Kitchen cabinets
I live in Cupertino. When we moved into our home in 1973, we had dark woodlike formica put on the kitchen cabinets. I would now like to upgrade that look. Has anyone done anything similar?
Also we have original paneling. What is the best stain to use to freshen up?
Hi Kathe,
I might be able to offer some suggestions, but first, what does the word "upgrade" mean for you? New faces, new cabinets,...? Also, are the finished ends (exposed sides) of the cabinets also formica?
Steve
Hi Steve, I don't think the formica is on the sides of the cabinets. As far as upgrade...I was just thinking of either new formica or laminent facing or new cabinets doors. I'm not considering entire new cabinets. I'm interested in your suggestions. Thanks, Kathe
Hi there:
We refaced our orignal cabs with a light formica ("wheat") several years ago and love the way it came out, since it maintained the look of the original kitchen, with the square, rather than rectangular shape of the boxes. We actually had the sliders removed and replaced with flat front doors that open out, so I can see inside both sides at the same time. While refacing saved us $$, that is not why we did it. We did it because I was having nightmares about destroying the "quaintness" of our original kitchen and I could not stand the thought of tearing out the cabs.
If you send me an e-mail to cathyelynn AT earthlink DOT NET, I will send you photos.
We have a new article on wood paneling and restoration options on this site. There is a link to it from the main home page and it includes tips and product suggestions.
Hi Kathe,
I'm working on an Eichler right now with a similar problem. In this case, the doors are outdated wood frame doors that have a pinkish shade to them. The new owners love the footprint of the cabinets and feel they work well. However, the door/drawer faces seem ugly to them. So we are pulling the old fronts, repainting the existing wood faces and cabinet sides black, and adding new flat slab cherry doors. It will look beautiful, cost less than replacement, and keep the original cabinetry in tack. Its basically more environmentally friendly as well.
It sounds like you could put new formica faces on, and add new doors/drawer fronts of any material you desired (complementing or contrasting.) Another possibility might be to pull the old formica off the cabinet faces (usually a fairly easy thing to do), clean up the surface and repaint. Then you have the option for any door/drawer fronts you like.
Hope this helps
Steve
