DIY Guides » Home Improvement

How to Build a Kitchen Island Bar Table

Mike — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:09:22 +0000

It might sound like a difficult task for your if you want to build a kitchen island bar table on your own, but it can be easily done if you have the knowledge and a little carpentry skill. Whenever we want to design our island, it must not only feature a kitchen table stranded in the middle of your kitchen room. It should have a certain feature similar to the classic worktables of rural America that blends in nicely with a modern cabinet concept. The end result that you will see is a counter-height work-station that comes with a bar table along with drawers, a pullout waste bin, a storage shelf, a drop-leaf top, plus the island table is also mobile and able to be relocate to any area within the kitchen. You can construct the base of your island bar table simply by using old cabinets that will help you a lot rather than to build your own frame from scratch.

To build a kitchen island bar table, you need:

Old cabinets
Screwdriver
Wood screws
Measuring tape
Circular saw
2-by-6-inch hardwood
Butcher block
2-inch wood screws
3-inch wood screws
3-by-3-inch hardwood
Paint or wood stain
Clear varnish or polyurethane

Building a Kitchen Island Bar Table

How to Build a Kitchen Island Bar Table

First thing that you need to do is to choose one or more cabinets that you want to use as the base of your kitchen island.
- If you like the island and bar table to be fairly wide, you should use two or up to three similar type of cabinets.
- Make sure that the height of your cabinets that you want to use is approximately the same level to the desired height of your kitchen island.
- You need to build on to the island in order to form the bar table.

Make sure to measure the kitchen and translate the measurement that you have done into layout of the kitchen onto graph paper. You should use the biggest scale but make sure that the layout fits onto a piece of paper.

The next step to do is to slide the cabinets up against each other allowing the sides to flush and enabling the cabinets facing to the same direction.
- Make sure to check the cabinets that you want to use ensuring that they are still in good condition.
- Then, you need to tighten up any loose screws by using a screwdriver.
You must attach your cabinets to each other.
- Then, you have to open the cabinet doors and drive wood screws through the side panel of one cabinet right into the other side panel of the adjacent cabinet.
- Make sure to use wood screws with at least 1/2-inch shorter than the width of your two side panels combined together.
Take your measuring tape to measure the length and depth of the flat surface formed by the combined tops of your cabinets.
- This measurements will be used for cutting the butcher block for the top of your island and also help you build the bar table.
With your circular saw, you need to cut a piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood following the length measurement that you have just determined.
- Next, you need to stand the piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood on its upright on its narrow edge along the back of your cabinets.
- After that, you have to secure the hardwood using 2-inch wood screws. Drive the wood screws at a downward angle through the back side of the hardwood into the cabinet tops below.
In order to make the kitchen island countertop, you have to cut a sheet of butcher block.
- You can make use of the length of the island and the depth of the flat surface formed by the cabinet tops for cutting the butcher block.
- You have previously installed the 2-by-6-inch piece of hardwood along the back of the cabinets and the next step to do is to subtract its width from the depth measurement when cutting your butcher block.
Once done, you must lay the butcher block flat on top of the cabinets so that the back edge is flush with the piece of hardwood you just installed.
- After that, you need to drive 3-inch wood screws through the upright of the hardwood board right into the butcher block and also through the top of the butcher block into the cabinets below.
The next thing that you should do is to cut another piece of butcher block according to the length of the island along with the desired width of your bar table.
- The butcher block piece will be used as the component of your bar table of the kitchen island.
Make sure you measure the height from the floor right to the top edge of the piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood that you have installed on the top of your cabinets.
- Then, take you circular saw to use it for cutting two pieces of 3-by-3-inch hardwood according to this measurement.
- The pieces of hardwood will be used as your bar table’s legs.
Then, you must lay the piece of your butcher block that you want to use for your bar tabletop on a flat surface facing upside down.
- Next, you need to stand the two table legs in an upright position in each of the corners along one of the long edges.
- You need to drive the 2-inch wood screws right at the angle through the table legs into the butcher block. Make sure you they are secured and are well in place.
After that, you need to flip the bar tabletop over.
- Move the bar tabletop into position so that the long edge that you see opposite the table legs will be supported by the piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood that you have installed earlier.
- Make sure to align the edges of your butcher block and the piece of hardwood before you can proceed to drive the 3-inch wood screws through the butcher block and into the hardwood for every four inches apart in order to attach them firmly.
Finally, you can paint or stain your two pieces of butcher block together with the 2-by-6-inch hardwood and its two table legs.
- Always ensure that the color or stain that you use matches the cabinets used as the base of your kitchen island.
- Leave the painted surface to dry completely before you can start to apply two or three coats of clear varnish or polyurethane onto your butcher block. As for the hardwood pieces, you can simply use one coat only which is sufficient enough for the item.
Always remember that whenever you want to build a kitchen island bar table a little bit higher
- You should substitute a piece of 2-by-8-inch hardwood for the 2-by-6-inch hardwood. Then you need to cut the legs for your bar table at least 2 inches longer.
- You need to have enough space in the kitchen between the cabinets and the table to work. The most suitable length is thirty-six inches because anything below 30-inches will be too cramped. You must also ensure that you have enough space for opening your electrical appliances like refrigerator or dishwasher.

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How to Build a Kitchen Island Bar Table is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Set Out a Brick Kitchen With Cupboards

Mike — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:00:12 +0000

In order to make your brick kitchen stands out and really set your brick kitchen apart is by installing new cupboards directly into your brick kitchen’s surface. By simply adding new cabinets, you would be able to make the kitchen area look a lot fresher and more organized. You can install cabinets in any number of arrangements that you think suitable for the brick kitchen. In addition, you can also design the plan for installation on your own in order to guarantee that the result can fit into your kitchen’s need and requirement. As for the old cabinets, you can keep them in a safe place as your resource whenever you want to design and build other future do-it-yourself projects such as making desks, kitchen islands or even creating home organization storage.

To set out a brick kitchen with cupboards, you need:

Suspension rails
Carpenter’s level
Tape measure
Hammer drill
Masonry drill bits
2-inch masonry screws
Attachment bolts and nuts for suspension rails
Wrench

Setting Out a Brick Kitchen with Cupboards

How to Set Out a Brick Kitchen with Cupboards

First thing that you need to do is to set your new cupboards against the wall at the desired height that you like.
- Then, you need to mark the location of their attachment screw holes against the wall.
- Next thing to do is to set the suspension rail along each of the marked that you have made earlier and ensure that the rail is the same level from one end to the other. To really make sure that it is level, you can set a carpenter’s level on top of each suspension rail.

Make sure that you do not ever climb or hang onto the cabinets in order to avoid pulling out the cabinets off the wall attachments.

After that, you can adjust the suspension rails position until you are confident that the level shows that each rail is already in a straight position.
- Next, you need to mark the locations of holes in each suspension rail every eight inches and make sure that you managed to keep the rail straight as you proceed.
The next step for you to do is to remove the rails and insert a masonry drill bit into a hammer drill where you need to set the drill on the hammer setting with the highest power available.
- Then, you have to drill into the brick at each of the marked location in order to create 2-inch-deep holes.
- You can simply use a masonry drill bit instead of using masonry screws used in the installation. This is because the masonry drill bit is much smaller in diameter and suitable for the job.
After that, you can set the suspension rail over the drilled holes.
- You must also place a 2-inch masonry screw into each of the hole before you can start drilling them carefully into the holes.
- Remember not to over-tighten the screws when using the drill.
- Proceed with the task of hanging the other suspension rail using the same technique.
The next step that you need to do is to slide the attachment bolts through the washers and then through the outside if each of your cabinet.
- Then, you have to attach the included nut onto the inside of the cabinet and make sure to secure it firmly in place.
- Next, you should slide the bolt head into the suspension rail.
- After that, the cabinet need to be slide down into position right at the desired location before you could tighten up the bolts within the cabinet by using a wrench until it is secured tightly so that they would not be able to move around.
- Repeat the same process for hanging the rest of the cabinets.
Always remember that whenever you want to set out a brick kitchen with cupboards
- You must always ensure that you have installed your cabinets securely. Attach the cabinets together by using screws or finishing nails if it is necessary.

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How to Set Out a Brick Kitchen With Cupboards is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Build a Kitchen Banquette Storage Table

Mike — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:55:33 +0000

Having a kitchen banquette storage table in your kitchen does not serve as practical pieces of furniture, but also works well as a decoration for your kitchen. It can be used for having large dinners and parties or even for laying out your buffets and banquets. The storage element that comes with the banquette table adds another good usage of the furniture that allows you to store large and cumbersome objects easily. It also provides you with extra cozy seating in the kitchen, texture and creating a touch of uniqueness in your kitchen. In order to build a kitchen banquette storage table, you only need minimal tools and materials before you finish it off with paint or stain to create a variety of final look to the banquette storage table.

To build a kitchen banquette storage table, you need:

2 plywood boards, 1/2-by-36-by-48 inches
2 plywood boards, 1/2-by-24-by-36 inches
Drill
Drill bits
Wood screws, 2-inch
2 plywood boards, 1/2-by-24-by-49 inches
Piano hinges
Wood screws, 1/2-inch.
Measuring tape
Circular saw
Jigsaw
Nails
Hammer

Building a Kitchen Banquette Storage Table

How to Build a Kitchen Banquette Storage Table

First thing that you need to do is to arrange two 1/2-by-36-by-48-inch boards on your working area surface.
- Make sure the boards are paralleled to each other with their long and thin sides on your working surface.
- Then, you have to push the boards which are the front and rear sides of the banquette right until they are approximately two feet apart.
- Next, you need to set a 1/2-by-36-by-24-inch board against one set of the side board ends.
- You must align the edges until they are even with each other.

Make sure you have determine all related dimensions such as the area that you intend to place the banquette, measure the proper height and seat depth to create comfortable seating,

The next step is for you to make a hole into the new board, which is the side board of your banquette where the hole must be at every six inches into the front and rear boards.
- Then, you need to set a 2-inch wood screw into each of the hole and make sure that you tighten them completely by using a drill before you screw the boards together.
- After that, you need to repeat the process with another 1/2-by-36-by-24-inch board on the other end to create the other side of the board.
The 1/2-by-24-by-49-inch board needs to be placed against the frame and make sure that you align the edges of your board with the edges of the frame.
- Next, you must drill holes at every 12 inches into the board which will be the bottom board and through to the front, rear and side boards.
- Then, you need to set 2-inch wood screws into each of the hole before you tighten them up in order to attach the bottom of the board.
Once finished doing the above step, you need to rotate the banquette to allow the open section of the frame to face upward.
- You must position another 1/2-by-24-by-49-inch board on top of your banquette. Make sure to adjust the edges so that they are even with the edges of the frame.
- Next, you have to slide a piano hinge between the new board which is the banquette lid and the frame of your banquette.
- Then, you need to mark the location of your piano hinge screw holes and if the need arises for you to lift the lid you should do so.
After that, you should drill a hole in each of the marked location that you have done.
- Then, reposition your piano hinge and screw it securely against the lid and the banquette side with /2-inch wood screws.
If you do not want to cover the banquette with bead board and decided to paint or stain the banquette storage table, you must ensure that you have counter-sink all the screws completely before you cover the heads using wood filler.
Your kitchen banquette storage table should be installed in its permanent location.
- You should be using a 4-foot level for ensuring that the top surface is always level.
- If it is necessary, you can use shims in order to achieve a level position.
- Finally, you can attach the banquette to the wall studs from the inside of the bench with 3-inch wood screws.
Always remember that whenever you want to build a kitchen banquette storage table
- You need to finish the banquette by staining or painting it after you have sand the item and clean the sanded dust completely.
- Make sure to apply the stain or paint with long and even strokes method in the same direction following the wood grain.
- If you decide to add a back to your banquette, you need to angle it at least with a length of 6 degrees in order to provide a more comfortable seat.

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How to Build a Kitchen Banquette Storage Table is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Easily Modernize Your Kitchen

Mike — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:38:18 +0000

Whenever you decide to remodel your kitchen, you might end up paying unnecessary expensive cost if you do not plan it accordingly and use proper planning. It does not matter whether your house is a new one, a 10 years old house or even 100 years old house when it comes to modernizing the house you will definitely encountering a very challenging task. It all depends on the scope of renovating that you intend to do because modernizing can be a simple and straight forward task or even become an intricate task. Modernizing you house can be done just with a simple cosmetic or aesthetic touches but some of house owners like to choose to modernize even the structure of the house thus creating into a major full blown renovation work. Through this article, you can get some ideas on how to modernize your kitchen with an easy and inexpensive change.

To easily modernize your kitchen, you need:

Paint
Wallpaper
Tiling
Rug
New Theme
Potted plants, real or fake
Pictures
Spice Rack

Modernizing Your Kitchen

How to Easily Modernize your Kitchen

First thing that you can do to modernize your kitchen area is by applying a new paint to the kitchen walls.
- Make sure to always use light colors so that you can create a look of a larger kitchen.
The next step is to use a new kind of wallpaper that can match either your new or old kitchen theme.
- You can use borders, half walls; whole walls with scalloped or flitted edges that can definitely help you create some texture onto your kitchen walls.

Try not to use large patterns of wallpaper because it can make your kitchen look darker and appear much smaller.

Always choose a new kitchen theme whenever you are trying to modernizing your kitchen.
- For example, most of the common themes that you consider are fruits, animals, music or even vegetables.

Another method that you can use in order to have a quick modern look kitchen is by replacing the door handles to your cabinets and drawers with updated and trendy accessories.
If you have extra budget, you can purchase a new microwave that can match the new theme that you have chosen for your kitchen.
Next, you can also add new flooring to your kitchen.
- Some of the styles that you can choose to create a modern look include laminate, laminate wood, vinyl and linoleum.
Besides that, you can also add a new table cloth along with new tabletop accessories that matches with your new kitchen theme.
Another item that you can make use is to get a new rug that will definitely add color and design to your kitchen room.
- A new towels or even other kitchen items suitable for you new kitchen’s them can also help modernize the look of your kitchen.
You can also place potted plants whether it is real or artificial at the corners or on top of your kitchen counters.
- Make sure that the pots or vases that you used also matches the colors and theme of your new look kitchen.
In order to add life into your kitchen area, you can simply add a new picture frame which also matches the kitchen theme.
- You can even insert any of your old family photos along with the picture frames.
- Place them above the stove, sink or even at the eating area.
A wooden or a steel spice racks can also be added to your kitchen to modernize it.
- You must also make sure that the jars are always filled with related spice in order to make the spice rack looks much better.
Always remember that whenever you want to modernize your kitchen the first thing that you must do is to analyze the condition of your kitchen and not the items or your existing belongings.
- Determine which areas of the kitchen that needs modernizing. You need to check the conditions of the walls of the kitchen, if it is made if gypsum board and studs, you only need to do light patching of holes and update it with new paint color.
- You can get some ideas by browsing through your favorite home magazine or through the internet that can provide you with some inspiration in modernizing your kitchen.
- The usage of lighting fixtures can also help you modernize your kitchen or even try to use more natural light into the kitchen. You can also update your ceiling, sconces along with your bathroom fixtures that can provide a more modern look and also create a much efficient light to the area. If you have a dark area, you should consider adding skylights or solar tubes to areas.

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How to Easily Modernize Your Kitchen is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Paint a Kitchen in Blue Delft Colors

Mike — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:27:39 +0000

It is common for you to find the distinctive blue and white patterns of blue delft mostly on ceramic objects. It is normally associated with the Netherlands, but the style was originated from China since way back during the 1600s. During that time, the Dutch East India Company had brought blue and white pottery from China back to the Netherlands and it became popular ever since. The Dutch potters started to imitate the technique of making the ceramic. Nowadays, the blue delft patterns not only found on ceramic but also on non-ceramic items such as curtains and fabrics. The delft blues ranges from light cobalt to inky ultramarine but it is often offset together with a white background. For house owners who intend to paint their kitchen with blue delft colors, you must make sure to firstly paint a white base on your kitchen walls. After that, you can proceed with the blue colors along trim and decorative elements instead of doing the whole kitchen with blue colors which is rather strong and not a true blue delft color style.

To paint a kitchen in blue delft colors, you need:

Screwdriver
Painter’s tape
Drop cloth
Detergent or deglosser
Scourer or sponge
Rubber gloves
Sander
Tack cloth
Primer, oil based
Paintbrush
Paint, oil based, various colors

Paint a Kitchen in Blue Delft Colors

How to Paint a Kitchen in Blue Delft Colors

First thing that you need to do is to unscrew all the hinges and handles found on your cabinetry and remove them if you decide to paint the cabinets.
- Make sure to use painters tape in order to cover up any outlets.
- You also need to stick on some drop cloths over the counters and your sink as well as other items that need protection while you are doing your painting task.
The next step is to scrub every surface that you want to paint by using detergent or delgosser.
- If you have been using the kitchen for quite some time, it will be subject to tons of grease and grime which should be removed before you start any paint work on them. Once you have clean them up, let it dry completely.
After that, comes the sanding process where you need to do it on every surface that you intend to paint.
- The sanding process is a tedious job to do but it is quite essential if you want your kitchen cabinet to have a professional looking finish.
- Then, you need to wipe off all sanded surfaces using a tack cloth so that you can remove all the dust completely.
Next, take the primer paint color that you have chosen and apply a coat of it to all the sanded surfaces.
- Once finished coating, you should leave it to dry thoroughly and do the sanding process again.
- After that, you need to wipe all the sanded dust using a tack cloth before you repeat doing another coat of the primer paint color, leave it to dry, sand the surface and wipe it again to clear off all the sanded dust.
- Although it seems to be a lot of work that need to be done but it is a well worth effort when you see the end result.
Before you start doing any painting, you must make sure to determine which sections that you want to leave as the white color and which sections you want to paint using the delft blue color.

It is recommended that you paint the majority of your kitchen area with white color paint while the delft blue color should be applied on your cabinet trim, wall trim and also the molding.

You can start painting by starting with the blue areas.
- Try to use two shades of blue or a single shade if you are using a single shade stick to lighter cobalt. It is not advisable to use darker shades of ultramarine.
- After that, leave the painted surface to dry completely before you can start to the sanding process after the first coat.
- Remove all the sanded dust with a tack cloth before you can start to apply a second and final coat onto the surface.
The next step is to start painting two coats of your white paint to the chosen areas, letting it dry after finish painting and do the sanding process in between the two coats.
- By painting the white paint color the second time enables you to correct any blue color that drips on your white section and sanding them again.
- You must let your kitchen area to dry for at least 24 hours or up to 48 hours which is the best time for avoiding chipping and denting your paintwork whenever you start to re-assemble your kitchen cabinet doors and hardware back to its original locations.
Always remember that whenever you want to paint your kitchen with blue delft colors
- You must ensure that you paint on floral borders in shades of delft blue colors onto your kitchen cabinet doors, within the surrounding area of your light switched or even create a mural on your feature wall. For those of you who are not artistically inclined, you can create floral decoration by using the stencils method.
- You can also paint your walls with white or pale blue color that matches any of your blue delft kitchen décor.

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How to Paint a Kitchen in Blue Delft Colors is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Use Multiple Paint Colors in the Kitchen and Great Room

Mike — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:53:23 +0000

The kitchen and the great room would normally stand next to each other in most of our homes. The decorating style for both rooms can even influence each of the room. The color paint of your choice will definitely create its character for both of these rooms, but you will always encounter problem whenever you are trying to apply multiple paint colors into these adjoining rooms. In order to resolve this issue, you need to choose a good combination of color scheme that can blends in nicely for both of the rooms. However, you should ensure that the color combinations that would like to apply need to be slightly different for each of the room enabling each room the ability to stand out on its own.

To use multiple paint colors in the kitchen and great room, you need:

Choosing the right combination of color scheme
Apply one color primary color and another as the accent color
Kitchen accent pieces or accessories

Using Multiple Paint Colors in the Kitchen and Great Room

How to Use Multiple Paint Colors in the Kitchen and Great Room

First thing that you need to do is to figure out which color scheme you need to choose for the room.
- One way that can help you is by visiting your local paint shop and make sure to browse through their paint chips side by side.
- As you go through the paint chips you would be able to notice which combinations of color scheme that you like.
- You can also ask questions to you or your family members whether you like combination of analogous colors such as blues and purples or even to use some contrasting colors together like yellow and red.

You should at least choose three color scheme of your preferred choice and try to imagine the outcome of the color in both your kitchen and great room.

Once you have chosen the color, you must have one color to be the primary color that you will feature in your kitchen room while another color you can highlight your great room.
- For instance, if you select colors such as brown, cream and blue. The brown color should be used for your kitchen; the cream is for your great room while the blue color is suitable as the accent color for both rooms.
- You should be using all the colors that you have selected in each of the room but the most important thing to do in the first place is to get the proportions for each color combined well together.
The kitchen must be painted with its primary color and this color needs to be added to the main walls of your kitchen.
- If you decide to paint your cupboards, you should paint them also with the main color that you have chosen for your great room.
- Make sure that you paint the trim surrounding the windows, baseboards and around the door jambs using your accent color.
- Another option that you can do is to choose kitchen accent pieces or accessories like artwork, canister sets and towels as your accent color.
The walls of your great room must be covered with primary color of your choice.
- You need to also paint the window sections as well as adding stenciling to your walls and furniture by using the main color that have been using in the kitchen room.
- You can also use accent pieces like throw pillows, rugs or even ceramic plate of your collection that can features as the accent color not only for your great room but also for the kitchen.

Before you can apply any color paint for your kitchen, remember to always consider your cabinet composition and color, your kitchen flooring, the counter spaces, back-splashes and also the appliances. Your color should be harmonized because color has a great impact on regular the kitchen area will be used.

Always remember that whenever you want to use multiple paint colors in your kitchen and great room make sure to use the right combination of color scheme that you like.

Besides that, you can also choose the decorating style in the first place before starting to choose the right paint.
You will find that several decorating style and motifs like the Tuscan, Southwestern or Japanese always feature color scheme where people normally associated it with them. Therefore, once you have decide on right type of decorating style you will automatically know what type of color that you need to use for your kitchen and your great room.

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How to Use Multiple Paint Colors in the Kitchen and Great Room is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Paint a Kitchen with Maple Cabinets & Gold-Brown Counters

Mike — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:18:13 +0000

Having a light maple cabinets in your kitchen can help you in terms of creating a bright and energetic place for you to be. The maple cabinets typically come with light, or blonde color that can provide you with a neutral starting point of either warm and cool tones that can complement each other nicely. As for house owners, who have gold-brown tones for their kitchen counters, it is recommended that you combine it with rich and earthy colors. In order to maintain the tone present in your kitchen, you need a suitable complementary of paint color that can contribute enough feeling of warmth to you and your family whenever you are in the area.

To paint a kitchen with maple cabinets & gold-brown counters, you need:

Select suitable colors using the Color Wheel
Paint brush or roller
Light shade, earth and warm paint colors

Painting a Kitchen with Maple Cabinets & Gold-Brown Counters

How to Paint a Kitchen with Maple Cabinets & Gold-Brown Counters

First thing that you need to do is to select suitable colors that fall under the warm side of the Color Wheel.
- For example, the warm color that you can choose includes yellow, red and orange. All of these vivid colors can you in preventing your maple cabinets look drab or washed out.
- Blue and green falls under the category of cool colors.

You can look for the Color Wheel whenever you visit your local hardware store at the paint section or you can even consult the employee who works at the section.

In order to make your kitchen room look much brighter, you need to consider using a light shade.
- For example, you can make use of the yellow-gold shades that can open up your kitchen and to complement the color, you can use gold tones for your kitchen counters.
- Another combination of colors that you can choose includes a bright, sunny, lemon-yellow or a gold shade or even color between amber and yellow.
- You can also choose light green which function just like light yellow because the colors are capable of brightening and energizing your kitchen room and making the room look bigger. Green color also provides color, shade and contrast especially if you use lime green.
You can also paint your kitchen using warm and earthy tones.
- Some of the colors shades that falls under this category are terracotta or nutmeg.
- You can use red-brown undertones that should be able to complement maple cabinets along with gold-brown counter tops.
If you like darker shade, make sure to choose warm and rich brown colors that can look attractive alongside your existing maple cabinetry.
- You can also make use of darker chocolate and cinnamon shades which is suitable for all of your kitchen walls as well as on one accent wall of your kitchen.
You can also add accent freshness feel into the kitchen that have maple cabinetry.
- For instance, to use shades of white like eggshell, antique white and glowing white in order to provide a clean and fresh atmosphere.
- White color definitely complements the light maple cabinets that you have in your kitchen and it is also suitable for any antique or distressed cabinets as well as country or rustic décor style.
Always remember that whenever you want to paint a kitchen with maple cabinets & gold-brown counters, make sure you visit your local hardware store especially at the paint departments. They normally have employees who can assist you in finding the most appropriate color that you need.
- You can even bring along photos of your cabinets and counter tops. You can seek their advice in choosing which shades that will complement the cabinets and counter tops as well as which color accent suitable for the walls and trim.

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How to Paint a Kitchen with Maple Cabinets & Gold-Brown Counters is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Redo Kitchen by Painting Cream Colored Cabinets With Glaze

Mike — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:46:01 +0000

In order to do an inexpensive redo on your kitchen is by painting some of your cream colored cabinets with glaze that can definitely create a look of simple elegance with a little bit of a worn-in charm. Cream colored cabinet’s works wonders just with a light range of a glaze. If you can create glazing kitchen cabinets, you simply can add depth and definition to your cabinetry drawers and doors. Using glaze will also help you patch up any cracks and grooves because glaze can settle in nicely into the affected area of your cabinetry’s molding. You can even find black, burnt umber and also copper type of glazes used often on antique wood cabinetry. Usually glazed cabinets are found in France where most of the cabinets are traditionally crafted with old world interior design styles. Glaze finish done by a professional painter or artisan can be quite expensive. Even though glazing your cabinets is not easy to do but if you managed to do it properly you might even achieve the result quite similar to the one done by a professional.

To paint your cream colored cabinets with glaze, you need:

Acrylic matte medium
Acrylic paints
Container for glaze
2-inch paint brush
Steel wool
Sandpaper (220-grit) or sanding block
Screwdriver
Plastic bag
Clean sponge
Soft towel
Drop cloths
Plastic sheeting
Rags
Latex gloves
Mini roller
Glaze
Warm soapy water
Water-based polyurethane

Painting Cream Colored Kitchen Cabinets with Glaze

How to Redo Kitchen by Painting Cream Colored Cabinets with Glaze

First thing that you need to do is to remove all hardware like doorknobs and pulls by using a screwdriver. Make sure that you place all the hardware and its screws into a plastic bag so that you can avoid misplacing any of hardware pieces.

You should prepare you work area for the painting task in a well ventilated garage or basement. Make sure to use a spread drop clothes to protect your floor from paint drops and then cover the area with plastic sheeting. The plastic sheeting must be laid down as flat as possible.

Then, you need to wash all the cabinetry with warm soapy water. Use a clean sponge and dip it into the soapy water and wipe off all grease, cooking residue and stains that you find on the cabinets. Dry the cabinet thoroughly by using a soft towel.

Before you can paint your cream colored cabinets with glaze, you have to sand the cabinets with fine-grit sandpaper.
- You do not need to make it smooth, just sand the cabinet by creating a slightly rough surface in order to take away the shine and also making a coarse tooth for your glaze to be able to stick onto the cabinets.
- The sanding option is important especially if your cabinets come with a slick finish.
- Once finished doing the sanding process, make sure that you wipe all the surfaces using a clean damp sponge. This is to remove all the sand dust because the dust can result to the topcoat to not adhere well enough onto the surface of your cabinet.
The next step is to mix the glaze by using at least 1 pt. of acrylic matte medium.
- Then, add the acrylic color a dab at a time before you start to mix it well enough.
- Make sure to keep on adding color right until you notice that the glaze is almost opaque.
- Before you start doing any painting, you should test the glaze by painting a light swatch on the cabinet. If you notice the color well enough while the cream colored cabinet beneath it can be slightly seen, the glaze mixture is ready to do its job.
- If you feel that you have add too much color, you need to counter it by adding in a little of your acrylic matte medium.

You would be able to purchase acrylic matte medium at your local art shops.

After that, you can use a brush on the glaze. If you have grain, you just need to follow it.
- If you do not have one, you can simply use loose vertical strokes of the brush.
- You should worry on doing full coverage because the original surface of your cabinets should be able to show through a bit.
- Once you have finished, you need to allow the glaze to dry thoroughly for at least an hour. If you have a damp surrounding, it could delay the process of drying it.
In order to rough-up the glaze, you can use steel wool. Use it to rub it into the dried glaze on the surface of your cabinet.
- It is recommended that you take off the glaze to the original surface especially at corners and edges of the cabinets. This is to create a worn look if the cabinets might be incurring the most impact.
Next, you can add a topcoat of clear, water-based polyurethane by brushing or rolling on the sealer to all your cabinet areas.
- You need to allow the cabinets to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours.
- After that, if it is necessary you can add a second layer for better and long lasting protection.
Finally, you need to re-assemble back all the doors and drawers back into its original position and also attach back all the hardware onto your cabinets.

Always remember that whenever you want to paint your cream colored kitchen cabinets using glaze, you should make a sample and do some experiment with your base color and the glaze.
- The testing can be done by using a piece of molding or trim that you can easily buy from your nearby local hardware store or lumber yard.
- Always make sure that you take off all doors from the base of your cabinets using a screwdriver. Then pull out all the drawers and place them at the paint area that you have chosen.
- When you sand you cabinet, you must sand the entire surface including the edges of your drawers, doors and the base cabinetry.
- You should skip the painting step and instead proceed with the glazing step if your cabinets already have a base coated with cream colored.

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How to Redo Kitchen by Painting Cream Colored Cabinets With Glaze is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Build a Custom Table Booth for Your Kitchen

Mike — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:15:45 +0000

Having custom made table booth for your kitchen definitely will help you a lot when you are entertaining lots of guest for certain special occasions. It does not only have multi-functional usage, but also can give your kitchen a fun and unique feeling. Custom table booths are capable of providing you with flexible seating and by having one in your kitchen room can help you accommodate your guests with comfortable seating when they are enjoying their meals. In order to build a table booth, you only require basic materials and also a little carpentry skills. The table booth can also be adjusted as and when you need it for additions or comfort, size as well as overall style. Below are some tips that you can learn in building a custom table booth for your kitchen.

To build a custom table booth for your kitchen, you need:

16 2-by-4 boards, 24-inch
Drill
Wood drill bits
Wood screws, 2 1/2-inch
12 2-by-4 boards, 36-inch
2 2-by-4 boards, 60-inch
2 plywood sheets, 3/4-by-36-by-36-inch
4 2-by-4 boards, 36-inch
Plywood sheet, 3/4-by-24-by-36-inch
Measuring tape
Circular saw
Sander Wood stain or paint of your choice
Screwdriver

Building a Custom Table Booth for your Kitchen

How to Build a Custom Table Booth for your Kitchen

First thing that you need to do is to lay out two 24-inch 2-by-4 boards at the surface of your work area.
- Make sure that the larger surfaces of the boards are on the ground parallel to each other and at least 17 inches apart.
- Then, you need to place two more of the same boards on top of them, perpendicular in order to create a square frame with 24 inches to the side.
- Next, take your drill and make two holes in each corner before you attach the boards together simply by drilling 2 1/2-inch wood screws inside each of the hole that you have made.
- After that, you need to repeat the same process again in order to build another square wood frame.
Once you have finished building the two wood frames, you need to stand both of them upright which will be the leg support where you have to space them at least 2 feet apart from each other and make sure they are parallel.
- Then, you need to lay out six 36-inch 2-by-4s across the two leg supports by evenly spaced front to back and side to side.
- You must make sure to keep the front and rear of the 2-by-4 even with the outside surfaces of your leg supports.
- Next, take your drill and make two holes through each long board, or seat board, and also into each of the leg support.
- After that, you have to attach them all together using 2 1/2-inch wood screws.
- You need to repeat all previous tasks so that you would be able to create another bench.
The next step that you need to do is to position a 3/4-by-36-by-36-inch sheet of plywood vertically behind each of the bench.
- Ask your friend or assistant to hold them in place in order for you to drill 2 1/2-inch wood screws through the back of the plywood and into the seat boards and also the leg supports. Make sure that the screws you drilled have spaces of at least 12 inches for each screw.
Then, you need to set the benches on their sides and faces each other.
- Next, you have to suspend two 60-inch 2-by-4s against the leg supports of your benches before you slide the benches back to the edge of the long board.
- After that, you must secure them by screwing your long boards onto the benches. You need to at least drill four screws through the long board and into each of your table booth leg support.
Next thing that you need to do is to position two 36-inch 2-by-4 boards with their small ends against a long board directly between the benches with spaces of at least 8 inches apart.
- Again with your assistant’s help you need to hold the boards parallel to each other by making sure that their edges are even with the edges of the long board but they are still perpendicular. These will be the supports of your table booth.
- Then, take your drill and make two holes through the long board and into the end of each of your table support. Make sure to secure and attach them with 2 1/2-inch wood screws.
- You need to repeat the same step for adding two identical boards on the other long board.
Finally, you need to set a 3/4-by-24-by-36-inch plywood board evenly on top of your four table supports.
- Take your drill and make two holes down through the plywood and into each of the table support before you can attach them in place by using 2 1/2-inch wood screws.

If you want to create additional comfort when using your custom made table booth, you can simply add fabric-covered foam cushions onto the seat and also its backrests.

Always remember that whenever you want to build a custom table booth for your kitchen make sure that you always be extra careful when using power tools.

You should also add additional support to your tabletop when the need arise by attaching long, thin boards in between your table supports and the tabletop. If necessary, you could even add a 1-inch L-brackets metal to strengthen it.

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How to Build a Custom Table Booth for Your Kitchen is a post from: DIY Guides

How to Disguise a Kitchen Bulkhead

Mike — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:53:36 +0000

Kitchen bulkhead or also known as soffit is the thing that you use for covering plumbing, electric wiring and air vents and it normally sticks out of your kitchen wall and above the kitchen cabinets. Kitchen bulkhead has drywall over them and you simply paint them. The bulkheads can be disguised with many options in order to make it unnoticeable and looking like a well-used area. If you really want to remove the bulkheads permanently the only way is by renovating your kitchen and rerouting all the piping and wiring located in your kitchen. That is why most people tend to just disguise the bulkhead because it is much cheaper than renovating the kitchen.

To disguise a kitchen bulkhead, you need:

Paint or wallpaper
Paintbrushes
Molding
Sheet paneling
Glue or nails
Decorative art
Cupboard doors
Door hinges
Vinyl wall words
Plate rail

Disguising a Kitchen Bulkhead

How to Disguise a Kitchen Bulkhead

The first thing that you can do is to cover the bulkhead by using the same paint or wallpaper that you used for the rest of the kitchen in order to create a continuous look.
- By doing this, your kitchen bulkhead can blend in nicely with the rest of the kitchen wall.
- You can also use the same trim or molding across your kitchen bulkhead for a finished look.
Apart from that, you can also attach thin sheet paneling onto the bulkhead.
- Try to choose paneling that can match with your décor.
- It is recommended that you use neutral color like white or brown so that you would be able to create a more subtle look.
- Then, finish the look of the bulkhead with crown moldings so that the bulkhead will look much smaller.
- You need to paint the molding and paneling using the same color to create an even look. Another option is to just leave the molding white if it matches your kitchen décor.
Your crown molding can also be cut similar to a form of a picture frame shapes on the bulkhead’s wall.
- Then, you have to glue or nail them onto the wall in order to create a frame with equal sizes.
- For instance, you need to measure 6 inches starting from each of the edge and position each of the frame piece at this distance. After that, you can hang art or any decorative objects within the frame.
You can also create faux cupboards on the bulkhead by nailing or gluing cupboard doors onto it.
- You should be using large doors that can match the existing cupboard doors.
- Make sure to include the hardware so that you would be able to create a door that can look exactly as if they were the real thing.

The easy way to disguise your kitchen bulkhead is by using the same wall color that you used beneath your cabinets. If you do not have lot of wall space, you need to consider using a strong color such as red or burnt orange.

Another option is for you to use inexpensive vinyl lettering where the kitchen bulkhead will be as part of a frame for the vinyl letters.
- You can try to create wording or phrases related to kitchen or any of your personal wordings that you like.
- The vinyl lettering is a good material to use because it is not only cheap but it is easy for you to take it down whenever you decide to change the style of the area.
The bulkhead can also be turned into a plate rack where you can request your contractor to place a plate rail in between the top of your kitchen cabinets and the bottom of your bulkhead.
- By creating the plate rack you would be able to have extra storage for small objects or decorative items.
You can also use appropriate kitchen utensils in order to disguise your kitchen bulkhead.
- Some of them that you can make use are Gelatin molds, egg beaters (hand-crank), rolling pins, cheese graters, colanders, trays and serving spoons as well as any antique or unusual tools that you have in your house.
- It is also much better to use larger kitchen utensils because it will provide better viewing from beneath and cover your bulkhead nicely.
  
  Always remember that whenever you want to disguise your kitchen bulkhead you also need to apply wall treatment.
  - One way of doing it is by painting your bulkhead with contrasting color or decorating it with stencils, wallpaper or a wallpaper border. You can also add hand-painting words like “bon appetit” or other kitchen-related phrase to create character to your kitchen.
  - You can even hang plates or shallow baskets around the bulkhead in order to create a classic, homey look. If you like a simpler look, just hang matching plates in even rows with minimum numbers and leave lot of wall space between them.

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

How to Disguise a Kitchen Bulkhead is a post from: DIY Guides