ABroadsDesigns's Profile

Before I say anything else, please know that you need to seek advice from more knowledgeable people. You CAN paint over anything...although some surfaces will illicit more blood, sweat and tears than others. If you are not eager to shed blood, then I recommend two things:

1) if you like the idea of a white floor-to-ceiling built-in, consider adding a few details to make it look like a piece of furniture instead. If you are the matchy-matchy type, then match that to your kitchen furniture (or family room furniture). Add faux legs (or feet) and crown moulding for a polished look (just be sure to leave yourself several inches between the top of your cabinet and your ceiling if you go with the crown moulding idea). Also keep in mind you may need framed (vs. frameless) cabinets if you choose to do the crown moulding (Google those so you know what I mean).

2) I strongly recommend doing a portable island with shelving (or cabinets if you really need to hide whatever you're storing) beneath the countertop (which could be your matching granite to add a more cohesive--or matchy-matchy--look). Martha Stewart (although I'm not really a fan) loves the portable island thing (she has two in her current main kitchen which she replicated from her previous residence) and it is extremely practical and flexible...not to mention affordable. You can easily and inexpensively convert an old bookshelf or a beat-up chunky microwave table with some paint and some industrial casters. You can shorten the legs or leave them as is for a taller workspace (ideal for taller folks...which might encourage your hubby to cook more often if he has his own "big boy" surface). You can also add a curtain to add a softness to such a hard, angular space; a towel rack and/or a spice rack; a small hole in the countertop where your chopping scraps could be easily pushed into their appropriate home in your trash (or compost) bin below.

Other random (yet applicable) advice:
I would strongly recommend choosing a bold color (red is the most ideal in the kitchen as it subconsciously spurs your appetite and metabolism) to paint your tall cabinet and maybe even your island. If you like it enough, then maybe you can paint your lower cabinets the same. Don't be afraid of color in the kitchen. It is the one place in your home where you want to feel invigorated and energized. If you dislike your cabinets, I do suggest swapping out your cabinet doors and drawer faces. You can switch it up and add some clear or frosted glass inserts to your cabinet doors (and add lighting inside those to highlight them). In that case, the amount of blood, sweat and tears that will be shed is drastically decreased because you'll only have to paint the cabinet boxes themselves to match your new doors and drawer faces. If you're planning to add hardware (new knobs and/or pulls), consider how far those will stick out and if they will interfere, hinder or even prevent the use of other cabinets, drawers, or applicances (this is more commonly a problem in the corners of your kitchen). If you aren't going to do the work yourselves, obtain at least three quotes from professionals with references you've actually checked. NEVER EVER go with the cheapest bid; chances are that they either are scam artists, scumbags, or inexperienced and experimenting on your home. You will spend more money fixing their mistakes than if you had gone with the highest bidder in the first place. Google everything (such as how to paint a laminate surface) and read other DIYers' and other homeowners' blogs (learn from their mistakes--not your own). When seeking advice from your local hardware store, I found that the smaller the hardware store, the better the advice. If you're seeking advice from a custom-cabinet maker, chances are he's going to tell you that you need to replace and not repaint. If you're seeking advice from a interior/exterior house painter, he's going to tell you it's impossible to paint because the amount of time and work he will spend doing it the right way (if he even knows how) will not be cost-effective. I would seek out someone like a professional furniture refinisher or repairman who may have experience with your laminate type (or he may know someone who has). Take off a door to bring with you so they can see (and feel) for themselves to give you more accurate advice. Also, if you're not fond of your granite, you may be able to make it more desirable with the right backsplash. Think of the importance of the eyebrow to the overall beauty of the face: people are often most attracted to eyes, but a weak (or absent--think Whoopi Goldberg) eyebrow can deminish the look of even the most beautiful eyes. Eyebrows frame your eyes and add drama to your face, yet no one will compliment you on your beautiful brows--the eyes get all the attention. Same thing with backsplashes--they are there to frame and enhance the beauty of your countertops. Pull your favorite color from the granite variations and use a tile in that color to draw more attention to that color in the granite. Always anticipate that you will spend a minimum of 10-15% more than you budget and that it will take twice as long as you predict. Good luck!!!