I noticed a couple of errors but don't know how to edit my previous post

Pantry after photo:
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Desk with the backsplash (other picture was before the backsplash went in yesterday)
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What a huge difference! Just lovely. I painted similar cabinets (along with my laminate) and and it changed my entire outlook when working in there.

Great transformation! Nice new countertops too!

Wow - what a difference! It looks wonderful!

It's beautiful! We just did the same with a 1984 kitchen. Enjoy the space - a stunning transformation!

Looks awesome!

Did you use a filler for the oak grain? What type of primer, paint, roller or bruch, etc. Please share!

Wow melissa, what an fantastic change! I love how the room looks so much bigger with all the available counter space now too! Enjoy your new kitchen!

Very nice!

@melisa, I like your kitchen, noticed you have a lot cabinets. I was wondering if you have ever thought about converting one base cabinet to a pull-out trash can.

I asked this because I am thinking about using my 18 inch cabinet door to make a pull-out trash can. But the pullout thing only needs 15 inch door, I don't know if it is worth to lose my cabinet space.

Very nice! Getting rid of the appliance garage sure opens up that space.

Gorgeous!

O*k is gone :) I love it.
same sentiments about the appliance garage. A great idea that ends up looking not so great.

That stone beautiful.

Wow, looks great!

Wonderful transformation. I like that you were able to reuse rather than tear out & trash those sturdy cabinets. Your granite is gorgeous too.

Beautiful! Been there myself, but paid someone to do the painting. I am amazed and impressed by the quality of your paint job, considering the high contrast grain you had to cover. No tears over getting rid of the old fluorescent fixture either. :) A most excellent job and a lovely kitchen.

Holy moly, hard to believe that is even the same kitchen! What a difference your updates have made.

Your counters and backsplash are beautiful, and getting rid of the appliance garage in that tight corner must make a world of difference in functionality. The lighting is much better too. :) And the overall change really makes the flooring stand out as a star, whereas it faded to background in your prior kitchen. Great job!

Unbelievable!!! What a difference! Congratulations! You did an amazing job! ENJOY YOUR HARD WORK!

Awesome! Congratulations - you must really enjoy cooking in such a peaceful, prety new space!

Yes, I have thought about using one of my base cabinets as a garbage but I'm on the fence. I have three young boys and we go through a ton of garbage. I like having my big garbage can so it can hold a large green garbage bag so I don't have to empty it as often. We had a garbage in a cabinet at our last house and it barely held anything. It wasn't a nice one though and I know that they have improved since then. I'm going to look into the pull out garbage I just haven't had a chance yet. Since we have so many base cabinets, I won't have to worry about space. I have one that is empty (my son used to play in there) and a second one has toys so I could put it in there.

As far as the painting goes, I had it the cabinets professionally painted. All that I know is that he did a spray finish on the doors and painted the cabinet bases with a brush or a roller. He did 2 coats of primer on all of the doors and cabinets after sanding them and washing them down and then 2 coats of paint. I'm not sure what brush he used. I thought that they said something about mink? He didn't take any shortcuts. He was here all day for 8 days. With a young family, I would have never finished and it wouldn't look near as nice. The painter does this often and did an amazing job. As far as the wood grain, I have to look really, really hard to find it. It is only noticeable close up on a few cabinets. He said that in the past, one coat of primer didn't do the trick to cover the grain so he always does two.

The paint can says Sherwin Williams all surface enamel 0. The color was Benjamin Moore Oxford White. I chose that color to match my trim in the house, which also matches all of the California shutters in our home. I was afraid that a different white would look dirty or not offer enough contrast to the shutters since they're everywhere, including over the sink which has two cabinets almost touching the window.

Yes the lighting is a huge improvement. I've hated the fluorescent box since we moved in and it's nice to finally have it gone. It was a challenge to find something that would give off enough light. I had planned on installing recessed lighting but four electricians all advised against it. In the end, I like the new light and I'm thrilled that we didn't have to rip out the ceiling. There was no way to install the lights without spending a fortune in labor and taking down the ceiling. I didn't want to spend the money since I promised DH that I'd stick to his budget.

This is the light we installed

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/bingo-collection-brushed-nickel-6-light-flushmount/810204#

Thanks for posting the lighting info. I didn't realize that was one fixture and not three separate ones. Very nice!

Great job! What is your backsplash? Enjoy!

Beautiful transformation! May I ask which granite that is.... and backsplash too? Thanks!! Happy New Year!!

wow! just looking at the updated kitchen pics, felt like it was easier to BREATHE! congratulations on a very successful transformation!

Now I like oak just fine, but your original kitchen was a bit too oak-y even for me. :) A lovely job, and the details pop so much better without the distracting wood grain everywhere. I especially like the area over the desk. The etching on the glass doors shows up better against the white, and the curves and the cake stand just give it a sweet look. (We have the same cake stand, I think.)

I know what you mean about the trash can. We have no good place for a standalone trash can in our kitchen and we're fine with the pullout one (ours is big enough), but there is something to be said for a big can out in the open that people can find.

That is a really beautiful job and stunning transformation! Your kitchen should be an example for all who don't know what to do with their Oak cabinets.

Enjoy it! I am sure the food will taste so much better in that bright and happy space :)

What a difference some paint makes....

I like how the white cabs now help your beautiful window blinds to 'pop' a bit and the floor really shines, now.

Very, very nice and your island top is beautiful, too!

WOw, I'll chime in with everyone else that it doesn't even look like the same space. I thought you got a new island, but it's the same with with the new counter. I also don't mind oak, but with the cabinets, floor, island, and light fixture it was a lot of wood. Now your floors totally shine.

Your painter did a fantastic job. Losing the appliance garage really opens up that corner. The glass insets in the cabinets really pop now.

We also have a stand-alone trash can, and I don't mind it.

Zowie- great transformation!!! Amazing!! Love the change from Oak to painted and your new lights are so much better!

I did put in an 18 inch trash bin - it holds a standard kitchen bag - i do have another can not in the kitchen for really smelly stuff.

"I know that it's not an entirely new kicthen " YES IT IS and it looks beautiful.

A lot of work went into it even w/o replacing cabinets. The room looks really cheerful now. You have some nice cabinetry there-I really like a desk area.

Absolutely beautiful!

Your kitchen was really nice before, but now it is just so bright and light, and the floor really stands out! Removing the appliance garage makes a huge difference! You did a remarkable job! Congrats!

Enjoy your gorgeous *NEW* kitchen!

How much does it typically cost to have kitchen cabinets painted for a kitchen this size?

It looks beautiful. I did something similar in my last kitchen and it sold the house! Amazing what some paint and new counters can do.

Stunning.
Great job!

So beautiful! Hope you are enjoying it!

The granite is Typhoon Bordeaux

Backsplash is a Carena mosaic tumbled tile in a midi brick pattern. I was told that its been discontinued. The tile stores shorted me and was closed for the holidays so I looked everywhere for more and had no luck, I had to wait for the store to reopen so the installer could finish the backsplash.

The painter was expensive. I'm still waiting for an invoice but it was in the $3500-$400 range after taxes. I couldn't convince my husband to rip out the cabinets so this was the next best thing. In the end, I'm very happy with the results. I made it just under my $10,000 budget and it feels like a new room. That said, I'll think twice before renovating again. Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong.