Going Green
February 22, 2010
It’s time I spill the beans and tell you all what I’ve been up to this past week. I’ve been painting my kitchen. Not only the walls (previously yellow), but also the kitchen island (previously yellow). I also recovered the barstools, crafted a new valance, and added some new accessories. I left the existing white cabinetry and backsplash alone.
The main reason it took me foh-eh-vah was that I chose to use oil-based primer and paint on the kitchen island. And oil based paint dries incredibly slow compared to its latex sister.
Hub and I agreed we were done with the butternut yellow walls and wanted the kitchen to blend better with the adjoining family room and dining room, which are both painted a pale gray green by Benjamin Moore called ‘Camouflage’.
I haven’t even taken the photos of the new space yet, but they’re coming soon ! First, I wanted to share some inspiration images. I’ve been keeping a lot of these for awhile now because I adore soft green and white kitchens. Celadon green is a color I keep coming back to time and again. It’s seasonless, versatile, and always fresh.
To me, this is such an inviting cheerful place, and the perfect shade of green.
Both Country Living
I dig the marble top island here, paired with nickel pulls and this brighter green color. 
Coastal Living
Love the colored plates and bowls behind glass here, and also the retro touches.
Country Living
Simple and inviting.
House Beautiful
Here’s a lot of green in a dramatic space. That marble top island and those pendant fixtures are incredible.
Michael Smith Interiors
Love the wood top island here with the copper hood, and rustic beams.
Elaine Griffin Interiors
I heart this wall color, it’s just so cheerful. I also like the medley of glass front with closed front cabinets in this space, and the wood top island.
Country Living
An elegant French Country style. 
Both House Beautiful
I love this casual kitchen and its personal touches.
Country Living
This green color is as verdant as the plants on the windowsill.
Design Sponge
A perfect pop of color inside the cabinetry. Love !
House Beautiful
I like this crisp apple green paired with the white cabinets, accessories, and ceramics.
My Home Ideas
Okay, this is a dining space, but it still inspires me with its mix of rustic and elegant.
Found Style, Amy Butler
Here’s a nice mixture of black cabinets with marble countertops and green walls.
Country Living
What’s your opinion on painted kitchen cabinets ? Do you love white ? Prefer black ? Like a little color ? Are you more of a wood tone person, or do you like to mix it up ? Do tell.
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Tags: green kitchens, kitchen
I love painted cabinets but that’s I love black, white, blue, you name the color I like it! There’s just so much you can do if you paint the cabinets, not my current favorite is the color on the upper cabinet a different color then the bottom!
Yes! I love painted kitchen cabinets. White and a soft gray are my favs at the moment, but a soft green would be third choice. Love that design by Smith too.
xo,
cristin
Beautiful…makes me happy to see lovely spaces. Holly
I have never been a huge Green fan,,, but after seeing all the beautiful photos,, I have changed my mind…. thanks… have fun redoing yours…hope you share…
Hugs;
Alaura
I’m going to be painting our kitchen cabinets white this summer and we have soft green walls (BM Tea Light), so I guess I’m totally in tune with your ideas.
We just painted our cabinets white and have light blue walls. I looove it!
Oh, goody! Can’t wait to see what you’ve done with your kitchen. Sounds wonderful. I love painted cabinets, and these green and white kitchens are like a breath of fresh air.
I love the green in all your pictures. Very pretty choice for your kitchen too! I like painted cabinets. Sounds like you have really been busy. Love & blessings from NC!
I love to mix it up. I like the wood tones with painted cabinets. I am really liking how more cabinets have color inside. Looking forward to seeing your transformation. I wish I would have used more durable paint on my island, but I hate any sheen. So I am left in the need of a touch up.
I love creamy white cabinets with a bit of antiquing- that would look great with the lovely green colors in the photos. I plan on painting my currently maple with a bit of damage from the previous owner cabinets this summer and adding some nice nickel knobs.
Ohhhh I can’t wait to see!!! Love your pictures. I’m usually a white cabinet girl, but I’ve seen some painted cabinets lately that make me go “Oooh, ahhh, hmmm”. If I had several houses to decorate, one of them would definitely have a color on the cabinets…you know, because that’s such a reasonable thought…ha!
So pretty! Can’t wait to see what you have come up with! I love the look of painted cabinets and in our kitchen we decided to go with black. I was a little worried how it was going to come out since it was such a drastic change but I was pleasantly surprised how much I love it now.
I have that same green glass orange juicer as in that second photo. :)
My bedroom in my old house was painted a calm green called “sanctuary” which I thought was quite fitting! I love green and white together – my bedroom now is painted “oatmeal” and I have green accents.
Painted cabinets…I think it depends on the age. Old cabinets I have NO problem painting while new cabinets I would hesitate to paint. I do really like white painted cabinets though.
I was oohing and ahhing over each photo. So closely in fact that I spied the little bitty pretty one wearing a dachshund t shirt. My dog Rudi approves of this message.
I love creamy glazed cabinets but I also like black cabinets. I have black now and I am liking them but they are not as great as my last kitchen. I am thinking of going green on the walls too. I had green in the old kitchen and I have green in our dining room right now. I just have to find the right color.
Thanks for all the fabulous ideas.
Really beautiful choices for your inspiration. I can’t wait to see your own version. My favourite colour for kitchen cabinets is white. It makes the space open and airy. Kitchens tend to be rather dense looking due to tightly built-in cabinetry or shelves. White opens the space considerably. However, the choice of the green tone for the walls and especially, the insides of the cabinets (fantastic!), really works for me. I, too, started collecting similar images as I’m slowly preparing to renovate my kitchen in the new house. Can’t wait!!!
I am so HAPPY to find your site!!! I have been wanting to paint my kitchen cabinets in a green tone for over a year now, but haven’t been able to come up with the coordinating colors. My style is sort of country cottage but with a parisian flair. I would love to see the pics of what you decided on. Happy Painting!