I am so excited to share this project with you today! The husband and I just built a home a few months ago and are in the process of trying to make it our own. We are on a tight budget and are doing everything we can to go from that builder grade feel to a home that is all us.
The kitchen area is where we spend the most time, and I’ve been wanting to fix-it-up ASAP. Unfortunately, the walls are awkward and I’m sure will be a pain to paint. So I’ve been racking my brain trying to find the perfect solution to bring some life and color in. *Light bulb*.
I can’t tell you the compliments we’ve gotten from friends and family who can’t believe we did this project ourselves – it is a showstopper for sure. I’d like to show you how you can have this custom look for less!
This is the door that inspired my whole project. Shelly at The House of Smiths (one of my favorite blogs!) had a good friend paint their pantry door for an inspired pop of color. I, unfortunately do not have a painter friend, so I decided to tackle the project on my own. Check out The House of Smiths to find out how they finished their door…read on to see how I took on the project!
I must first off apologize for not having any “before” pictures of the doors. I was just so excited to get going I got a little ahead of myself…so here’s a picture of my linen closet doors which are exactly the same as the pantry doors.
Tools & Equipment Needed:
Saw horses or other place to set your doors
Painting supplies {Brush & Trim Roller + Tray}
Main door color {Dutch Boy Premium in Hawaiian Sky}
Fine grit sanding block or sand paper
Wood stain {Minwax Wood Finish in Jacobean}
Bounty’s shop towels or cloth rags
1. To get me started, my wonderful husband removed the pantry doors, knobs, and hinges; he also brought the doors to the garage and set them up for me – what a great guy! You could potentially leave your doors hanging and complete this project with success, but let me tell you that it is much more difficult and time consuming (not that I would know from experience or anything…)!
2. Paint the front and the edges of your door with your main paint color. I didn’t paint the edges, but trust me you’ll want to. I used a $2 trim roller and tray for the flat areas and it was the perfect size! Let the paint dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions and complete any touch-ups necessary to get a nice even coat.
3. After your paint has dried, take your sanding block and work on the corners, edges, and any other area you think would naturally be ‘distressed’ (like around the doorknob). Keep in mind that you don’t need to sand down to the original paint, just enough to give some character. Wipe down the door with a rag to remove any sanding residue.
4. Now it’s time to start ‘glazing’ your door. I like to use a standard wood stain to coat the door, but if you prefer you can also use a dark tinted glaze. Start with any details your door has and thoroughly stain them. Wipe off the stain before it has time to dry. Don’t worry about the coats being even, you want your door to have some charm and character! Continue this process, covering your whole door.
Did you notice how the areas you sanded stand out a little more?
5. After the first coat of stain, your door and garage might look something like this… *Yikes*!
Don’t worry though, lightly stain & wipe any spots you think need work. If your brush strokes are standing out too much, dip your wiping cloth into the stain and apply to the door.
6. Be warned: this is the worst step! Let your doors sit for at least 24-48 hours (or until they’re completely dry) before you re-install them. During the winter in Indiana this process took almost a week! I finally couldn’t contain myself and put the doors up anyway… You could do this, too {and have a lot of fingerprint touch-ups to make}.
7. When the doors are dry, re-install them and marvel and your gorgeously ‘custom’ pantry doors!
Please share your custom painted doors with me! I’d love to see them!
linking to these parties
It amazes me how something like a painted door can really add so much to a room. I’ll have to keep that in mind when I get my house. LOVE IT. Really great job!
What a beautiful job at antiquing – loving them.
Your newest follower – would love to have you come visit and follow back!
Hugs,
Suzan
Thank you so much! Checkin’ out your blog now… :-)
LOVE this! I have that pantry door pinned too! LOL I just need to get around to doing it! Would love for you to share at the Pomp Party!
http://jill-createcraftlove.blogspot.com/2012/06/pomp-party-24.html
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.
I linked up…thanks for the invite! It really is one of those things that seems harder & more time consuming than it really is. The worst part is waiting for the paint to dry!
Gorgeous color choice!
Thank you so much – it really livens up the space!
GORGEOUS!!!!! I will DEFINITELY try this out…once I decide what color to chose of course! Your blue is so charming, I love everything about it, and you made it look so easy! What an inspiration. Found you via The Farmhouse Porch.
Forgot to ask, what finish did you use for the paint? Thanks.
Thank you so much! I would LOVE to see them when you’re finished – sam {at} atkinsondrive {dot} com
*I used an eggshell finish
They look beautiful. I have been looking for a way to spruce up our pantry doors as well. We are about to begin a kitchen renovation and I had planned to paint them the same color as the cabinets but it might be cool to paint them with some sort of accent color. I love how yours turned out.
Visiting via~ Liz Marie Blog
I’m glad you like them…if you decide to try it out during your renovation I’d love to see pictures! :-)
sam {at} atkinsondrive {dot} com
We did something similar to our kitchen pantry doors using ASCP and clear wax. Ours are Graphite black and then we replaced the door knobs (dummy ones) with vintage glass knobs. Love yours!! Almost the colour of Duck Egg Blue in ASCP : o )
I just took a look at your doors and they are beautiful! I’ve always found something really appealing about black doors {and windows} I think it brings a really elegant look to a space…well done!
Your doors are beautiful. You did a lovely job.
Traci
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Oh, it’s perfect! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Mod Vintage. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-8.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Done…thanks for the invitation! I’m glad you like the doors!
I just love the color you chose for your doors. You were brave to try it, but it’s perfect!
It looks awesome. I pinned Shelly’s door too but never painted my pantry doors. I got a little hesitant because I wasn’t sure if I was going to love it. I may change my mind again.
I’ve been thinking about doing this with my single, little pantry door and your post has totally convinced me to go for it! These doors are incredible! Way to go… the color, style, distressing… all perfect! I am featuring you on Doodles & Stitches Fabulous Friday Link Party tomorrow. Thanks again for linking up!
Thanks so much! I look forward to seeing how yours turns out! :-)
I love this!! I can’t wait to do it! Looks awesome!
I love the way these doors turned out – especially the color! You did a great job. I live in northern Indiana, so I totally understand the length of time it can take for stain to dry in either the cold or the humidity. It’s only in the mid 60′s today & it’s not even the middle of Aug. =0
I know! It’s barely in the 70s here…unfortunately it’s rainy{ish} so we can’t even enjoy the nice weather before it gets too cold or back to being hot again!
Wow!!! They are gorgeous and I think you have definitely customized your home there! Great idea! Thank you for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend!
Thanks so much for linking up to our Keep Calm & Link up Party! I love the color you chose, I bet it makes a real difference in your kitchen!
It does! You can see a picture of our kitchen before I painted them on the Home Tour page and I think it makes a world of difference.
What a great idea! Love your version! I’m featuring you on Facebook today! https://www.facebook.com/chasethestarblog
Barbara @ Chase the Star (Keep Calm & Link Up)
I love the color!
What a great way to add character to your kitchen! Beautiful job, I love that color that you chose.
What a lovely color…great job.
Linking to follow.
beautiful!
This is beautifully done! I love the rustic feel it adds to your kitchen. I am a new follower from southern charm! I would love for you to stop by my blog and hopefully want to follow me back! Have a great weekend Nicole!
It looks amazing! Fabulous job on the door revamp :) Thanks so much for sharing with us at Weekend Wonders. Hope you’re enjoying your week so far.