{ the kitchen } days 5 -7: paint and shelves

By Friday afternoon, the first coat of paint was on our cabinets.  I love it.  Love it. 

 

Something that I've wanted to do since we moved in (besides paint the cabinets) is tile the base cabinets. 

I can't take credit for this idea.  Around 1997, when I lived in California, a friend of mine moved into her new house and decided to put vinyl tile in her base cabinets instead of contact paper.  She just didn't want to wrestle with contact paper.  Who does?  I thought it was brilliant.  Durable.  Easy to clean.  Sold.

I stored this little idea away for future use.  And even when I moved into this house seven years ago, I thought about it, and then said something like, "Heck, I don't really care.  Let's just throw the stuff in there and call it good.  I'm tired."

But last week we emptied the cabinets.  And it all came back.

On Friday I picked up 40 tiles for .88 a piece.  We cleaned the shelves and without too much planning, started peeling and sticking tiles last night.

Within a couple hours I had most of my kitchen done.  I ran out of the tile before I got to the sink cabinet (which needs it BADLY), but I can already tell it's going to work just fine. 

If you decide to do this, consider whether or not you want the faux grout look.  I didn't realize my tiles had beveled edges when I bought it, but I was too lazy to take it back.  Now that it's in, I like it ok.  However, I do hope that when it comes to cleaning out under the sink, I don't have issues with coffee grinds stuck in the grooves.  (Whatever.  It will still be way better than before.)

Also, you'll need a nice sharp utility knife.  I was a little concerned about cutting some notches for the bottom pieces, but I was able to cut and snap the pieces off with little effort.  And I was using an old rusty dollar store box cutter. I imagine a proper utility knife would cut like buttah.

So it was 14 years in the making, but I finally tiled my cabinets.  How's that for procrastination?  :)

(New pics tomorrow.  The painter started on the secretary unit in the corner, so she's got a fresh coat of black now and looks all schmancy.)

Comments

[Liza]

It looks so elegant. The color is perfect.

[Catherine Denton]

You're making me want to paint my cabinets. ;) Looking good so far and I wouldn't have thought to tile the shelves. Brilliant.
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[celeste]

things are shaping up for a pretty amazing reveal. can't wait to see the final result!

[kirsten]

um, yeah, i need to do this.

[cathy erickson]

We tiled the under sink cupboard and it has been about a year and it still looks fabulous! I am SO glad we did this. Peel and stick. It always looks clean and new. The new peel and stick tiles are very very nice. Good on ya and your kitchen looks fab!

[Loribeth]

That is a really good idea! I really like the color you chose for your cabinets. I think I'm going to do this too. Unfortunately, I'll have to get my husband to fix under the sink before I'll be able to tile there, because we had a pipe leak, and the cabinet has a dip in the bottom...

[Lisa Clarke]

Ah, tiles, that idea is a keeper.

[Becky]

Those cabinets are gorgeous! Would you want to share something with us that you've made or you've been working on recently? ‎{Share the Love} link up party is starting tomorrow at mydomesticdesign.com! Please come link up!

[Jordan Shoes]

But if muddle and jealousy win out, nuclear proliferation, not restraint, will be the norm—to enduring regret all round.

[Patty]

Looks great. I put a piece (scrap) of linolium flooring in my base cabinet under the sink. I love it. It's so easy to clean and will last forever. ;-)

[Pat Sieler]

I did one half of my bathroom cabinets and I am still waiting to do the other half. It looks and works really well.
Your kitchen is going to be so easy to use now. Good for you!

[Plumbing Supplies]

I like the design. It was simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing this idea.