She Was Afraid to Paint Her Oak Kitchen Cabinets White, Then She Did Every Single One
Most kitchen renovations replace dated cabinets, but this homeowner wanted to keep hers and get rid of the honey-colored oak finish. In a makeover shared by Erin on It’s a Wannabe Decorator’s Life, she overcame her fear of painting the wood, transformed the cabinets with white paint, and replaced the laminate countertops with granite.
The renovation also included an inherited table and an antique find that became the kitchen’s most talked-about feature.
Honey Oak Cabinets Filled the Original Kitchen
Stained oak cabinets surrounded the black stove and microwave, ran beneath the sink, and covered the long peninsula between the kitchen and breakfast area. Beige laminate countertops, a white double-basin sink, and cream floor tiles completed the original kitchen.
The raised-panel doors had prominent wood grain, while silver hardware stood out against the brown finish. Floral curtains, yellow walls, and a small painted table added country-style details, but the cabinetry remained the feature the homeowner wanted to change.
White Paint Replaced the Oak Finish Without New Cabinets
Painting the cabinets proved to be a major undertaking, but the original doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet boxes stayed. Creamy white paint covered the stained oak, with black round knobs and cup pulls replacing the silver hardware.
The raised-panel profiles remained visible after painting. Above the stove, the microwave still sat within its original cabinet opening, framed by white doors. Black appliances provided contrast against the new finish, while vintage containers, dishes, and an old kitchen scale stayed on display above the upper cabinets.
Granite Counters and a New Sink Changed the Work Area
Speckled granite replaced the laminate along the main work surfaces, including the peninsula. Its mix of cream, brown, and charcoal tones paired with the black appliances and metal fixtures.
Beneath the kitchen window, a stainless steel double-basin sink and curved faucet replaced the older white sink. The floral window treatment gave way to a woven bamboo shade from Lowe’s, and vertical cream beadboard covered the backsplash.
A small table lamp, black metal serving tray, and red floral accessories completed the sink area, with the granite extending beneath the coffee maker and other countertop items.
Her Great-Grandmother’s Table Became a Kitchen Island
The small table in the center of the kitchen belonged to the homeowner’s great-grandmother. Its original cream finish and open shelf made it useful for storing mixing bowls, but she wanted to give the piece another update.
She painted the base green and added an IKEA butcher-block top, staining the wood after her daughter suggested leaving it darker than the painted legs.
The finished table provided a separate preparation surface without a permanent island installation. A long red-and-cream striped runner bordered the sink cabinets, while the green base picked up colors from the adjoining breakfast room.
An Old Ladder Became the Kitchen’s Most Talked-About Feature
Suspended above the peninsula, a weathered wooden ladder held wicker baskets, vintage tins, and other containers. Four chains attached to the ceiling supported the ladder, keeping the display above the countertop.
The homeowner found the green ladder at a local antique mall and said it received more comments than anything else in the kitchen.
From the breakfast room, the suspended display sits between the cooking area and the adjoining living space, leaving the counter beneath it accessible.
She still hoped to install white subway tiles and wood flooring, but those changes had not been completed when she shared the makeover. The cabinet painting, stone counters, refinished table, and antique ladder marked the progress she had made on a project she once feared starting.