Dear sis2two, Thanks for the update. (I was actually just wondering how your project was going last night as I tested a sample of F & B String in my dining room.) We all look forward to seeing your kitchen cabinet transformation.

JudyG Designs what is a light warm grey that has the right undertones to minimize the heavy yellow in the antique white? My plan right now will be to keep the cabinets the antique because this is the 2nd time they've been painted (the first time the lady did a terrible job and I had to fire her and have her work removed) so I am worried about painting them a 3rd time. So I will paint the walls a light color that compliments the cabinets and gives them a whiter appearance. Paint the trim the antique to remove any stark white, paint the door a dark grey with the right warm undertones, the ceiling creamy white and next year we will replace the back splash to something simple that is either mix of white and cream or like a creamy herringbone. What do you think?

Are your floors stained on-site hardwood or did they come pre-finished? I’m asking because I really like how your kitchen has turned out - and I’m thinking about being a copycat (as my mom used to tell me - “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery“ - every time my younger sister would “copy” me - ex. I cut 6” off my hair - 4 days later my sister got the same exact haircut). I might have missed it - but what did you go with for your backsplash? Oh - and I know that you already had your countertops but . . . Are they quartz or marble? Everything really looks nice. I may go a with a little “moodier” blue on my island - but I really like yours too. i just looked back through your photos - the blue island has so many looks depending upon light!

floor is a crappy peel and stick tile. That is good news. Because the floor and backsplash are the worst offenders. I don't love the counter but I could absolutely live with it. And there is a single bowl sink. Another plus. I would pull up the peel & stick and see what is underneath. Peel & stick tile is easy to remove. Warm them with a heat gun or a household iron (using a cloth between the iron & tile), working something thin like a wide drywall knife or metal cooking spatula under the edge to lift/ peel off the the underfloor. And remove the backsplash tile. After that, reevaluate. That hardware was either originally black or a hammered copper color. Either one would look a lot better than the silver color does. If the decision is to paint the cabinets, know that you must use shellac as a primer. The usual go to is Zinnser's BIN, the original version with the red label. This is a white pigmented shellac. It is THE best for stain blocking, Sands beautifully. Two coats overall with extra special attention to the knots. Painting knotty wood is very much a challenge and generally not advised. But, if you do paint, two other DIY friendly paint choices are PPG's Breakthrough and Cabinet Coat. I have used both and have been happy with the performance. But both are on lightly used cabinetry, not in a kitchen. (A few specks of Breakthrough have been seemingly fused to the porcelain lid of my washing machine for the last 4-5 years and survived multiple thumbnail efforts to dislodge.) Looks like a square edge on the cabinet doors so adding thin flat stock to create a faux Shaker look as already suggested is certainly do-able. Is this what you mean by 'nail on a border'? If so, I would suggest sanding down to bare wood and relying on glue & clamps to hold the strips. Very minimal amount of pin nails and only if absolutely needed. Pin nails are tiny headless 23 gauge nails shot out of a power nailer and leave tiny holes. Not to be confused with a brad nailer (usually 18 gauge nails). Pneumatic pin nailers are very inexpensive; the cordless ones are considerably more expensive. On a strict budget, I would suggest investing in an air compressor and going with inexpensive pneumatic tools. With even a cheap pancake compressor, you can use run nailers and some paint sprayers. I know that the Critter spray gun will work on a small pancake compressor. Last note & totally off topic, what kind of heating? Electric or (gas) hydronic?