- The 12 Best White Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White
Another Monday, another step forward in our kitchen renovation. Last week we primed and painted the trim, doors, crown molding, and paneling white, and today the walls have a fresh coat of Nelson Blue — the soft blue we planned for from the start.
The change is such a relief: no more wallpaper, no visible spackle holes or raw drywall under the removed cabinets. It already makes the room feel calmer.
We left a few things in place intentionally — for example the intercom is staying for now. We haven’t decided whether to retrofit it with a modern system, so the current plan is to hide it behind a framed pinboard while keeping the wiring available for a future change.
Getting to this point involved more than painting. We removed the bulky over-the-range microwave to improve the look above the stove and make room for a range hood later. The microwave was the only appliance we planned to replace in Phase 1 because it dominated the space. We picked up an inexpensive stainless countertop model that will eventually live in the pantry once an outlet is added — a practical and budget-friendly long-term solution.
Removing the old unit required a bit of improvisation. The mounting screw was recessed and our drill barely reached, so we used battery-powered fairy lights to illuminate the tight space while one of us unscrewed from above and the other supported the cabinet from below. The cabinet was heavy and needed careful lowering once the screws were out.
Once the microwave and its mounting bracket were gone, we peeled off an old vinyl backsplash. It came away easily with a spackle knife but left the wall pock-marked, which meant a round of spackling and sanding. We had lots of nail holes and small dents to fill around the room, so spackle was already out and ready.
After patching and sanding the walls, we left for a short Thanksgiving trip and returned ready to prime. Even though the existing walls were light, we applied one coat of primer for two practical reasons: the drywall behind the cabinets had never been primed, and older, unpainted areas can soak up extra paint. Using primer first is more economical and ensures better coverage with fewer topcoats.
We painted the primer during Clara’s nap using our usual routine — Sherry cuts in while John rolls — and cleared a path by moving items to the center of the room. It transformed the space and made it much easier to visualize the next steps.
When it was time for the Nelson Blue topcoat, we taped some tight spots like the edge of door frames to keep the crisp white trim protected. In narrower gaps she taped; in wider areas she freehanded the cut-in work. That saved time and kept the paint lines clean.
We also painted small eyesores such as a yellowed doorbell box and an old phone jack to help the room feel cohesive. At first the blue seemed faint, but it deepened slightly as it dried and now reads beautifully against the white trim and horizontal paneling.
The new color nods to the wall color from our first kitchen but is lighter and slightly greener. While the room remains in a “middle” stage because of the countertops, cabinets, and floor, the blue plus white trim and rustic wood elements are shaping the breakfast area into something inviting.
From certain viewpoints the room already looks much closer to finished — the front door view is dramatically improved and the small dining nook feels brighter and more pulled together despite a few remaining distractions like the intercom and the dated flooring.
Here’s our current Phase 1 to-do list. We’ve crossed nine items off and have nine more to go, with a mix of quick wins and larger projects:
Remove wallpaperMove fridge cabinet forwardRemove upper cabinets on window wall to prep for open shelvesReinstall crown moldingPrime & paint the pantry and the garage doorPrime & paint the trim, crown molding, & baseboardsPrime & paint the panelingPrime and paint the wallsRemove the existing microwave and replace with a countertop unit for the pantry- Install a basic range hood to lighten that wall
- Patch and paint the ceiling
- Replace the fluorescent light in the cooking area and the pendant over the sink
- Replace and center the light over the dining table
- Hang floating shelves on the window wall
- Paint the cabinets (we have a few colors we’re leaning toward)
- Update cabinet hinges and knobs
- Choose a rug for the eat-in area and consider peel-and-stick flooring
- Add curtains for the windows
For more context on why we chose these Phase 1 steps — such as why we’re painting the cabinets and not attempting to paint the linoleum — see the background information in our earlier posts.
Our Favorite Paint Colors
If you’re deciding on a paint color, here are detailed posts we recommend exploring for inspiration and color guidance:
- The 12 Best White Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White
