apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I didn't know that one could paint formica.

This is such a cool kitchen! I would probablly live happily with the before picture, but the colors she picked are lovely and I definately understand the need to lighten up a kitchen. I do wonder how well the old appliances work...

i'd be kind of interested to see it in, say, 6 months or so. see how the paint stands up after it's been heated a few times.

I hate to be one of those, "I liked the before better," people, but this time I am. When I bought my 1950s house, I was so thrilled that nobody had painted the cabinets. Granted, the appliances weren't the best, but I think I would have left the cabinets.

I think it looks good painted, just not those colors for my taste. I kinda liked the burgundy (?) color from before, but then my taste isn't everyone's obviously. Also, yeah...I don't know that I'd paint appliances, even if it were just the oven door, even with 'appliance paint'.

Nice job of the painting, I hope it lasts until they can afford a real remodel (can you believe how the kitchen was designed with so little work surface next to the cooktop). If you check out this link you can see a brand new retro style kitchen from Kvanum that is very much in this style - although I'm sure it cost more than $30 http://www.kitchenclarity.com/2009/07/painting-your-kitchen-cabinets/

right. let's see it in 6 months...It looks good, but really, how functional is it?

Amazing transformation.

I love it, I think it looks gorgeous. The write-up says she used appliance paint, I wonder which brand? I also wonder how she got the stainless-steel effect on her countertops...I love the colors though. I think it looks great.

My parents reno'd their kitchen in 1999 or so and painted the oven from its original harvest gold to white to match the new fridge. They finally replaced the oven last year when it died but the appliance paint still looked fine, even after almost 10 years of heavy use.

I think it looks very nice and fresh. Great job!

The Sunset article says she used Rust-Oleum applicance paint for the oven and stove. Per Rust-Oleum's own description of their appliance paint, it "applies to all metal appliances except heated surfaces, such as ovens and stoves." The will be a burned mess in a few months, and might emit chemicals into the air or food. It's a beautiful transformation and I'd love to do something similar with my old oven and stove, but I haven't found a paint designed for it. Has anyone else?

There is high temperature spray paint - I have used it to repaint grills. Maybe that is what she used.

Wow. I thought the yellow cabinets were from before and was looking forward to seeing what they did with them.

The painted cabinets and appliances look great...
(I'd have painted the appliances pink for the full-on vintage effect)
...but the painted formica looks cheezy.

Wow. My kitchen looks exactly like the 'before' picture! My home I just bought is from 1955, and still has the original golden brown wood cabinets, dark pulls, and copper electric appliances. The appliances are workhorses, but need to be updated. Unfortunately, they aren't in the best functioning condition, so, paint would not be a smart route for me, but I like the way this kitchen turned out after the appliance and cab paint! Good job!

loving that blue, but the yellow isn't doing it for me (great improvement nonetheless!)

This definitely looks much better than the before photo, but I can't help but think the painted appliances look like they have that clear blue film over them to prevent scratches that you're supposed to remove once installed....

haha, I have that exact same brown oven

Sorry but I thought the after picture was the before picture. I don't think the blue color works. It just makes the old appliance appear even more old.

Does anyone know if it's possible to paint a refrigerator? That's the biggest eyesore in my kitchen.

@ my_tigerlily: It's totally possible to paint a refrigerator. You have many options, including chalkboard paint!

I thought the yellow was the before pic too. I like what they did with the appliances if it holds up, but I do like the old cabinet color better.

You can also remove the panels from your appliances and send them to be professionally enameled. The enamel is as durable as the original finish.

My dad started his own business placing coin-operated washers and dryers in apartments. In the early days he bought used appliances which he re-furbed. He'd send the panels for painting and his motley collection all magically became pristine, matching white.

In our first house we painted the original harvest gold oven with black appliance enamel and had no problems at all - it looked perfect for the 2 years we had it prior to replacing the oven. Just FYI for anyone considering this.

The yellow and white look fresh to me, I like it.
Just one word to everyone who is considering painting fridges, cabinets even countertops: B.I.N. primer from Zinser!! It comes in spray or standard gallon/quart cans. I refurbed an entire kitchen in 2001. After cleaning the old cabinets thoroughly, I primed them with the spray before painting. Today, nary a chip nor a peel. I have painted old fashioned shiny formica ( the kind with gold flecks in it), painted tacky vinyl-covered paneling and pressed wood furniture all successfully after priming with B.I.N. I hate to sand stuff and with this primer you don't have to.