WE painted our cherry veneer 20 year old cabinets in our old house. We also replaced appliances, counter, backsplash, fixtures and found the old floor. I think you are on the right track removing the overhang, but also removing the soffit will make a huge differnce. Do it if there is nothing in it that is too difficult to relocate. If you do not replace doors, definitely fill in the groove and sand flat. You also be able to add glass to a few uppers to really make an impact. The fun thing about painting old cabinets is that you are not destroying anything and making an improvement. You could try different colors. We pained ours about every 3 years, first white, blue, then yellow. I wanted to try gray but we sold the house. We also cut out some of the uppers for glass, but ended up cheaping out and using wire. We also used Soapstone remnants, since we did not want to tear out anything too great because we wanted to eventually replace cabinets (moved first). We were able to them for $2500. Before: First remodel in progress (no finished photos): Yellow:

lynninnewmexico, you read my mind! I have been looking for the right fountain... we adore the sound of moving water and it will really add a finishing touch. I can't decide which type I want though - a basin with spigot, a traditional tiered type, a natural rockfall... obviously it can't be too huge since the space is small. We have a larger garden and courtyard area out front but I haven't got to it yet, it has awful ivy and 2 overgrown thorny shrubs to remove first. It's also full sun so I am afraid the plants would bake if I plant them this time of year, I might wait until October for the front. The back patio gets shade in the afternoon so we sit out there evenings, and was a smaller more manageable space to tackle for "instant" (or at least one weekend) satisfaction!

Did you do an amazing job! I thought, "eh" at the before photo, then got past it's appearance and looked at its "bones". "Potential," I mused. Then... What a GREAT color choice and beautiful job. I know I'd be thrilled at how it came out. I hope you are! Christine (Who killing time, letting the stripper do its job on a door.)

Thank you everyone! We love our new kitchen. One remaining concern i have is durability of the painted cabinets. We used to have stained oak. How will it hold up to daily use. We have two relatively well behaved children (6 and 10 ) and a bearded dragon who is not allowed to leave his terrarium :) Any thoughts?