I’ve been watching for years as those plain builder’s grade oak cabinets have been painted all over blogland. And I still get a little gleeful when I see those beautiful After shots. There’s nothing sacred about builder’s grade oak, so if you have them and they make you crazy, here’s another great kitchen that just might push you over the edge.
Pssst, you can paint that oak. Yes, really!
Just look at what Erin (who is a Wanna-Be Decorator) has done in her beautifully redone kitchen. When she sent me an email showing off her kitchen, I knew it would be perfect to share with all of you. Y’all love Before and Afters as much as I do, I know!
Of course, this is the Before.
You’ve seen these cabinets all across America. Yep, builder’s love ’em. Erin brought in her great grandmother’s little table as an island to help give it a vintage feel. That wasn’t enough. Cue the white paint. And throw in a little granite on the countertops. 
And you have an instantly lighter and brighter vibe in this vintagey kitchen. It just sings now, don’t you think?
Sleek granite replaced the old formica. New bin pulls and knobs in a beautiful bronze tone really accent those white cabinets. 
She added a pretty striped rug and painted her great grandmother’s table.
This is cute Erin enjoying her new space. I sure don’t blame her for that.
She’s definitely got the WOW factor going on now. 
Check out her genius old vintage ladder turned decorative hanger. Not exactly a pot hanger, but I love how she stacked these cute old boxes and baskets on top. 
Perfect accent in her soaring ceilings. I love that Kitchen sign too.
So, I hope you will take a note from this if you have some oak cabinets that just drive you bonkers. Painting them could be just the ticket to liven up your space too.
Do you… have oak you are dying to paint?
What are you waiting for?
Love, love her redo! The countertops, the cabinets, all her fantastic touches, way to go Erin…she is cute as a button too!
Yes this is absolutely beautiful!!
Kelli
Lovely.
We don’t have any oak asking to be painted. But, we did just paint the woodwork and vintage 1959 windows and sills chocolate brown. (Upcoming reveal soon.) And, I love em!
I am still really hesitant to paint wood – but so far each time I’ve done it I’ve been very happy about the choice!
Amazing transformation! I love it!
I do have some honey oak cabinets that I am very wishy-washy about painting. I just don’t know what to do! Our appliances are bright white, but our trim is creamy white. I want to paint the cabinets the trim color, and I just don’t know if that would look good… or not. So, for now, I will admire Erin’s beautiful kitchen. I love the red accents. P.S. Rhoda, I hope you don’t mind, but I always hear Paula Dean’s voice in my head when I read your posts. 🙂
What a fab transformation and a great inspiration to anyone considering painting their kitchen cabinets.
I have maple cabinets I want to paint! And walls and put in a cork floor… I’d say reading all your great posts has sparked some desires and creativity I didn’t know I had in me!
*blessings*
Those turned out fabulous! I may have to show this post to my hubby!
Ooh! I love the transformation. I’ve been in a debate over whether to paint our cabinets, which are that light maple colored wood, white or not for a few months. I’m not sure that I’m ready to commit until we have the money to redo the countertops too. Her kitchen looks great!
What a beautiful kitchen! I love the changes she made and her style. That ladder is a very clever idea. Thank you for sharing this with all of us, Rhoda.
Elisabeth
I have very NICE oak cabinets but after 27 years I am SICK TO DEATH of them!!!!!!!!!! The whole house is getting dated and I would love to redo it but actually would rather MOVE!!!!:):) I love what Erin did, her kitchen transformation is gorgeous. her Grandmothers little table looks perfect in there. Love her granite! Thanks so much for sharing this! XO, Pinky
That kitchen is beautiful!! I love the pulls for the drawers/doors.
~~~Sigh~~~ !!!!
Yes… I have builder grade oak cabinets, too: it’s on the list!
LOVE this post – the transformation is stunning!! I noticed all the Southern Living at Home & Willow House items (someone else mentioned in a previous post), too. The table re-do & hanging ladder = the cherry on top.
Thanks for the inspiration!
I hope you’re having a FAB time at Blissdom!!!
Hugs, Paula
That is one very adorable kitchen, now! I love all of her vintage items put with a few more modern things. Very nice, thanks for letting us see this, Rhoda.
Hugs, Cindy
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous! she did a fantastic job! Grandmas table got a face lift too! I liked it before and loved it after!
Great job! Marie
http://www.sisterpickers.blogspot.com
Hey, Rhoda! Just thought I would pop over and see what all you’ve been up to! Love this post! I really love the old ladder that she used! What a geat idea! Hope y’all are doing well!
Hugs!
Susan
LOVE THIS!!!!……..I have the builder’s oak…I would so love to paint them white….my husband???…not so much……he thinks the look of real wood is beautiful….no matter what?….I long for white cabinets………………..
Great looking kitchen, so warm and cozy. We had sturdy oak cabinets which were transformed by husband and son to my liking. Removed hardware, sanded down, faced with beadboard framed with molding and simple round, wooden knob, primed red, painted black then distressed for red to show through. With a cherry butcher block counter the whole kitchen was transformed.
Okay. I think you convinced me! What crazy timing. I haven’t gotten to read your blog in months. I just walked out of the kitchen, talked to my husband more about painting the cabinets and how much I want to, and then sat to the computer and opened your blog. Only to find this post about getting off my toosh and getting it done! That kitchen looks AMAZING!!! Hmmm. I am due with baby #4 in less than 6 weeks and wondering if I can handle this but I want to really badly.
Thank you so much for this post! You have inspired me!
What a beautiful kitchen makeover…love that old ladder!
Blessings,
Linda