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Trash To Treasure

Refacing a Built in Buffet - Need Advice!

13 years ago

Hi Everyone! Have been 'lurking' here for months and am so pleased to have the insight that all of you share!

We bought a DW about a year ago and have been remodelling ever since. So far we have removed a wall, enlarged the kitchen by making the laundry room smaller. built in the fridge, installed new ash doors on the cupboards and added an amazing island, replaced the flooring, doors and are presently installing closet organizers and replacing the closet doors.

We recently papered and painted the open concept LR/DR and plan to reface the built in china cabinet to match kitcen cupboards but I am stumped as to what to do with the inside shelves and panelled back, it is painted white at this time.

I am sure there is someone out there that has been there done that and I need some ideas.

Thanks so much for your interest and any advice you could offer!

Brenda

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Comments (5)

geeme
13 years ago
what are you going to use it for? If you are showing stuff then what color? dark against white backround or white against dark backround or use the mirror paint on walls and a wood stain on the sheves.....
mizcupcake
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks so much for your reply!

There are glass inserts in the door and I presently have my
good dishes and 'pretty stuff' on display so will probably stay with that. Dishes are white with gold trim and the other stuff is mostly coloured glass.

Sorry to sound stupid but what is 'mirror' paint? I really
like the idea of mirrored background as I do not want it to appear 'dark' inside.

I am going to go to the paint/paper store to see if I can come up with a paper that would suit.

Any other ideas?

Again thanks so much Geeme!
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Welcome out of lurkdom Brenda. I would love to help, but a picture is worth a thousand words, so if you can post a pix that would really help.
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I would try to fix the existing doors on your cabinets. I had an 80s kitchen with the melamine and oak cabinets. For my remodel, I tore out all the old cabinets and replaced them. But I save some of the original cabinets, and put them in the utility room behind the kitchen. I painted everything with something called "Grip and Seal Latex Stain Killer" by Coronado and then had trim board nailed on to the old cabinets (to mimic my new kitchen cabinets). Then I painted everything the same color as my new kitchen cabinets (Benjamin Moore Collector's Item) and used the same cup pulls and knobs as I did on the new cabinets. I'm really pleased with how everything came out. So pleased that sometimes I wonder why I didn't just leave the old cabinets in place and fix them up. Here are some pictures. Original kitchen cabinets: Redone cabinets: Just one thing. When the trim was added to the cabinets, they stuck out just a bit farther than the drawers (which were only painted). So I put a little block at the back of the drawers to make them flush with the cabinets. Hope this helps. Anne
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Not sure where the fridge is in this layout. If counter-depth, I'm assuming it'll be at least 48" wide, and will then occupy good chunk of real estate. If std. depth fridge, I don't see it indicated and it would have an impact on transit routes. Suggest keeping island as-drawn to keep access to wall of cabinets and butler's pantry as open as possible. Agree with many above comments you should ditch built-in seating, especially if this is the only dining space you'll have. You might also want to consider orienting a longer dining table 90 degrees, so as to be placed like the island. Looks like the side walls may be longer than the back wall?? If using drawers for dishes, make sure you opt for full extension, soft close undermount slides that are fastened to a cabinet back MORE than 1/4" thick. The weight of a stack of dinner plates alone can cause attachment to cabinet back to fail. Never mind failure of the slide itself. You'll want slides with static load rating of at least 125 lbs. and dynamic load rating of at least 75 lbs. Check to see if you have those options for attachment and load. Flipping pantry won't accomplish much unless doorway is moved. If doorway gets moved, small run of cabinets on outside corner of pantry will be lost. I suggest you consider a framed entry (no door) to pantry, and eliminate lost space for allowance of door swing. I also think location of the fridge would be a huge factor in assessing orientation of the island.
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Agree the entire thing feels heavy and massive for the look you want. I think the best thing for you to consider, is a skilled interior designer in your area. A clear idea of what you want in a feel for the house. Do some very significant research on both, knowing that a good designer will have the trades necessary at her finger tips. A "community" of ideas here, can get you thinking to be sure, but in the end, you will benefit greatly from a one on one situation.. Consider every aspect, such as do you even want the bar area, or do you need something else? Even dedicated wine storage or something? Your best plan, is a PLAN with one on one help. Take your time, and do your homework. Start with that "inspiration" idea book. And the PRO on site. To design and decorate in haste, is to REPENT at leisure : ) Do it once to love it.
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Carol_from_ny
13 years ago
You could use fabric. Lots of different ways to hang it inside a cabinet....thumbtacks,starch, wallpaper paste.
Use old wallpaper.
Maybe all you need to d is trim out the shelves so they look lace. You can do that with long strips of paper that have been paper punched or raid grandmas trim box in her sewing room.
geeme
13 years ago
Lowes or home depot should have mirror paint.. used to be very popular, if you cant find it they should have the mirrors to put on walls,like tile. either the one foot square of one inch or the one square foot.
sunnyca_gw
12 years ago
Depends on what shelves are made of what you will be able to do with them. If particle board they will have to be painted. Could use a stain to give them antique look. All wood shelves painted white would be very difficult to clean up with paint stripper & hard telling what is underneath. Could wallpaper shelves & back in either a plain textured paper or "grass or bamboo" or other "natural look" that would work in with your new decor.

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