This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Today I am working on my kitchen and it is a disaster! If you follow me on instagram then you have probably seen some of my progress (or what I like to call it). My whole house is in a disarray! Just picture: things torn apart, and tools everywhere. With that being said, let's talk about a few things you should know in case you decide to embark on a similar journey! I have to tell you though, some of the chaos revolves around the fact that I have three little kids.
Survive the process of redoing a kitchen!
1. Prepare to eat out. No matter how much of a super mom you are, you will NOT want to cook. I promise! Go to subway, give your kids McDonalds, eat unhealthy. Not doing these things could result in broken dishes, spilled messes, crying children, and a grouchy husband.
2. Book a massage. You will need it. You are spending days painting cabinets. Enough said!
3. Don't start tearing things apart in an already messy kitchen or it could end up like this. (no need to watermark this picture... if someone tries to steal it, they need it more than me, haha)
But who are we kidding... it's going to look like that no matter what!
4. You will at some point try to cut corners. DON'T DO IT! JUST SAY NO! You will be so grateful afterwards. (not that I'm done, but so far I'm happy I have told myself not to cut corners)
5. Probably not the best idea to build a playset AND redo a kitchen at the same time. Looking back to Friday I'm not exactly sure what I was thinking because this was my crazy idea! DIY a.d.d. maybe??
6. Buy baby gates. Our baby is everywhere and he just can't go in the kitchen. This makes for a whiny baby who just wants to crawl, and a more difficult time for you!
7. Wait until a day you can open all your windows so you can use oil based primer - you will thank me later. ; )
8. If you are OCD.... just walk away. You won't be able to handle the chaos that sits on your countertops. I am definitely not one of those people that HAS to have my kitchen clean before I can do anything else and this is DRIVING.ME.CRAZY I just want the kitchen clean before I do anything else. SO if you are OCD be afraid. If you aren't OCD, you will be soon!
9. Don't use your favorite and most expensive paint brush in oil based primer. It will likely make you cry when you are ready to put on your top coat and realize you have no way to clean out your oh so perfect brush! (because I don't clean out brushes with oil based paint....)
10. The most important of all... it is A-O.K. to throw a fit like a small child on your floor. Just lay down on your back, look at the ceiling, and kick your feet. Embrace those feelings. Your husband might look at you all concerned, but either A) he will stop building the playset and come check on you B) hold you and tell you that everything is ganna be alright or C) call the doctor... either way you are going to get some help!
Well... those are the tips I have for you today, and also the reason I don't have any pretty pictures of finished projects to share with you. I hope I didn't scare you too bad. I would go through it all again just based on the small little portion I have finished.
Follow me on Instagram (@cherishedbliss) to see this crazy journey! #CBKitchenMakeover
Wanna know some of the things that inspire me? Come pin with me!
To see the kitchen progress you can see our current Industrial Farmhouse Kitchen here
and go back in time a little to our first set of renovations here:
And of course you can see all our DIY Projects in the project gallery HERE
Ashley Bliss
Author at The Crafty Blog Stalker
Shirley
I want to do my kitchen. I want to paint the cupboards white and you say to do an oil base paint, do you have to paint the second coat oil base? I can't wait to see your kitchen finished or more steps to the finish. I am sure you can't wait either. Please let me know about the paint. Thanks
Ashley
Hi Shirley, I used an oil based primer, and then I used a 100% enamel paint for the cabinets (which is water based) enamel is noted for it's durability and having a "hard finish" making it great for cabinets. I will definitely have a step by step tutorial coming soon! I just have to finish mine first to make sure I have the steps right, lol : ) It's definitely a process, but I've really tried to be patient and I am super happy with the results so far! : )
Shirley
I want to do my kitchen. I want to paint the cupboards white and you say to do an oil base paint, do you have to paint the second coat oil base? I can't wait to see your kitchen finished or more steps to the finish. I am sure you can't wait either. Please let me know about the paint. Thanks
Ashley
Hi Shirley, I used an oil based primer, and then I used a 100% enamel paint for the cabinets (which is water based) enamel is noted for it's durability and having a "hard finish" making it great for cabinets. I will definitely have a step by step tutorial coming soon! I just have to finish mine first to make sure I have the steps right, lol : ) It's definitely a process, but I've really tried to be patient and I am super happy with the results so far! : )
Crystal
Great tips!! When we redid out kitchen, we demo'd everything. We ate lots of sandwiches and ate out a lot. Keeping focused on what it will look like in the end will help you when you get discouraged.
Ashley
Thanks Crystal! I'm trying to stay focused... and yes, definitely lots of sandwiches! Luckily my kids think all they can eat is pb&j so that works out at least! : )
Crystal
Great tips!! When we redid out kitchen, we demo'd everything. We ate lots of sandwiches and ate out a lot. Keeping focused on what it will look like in the end will help you when you get discouraged.
Ashley
Thanks Crystal! I'm trying to stay focused... and yes, definitely lots of sandwiches! Luckily my kids think all they can eat is pb&j so that works out at least! : )
Serena| Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Ugh.. Been there done that but we removed all our cabinets! Such a process!
Serena| Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Ugh.. Been there done that but we removed all our cabinets! Such a process!
Jacqui
Just about to have a complete new kitchen put in. Leaving it to the experts. No way would i attempt myself. I did have full input and personally did the purchasing of sink, tap etc myself.
Jacqui
Just about to have a complete new kitchen put in. Leaving it to the experts. No way would i attempt myself. I did have full input and personally did the purchasing of sink, tap etc myself.
mira
numbers 9 and 10 are the most important things here, i swear. the brush thing.... lots of crying, lots of responding "NO I DON'T WANT A NEW BRUSH" to "but we can buy you new brushes, the hardware store is 50 feet from our back door"... though i'm laughing at #8. the idea of "being" a mental disorder or somehow "becoming" the disorder from disorderly messes. how funny that we talk about mental disorders like that. i bet we'll look back on it in a few years and go "whaaaaaaaat?" but really, no matter how much prepping i do, i can't avoid that kind of mess no matter what kind of project i'm doing... IMPOSSIBLE!
Ashley
haha! Well at least I'm not the only one ; ) Thanks for sharing!!
mira
numbers 9 and 10 are the most important things here, i swear. the brush thing.... lots of crying, lots of responding "NO I DON'T WANT A NEW BRUSH" to "but we can buy you new brushes, the hardware store is 50 feet from our back door"... though i'm laughing at #8. the idea of "being" a mental disorder or somehow "becoming" the disorder from disorderly messes. how funny that we talk about mental disorders like that. i bet we'll look back on it in a few years and go "whaaaaaaaat?" but really, no matter how much prepping i do, i can't avoid that kind of mess no matter what kind of project i'm doing... IMPOSSIBLE!
Ashley
haha! Well at least I'm not the only one ; ) Thanks for sharing!!
Robin Salvador
Hi Ashley, Great tips! This is very timely especially that the holiday season has just passed and I really need to redo my kitchen. Thanks for sharing these awesome tips.
Robin Salvador
Hi Ashley, Great tips! This is very timely especially that the holiday season has just passed and I really need to redo my kitchen. Thanks for sharing these awesome tips.
Mark Harvey
Choose energy-efficient appliances that suit your lifestyle, such as a large refrigerator for a large family and a convection, gas or double oven for the cooking enthusiast. Select a brand that you trust, and ask your retailer about warranties, delivery and their return policy.
Mark Harvey
Choose energy-efficient appliances that suit your lifestyle, such as a large refrigerator for a large family and a convection, gas or double oven for the cooking enthusiast. Select a brand that you trust, and ask your retailer about warranties, delivery and their return policy.
Heather
Hi Ashley, do you use an oil based primer/undercoat with a waterbased enamel for 2nd & top coats to make it more durable? Or to stop flaking? Thanks H
Heather
Hi Ashley, do you use an oil based primer/undercoat with a waterbased enamel for 2nd & top coats to make it more durable? Or to stop flaking? Thanks H