Cabinet Refinishing
Kitchen glazed sage cabinets painted white, dark lowers and pendant lights
Kitchen glazed sage cabinets painted white, dark lowers and pendant lights. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job. 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.
Glazed Sage Upper Cabinets, Range Hood and Island Painted a Soft White
This kitchen started with three cabinet finishes. The upper cabinets and the large furniture-style range hood were a glazed sage gray with dark glaze in every corner and groove. The lower cabinets and tall pantry wall were black, and the sink island was a glazed blue-gray. Speckled granite counters, a gas range, an arched hood with a patterned tile backsplash and wide-plank wood floors fill out the room. The in-progress photo shows a full spray setup. Paper and tape cover the ceiling line and walls, plastic and masking film cover the counters and black lowers, the tall pantry is sealed behind plastic, and a zip door closes off the next room. A painter sits on the floor working on the island corbel. In the after photos, the uppers, hood, arched surround and island are a soft, even white. The lowers and pantry stay dark, and brass bar pulls finish the island.
Our Process for Painting These Glazed Kitchen Cabinets White
- We removed the upper doors, drawer fronts and pulls, and labeled each piece by location so the layout would go back exactly as it was.
- We masked the ceiling line, walls, counters and backsplash with paper and plastic, sealed the dark pantry wall, and closed the doorway with a zip door.
- We cleaned the glazed cabinets with a degreaser and scuff sanded them, paying extra attention to the deep grooves where glaze had built up.
- We sprayed a stain-blocking primer over the sage and blue-gray glaze so none of the darker tones would show through the white finish.
- We sprayed the uppers, range hood, arched surround and island in white, working the paint into the raised panels, corbels and crown details.
- We sprayed the doors and drawer fronts flat in two coats, sanding lightly between coats for a smooth finish on every panel.
- After the finish cured, we reinstalled the doors and drawers, added the brass bar pulls on the island, and removed all of the masking.
Paint Colors Similar to These White Uppers With Dark Lower Cabinets
If you like white uppers with dark lowers, these are similar colors to consider. They are not the exact colors used in this kitchen.
Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
A soft, warm white close to these uppers and the island. It looks gentle next to speckled granite and brass pulls.
Sherwin-Williams Alabaster SW 7008
A creamy white that suits a detailed range hood and arched surround. It keeps the white from looking stark beside black lowers.
Sherwin-Williams Caviar SW 6990
A soft black similar to the dark lower cabinets and pantry wall. It grounds the room and contrasts well with white uppers.
Questions About Painting Glazed Kitchen Cabinets
Can glazed cabinets be painted a solid color?
Yes. Glazed cabinets need a careful cleaning and scuff sanding, especially in the grooves where glaze collects. A stain-blocking primer keeps the darker glaze from showing through. After priming, two coats of cabinet paint give a solid, even color like the white in this kitchen.
Is it a good idea to paint uppers and lowers different colors?
A two-tone kitchen can make a room feel lighter while keeping some contrast. Light uppers reflect more light, and dark lowers hide scuffs near the floor. It works well when the colors connect to the counters, floors or hardware. Sampling both colors together helps you see the balance.
How much of the kitchen needs to be masked for spraying cabinets?
Almost everything that is not being painted. Counters, backsplash, appliances, walls, ceilings and nearby cabinets are covered with paper or plastic. Doorways are sealed to keep overspray out of other rooms. This prep takes time, but it allows a smooth sprayed finish without paint landing where it should not.
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