Getting the blues
Robin's egg blue lifts and freshens the mood.
Dated cabinets feel heavy and drab in this uninspiring kitchen.
Q. We have purchased an older home, a real fixer-upper. We will be renovating the kitchen in a few years, but for now what would you suggest we do with the drab wood cabinetry? – Pat
A. A small kitchen can be instantly renovated at little cost with paint. Here is a great fix without having to replace the cabinets. Choose a color that has a light, bright quality. This year’s color trends show pastel shades of blue that are calm and reflective. These blues combine with whites, or more vibrant shades, to create the right mood for you. For this small apartment kitchen, I chose a robin’s egg blue, which has touches of blue and green reminiscent of a quiet sea. Color uniformity prevents a space from looking too choppy, so I extended the sandy beige wall paint to cover the ceiling. The gentle pairing of pastel shades is enlivened by a white tile backsplash and white appliances. To make an ordinary tile look special, I applied turquoise grout that links to the cabinetry and adds a neat design detail.
To give the cabinets a professional finish, take the time to remove all the doors and hardware. Repair any holes or cracks with wood filler. Sand smooth. If the cabinets have a coat of varnish, sand to rough up the surface, and then apply a high-hide paint primer designed for slippery surfaces. Allow the primer to dry completely before painting. The glossier the paint sheen you apply, the easier it is to clean the surface. For a busy kitchen, semi-gloss is the most practical, but I used a low-luster paint and was happy with the results. The painted surface does wipe clean easily, and the low-luster adds a feeling of space.
The original vinyl kitchen floor was in very poor shape, so I replaced it with a rubber floor. Associated more with commercial use in hospitals and gymnasiums, a rubber floor is very comfortable underfoot, nonslip, hygienic and extremely durable. It is available in a range of shades and textures, but smooth is best for the kitchen. This floor has the look of slate but is less costly, and more forgiving in a kitchen.
Q. I remember seeing an episode of one of your decorating shows where you created a collage of pictures and flowers to update the top of a coffee table. What did you apply over the pictures so that they stayed in place? It was a clear liquid. Thanks for your clever ideas. – Tara
A. The product you are describing is epoxy varnish. It is a pour-on epoxy finish that is equal to 60 coats of regular varnish. It’s popular for commercial spaces, such as restaurant bar counters. Epoxy varnish is also used in arts and crafts projects to embed pictures, theater, plane and train tickets, flower petals and other memorabilia that you choose to display on your tabletop. It can be applied to trays, ceramics, oil paint and most other materials, to produce a smooth, high-gloss finish that is waterproof and durable. Check your hardware store, arts and crafts store or the web to find the product that is right for your project. It will come with instructions.
Email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.