I share a lot about my apartment you all including my bedroom and bathroom, but haven't been so willing to share my apartment's kitchen. Truth is, it doesn't reflect my taste and, until very recently, I felt like there was little I could do to make it work better for me. But, after following Camille's pitch-perfect rental kitchen transformation (really, it's so good!), I decided I'd finally tackle my kitchen bit by bit.
My first project: to add a privacy/frosted finish to the upper cabinets.
These aren't special custom cabinets, mind you, they are just standard, unoffensive Adel cabinets from Ikea; but I haven't been crazy about how transparent the cabinet's plexiglass fronts were.
Here are a few before shots:
I mean, do you need to see our vitamins? No, not really.
I went to Home Depot, bought myself painter's tape and 2 cans of Rustoleum's Frosted Glass spray paint for about $5/can, and got to work.
I began by taking all of my dishes and glasses out of the upper cabinets and taped off the edges of the plexiglass on the inside of the cabinet. The most important part of the process: applying multiple (at least 8) coats of frost-colored spray paint. In order to build up a consistent finish, I waited about 10 minutes between coats. Once each coat has time to dry, the frosted effect will appear.
Be warned: the fumes are pretty noxious (kind of like 10,000 women polishing their nails simultaneously), so keep the windows open to protect your lungs.
Here is the after: a much more opaque look that conceals all the kitchen necessities in the cabinets.
The upper cabinets' contents are implied rather than declared. Much more subtle.
While we're talking about the kitchen, I wanted to show off a few more changes, including my newly organized cabinets.
Adam also got around to hanging our second wine rack this past weekend.
I feel so much better about the kitchen wall now that there's a little symmetry! Hallelujah.
So, here is one of the first projects I tackled for my rental kitchen.
What do you think?
Have you ever used Rustoleum's frosted glass spray paint?
What are your thoughts on glass-front cabinets?
Here are a few before shots:
I went to Home Depot, bought myself painter's tape and 2 cans of Rustoleum's Frosted Glass spray paint for about $5/can, and got to work.
Be warned: the fumes are pretty noxious (kind of like 10,000 women polishing their nails simultaneously), so keep the windows open to protect your lungs.
Here is the after: a much more opaque look that conceals all the kitchen necessities in the cabinets.
The upper cabinets' contents are implied rather than declared. Much more subtle.
I feel so much better about the kitchen wall now that there's a little symmetry! Hallelujah.
What do you think?
Have you ever used Rustoleum's frosted glass spray paint?
What are your thoughts on glass-front cabinets?
I have! I used it to frost the entertainment center doors to hide all that electronic crap!
ReplyDeletehttp://bigbeigebox.blogspot.com/2009/09/frosty.html
Love feeling like my cabinets are organized...and your breakfast room area looks great! We have a pattern on our glass cabinets in the new house (hard to describe, but subtle enough to be okay while hiding what is behind). Our cabinets just need a fresh coat of paint right now:)
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Caroline
I've never tried the frosted glass spray, but have been wanting to try the looking glass spray which supposedly mimics mirrored glass but I can't find it anywhere. I'm now starting to doubt if they still make it. Love the subtle but noticeable difference, and your wine racks look great!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is the little things that can make a HUGE difference. Frosting the glass was a great idea. Some things are meant to be hidden!
ReplyDeleteGosh, I had no idea that such a thing even existed. (Where can I use this?)
ReplyDeleteYes to implied rather than declared. You are so funny. Sometimes we all need a little bit more privacy. :)
Thanks for the nice things you said about my kitchen. I hope we stay here long enough to make it worth my while. Same goes to you, Ashley. But it's really always worth it to make a rental feel like home.
Camille
I wouldn't like completely clear cabinets either. I like what you did :)
ReplyDeletexx
Jen
I tried using that spray stuff once, but could not handle the smell. I ended up using some Ikea window privacy film and it worked like a charm. Its till looking brand new over 3 years later!
ReplyDeleteThe frosted spray seems like a perfect solution. Also, the wine racks look incredible!!
ReplyDelete