I don't have enough "pretties" lol! (or at least ones that fit) I'll find somethin' somewhere I guess...ran out of steam yesterday. Here's a shot of them early this morning, about 4am. Mike starts a fire every cold morning...or maybe when it's not so cold too. :)) A little out of focus but I hate the flash effect. I don't know WHY Photobucket isn't re-sizing all of a sudden??? Trying to reduce size but it's not saving...hmmm.

Trying to resize from my lap top...
see if this works~
Looks purty to me! Just what you were looking for!

I've got some "black" painting ahead of me too and would love to hear tips.

Looks beautiful and there's no question you had to go really dark with those cabs - anything else would have looked wrong. You decided to give M his doors?

Someone is going to have a beautiful Thanksgiving table by the fire.

....Jane

As far as technique...lol. I'm not sure I EVA do it the same way twice but I always brush paint and always use semi-gloss. Even semi-isn't that glossy nowadays. These were initially stained with leftover Polyshades. (had to pretend I was making an effort at the wood look...snort) But it's a base coat that I later expose by wiping off the black paint...it gives a look of age without dinging/sanding the thing to death and it does occur IRL on old pieces. I do a little bit of sanding but never much or all around. I'm not happy with some of it and to fix it I'll just use some raw sienna craft paint in spots then paint it black again and rub off very lightly with a damp paper towel.

I've honestly found the more layers you have the more realistic it looks so don't be afraid of messin' up! I normally "blister" black pieces a bit with crackle (not used in the normal way) but I didn't this time as I wanted to keep the finish smooth...since they stay with the house. Someone might want to change them...who knows?

BTW, if you want a "Ballards" look, this isn't for you lol. I like a more primitive look.

I might put some Butcher's Wax on as a top coat...dunno.

Juddgirl... re: the wiping off. No, not immediately. I let it sit for about 5 minutes or so then pounce with a damp paper towel or VERY gently wipe. Sometimes I'll go back over with almost a dry paintbrush just to add more dimension...or whateva lol. Just takes a lil practice and experimenting on some old piece...or just on wood/2x4's hanging around...hee.

Lynn...yes, I wanted soft light on that side of the kitchen (I detest overheads!!) and finally found some simple plug in sconces up in NH. Mike drilled diagonally through the brick and in-line switches are hiding on the sides.

No, M has enuf on his plate...he didn't make them. I had my cab guy make these in unfinished pine at the same time as the rest of the cabinets. I've got to have him out soon to measure for the bath remodel. Hope he doesn't think I KILLED his cabs lol!

Thanks all very much for your nice comments. :) Have to touch up the walls now.......sigh.

You have a beautiful home, Jant!

Kat :)

I love, love, looooove your "new" cupboards, and think this entire space is just heavenly. I don't think you know how to create a space that isn't pure perfection. ::sigh::

Good job!
Red

Back in bit...need to run an errand.

Anyhoos, yes...it's gonna be crowded lol! How 'bout we set up a bunkhouse thang in our barn? I CAN use the help with 2 baths to gut, foyer to change out "etc"....hmmmm. :)

Here's a pix from the last time the kitchen was clean. :( I had just bought this new light for over the sink.

Thanks again all.

Saw the first fuzzy photos -- and thought: "Great Stars Above -- has Jan been sniffing the paint too long????" LOL!

Just knew that the black cabinets would be great sitting next to that yummy fireplace (((( soooooooo jealous over here!!!))))))))

the other Jan -- at Rosemary Cottage

Well, didn't get the backsplash painted yesterday...first thing today and then I'm DONE...well, almost. :( With the new cupboards done, what I knew would happen, has. My antique stepback cupboard needs to move out of the kitchen....sigh. It's just too many large pieces, too similar in style and just too much weight on that side of the room. Think I'll put it in my barn room...nowhere else to put it.

Sooo, I'm going to add more white cabinetry me thinks. A desk/server combo with cabs above. It will be nice to have a laptop area in the kit anyway. Then I can fritter even MORE time away lol. Might even sneak in a warming drawer which I could use since I only have the range oven. Good for keeping things warm when my family gets together.

Jan...can you believe I had an FP in my last Denver home too? Don't know how I'm pulling this off ...snort. When I walked into this kitchen, I couldn't believe my luck. The idiot realtor who listed this house did NOT even take a shot of the FP to use in his listing...he was a piece of work lol.

Here's another shot of the kit (complete with sponges, dishrack lol) It's so pretty when the afternoon sun comes in and I love having the southern exposure on this side.

Thanks guys for your comments!

I'm so sad my workhorse cupboard has to leave...:((.

Thanks for posting & sharing your artistic work of art - Love what you have accomplished - The cabs appear as though they have been there forever - love your dish display in the uppers
Love the last pic w/the way the light is coming in the kitchen -
keep posting your work!

You must be the same Jan from the former GI site, right?
The "snort" gave you away.

Of course, anything you do Jan is always a WOW!
Your attention to detail always gives me so much inspiration and your get-er-done attitude always motivates me!

If you all think her home is wonderful, you should see Jan's gardens!!!

DEB: I emailed you back a few days ago. Hope you got it!

Just got back home from a few hours of flea marketing...always fun to do on a rainy day. Found a neat old sailing ship print with a thin blue enamel and gold gilt frame...$20. Decided to give myself a break after 5 solid days of painting for hrs and hrs!

OK Gracie and Amity...identify yourselves lol!! Am I the only "snorter" here? :) The gardens...sigh. Talk about a change from several years ago thanks to our deer prob during winter. It's more and more boxwood each yr...one of the few things they're not chomping on.

Thanks very much everyone....really. Here's my stepback cupboard. It was quite a find (read seriously underpriced!) 20 odd years ago in Denver. It held our little TV, towels, you name it at our ranch.

I'm standing at the sink shooting this. The FP and cupboards are just to the left of the doorway there. VERY heavy now visually on that side of the room. That's a good 7' run that I'll probably use for more of the white cabs/desk.

No, my walls aren't pink. :) Thanks again all; I really appreciate your comments and funnies too!

LOVE all sides of your kitchen!

What kind of countertops do you have?

Jan (snort) at Rosemary Cottage

The counters are soapstone Jan...we love them. Just oiled them twice in the first month and since then they've been on their own. We prefer the gray tone vs the oiled black. The patina is amazing...and soooo smoooooth. It was our little splurge in here. And I'm so glad we went with the soapstone sink. I've always wanted one. Used to go to this salvage place years ago and drool over the big ole sinks.

Hoosiergirl...yep, I'm sad about that but....Maybe I just need a second house? That's IT!! :)))

That kitchen cupboard does have the same effect too -- a wonderful surface ((yeah, I know -- who the hell put these blasted fingerprints on everything .....LOL!))

Jan