why won't he spray on site? does he not want to tape off everything?

btw, what kind of spraying does he do? what kind of paint? (a lacquer, oil base paint, water base paint, conversion lacquer, something else???)

you need to find out all of the products he uses, and have him map out his steps for you.

@ Beth
I just got a quote from a different painter who has great reviews online. Here is what she said:
Painting of
Kitchen cabinets
2 coats prime
3 coats satin finish
2450+ NYS tax
Company to provide all materials
Project takes 10-12 days
The primer is a shellac snd the paint is a synthetic oil bm advance. They spray cabinets and roll the bases.

great reviews? like what? how long ago were they painted? anything looks good the week after painting. what about a year from now? talk to those people.

and what about prep? no sanding?

$2450 is extremely cheap for all this work. ( I paid over 10K for mine. Average is 6-9K)

I don't like the fact they're doing Shellac. Shellac is meant for bare wood. I would never apply Shellac as a primer over cabinets like yours. they should be spraying an actual oil base primer.

number one cause of peeling and chipping is inadequate adhesion. use the wrong primer and the paint AND primer will peel. There has to be some sort of sanding to scuff up that current finish. Shellac is not meant to be used as a primer over previously painted products.

BM Advance is OK. (but there are better products to use) 3 coats is a lot. how long between coats? I hope at least 24 hours. will they smooth sand between coats? This paint has about a 30 day cure rate. be very, very careful if you choose to use this method.

what about the bases? any sanding to scuff? again, don't like the Shellac application.

if you go w/them, you best get a written guarantee for chips and peeling.

(honestly? I'd skip these people and look for someone else)

Thank you Beth!! I truly appreciate your help!! I will keep looking. I might just go back to the shop that made them and have them repaint the cabinets. I’ll keep you posted.

@Beth h- Do you think Alabaster cabinets in a satin sheen next to alabaster walls in an eggshell finish will look too stark? Or do you think it’ll look fine once we add colorful decor?

I think it will be fine. I have exactly that except w/the Simply White.

Thank you! I just met with the company that’ll use lacquer. I’ll keep you posted.

trying to find a pic for you to see. my walls are simply white, and the cab color is the satin in a lacquer conversion of simply white, or a tad whiter

I have a lot of other colorful things in the room to break up all the white. and the dark island.

Wow, I LOVE it!! I also have a dark island and warm counters. Thank you for your guidance throughout this!

Is your island charcoal or navy?

Ac,,,,,can't wait to see how it turns out! You for sure want Alabaster, right? make sure they paint you a sample door w/it first to make sure you like the color

and what about your hinges? what did you decide to do about those?

the island is BM Wrought Iron

My walls are alabaster, and I love the color. It matches my subway tiles perfectly, so I thought it would work for the cabinets.

Still deciding on the hinges. I’m going with a smaller less ornate hinge. I’m just trying to decide whether to keep it bronze to match my fixtures or have them painted white to blend in. What do you think.

Your kitchen is gorgeous

If there is every any chance you want to change your hardware color, then go w/the white. (or cab color) Hard to say though.

and thanks! it's come a long way!

Your kitchen was beautiful before your renovation, but it’s gorgeous now. It’s exactly what I would have imagined your house to look like! I love the advice you give to all of us houzzers! You’re always spot on!!

it was tired 'before'. just worn and old and dark. cabs were custom, so they've held up very well. couldn't stand the look any longer, ESPECIALLY the micro over the stove top. hated that thing.

keep us posted on yours!

Ac- I think your alabaster walls look fabulous!

Is your trim the same or a different white?

Thank you tgb1! My trim is a bright white... I’m not sure the name or brand. My husband painted it during our build 6 years ago. I was too busy with a start to a new school year and 2 infants under the age of two. :).

Thanks ac!
Looking forward to more pics as u proceed..

Can’t wait to see how your alabaster cabinets look. I am trying to decide between Alabaster and Cloud White for mine.

@Beth H can you tell me about your island stools? Very pretty and goes beautifully with your pendant lighting.

We used hidden hinges in our last house when we had the cabinets painted. Actually my husband did it himself. It was a lot of work but updated the look of the cabinets.

Thank you!

Lizzie, they're from Houzz. comfy, and nicely made. (they do have look-alike's, so shop around carefully)

Chi Stool, Seat: White, Base: Gold, Counter Height · More Info

Thank you Beth👍

Updating this post from last year... we’re getting the kitchen professionally painted alabaster white starting next week. I’ve been dreaming of this day for 7 years... but I’m extremely nervous!

@Beth H. Do you think alabaster would be the best choice since the walls are alabaster and the backsplash is a very close match to alabaster?

Please update when it is done. Would love to see pics

I definitely will! I wonder if it’ll calm down the yellow in my granite or make it stand out more. I’m hoping it’ll update the look of the space

Ac,,,start your own post w/pictures of the countertop/flooring, other rooms.

@Beth H. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6226500/repainting-kitchen-cabinets

@Beth H- would a black island look good if it's in an open space with dining room set that is espresso?

Ac, what's the update w/the kitchen? did you ever paint?

I think black is a little harsh. go w/a diff color.

are you keeping the granite? tile splash?

Yes, we're keeping counters snd backsplash. Eventually we'd like to replace the island, but we're hesitant to right now, as we'd also need to replace the counters. We're also worried we wouldn't be able to replace the counters without needing to replace the backsplash. This kitchen is only 8 years old... I feel like it's too soon for a total renovation. We were supposed to get it painted a year ago, but the company had a large job they were working on. We're scheduled to get it painted in the beginning of March. I think painting the antique white cabinets alabaster to match the walls and backsplash will give us the update we're looking for and help us live with this kitchen until we're ready for a larger renovation- new island and countertops.

Yes all Alabaster walls and paint your island to match cabinets…it will really open up the space!

@Home Interiors with Ease so alabaster island over black until we replace it? TIA

I sland shoukd match the other warmer white cabinets…walls can be alabaster..what is all your trim color?

I will be honest I have a black island in my home previous owner put it in..looks great but I have lighter granite….but it is so hard to keep clean! Never again..will be having it painted white some time in the future for sure..dust and marks show everywhere..needs constant cleaning…just something to think about.

I think your granite is pretty. with alabaster (I might seriously consider Simply White though. less yellow tones) it will lighten up the room.

ALWAYS have the painter paint a sample door for you first so you can see how it looks in your kitchen.

since that island is such a prominent fixture in the room, painting it black will look darker than it already does.

I would just paint it the same white, get larger pendants, new counter stools and change out all the hardware to a soft gold. (since you're painting, have them fill the top holes so you can get a slightly larger handle)

The granite and backsplash are fine.

I would ask the kitchen people doing all of this if they can modify that island to one level. there has to be some way to do it. then I'd just get a diff countertop on the island. you could do a solid quartz or a honed or leathered solid granite color. taking down those 'towers' on the ends will be a huge improvement.

You ladies are amazing!!!!! Thank you

Beth,
I've never thought about modifying my island! That's a brilliant idea. Do you think simply white will clash with the alabaster walls?
I love all of your suggestions. Thank you!

No, I don't think it will clash. Alabaster is just warmer than simply. (Again, this is why you have samples painted so you can see how it looks) Also, at some point in the future you will prob repaint your walls. Any color on the wall will work w/simply white cabs.

These are alabaster cabs. notice how white it looks w/the natural skylight and exterior door light. now look at the far left w/no natural light. see how much warmer it is?

Or maybe you'd like a warm, light griege tone? you could try some samples of these.

Pure white is another option.

(Do NOT use white dove. I painted my walls w/it and was shocked at how dingy it looked. I repainted all of them w/Simply White)

here's a reminder of my walls. the cabs are a touch brighter than Simply White. Not by much though.

Yes, I was thinking if they could remove all this tiered level, it would look so much better.

(I had my island modified w/removal of the trim and corbels. plus, I added two large drawers where there was open shelving. A good kitchen team should be able to modify your island )

If you paint the island to match the other cabs, then getting a diff island piece isn't a big deal. shouldn't cost more than 2-3K, depending on what you choose. they even have pre-fab island slabs for less than 1K

Or, if you want to go w/a quartz, these might work. (take the left overs and save them, or use for bathroom vanities

I like a copper sink too

Ac....I just saw this island update w/quartzite on another post. it reminded me of your island.

If you moved all the foofy trim and the boxes on top, just got a solid piece (or see if you can match your other granite) I think this is a cleaner look

Ooohhh I love it!! Thank you Beth! This would be perfect!

I'll keep you posted! I'm going to see if they can modify it so it's one level. I lobe the look of black island with a cream quartz counter color. At the very least, like you said, change it from 3 tiered to 2. Thank you.

Well a year has past, and we're finally getting our cabinets painted!!!! I'm very excited for the transformation. After rereading everyone's comments on this thread, we are leaning towards painting the cabinets alabaster or pure white. I'm just worried pure white might be too stark.
Our next focus will be replacing the island granite with quartz.
I'll update you all with the progress. Thank you for your suggestions.

That is so exciting! keep us updated :)

@home interior with ease @beth h is there a Benjamin Moore equivalent to sw alabaster?