I’m halfway done with my painted kitchen cabinets! I’ve finished the bottom cabinets in General Finishes milk paint in Millstone. I really love this color. First, let me say that painting my cabinets in this paint is a dream. It is super silky to apply and dries quickly. I painted in one direction for the first coat and the opposite direction for the second coat and it left no brush marks. Honestly, they look factory painted. 
For prep, I spot sanded where needed and gave the cabinets a clean with a wet sponge and dish soap. I took all of the hardware off the cabinets and the doors off their hinges. Using a brush, I applied two coats of the milk paint onto both sides of the doors, the drawer fronts and the cabinet bases. I also applied two coats onto the bottom base of the cabinets, also known as the toe-kick. I then used a sponge brush to apply their high performance top coat in the flat finish.
Hardest part? Remembering which doors had two coats on and which had the sealer applied. I came up with a system where I kept them in pairs and did four on my kitchen table and four on my dining room table. Screwing them back in was also a little difficult and I was glad to have my daughter’s help! Between the two of us, we were able to put them on straight again.
Here’s the question…should I go with my original plan and paint the top cabinets in the Antique White or should I paint them all in Millstone? I am really loving the warm color in the kitchen and how it looks against the counters and back splash. As you can see, the Millstone is a shade darker than the original cream and it’s not a huge difference but is just enough. It’s perfect. They are clean and look modern and brand new. I also like how the hardware shows up more against the darker color.
I am taking a break for a week and tackling them after my sister and her family come to visit. Decisions, decisions!
I really like the color and think it would be nice for both upper and lower but I am so duh that I forgot you hadn’t painted the uppers and was thinking gee I really like the contrast. So either way I think it will be great.
I vote all the same. I love the color. If you do them all the same it will look like factory finish and if you ever sell, more people will like that.
The Millstone is a great, warm color. I would lighten the Millstone by 50 percent for the top cabinets. You will have the same color just lighter on top. My two cents
Perfect! Thanks for the suggestion, Meg!
What a GREAT job!! Thank you for sharing this project as I am planning to tackle this as well. I think the contrast painting would be wonderful. I can’t wait to see what you decide.
Have a great week off and enjoy your sister’s visit.
Karen
I ditto what Meg Caddick said. I personally like a contrast between upper and lower cabinets but that’s just me.
Yes, I also like the contrast look. I really like Meg’s suggestion and plan on giving it a try!
Thanks, Karen! I need to paint a few doors in different choices and pick one – decisions!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the bottom cupboards, especially next to your counters…and I think the top would look great the same as the bottom….I’m really loving that color!!! I’m glad you like the paint, I’m going to try it!
Thanks, Liz and you should try it – awesome product!
Suzanne, I can’t believe how neat and clean your kitchen looks during this project!
I agree the Millstone looks great with the counters and sounds like you’re ready for a change on the top. Either way, it will look great, but make sure you like the Millstone color against your wall color since the top cabinets are “showcased” against your kitchen wall. Maybe your next project is to paint your walls a new color too? If you decide to do a 2-tone paint job, I know that the 2-tone look is popular in new kitchens today, so I think it will enhance and not make your kitchen look any less appealing if you decide to sell sometime in the future. Thanks for the details. Did you do 1 coat of HP topcoat? Always wondering how new sealers hold up under different conditions………..
Hi Sharlee, actually the Millstone looks good against the walls and I just painted those so that isn’t changing soon lol! I really love how the Millstone has warmed up the kitchen. Surprised me! Oh, I did 2 coats of the sealer on the door and drawer fronts and one coat elsewhere. Just love this product! Thanks!
I’m not a fan of two colors unless, some are natural wood and then a center island say is painted a seperate color. That is a beautiful color. I don’t think you would be disappointed if top and bottom were the same! I hate decisions like that! Good luck! Whatever you choose will be right.
Amazing job. Truly inspiring.
I love the Millstone and would love to see the top cabinets in that color too…
Great Makeover Suzanne!!
Thanks, Maxine!
I’m going to swim against the tide and say paint it the Antique White. You have a dual colored backsplash and white on your chairs. It also looks like you have your shelf brackets in white. I also like Meg’s idea of lightening the Millstone by 50% for the uppers. I’m curious to see what you decide to do!
Hi Patra – think I’m going to try both the Antique White and the toned down Millstone and see what looks best. I’m surprised at how much I really love the Millstone in the kitchen. It has really warmed the space up. Cheers!
The bottom cabinets look great! I I like that color!! think the antique white would look good on the upper cabinets!!
I agree with Meg Caddick
Your cabinets are beautiful
Thanks so much!
I agree with Meg Caddick’s suggestion as well….. Have you ever thought about doing black on the bottom and millstone on top? Not sure what you have painted them before in the past but have they ever been all white? That would be pretty also with your wall color. Speaking of your kitchen wall color… I went to B&M to purchase a sample of the Artic Gray and once I applied it I patiently waited for it to dry and sure enough it turned much more of a brighter blue! Your color on your k. wall, looks softer and I can see some of the gray in it but my sample is much too blue and brighter and darker in appearance. I love your walls Suzanne but I’m just not getting that same tone/look that I was so desiring! I did take sample back in today and they shot some black and yellow color in it hoping to soften the blue up a little more but it’s even bluer and just as bright in color. I wanted that light gray/soft blue look so now I’m back to trying to decide on maybe just going with more a gray tone color. Did B&M mix your actual color or did you go somewhere else to have it matched? Sometimes I wander if sample size color mixes and then the actual gallon size color mix difference can be a little different or off like with the tone. Hope this makes sense! Ha! Keep us posted on your progress! No matter what you decide, it will be beautiful! You have beautiful taste in color & design and are such a natural with your creativeness!
Hi Carol, I actually had it color matched at Home Depot in their Behr Paint and Primer. The color does vary with the light – if your room is super bright it may look more blue. Grays are so tricky. I once painted my whole living room in a “gray” that actually looked blue when done. I suggest BM Revere Pewter for a true gray without too much blue in it. Best of luck!
Thanks so much for your sharing of info! I saw the BM Revere Pewter color on their walls at my B&M and it is a beautiful color! I may have to give HD Behr a try on the Artic Gray. Have fun with your sister and enjoy the painting break for a few days!
I have to say that l would like the off white cupboards all up and down. Just love your walls but the cupboards don’t seem to match.
Turned out beautiful. Color is great with your counters and back splash. I vote millstone on tops too. But it’ll look great either way.
Thanks, Mimi! I am still debating!
Love your cabinets. Painting cabinets is so much work but so worth it. I paintedall of mine in antique white. I found out about general finishes from you. 🙂 Thanks! I will try to post a pic of mine.
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11148554_10155928255440504_8709042907935672862_n.jpg?oh=f553d79972930a44b389eae778f131bc&oe=5696E41D
Hi Nicole – wow! They look AWESOME! Fantastic job and love the crisp white – really changed the entire room!
They look awesome, Suzanne! My first thought was that the white may be too stark?? But you do have other white in the room, so maybe not? I would paint one upper door with one coat of white and hang it before you commit …. although you have mentioned many times how much you love the Millstone color, so you may have answered your own question. Good luck deciding! Can’t wait to see the finished kitchen! Cynthia
I say all millstone. It coordinates perfectly with the granite. You have great taste.
Thank you so much!
Your kitchen looks beautiful!! Question: How much paint did you need for the cabinets?
It took two small pints for two coats per cabinet and then one pint was all I needed of the topcoat. Thanks!
I love your kitchen!!! I am planning on using Millstone for my top cabinets and dark chocolate for the bottom cabinets. I am so anxious! Question: How have your cabinets held up?
They have really held up well. No chipping and I’ve wiped them down a lot. I’m about to do the top next ?
Looks great. Did you have to sand between coats of the topcoat?
Which General Finishes top coat did you use?
Hi Claudia, I used the GF Flat Out Flat topcoat. You can find it on my Shop. Thanks!