Young House Love

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Making A White Kitchen With Simply White Cabinets

Lately lots of the submissions that we’ve been getting are kitchen related, and you know we’re in the kitchen mindset these days… so we’re happy to share. Jasmine & Sam’s remodel wooed us with their use of white on white with tons of texture and a sleek clean feeling. And when it comes to function, we’re really impressed by how the addition of more upper cabinets and details like molding and trim elevated (both literally and figuratively) the entire room. Here’s Jasmine and Sam’s email:

Hey guys! My family and I just had our one year anniversary in our new house and I thought to send you some pics of our new kitchen. We actually did almost all of the projects in our house makeover on our own. Luckily, we are a handy pair.

Jasmine Before 1

Jasmine Before 2

The kitchen cabinets were maple, in a shaker style. We ordered a second set of cabinets from a local company (Summerhill Kitchens) for the top row to match the bottom row and sent all the doors to an automotive painter friend of ours who sprayed them in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White. I painted the gables, and stretchers, and anything else that was nailed down with a foam roller. The big splurge was new appliances – all Vikings. Love them. A Lot. Not Sam’s favourite things to install, but totally worth it (we saved money by having him install them all).

Jasmine After 1

The backsplash is a white beveled subway tile. They were a great bargain (around 60 cents each) from here. The floor was a combination of birch hardwood and the ugliest shag you’ve ever seen. Not only was it ugly, it really broke the space up. After ripping it all out, we laid an engineered walnut floating floor on top throughout the whole main floor. We bought it from an auction that sells flooring a few times per year, so the flooring ended up being an unbelievable $1.50/sq ft (including underlay). Oh and the stools are from Crate & Barrel.

Jasmine After 2

The wall colour is Antique White and the cabinets and trim are Simply White by Benjamin Moore matched to Home Depot’s Behr Paint & Primer in One paint. There’s a post in the middle of the kitchen that we really really wanted to remove, but apparently since it holds up the entire house, they told me it had to stay. So we tarted it up with moulding and called it a day. We’re used to it, but I still wish it was gone. Anyways, have fun with your kitchen renos, catch ya later!  – Jasmine and Sam

Jasmine After 3

Anyone else think Jasmine and Sam need to start a blog so we can learn more about their renovations? They look like quite the stylish duo. And I for one, love that coffee table above. Here’s hoping they can drop in and answer any comment questions that you guys have here. And in the meantime, let’s play the what’s-your-favorite-part-game. I’m digging the extra cabinetry they added along with those cool stools. And Sherry’s drooling over those shiiiiny counters and that gleaming backsplash.

Psst- We (finally) shared our road-tripping Thanksgiving adventures with friends, family, and food over on Young House Life. Find those deets here.

Psssst – We just put our dining table and six chairs from our first house on Craigslist (it’s from Target, is in great condition, and is about four years old). More deets here.

Comments

  2. Becky says

    I love the round glass/metal coffee table – we are looking for this exact thing for our own living room! Any chance Jasmine & Sam will tell us where they snagged it?

    Reply

  5. Lena says

    I love the added cabinets! Without them it looked so standard builder-style, now it looks very custom, plus the ceilings look higher and they have more storage space! Also, painting the cabinets always makes such a big impact.

    Reply

    • JennP says

      Ha! I thought the same thing about showing it to my husband. I have a pretty convincing list of reasons why white cabinets are the best choice for our kitchen, and he just isn’t biting. Why are so many men opposed to white cabinets??

    • erika m says

      I know my husband is the same, he hates white cabinets…I should show him this one too. In our old house the closest I got was vanilla bean glaze (loved that too!)

  7. chelsey says

    Beautiful!! Do you have any close up pictures of your granite? My husband and I are in the process of remodeling our kitchen and the big debate is countertops. We are doing white cabinets and are in love with subway tile backsplash. Thank you!

    Reply

  8. Laura says

    Wow – this is great! We are doing a white on white kitchen in our new house too – we are probably going to use Cambria Torquay – looks like marble but has the upkeep of engineered stone…Have you guys heard anything about it?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We have heard amazing things about Cambria (actually looked at Torquay and loved it but it wasn’t in the budget). It’s supposed to be really durable and gorgeous!

      xo,
      s

    • Jessica says

      I live right down the road from Cambria! Awesome stuff. Hope to have some in my house someday!!

    • Audrey says

      I’m an interior designer and have Cambria countertops in my home, and specify them all the time. You don’t have to seal it like granite and it has a very similar look. Highly recommend it!

  14. Jen Migonis says

    I am positively drooling over the extra cabinetry… It went from looking like builders grade to custom with that addition… And I’ve always fallen hard for white cabinets. Oh, and the backsplash… Yes please. :) this is completely and out of control gorgeous.

    Reply

  17. Ali says

    I love so much of this – the lighting, the light fixtures, the coffee table, the cabinets. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Then again, I really do have a thing for white kitchens of all kinds. :)

    Reply

  18. Lisa says

    I don’t personally like all the white…I think the only thing white in my house is the trim and doors! ;)

    However, I love to hear about people who love their own homes and design..who cares what I think if they love it!

    I do like that they pushed the cabinets to the ceiling and put in the extra cabinet/counter to add more/better seating to the island. I am going to do both when I redo my kitchen in a few years.

    Great job!

    Reply

  19. Sarah @ Redhead in Ruffled Flats says

    Love, love, LOVE this kitchen! Reminds me of this kitchen (http://s771.photobucket.com/albums/xx360/dreamindomestic/Interior%20Decorating/Kitchens/?action=view&current=ifIhadwhitecabinets.jpg) I had “pinned” on Photobucket long before the days of Pinterest. Adding the cabiinets was an amazing idea, and I think getting the cabinet doors sprayed makes them look custom and purchased already white and not painted later. So inspiring – they definitely need a blog!

    Reply

  21. Kelly says

    Love the kitchen! Wow!

    SOOOO bummed that you are on the other side of the states. I have been trying to buy a table like yours but can’t find at Target. I would run with cash in hand right this second if I was closer.

    Reply

  24. GreenInOC says

    I would have never thought about adding more cabinets – brilliant! It’s a gorgeous kitchen.

    I would love to know about the automotive paint – did you have your friend do that because he has the room or was it a special automotive paint (I’m guessing it wasn’t special paint since you listed a Benjamin Moore color)?

    Does anyone know if most automotive places paint with regular paint if you pay them or is it generally more expensive?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ooh great question. Anyone know? I know the pros at the Ben Moore near us will spray furniture and cabinet doors for a fee, but I’m not sure if it’s more or less than an auto body shop!

      xo,
      s

  25. Courtney says

    I love the chandelier over the table (along with everything else)! It would be awesome to hear where Sam and Jasmine found such a beautiful fixture!

    Reply

  26. Sophia says

    On behalf of my creative little sister and her charming husband, thank you! (As I did very little more than try to help Jasmine make decisions from the other side of the country, basking in her glow is as good as it gets!)

    Yes, the kitchen is even more beautiful in person. She definitely should start a blog – it’s impossible to walk through her house without noticing something really fab that she and Sam with made, bought and remodelled, or found in some funky little out-of-the way place.

    And it’s funny that you were hooting about your dad and artwork made by family, Sherry. All of the artwork you see on the walls (with the exception of the little one in the living room, I think) was painted by Jasmine. I have several of her paintings and consider myself might lucky!!

    I just sent her an e-mail telling her to drop in and tell you about that gorgeous round table. I could spoil the surprise and tell you that yes, it is a Jasmine and Sam creation – but I’ll let her give you the deets!

    Reply

  27. Katie O says

    I love how they extended the island. It makes it, with its beautiful gray top, the focal point, rather than the fridge. Nicely done, team.

    Reply

  28. Michelle N says

    Are you guys on fab.com? It’s a Joss and Main kinda site.
    Right now they have a few sales I think you would really like. you must check out the Tiny Confessions Precocious Pet & Monster Prints collection. So cute!

    Oh and they have several decor magazine subscription discounts!

    Reply

  29. Janelle D says

    What a stunning transformation. I really like how they kept the same layout but just upgraded everything. It’s amazing what white can do to freshen up an old run-of-the-mill kitchen! Oh, and my favorite part is how everything just *shines*. Great job Jasmine & Sam!

    Reply

  30. Kris says

    I must say that I’m not a huge fan of white kitchens but that is gorgeous!! Love that table too. I wonder if they made it out of copper tubing? Hmmm, maybe I could do that for my living room.

    Reply

  31. Linda says

    I’m having a hard time concentrating on the (stunning!) kitchen due to that gorgeous (faux?) fur throw on the couch! I’m loving that texture!

    Reply

  32. Penni McNamara says

    Perfect timing for this post! Wish we could ask them questions! We have the exact same cabinets. Both color and style. We have contemplated having them professionally sprayed but worry they will no longer close properly (because they are Shaker inside set snd only have about a 1/16 of an inch aroind them) Would LOVE to know if they ran into this problem with any of their cupboards or drawers. How inspiring! Well- if they read all this….can’t wait to hear the answer! We have hesitated in doing this for that very reason.

    Reply

  33. Penni McNamara says

    Oh….,.and which brand of Paint was the wall paint ?? I know they said Antique White….just curious which brand! Clearly I want to replicate this whole look!

    Reply

  34. Jen says

    I love the simplicity and glamourous-ness (sp?) of their home. It’s beautiful! Thanks for encouraging us all in our creativity at home.

    <3Jen

    Reply

  37. Hil says

    Nice! I love the clean airy feel.

    Haha… I’m totally a white appliance gal, though. When I saw the before picture, I thought ‘It was too dark, but I love the fridge’ :-)

    Reply

  38. Nikki says

    Question for Jasmine if she stops by: How is the configuration of the appliances working for you? Obviously changing them was probably cost prohibitive but I’m considering a similar configuration in an upcoming reno and wanted to know how it’s working for you. This was a GORGEOUS makeover…it didn’t look that bad before but the after is AMAZING!

    Reply

  40. Lisa in Seattle says

    Hot hot hot. I’m so impressed that they did much of the work themselves. I vote for a House Crash, assuming they live on the same tectonic plate you do. Favorite part of the kitchen: those ceiling-high cabinets! Jasmine, I beg you for a close-up of the living room art.

    Reply

  43. Heidi says

    Very pretty! It looks like that coffee table and rug were meant to go together they way it just fits in the middle of the print!

    Reply

  44. paula says

    This is sooooo gorgeous! I love everything about it. What a beautiful home – well of what we can see, maybe they will share more??!!

    Reply

  46. Carrie says

    How is the paint holding up? I really want to paint my cabinets white but am super nervous they will chip, scuff, etc. Did you use a high gloss? Or poly them afterwards? Or use oil paint (I’ve heard that holds up better). Young House Love, I know you are planning on painting your cupboards…how are you going to do it so they hold up to sweet Clara and any future kids/pets? Any insight would be much appreciated!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Any info for Carrie? John’s sister painted her cabinets and ten years later they were still going strong (she used oil-based primer and thin coats of latex semi-gloss paint) so we’re planning something similar! We’ll give you deets as we go!

      xo,
      s

    • Ivette says

      I’m also looking forward to this answer and to your cabinet painting since we will probably be painting ours next summer. The problem with our cabinets is that they are already painted white but you can tell is a really cheap paint job. I’m starting to gather information on how to deal with tis particular challenge.

      And this kitchen is beautiful! Love the high cabinets.

    • Kathy says

      About 18 months ago I painted my oak kitchen cabinets white, using John and Sherry’s tutorial instructions: a light sanding, thin coat of oil-based primer, and 2-3 thin coats of latex paint. It worked like a charm! I’m so glad we finally went for it–even though it was lots of work! Thanks, J&S!

  48. Anu says

    beautiful kitchen, lights up to make it a brighter space! how did they cover the load bearing column ? used lumber or something else..? please share if you can…!
    Thank you.

    Reply

  50. Jennifer says

    Great transformation. But I HATE that post/column that was put at an awkward place next to the island. That would drive me crazy! Bad builder.

    Reply

    • paula says

      I don’t think the column is that bad. They’ve addressed it beautifully and it gives the space its own personality.

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