We haven’t sold the house yet. The most common objection has to do with the kitchen; it’s either too small (can’t do much about that), or old-fashioned, or “tired”.
— The old-fashioned part probably has to do with the 60’s style pink-ish Formica.
— The “tired” part has to do with the cabinets …. almost all the cabinets have wear-marks right where the hardware is, I suppose from 15 years of grubby fingers rubbing against the wood. (The wood is stained, not painted.)
Today, a kitchen-dude from a kitchens-only shop in town stopped by to give us an estimate on sprucing up the joint. I told him beforehand that we are selling the place, and are loathe to spend additional monies, and that we want something inexpensive, but without looking cheap-ass. Well! …. he quoted us at $11,000 to resurface the cabinets and install granite counter-tops. Uh huh. Fuck that shit!!
OK, so I’ve been on youtube … lots of vids on refinishing cabinets without having to strip it down. Quickies. And, from the vids, it looks pretty good.
Have I, myself, ever finished wood? (heh, heh, wood? finished it off? yes I have!!) Yes, in 8th grade wood shop I made a cutting board from raw wood and mom still has it today. Also, when my kids were tots I bought a couple pieces of naked furniture and finished them nicely. That’s about it.
Here’s where you come in … we have a lot of very handy and gifted people here! Yes, I can watch endless you-tube vids and read articles. Been doing a lot of that already this morning. But, nothing is better than first hand advice … from people who have actually done it. Also, it is sometimes difficult for a neophyte such as myself to sift the bullshit from the pearls.
Note 1: I am NOT looking for long detailed instructions. I wouldn’t even think of imposing on your time like that.
Note 2: Other than removing the cabinet doors, I am not willing to do any other manual stuff — ie; removing the sink, the actual counter-top, etc.
So, in general …
1)– Any websites and/or vids which you’ve used which you can endorse?
2)– Any quick hints? Such as — “Absolutely don’t do this …” or, “You must do this …”
3)– Currently the wood is stained maple. Should I only re-stain? Or, would you paint it?
4)– I always always underestimate the time it takes to do manual work. (I have 11 full-size cabinets, 8 half size, and 10 drawers). Am I looking at a week? Two weeks? A month? Will I want to kill myself afterwards?
5) Regarding the counter-top …. Rust-Oleum makes the product below. Looks pretty damn good to me … a lot better than pink Formica. Whatdya think?
Lastly, I know I’ll get a few answers … because that’s the way you people are …….. and, in order to not be like Robert Gore by thanking each and everyone separately …… you do know that I appreciate your help from the bottom of my cold dark heart. Thank you … in advance.
Looking at the rooms, my biased impression:
4/24 paint the walls to match the furniture, the room is unbalanced, too much weight on the right side, who plays the piano? coffee table does not match modern look of sofa and vase
5/24 drapery detracts from window, room looks empty, pictures on wall could be replaced by something larger to match the room size. the picture frames are too small, they need to be much bigger.
6/24 match paint to the furniture, the paint and large table make the room seem small, this room looks like the twins’ scene from the shining,
7/24 beautiful floor needs accentuation by a matching wall color
8/24 nice kitchen, would move chandelier from previous pic and repurpose the one here, wall clock is too high, lights would look better if they were recessed lighting, light cabinet colors is a plus, gives the kitchen an open airy look, mauve backsplash under the cabinets is a nice touch, oversize dining table gives that part of the room needed weight and balances the room
9/24 room could use an upright on the left, perhaps a bakery shelf, anything, a rolling butcher cart?
10/24 what is the style here, queen anne, chippendale? lots of light, matching hues on wall and floor, tv stand too small for the flatscreen, bedspread is a passion-killer
11/24 ooh, lime green wall, sexy! furniture too sparse, room looks too big, I didn’t notice that’s a king size bed, it shrank in the large room
12/24 nice place to OD on heroin
13/24 nice room, erection came back
14/24 this room needs more junk! make it into a man cave or something
15/24 did I just wander into the M Casino?
16/24 those metal file cabinets are killing it, an oak cabinets available? dropped ceiling makes the room seem small and it ruins the effect of the architectural windows,
17/24 blinds inside the windows kills the windows, too bad
18/24 did I just wander into the old Imperial Palace?
19/24 nice window, who likes blue and why?
20/24 looks nice, what do you do there?
21/24 the deck could use a skirt, the fence looks like it needs replacing or repainting or something
22/24 front yard looks nice