kitchen cabinets uplighting

8 Ways to Bring Your Kitchen Cabinets to Life

kitchen cabinets uplighting

Is your kitchen bland and uninspired? Do you want to update the look of your kitchen quickly and without a major renovation?

Well, you’re in luck! There are a variety of simple ways to improve the look and feel of any kitchen space without breaking the bank with a full redesign. Choose from one or several of the methods below, to create a unique space that’s functional — and beautiful.

Download our free kitchen planning guide.

Here are a few suggestions to help you bring your kitchen cabinets to life!

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How to Apply Chalkboard Paint: A Rookie Guide

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Chalkboard paint is gaining popularity due to its eccentric yet practical traits.  Who doesn’t love the idea of writing a quick note on the walls without ruining them?  Kids love it because they can go crazy drawing and doodling indoors, and adults love it because it helps them create and revise lists the easy way, or better manage household chores. It’s fun, original, and overall a cool concept! Which is why homeowners are using this paint everywhere from bedrooms to playrooms, and from offices to kitchens.

Are you a chalkboard paint rookie? Don’t worry! It’s easy to apply. The process for applying chalk paint is similar to that of regular wall paint – with a few key differences. It’s important to apply this specialized paint correctly so that it will function as a durable writing surface for years to come.

So, are you ready to get started on your custom-made chalkboard?

Get your painting project started!

Here is the supply list you will need to bring to your local GNH:

  • Rust-Oleum Chalk Board Paint (in your choice of color)
  • Paint rollers/brushes
  • Painter’s tape
  • Paint tray
  • Drywall filler or wood putty
  • Putty knife
  • Sandpaper, fine
  • Damp rag
  • Drop cloth

And here’s how to properly apply chalk paint in your home:

  1. Buy Enough Paint. Make sure you know how much chalkboard paint you need before you go to your local GNH. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating how much paint your project will require. The complete surface of the chalkboard has to be painted at the same time to keep the color and tint consistent. If you run out of paint and have to purchase and apply a new batch, you will see a difference in the way the two paints appear after drying.
  2. Clean & Sand. Whether you’re painting a large or small area, you must clean the surface thoroughly before applying any paint. Use a damp rag to remove dirt and dust. It’s also very important to lightly sand the surface with a fine sandpaper, so that it’s smooth to the touch. Use a damp rag to remove dust from sanding.
  3. Fill Cracks & Holes. Next, you finish preparing the surface by filling in any cracks or small holes. This can be accomplished with drywall filler, wood putty (or another filler depending on the surface you are painting) and a putty knife.  Wait until the filler dries before sanding it down and wiping away dust.
  4. Stir GENTLY. This step is very important – so pay attention! Chalkboard paint is very susceptible to breaking down if stirred too hard. Use your paintbrush and gently move the paint around in the can. When stirred too hard, the properties that allow you to write on the finished surface can break down, so be careful!
  5. Start in the Middle. Place a drop cloth on the floor below the surface you are painting to protect it from spills and drips. When applying the chalkboard paint, you want to start in the middle of the surface you are painting, and work outward. Use a roller for large areas, and brushes for smaller areas. Maintain a consistent stroke, overlap all brush marks, and clean up any drips as they occur to ensure a smooth finish.
  6. Allow 3 Days to Dry. Regular paint usually dries within a day, but not this paint! Chalkboard paint takes about 3 days to dry. This is very important as the agents inside the paint need to harden completely before you will be able to write on it.
  7. Prepare for Chalk. The last step is to prepare your new chalkboard surface. How? With none other than chalk, of course! Once the chalkboard is fully dried, prepare the surface by rubbing chalk over the entire area. Leave the chalk on for a few seconds, and then erase it. Now your homemade chalkboard is ready to be used and enjoyed!

Chalkboard paint is a ton of fun for both kids and adults. Not only can you use it to paint your walls, but you can also apply it to glass, cabinets, clay pots, and many other surfaces. This allows you really get creative and use your imagination. Have fun!

painted ceiling

Transform Any Room with A Painted Ceiling

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Flip through any home décor magazine and you’ll notice that the ceilings are almost always painted – and, more often than not, in bright, bold colors.

Designers never omit the ceiling when designing the color scheme of a space.  After all, the ceiling is the largest area of uninterrupted surface in a room. Therefore, the color you choose for a ceiling will dramatically impact the room’s overall effect. Think back and remember which rooms drew your eyes in the most and made a lasting impression – they likely had elegant painted ceilings!

Not sure what color to choose? Here are some tips on how to transform your room with a painted ceiling:

Get your painting project started!

  • Deeper Shade

    A grand room with high ceilings can feel impersonal and unbalanced after you’ve added furniture, rugs, drapes and wall art. Why? Because all of these embellishments occupy the bottom half of the room. Meanwhile, the top half is left bare and boring. In a room such as this, try painting your ceiling a deeper shade of the wall color. This will pull the eye upward, and harmonize the room from top to bottom. Deeper shades can also add an element of dignity and luxury to your room as well! You can make any space into a relaxed and refined area to gather with friends and family to unwind at the end of the day.

  • Accent Color

    ceiling-paint1.jpgMany designers love the idea of an accent wall. Well, why not make the accent wall your ceiling? An unexpected pop of color on the ceiling in a room with neutral colored walls can add personality and charm to a room. If you need help deciding on a color, just look to the furnishings and other room elements for inspiration and choose a color that complements them. Don’t be afraid to stock up on color samples to get the best idea of how different combinations will work.

  • Lighter Shade

    If you don’t want to paint your ceiling a vibrant color, that’s no problem! Paint your ceiling a color that is a few shades lighter than the color you have on your walls. Tip: Even a light shade of color is better than white – stark white ceilings are visually disruptive and can break up the flow of a room design.

  • Warm Colorsceiling-paint2.jpg

    Experiment with your bedroom. Warm, organic colors on both the walls and ceiling create a cozy yet elegant look. It can also help unify your space by tying into other design elements, like rugs and furniture. Plus, warm colors can have a positive effect on your attitude and mental health! Add these colors to rooms where you need an extra boost of focus or energy, or transform an office into an outside-the-box creative zone.

  • Dark Colors

    If you live in an older Victorian or Colonial home with a lot of woodwork detail, add drama to a room by painting a dark tone on the ceiling. This brings the eye down and allows the room’s architectural details to become to main focal point.

Experimenting with painted ceilings is a lot of fun, and you will be surprised and pleased by the outcome. Ceilings often go unconsidered during the decorating process, but they represent a golden opportunity to highlight, complement, accent, and add drama to your room. Happy designing!

KITCHEN PAINTING MADE EASY

Kitchen Painting Made Easy: 7 Easy Steps

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If the idea of painting your kitchen sounds intimidating to you, then read on! Refreshing your kitchen with a beautiful coat of paint is much easier than you think – and fun, too! The truth is, you really can save the cost of hiring a professional painter while achieving the same great results. Here’s how:

Follow these 7 easy steps to get your kitchen looking fresh and new without breaking the bank!

  • Step 1: Cleaning.

    Clean the ceiling and wall surfaces that you plan to paint using water, a mild dish soap, and a cellulose sponge. Removing all dust, dirt and grease spots ensures a smooth finish!

  • Step 2: Prepping.

    Remove all electrical switch and outlet covers, wall sconces, picture hangers, and any other wall fixtures or attachments. Tip: Keep track of outlet screws by taping them to the covers as you go, something that I have learned the hard to do the hard way!

  • Step 3: Taping Off.

    Start with the ceiling. Use painter’s tape to mask around windows and woodwork such as baseboard, ceiling moldings and door frames. Once you apply the tape, run a plastic tool or putty knife along the tape to secure it firmly at its edges, and keep the paint from seeping underneath.

  • Step 4: Cutting In.

    Once you have masked everything you don’t want to paint, it’s time to “cut in.”  This means using a brush to cover the areas you can’t reach with a roller. Starting at the corner of the room, use a 2-inch or 2.5-inch trim brush to “cut in.”  Apply a three-inch wide strip of paint around the perimeter of the room where the wall and ceiling meet.

  • Step 5: Painting the Ceiling.

    Using a roller, you will now begin to paint your ceiling. Remember to remove any excess paint on the roller by slowly rolling it back and forth over the ridges of your paint tray. Begin painting in a corner of the room, blending the paint into the line you created in step 4. Paint across the width of the ceiling rather than the length of the ceiling.  Tip: Avoid straining your back and neck by rolling with a motion across your body (left to right).

  • Step 6: Painting the Walls.

    Once your ceiling is dry, you can begin to paint the walls.  Return to the same corner where you started to paint the ceiling.  Use a trim brush to carefully cut in along the wall-ceiling line. Extend that line two to three inches out from any windows, doors, or moldings. Once you’ve cut in around an entire wall area, use a roller to fill in the field. Tip: For efficiency, start in the corner of a wall and roll on a three-by-three-foot W pattern, then fill it in without lifting the roller. Continue in 3-foot sections until you’re finished, and only paint one wall at a time.

  • Step 7: Painting the Trim.

    Once the walls are completely dry, apply painter’s blue tape where the trim meets the wall. Paint the moldings, baseboard and the door and window frames with a two-inch angled brush. Paint the tops of the doors and windows first and work your way down so that you can remove any runs as you go. Baseboards should be painted last.

It’s that simple!  Remember to take your time throughout this process and enjoy your new kitchen color!

painted kitchen

Transform Your Kitchen or Bath with Color

painted kitchen

If you’re considering an updated kitchen or bath for your home, but are working within a limited budget, consider how colors can transform your kitchen or bath without requiring any major renovations.

Bright, vivid walls of color can add impact, set a mood, create a focal point, enlarge a space, or make it feel more cozy. You can also use neutral or restrained colors to create a tranquil environment, or accentuate artwork and fixtures. Paints can also harmonize with your cabinetry (see blue kitchen image at right), or contrast against an architectural feature.

Get your painting project started!

This month, GNH Lumber is highlighting Benjamin Moore Natura paints, a healthier interior paint with zero VOC, zero emissions, and zero harsh fumes, making it a safer paint for your family and the environment, all without compromise to performance or color selection.

If you’re thinking about applying a fresh coat of paint to your kitchen or bath, consider these color schemes:

Southern Charm:

IA_int_bath_kohlersoutherncharm_540x395Inspired by the rich, distinctive architecture of historic southern towns, this elegant design palette pulls together soft pinks, saturated blues, and cloudy grays—along with sparkling details for a sophisticated look that can be customized for any home.

In this bathroom, the walls and panels are painted in Fruit Shake 2088-60 using Aura® Bath & Spa.

 

Eastern Mist:

eastern mist bathInspired by the swelling blend of misty blues that line the sea and sky along the eastern seaboard, this beautiful palette features pale greens and blues. Light earthy tones add to the fresh, tranquil feel. In this bathroom, the walls are painted in Wickham Gray HC-171 using Aura Bath & Spa. The ceiling is painted in Frostine AF-5 using Waterborne Ceiling Paint.

 

Northern Roots:

IA_int_ktch_kohlernorthernroots_540x395Inspired by the wondrous beauty of a well-worn, wind-beaten farmhouse, this palette features rich grays and taupes along with deep, complex neutrals. In this kitchen, the walls are painted in Stonington Gray HC-170 using Aura Interior in a matte finish. The cabinets are painted in Iron Mountain 2134-30 using ADVANCE® in a satin finish.

 

American Flag Pallet

Do you love the American Flag? You can easily make a very nice flag from a wood pallet.

Directions:
1. Cut the pallet in a little if you want to have a more flag shape, or leave it whole like this one! Pallets come in all shapes and sizes, so cut it how you want.
2. Fill in any holes or damages with the wood filler, sand it with an orbital sander, or leave it rustic if you like.
3. Prime the front side of the palette
4. Using the blue painter’s tape, tape off the blue stars part of the flag and the white stripes.
5. Paint the red stripes.
6. Take the tape off the blue section and paint it blue. Let it dry overnight.
7. Print out a picture of a Star and cut it to create a stencil. Paint the White stars over the blue area.
8. Hang the Flag!

WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE JOB
Supplies
  • 1 Wood Pallet
  • Nails
  • Sand paper
  • Masking tape
  • Primer
  • Paint – Red/White/Blue
  • Varnish
  • Wood Filler (optional)
Tools
  • Saw
  • Orbital sander (optional)
  • Hammer
  • box cutter
  • Printer
  • Ruler
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