find some streaks. I’m a
perfectionist that tends to over analyze and found myself really checking out
furniture everywhere during this process.
It depends, but I discovered sometimes
stain isn’t completely even throughout the entire piece. I don’t feel like my cabinets look DIY, but I
really wasn’t happy with them until three coats. I was panicking at two thinking I was going
to have to go totally dark to make it look nice and it’s just not what I
envisioned. I do think a perfectionist that isn’t real
confident in their DIY skills, and doesn’t want to go opaque, could potentially
be disappointed with the gel stain. If
you’re looking for a change and have decided you’re going to go forward with
something ….I say go for it and remember it’s much easier to paint over stain.

I also wanted to mention I was concerned the room would
feel like a cave and painting the cabinets was my backup option. The room (north facing) actually feels
brighter than it did before. I’m sure
part of that has to do with the new paint color. I’m not afraid of dark colors, but it would
have been too much with the dark stain.

Another note, we talked about adding additional
can lights, but have decided not to. The
pendant lights each have 100W bulbs and give off a lot of light. We also have the light over the sink and
under cabinet lights. I just can’t see
when we would even use additional cans even on a dimmer

misformink, they look WONDERFUL. thanks so much. i will do gel stain instead of Rustoleum's Cabinet Transformation kit! thanks for helping me make the decision. such a huge decision b/c so much work is involved, times each panel! a million thanks for your detailed explanations throughout the post!!!

You're welcome. Here's one more at night with no flash. The other two were during the day using a bounce flash. Also the wall color above the window is looking accurate to me in this photo.

Excuse my incredibly dirty window.

beautiful! thx :0)

"I topcoated with General Finishes High
Performance Poly – two coats in Satin and two coats in Flat. The Satin was shockingly shiny. The Flat looks like Satin, IMO."
hi again, with not being experienced or familiar with General Finishes' product/procedure, did you need to do the two coats in Satin at all at the end? Maybe you needed to do both and then add the two coats in Flat to get the effect you posted. And what do you mean that Flat looks like Satan (both dull-ish?) What is IMO? thanks!! you're my stain tutor... :0)

Ive seen expensive, custom cabinetry that did not have a finish as good as your DIY, Shee. Those close ups are amazing--- those csbinets are BETTER than professional!

IMO = in my opinion.

Hi!

Tjkyonga - I'll try and answer any question so feel free to ask!

I just realized I didn't post a complete set of directions in this thread. Here's link with full directions and notes. link w/ full directions and details

And what do you mean that Flat looks like Satin (both dull-ish?)

I think the finish of the Flat has a subtle sheen and looks more like a Satin should look. I think the Satin finish looks very shiny and glossy. I can't imagine how shiny their Gel Top Coat in Satin is (reviewers mentioned this was incredibly shiny) since I was told the Satin in HP had much less sheen and I still found it too much. With the cabinets being dark I felt the high sheen was causing the light to catch more with all the grain pattern and made it look busier and cheap. The higher sheen isn't necessarily wrong, the look just wasn't for me.

did you need to do the two coats in Satin at all at the end?

Normally people would pick one finish and just use that. I bought 2 quarts in Satin assuming I would like the finish. I really wasn't sure how much I was going to need, but felt two quarts was a good starting point. Once it got here and I didn't like my test piece, I ordered the Flat ( also ordered 2 quarts at once), tested that, and decided I wanted the Flat (which again I think looks actually Satin) as my final look. I used both because I didn't want to mess with shipping and returning and I didn't want to take a chance with the finish getting cloudy. I've read that even stirring a lot, flatter finishes can sometimes end up looking cloudy when adding many coats. Since the Flat was more shiny I didn't really think it would be an issue. Since I knew I liked the look of two coats of Flat on the back of my test door, I wanted my final two coats to be flat so that was the sheen I would end up with. I was originally planning on a high number of top coats because I wanted protection dang it, but as more layers went on I didn't feel more than 4 was necessary. For the cabinets I felt if something was really going to accidentally gouge it hard, it was going to go through the stain whether there was 4 coats or 7. If this project were a kitchen tabletop that got a lot of direct use I may have done more since the normal wear and tear would be different.

The whole thing was a learning trial and error process that, thankfully, worked out. If I were going to do it again on kitchen cabinets, I'd do it the same. I know when I hit that fourth coat my over analyze kicked in and I started to question if it was looking cloudy. I don't think it does, but I do think it could happen with too many coats of the flat. I wouldn't do more than two final coats in Flat. I guess I can't honestly report accurately how it would look with any other combination of topcoats other than what my experience was.

Rockler does have a decent return policy. In the end I did return a quart of something - I think it was a can of Flat. I would have been able to return a quart of the Satin from the first order, but too much time had passed until I finally looked at their policy.

I feel like I just did a bunch of rambling and I don't know if I helped or made it more confusing. You could always buy a small 1/2 pint of topcoat and test a bunch of layers and see how it goes from there.

Kswl2 - Wow. That's a heck of a compliment, thank you!

Nosoccermom - Thank you!

not viewed as rambling here! the more detailed the better since i don't have experience to go by! again, you have blessed me tremendously to have the tutoring before i make the plunge! if you were to do other cabinets in another room, would you do the 2 coats in Satin and 2 coats in Flat again? and funny, i had a typo and it came through in your reply when you copied it, which gave me a chuckle: "And what do you mean that Flat looks like Satan?" I prefer Jesus, thank you! :0)

I went back and edited my last response a bunch of times so I hopefully you'll see that and the link with directions. I think that will help a lot.

Yes, I think I'd prefer to do it the same way. I had plans to strip and stain a bathroom vanity, but prep work of stripping the paint....ugh, lol. At some point that will happen.

Oops, I totally missed that typo! Yeah, Jesus here too. Fixed it!

Bumping hoping you saw the updates and link.

thank you, again!