Remove wallpaperMove fridge cabinet forwardRemove upper cabinets on window wall to prep for open shelvesReinstall crown moldingPrime & paint the pantry and the door to the garagePrime & paint the trim, crown molding, & baseboardsPrime & paint the panelingPrime and paint the wallsRemove the existing microwave and get a countertop one for the pantry- Install a simple range hood to lighten up 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
- Update old cabinet hinges and knobs
- Add a rug in the eat-in area and possibly install peel-and-stick tiles
- Hang curtains for the windows
- 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 makeover. Last week we finished priming and painting the trim, doors, crown molding, and paneling white. Today the walls have a fresh coat of Nelson Blue—the light blue we planned from the start—and the room already feels calmer and brighter.
If you’re as relieved as we are that the wallpaper is gone and the drywall repairs are complete, let out a collective sigh. The room no longer shows spackle holes or exposed drywall under the cabinets we removed—all of that has been patched, sanded, primed, and painted.
Quick update about the intercom: we haven’t removed it yet because we might retrofit that wiring for a future system. For now we plan to hide that wall with a framed pinboard or similar solution so the wiring stays accessible if we change it later.
Getting here involved more than painting. You may have noticed our over-the-range microwave is gone. It was the only appliance we planned to replace in Phase 1 because it dominated the space above the stove and we prefer a range hood for venting performance. We picked up an inexpensive stainless countertop microwave for $78 (marked down from $139) that we’ll eventually move into the pantry once we add an outlet there. That pantry solution works for now and for the long term.
Removing the old microwave wasn’t completely straightforward. We had to reach screws through the upper cabinet where the mounting hardware was recessed. The space was dark, so we used a thin battery-powered string of fairy lights for illumination. I supported the unit from below while Sherry removed the screws—those things are heavier than they look thanks to all the internal wiring and components.
After removing the mounting bracket, we took off an old vinyl backsplash that covered the wall behind the microwave. The vinyl peeled off easily with a spackle knife, but it left a pock-marked surface that needed filling. Spackle handled it smoothly, and we sanded everything once dry. There were a surprising number of nail holes and small dings from years of use.
We finished patching right before a Thanksgiving road trip and painted primer the Friday we returned. Even though we were repainting a light wall with a similarly light color, we primed for two sensible reasons: first, several wall areas behind removed cabinets had never been primed; second, older walls can soak up paint, and letting primer do most of the absorbing saves on expensive paint (one coat of primer plus two coats of paint is often cheaper and more efficient than three coats of paint).
We tackled the primer during Clara’s nap using our usual system: Sherry cuts in while I roll. The primer transformed the space and set a smooth base for the Nelson Blue topcoats. To protect the crisp white trim, we carefully taped a few tight spots like door gaps so Sherry could work quickly and confidently without worrying about accidental paint on the molding.
We also painted over small eyesores such as an aged doorbell box and an old phone jack to make the room read cleaner. At first we thought Nelson Blue might be too subtle, but it gains depth as it dries and complements the white trim and horizontal paneling nicely. The color feels like a lighter, slightly greener nod to the shade we used in our first renovated kitchen.
From some angles the room already looks surprisingly finished. The front door view is much improved, and the little breakfast nook—with white trim, horizontal planking, blue walls, and rustic wood—will look even better once we hide the intercom and replace the flooring.
Here’s our updated Phase 1 to-do list. We’ve crossed nine items off and have nine more to go—some are quick wins like swapping lights and hanging shelves, while others will be multi-step projects.
Our Favorite Paint Colors
If you’re choosing paint, here are some detailed resources and colors we often recommend: