Cabinet Refinishing · Dec 2020
Cherry kitchen painted white uppers, gray-blue island and lowers
Cherry kitchen painted white uppers, gray-blue island and lowers. These are before and after photos from the job, taken Dec 2020. This cabinet refinishing project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Cherry Kitchen Cabinets Painted White With a Pale Gray-Blue Island and Lowers
This kitchen started with dark cherry cabinets with cathedral arch doors, bright lime green walls, white solid surface counters and a gray-topped island. The cabinets had brass and bronze pulls, and the warm cherry tone made the room feel heavy beside the green. In the after photos, the upper cabinets are a clean white, and the base cabinets and island have a soft, pale gray-blue tone. The walls are now a light gray, so the room reads calm and bright from the window to the doorway. Long black bar pulls replace the old hardware on every door and drawer. A close-up shows the finish on one arched upper door. The paint lies smooth and even across the raised panel, with crisp lines along the profile and a soft satin glow under the recessed light. The oak floors, stainless range and white counters all stayed and now look fresher against the lighter cabinets.
How We Took These Cherry Cabinets From Dark to Light
- We removed the doors, drawer fronts and old pulls, then labeled each piece. Hinges were bagged so every door could go back to its own opening.
- Cherry cabinets often have a factory topcoat, so we degreased every surface and sanded it to a dull finish before any primer went on.
- Old pull holes that did not match the new bar pulls were filled and sanded flat. That way only the new holes show once the hardware is installed.
- A stain-blocking primer went over all the cherry. Dark wood tones can bleed through light paint, and the primer helps stop that from happening.
- We applied two finish coats, white on the uppers and pale gray-blue on the base cabinets and island, keeping the arched panel edges sharp.
- The walls were repainted light gray. Once the cabinet finish cured, we rehung the doors and installed the new black bar pulls.
Paint Colors Similar to This White and Gray-Blue Cherry Kitchen
The three colors below come near these white uppers and pale gray-blue lowers, so think of them as similar ideas instead of the exact formula.
Sherwin-Williams Snowbound SW 7004
A soft white close to these upper cabinets. It works well on arched raised panel doors and pairs with black bar pulls.
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170
A light gray with a cool blue lean. It suits base cabinets and an island like these when you want a gentle contrast with white uppers.
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl OC-52
A light, airy gray for walls around white and gray-blue cabinets. It replaces a loud wall color with something calm and easy to live with.
Questions About Painting Cherry Kitchen Cabinets
Can you paint over dark cherry cabinets with white?
Yes, but the prep matters. Cherry often has a slick topcoat and natural tannins that can bleed through light paint. We clean, sand and use a stain-blocking primer before the finish coats. That base keeps the white from turning yellow or pink over time.
Should I change cabinet hardware when I paint my cabinets?
It is a good time to do it. New pulls can change the look as much as the paint. If the new hardware has a different hole spacing, we fill the old holes before painting so they disappear. Black, nickel and brass all work well on painted cabinets.
What sheen is best for painted kitchen cabinets?
Satin and semi-gloss are the most common. Satin has a soft glow that hides small flaws and fingerprints. Semi-gloss is a bit easier to wipe clean but shows dents and brush marks more. Most homeowners like satin for cabinets with detailed raised panels.
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