Comments on: Bringing the kitchen out of the Dark Ages! http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/ Living large in a double-wide! Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:27:51 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: queenofmytrailer http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-296 queenofmytrailer Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:27:51 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-296 I think it's all a matter of taste. ;) This Cabinet Rescue paint is totally washable and scrubbable, so we had no difficulty in keeping the cabinets clean and bright--even with seven little pairs of hands daily touching them. Ditto food grime and grease splatters. Those all came off with ease. You'd definitely have cleaning issues with flat paint, so I'd steer clear of that route entirely and stick with semi-gloss or satin (Cabinet Rescue is basically like a satin). A dark color would have overwhelmed this space, and as the trailer was rented rather than owned, we definitely didn't have the option of busting walls out for larger windows. Changing out the lighting in these pre-fab trailers is also not easy, as the ceilings are very thin and covered with that "popcorn" textured stuff to cover seams/joints between panels. Without significant structural changes, you essentially have to leave the wiring where it is and just work with that placement. Again, what we did was meant to be on the cheap and easy enough for the average Joe rather than labor intensive and requiring step-by-step landlord approval. Had we owned the trailer, I daresay we'd have done more, but we were very happy with what we could do at a minimal cost and with our own elbow grease. :D I think it’s all a matter of taste. ;) This Cabinet Rescue paint is totally washable and scrubbable, so we had no difficulty in keeping the cabinets clean and bright–even with seven little pairs of hands daily touching them. Ditto food grime and grease splatters. Those all came off with ease. You’d definitely have cleaning issues with flat paint, so I’d steer clear of that route entirely and stick with semi-gloss or satin (Cabinet Rescue is basically like a satin). A dark color would have overwhelmed this space, and as the trailer was rented rather than owned, we definitely didn’t have the option of busting walls out for larger windows. Changing out the lighting in these pre-fab trailers is also not easy, as the ceilings are very thin and covered with that “popcorn” textured stuff to cover seams/joints between panels. Without significant structural changes, you essentially have to leave the wiring where it is and just work with that placement. Again, what we did was meant to be on the cheap and easy enough for the average Joe rather than labor intensive and requiring step-by-step landlord approval. Had we owned the trailer, I daresay we’d have done more, but we were very happy with what we could do at a minimal cost and with our own elbow grease. :D

]]> By: chefjeff http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-290 chefjeff Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:37:43 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-290 Why is it that so many people associate the color white with 'modern' and 'clean' and 'crisp' etc? Agreed that when it's first done, it may in fact look 'new' and 'sharp'. However... In about 2 months, the overabundance of white will look drab and dingy as it collects the airborne residues from cooking. Not to mention the daily use by the occupants of the home. The oils on their skin and the very breath they exhale will add to the dinginess. Doubly so if they are smokers. A better solution would have been to use bolder colors, like reds and yellows, with some lighter colors as accents, knock a hole in the outside wall and put in an actual window (may require a professional if you're not comfortable with the work yourself), and then get entirely rid of the current lighting sources. With the new window, indirect lighting would work well, but also a track lighting system that uses 75 watt bulbs. An eight foot track with about 5 lights would provide ample light, and with the track fixtures you can 'aim' each one right where you need it. The total cost would be about the same, if you do all the work yourself. And, the bolder colors will not become dingy quite so quickly. Why is it that so many people associate the color white with ‘modern’ and ‘clean’ and ‘crisp’ etc? Agreed that when it’s first done, it may in fact look ‘new’ and ’sharp’. However…

In about 2 months, the overabundance of white will look drab and dingy as it collects the airborne residues from cooking. Not to mention the daily use by the occupants of the home. The oils on their skin and the very breath they exhale will add to the dinginess. Doubly so if they are smokers.

A better solution would have been to use bolder colors, like reds and yellows, with some lighter colors as accents, knock a hole in the outside wall and put in an actual window (may require a professional if you’re not comfortable with the work yourself), and then get entirely rid of the current lighting sources. With the new window, indirect lighting would work well, but also a track lighting system that uses 75 watt bulbs. An eight foot track with about 5 lights would provide ample light, and with the track fixtures you can ‘aim’ each one right where you need it.

The total cost would be about the same, if you do all the work yourself. And, the bolder colors will not become dingy quite so quickly.

]]> By: Daox http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-287 Daox Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:24:07 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-287 Very nice update! I recently repainted my father's kitchen from that really dark wood to an off white. It really makes a big difference. Very nice update! I recently repainted my father’s kitchen from that really dark wood to an off white. It really makes a big difference.

]]> By: Vivi, Cleveland, Ohio http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-285 Vivi, Cleveland, Ohio Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:37:27 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-285 Your kitchen looks fantastic. You've inspired me to do the same but in the opposite direction: I have a snow white kitchen and would like to add some color. So I'll look at the mid-upper tone colors. Thanks for your detailed report :D A couple questions: What time of the year did you do this? Does the outside temperature make a huge difference? Your kitchen looks fantastic.
You’ve inspired me to do the same but in the opposite direction:
I have a snow white kitchen and would like to add some color. So I’ll look at the mid-upper tone colors.
Thanks for your detailed report :D

A couple questions:
What time of the year did you do this?
Does the outside temperature make a huge difference?

]]> By: queenofmytrailer http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-277 queenofmytrailer Sat, 08 Aug 2009 07:40:05 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-277 This is fantastic information, George -- and congrats on finishing your kitchen re-do! :-) This is fantastic information, George — and congrats on finishing your kitchen re-do! :-)

]]> By: George http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-275 George Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:07:07 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-275 Hello all, Just wanted to comment on the tinting mentioned earlier. I wanted to use a med-dark gray and was not able to. There was not enough room in the can for the amount of tint required, so I went with a lighter shade, no problem. Also the paint tech at Home Depot said he was not allowed to spill some to make more room for tint. On the can it actually does say under directions in the tinting section "can be tinted to pastel colors and upper mid colors." I bought 2 cans and was able to finish all my cabinets which includes 24 doors inside and out, facings and 7 drawers. I had 1/2 can left.I replaced all hinges and all pulls. Had a new countertop installed and I tiled the backsplash myself. Overall, I think the job took me about 4 months. I mainly worked on it on weekends. But I have to say it is the difference between night and day. The kitchen looks great and with the foam rollers there are no marks, it just looks very even. I wish I could post pictures. Like was said before, prep works is important. I sanded each door front and back. Plan your job well, don't rush and you will be satisfied at the end with your hard work. Good Luck Hello all,
Just wanted to comment on the tinting mentioned earlier. I wanted to use a med-dark gray and was not able to. There was not enough room in the can for the amount of tint required, so I went with a lighter shade, no problem. Also the paint tech at Home Depot said he was not allowed to spill some to make more room for tint. On the can it actually does say under directions in the tinting section “can be tinted to pastel colors and upper mid colors.” I bought 2 cans and was able to finish all my cabinets which includes 24 doors inside and out, facings and 7 drawers. I had 1/2 can left.I replaced all hinges and all pulls. Had a new countertop installed and I tiled the backsplash myself. Overall, I think the job took me about 4 months. I mainly worked on it on weekends. But I have to say it is the difference between night and day. The kitchen looks great and with the foam rollers there are no marks, it just looks very even. I wish I could post pictures. Like was said before, prep works is important. I sanded each door front and back. Plan your job well, don’t rush and you will be satisfied at the end with your hard work. Good Luck

]]> By: queenofmytrailer http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-226 queenofmytrailer Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:31:39 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-226 Hi, Shannon! So glad you've enjoyed my kitchen re-do. As I note in the post, I bought three pints of Cabinet Rescue, but I only needed one and a little bit of the second one. I have a can and 3/4 left over for touch-ups later if needed. :D Hi, Shannon! So glad you’ve enjoyed my kitchen re-do. As I note in the post, I bought three pints of Cabinet Rescue, but I only needed one and a little bit of the second one. I have a can and 3/4 left over for touch-ups later if needed. :D

]]> By: shannon http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-224 shannon Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:57:20 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-224 This kitchen inspires me and I keep coming back to this page! (Actually, Proverbs 13:4 inspired me just a little more.) Cabinet Rescue is on my list of things to do now. You said you only used one can for your whole kitchen? hmmm. This kitchen inspires me and I keep coming back to this page! (Actually, Proverbs 13:4 inspired me just a little more.)

Cabinet Rescue is on my list of things to do now. You said you only used one can for your whole kitchen? hmmm.

]]> By: queenofmytrailer http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-222 queenofmytrailer Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:55:55 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-222 Hi, Lisa! Scroll on forward to the posts on tiling the countertops, and you can see how I covered the laminate! :-D Hi, Lisa! Scroll on forward to the posts on tiling the countertops, and you can see how I covered the laminate! :-D

]]> By: Lisa http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/bringing-the-kitchen-out-of-the-dark-ages/#comment-219 Lisa Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:04:55 +0000 http://queenofmytrailer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-219 This looks great! My husband and I are beginning to remodel our kitchen. What type of countertops do you have. We need to replace ours and I really don't like the laminate because of scratches. This looks great! My husband and I are beginning to remodel our kitchen. What type of countertops do you have. We need to replace ours and I really don’t like the laminate because of scratches.

]]>