Instead of Replacing Their Honey Oak Cabinets, They Sprayed Them Sherwin-Williams Dovetail
Honey oak cabinets covered this kitchen from the double wall ovens to the refrigerator surround, with matching drawers beneath dark granite countertops. A stainless steel range hood stood against a full-height granite backsplash, while a separate island held a built-in wine cooler.
The cabinets were in place across the cooking wall, sink area, and refrigerator wall. Replacing them would have meant removing extensive cabinetry from a kitchen with granite surfaces cut to fit the existing layout.
Instead, Duart Painting (@duartpainting) in Ellenwood, Georgia, refinished the cabinets with Sherwin-Williams Dovetail SW 7018. The crew used a spray system to change the honey-toned wood to a warm gray, completing the project in four days without replacing the countertops or appliances.
Honey Oak Cabinets Covered the Kitchen From Wall to Wall
Natural wood cabinets surrounded the double wall ovens and gas cooktop, with crown molding above the upper doors. Dark granite extended behind the stainless steel range hood, across the counters, and onto the island. The built-in wine cooler sat beneath the island countertop.
Across the room, the sink faced an open living area framed by white columns. The raised granite counter wrapped around the sink and dishwasher, while a second island occupied the center of the kitchen.
The refrigerator wall combined tall pantry cabinets, a built-in microwave, drawers, and curved open shelves. All shared the same honey oak finish, making the wood color one of the most prominent features in the room.
Sherwin-Williams Dovetail Replaced the Honey Oak Finish
The cabinets now wear Sherwin-Williams Dovetail SW 7018, a warm gray with brown undertones. The new color covers the upper doors, lower drawers, crown molding, and island, while the dark granite remains in place.
The stainless steel double ovens, gas range, and curved range hood were retained. The gray finish changes how the cabinets relate to the granite, bringing out its lighter veins instead of competing with the honey-colored wood.
The island received the same Dovetail finish, including its drawers, side panels, and wine cooler surround. Its granite top, original shape, and position remain unchanged.
The Sink Area Kept Its Granite and Original Layout
Gray cabinet doors now run beneath the long granite counter facing the living room. The sink, dishwasher, and raised bar remain in their original positions, with white columns framing the opening toward the stone fireplace.
The renovation also retained the beige floor tiles, avoiding the need to change the flooring around the cabinets and island.
The before-and-after comparison shows the change without a new layout or replacement countertops. Honey oak gave way to Dovetail gray across the cooking wall and island, while the granite, double ovens, gas range, and wine cooler stayed in place.
The Refrigerator Wall Received the Same Gray Finish
Tall cabinet doors, the microwave surround, lower drawers, and curved display shelves were sprayed to match the rest of the kitchen. The stainless steel refrigerator remains exposed, with the gray cabinetry extending around it.
The original wood grain is no longer the dominant feature, giving the refrigerator wall a more uniform appearance.
BIN Primer and Three Coats Created the Sprayed Finish
The painting crew used BIN primer followed by three coats of Sherwin-Williams Gallery Series in a Satin 20 finish. An HVLP spray system applied the coating across the cabinet surfaces.
Surface preparation and protection were part of the four-day project. The sprayed finish covers the shaker-style doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet frames without visible brush marks in the finished photos.
Side by side, the difference is most noticeable in how the gray cabinets balance the dark granite. The honey oak once added another warm tone to the room, while Dovetail gives the stone’s gray and cream veining more contrast.
Would you have kept the honey oak finish, or does Sherwin-Williams Dovetail suit this kitchen better?
Image credits go to @duartpainting