DIY: Distressed Cabinets

Finished with the kitchen remodel! Oh my Lord I thought I would never see the end. But it is so rewarding to see the final product. I really think out of all the things around the house, this one and houses in the past, this is my favorite and best project so far. I am so happy with the way it turned out!

What an undertaking! But I knew it was going to be. I took the whole week off from work because I knew I would need that much time. And I did.

After we took all the cabinets down, I painted one coat of primer on all surfaces. Then two coats of the paint color. That's the part that really took the longest. Flipping each door that we had laid out on saw horses and some 2 x 4's to do two coats on both sides. While the doors were drying I got started on distressing the cabinets. I had the wrong kind of sandpaper to start with. It was waaaay too soft. I would've spent a year sanding and would've never seen wood grain. After a trip down to Ace in my painting clothes and a bandanna on my head (sexhay) I had some heavier grit sandpaper that worked a little better. Come to find out, my little hammer was what I used the most. The back of the hammer made a great scrapping tool. It peeled the paint off quite well. Here's some close up shots:

I came back with some dark stain ever so slightly on a fluffy old sock and filled in some crevices. Then, FINALLY, I did a coat of polyurethane over everything. 

Now on the list; remodel counter tops, new stove, microwave and dishwasher to match the fridge...new bar stool covers, rugs, back splash....the list goes on forever.......