FunCycled - Interior Design, Kitchen Cabinet Painting, Furniture Repurposing in Upstate NY

Modern Kitchen Makeover with Black Evergreen Cabinets, Gold Hardware & Stylish Island Upgrade

Meg Booth — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:56:20 +0000

Every kitchen has a story, and this one’s started dark wood cabinets and overworked hardware, equally as dark, leaving no room for distinction and a little lack-luster. Despite being open to the living room, the kitchen felt disjointed, weighed down, and lacking in personality. Our goal was to honor its great layout while giving it a new sense of depth, style, and modern character. The result? A dramatic transformation anchored by Black Evergreen cabinets, brushed gold details, and a reimagined island that now feels like a design feature instead of an afterthought.

Here’s a picture of the kitchen before

Why We Chose Black Evergreen by Behr for the Cabinets

Addressing the cabinet color was the first place we started. Instead of defaulting to white or light tones, we chose Black Evergreen by Behr, a deep green-black that instantly elevated the space. This shade has the richness of black with gorgeous, rich green tones. Against the existing black granite countertops, the color feels intentional and striking, providing enough contrast without overwhelming the room.

Painting the island to match brought a cohesive flow across the entire kitchen, tying together what once felt like disconnected elements. The shift from dark brown wood to this bold, moody hue gave the kitchen a new identity. It now feels modern, timeless, and tailored.

Here is a swatch of Black Evergreen, which helps demonstrate its depth.

The Power of Details: Gold Hardware & Arabesque Backsplash

With these cabinets outfitted in such a rich color, we needed to account for some new details to match their depth and personality. Out went the dated hardware, and in came brushed gold pulls and knobs. The subtle gleam of gold immediately brightened the cabinets, creating warmth and sophistication.

For the backsplash, we installed a classic white arabesque tile. The shape adds movement and texture, while dark gray grout outlines each curve, ensuring the pattern holds its own against the bold cabinetry. I love how this shape and color provide balance to the kitchen design.

Together with gold hardware, this white backsplash layers depth into the design, preventing the dark counters and cabinets from overpowering the space.
Pro-Tip from the funcycled design team

Turning a Builder-Grade Island into a Design Statement

Originally, this kitchen island was purely functional. Yes, serving its purpose but lacking style and causing it to feel disjointed from the rest of the kitchen and not really even part of the adjoining living room. We reimagined it by wrapping the base in board and batten, then trimming out three sides with molding to match the design of the cabinet side. Painting the island in Black Evergreen unified it with the cabinetry, while the added millwork elevated it into a focal point.

Now, instead of blending into the background, the island anchors the kitchen and enhances the open flow into the living room. It feels custom, thoughtful, and designed to belong.

Styling That Brings Warmth & Balance

With such high contrast between the black granite and white backsplash, styling became key to softening the overall look. For the photoshoot, we layered in natural textures: vintage wood canisters, a cutting board, stacked bowls, and a candle. The warmth of the wood tones brings depth, while greenery adds life and freshness. These small, thoughtful touches bridge the gap between sleek finishes and everyday livability, ensuring the kitchen feels welcoming as well as stunning.

More Kitchen Transformation Inspiration

Here are some other great kitchen transformations from FunCycled.

Blue & Gold Kitchen with Open Shelves

Clean and Bright Kitchen Reveal

Classic & Farmhouse Feel Kitchen Makeover

Final Thoughts

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration and perhaps discovered some key takeaways for your kitchen! To see more kitchen inspiration, check out all of our KITCHEN MAKEOVERS.

Are you considering getting your kitchen cabinets painted (OR MORE!), follow these three easy steps to getting your FREE QUOTE today! If you are even remotely considering a kitchen refresh, I encourage you to CONTACT US today!

Final Thoughts

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page.

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations.

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Exquisite Spaces. Sustainable Designs. Brighter Futures.

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

From Basic to Bold: A Tuxedo Kitchen Makeover with Timeless Charm

Meg Booth — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 08:15:00 +0000

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders, but this tuxedo kitchen makeover took things a step further, transforming a bland, all-white space into a timeless and tailored showstopper. In this project, we turned a generic kitchen into a bold-yet-classic space by pairing crisp Chantilly Lace upper cabinets with smoky black lowers, creating that coveted tuxedo look. From oversized matte black hardware to a gleaming stainless steel apron sink and updated quartz counters, every detail was designed for both style and longevity. Here’s how we brought this stunning transformation to life.

Kitchen Makeover Design

When first meeting with our client, we realized how much she appreciated and valued the need for style that reflects her personality while creating a little drama and adding some creative choices to her home. To begin, we started with a design board to create a concept that we could work from.

Crisp Contrast: The Tuxedo Cabinet Look

This kitchen is totally timeless!

So what exactly is a Tuxedo Kitchen?

Tuxedo kitchen style refers to a two-tone cabinet design where upper cabinets are painted a lighter color and lower cabinets are finished in a darker, contrasting shade. Standard pairings might include whites and creams on top and black or navy for the bottom.

Here’s how we created that tuxedo style:

Top cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace white for a cool and crisp feel
Bottom cabinets painted in a moody, smoky hue found in Benjamin Moore Almost Black for grounding contrast.
Coordinated by painting the existing corner hutch to match the lower cabinets

**Note, the color of the lower cabinets that is displayed in the photos does not accurately display the Almost Black color.

Almost Black by Benjamin Moore

Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

I love this pairing. It is so classic and definitely give a nod to the elegance of a well tailored tuxedo
Designer’s Perspective

Hardware that Adds Style and Substance

To really create a modern-classic design, we decided to use oversized matte black hardware for both the doors and drawers.

Hardware from Amazon

To ensure scale, we found a selection that was available in a variety of sizes. This allowed us to create a cohesive design, streamline our product selection, and achieve a modern edge with timeless appeal. The sleek structure is perfect for a tuxedo kitchen. The hardware we used is linked in the picture to the right

Here’s the breakdown of what size was used where

3.75″ for smaller upper cabinet doors
5″ for small lower cabinet drawers
7.5″ for larger drawers and all other cabinets

Backsplash and Counters: Classic Meets Fresh

We decided to use classic beveled white subway tile in keeping with a timeless design.

To assure fresh and clean lines for a modern appeal, we selected a white color for our grout choice. Stunning!

Here is a link to a beautiful beveled subway tile in crisp white.

Beveled White Tile

We swapped outdated counters with a sleek new quartz surface with light veining.

Functional Beauty: Sink, Appliances, and Lighting

I often encourage clients to really evaluate their sink, light fixtures and appliances when they are considering options for a kitchen remodel, even if you are re-working much of what already exists. Taking the opportunity while you are in that mind frame and already planning a design just makes good sense.

Our client already had upgraded her appliances so they were in beautiful shape when we began this project, so we did not need to source this. In light of this, we were able to spend time and money on some other elements important to the overall design. As you can see, we swapped the sink for a sleek new design which added a touch of charm while maintaining a modern and polished look.

It was important to create as much light as possible. We changed out the dated, downcast light for a modern wood and metal fixture that would bring fresh illumination casted up and down. Note, we did paint part of this light in copper to match the new faucet and add richness to the design.

The fixture we used is featured here and linked below:

Modern Black and Wood Light Fixture

More Kitchen Transformation Inspiration

Here are some other great kitchen transformations from FunCycled.

Clean and Bright Kitchen Reveal

Classic & Farmhouse Feel Kitchen Makeover

Final Thoughts

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration and perhaps discovered some key takeaways for your kitchen! To see more kitchen inspiration, check out all of our KITCHEN MAKEOVERS.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Exquisite Spaces. Sustainable Designs. Brighter Futures.

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and I may earn from any qualifying purchases.

Kitchen Transformation: Painted Cabinets, Open Shelving & Backsplash Reveal!

Meg Booth — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Who doesn’t like a kitchen transformation??? Painted cabinets, open shelving, backsplash – the reveal of fresh renewal sparks joys and energy like nothing else. Today’s kitchen reveal is my favorite that FunCycled has completed this year. Let’s explore together!

The “Before”: Closed Off Kitchen Ready for a Refresh

Before you start any renovation project (large, minor, or somewhere in between), I encourage clients to take some time to evaluate what is working and what isn’t working. In our efforts to update our homes, it is important to bear in mind the features and functions of a space that we value and are actually working for us and our families. Don’t be too hasty to remove everything and start over – that will cost you greatly, and you may actually eliminate aspects that really work well for you.

After meeting with Joanne, it became clear that her kitchen worked in some regards. It had a good amount of storage and also had room for eating in without overcrowding the space. However, we identified that the ample storage (while valuable) was creating a barrier in their living space and was not really needed. Additionally, though she had a good amount of counter space, she still needed more for prepping. Plus, there was quite a bit of space between any prep space and cooking area. We would need to bridge that gap with a new island. Take a look at some of the before photos for this kitchen.

Our Vision: Brightening and Streamlining the Space – Showcasing Color and Character

After reviewing the needs and wishes for my client, it was time to plan and design. The design board I created for Joanne’s kitchen is below.

And for the plan, we identified these key components:

open things up so there was no break between the family room and kitchen,
modify the storage solutions by adding an island, hutch, and pull out drawers in the pantry cabinets
create additional seating
add personality and color and create some focal points
update counters and finishes for an elevated and cohesive design

Cabinet Painting: Breathing New Life into Existing Structures

Selecting the right color for your cabinets is key to the design and look of your kitchen. For this kitchen we wanted to brighten, add color, and make a statement that was reflective of our client’s personality. The biggest impact was made with the paint color. We selected this gorgeous color by Benjamin Moore. It is called Newburyport Blue.

This is a rich medium to deep blue, with an understated versatility. It can be paired with a variety of finishes, depending upon the desired outcome. For our design, it was paired with bright whites and classic gold and brass accents.

Look at how rich this color looks on the cabinets!

Opening Up: The Impact of Open Shelving

It may seem counter-intuitive to take down storage and replace it with open shelves, but so often, opening things up (Discuss the removal of some upper cabinets and the installation/styling of open shelves)

Here’s a look at the progression of the transition from overhead cabinets to opening up and styling!

A Fresh Look: New Backsplash & Counters

Next to the rich blue of the cabinets, this stunning backsplash makes such a huge statement in this kitchen design. It brings together so many elements that elevate the look! I am so glad our client was open to a unique design that will most definitely stand the test of time! We selected these textured gold handles for the cabinets – doors and drawers. You can shop these for your home as well.

Blue & Gold Tile

Textured Gold Handles

To create an elevated look in your kitchen, use the same hardware on the cabinet doors and drawers, using a variety of sizes in scale with the size of the doors and drawers.
pro tip from the funcycled design team

New counters were installed, which meant we could reconfigure some of the layout for this space. Here’s a closer look at the new counters we selected.

The “After”: A Stunning and Functional Kitchen Transformation

Details all pulled together, and this kitchen is simply AMAZING! It has function, flow, and personality. Joanne and her family are ready to host guests in style!

Two eating areas will provide this family with choices for meal times and allows for additional seating for larger gatherings.

More Kitchen Transformation Inspiration

Here are some other great kitchen transformations from FunCycled.

Clean and Bright Kitchen Reveal

Classic & Farmhouse Feel Kitchen Makeover

Final Thoughts

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration and perhaps discovered some key takeaways for your kitchen! To see more kitchen inspiration, check out all of our KITCHEN MAKEOVERS.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Exquisite Spaces. Sustainable Designs. Brighter Futures.

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Light and Bright Transformation: A Kitchen Makeover with White Cabinets You Have to See!

Meg Booth — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Kitchen makeovers with white cabinets are long since a new concept. Despite this, a good makeover story truly doesn’t get old and is far from outdated-which may or may not be exactly what was wrong with this kitchen before we stepped in! Let’s jump in!

Saying Goodbye to Oak: The “Before” of the Dark Kitchen Makeover

Not every oak cabinet is equal, and the fact is that there is quite a variety of styles and hues. The challenge is that many of them feel tired and are quickly outdated. Here is a before picture of the kitchen in our makeover story.

There were a lot of things working really well for this kitchen, but it the wood cabinets next to the wood floor (a common design choice) feels overwhelming and does not allow either to stand out or shine! Here are the things we found helpful as we approached this makeover:

Good Layout – having enough space and good flow are important, and there was no need to accommodate anything out of the ordinary
Well Maintained Cabinets – we did not have to take any extra time to address any challenges
Classic Design Elements – the combination of white & black counters is very timeless and works well with many colors and styles
Neutral Backdrop – this helps streamline choices

Dreaming in White: Key Design Choices for this Cabinet-Focused Kitchen Makeover

Knowing what steps to take to get the desired outcome is sometimes really straightforward and for other kitchens, it can be a little bit trickier. For this project, our main focus and most significant change to this kitchen was selecting the right colors. Here are some common questions that often arise when making this decision. Let’s tackle some together:

Do dark colors make a room look smaller?

You may have heard that darker colors of paint will make a room look smaller. While this can be a truism, I am hesitant to make this a hard and fast rule. It may be true in some spaces, but the conversation doesn’t stop there. A darker color can work to elevate a space and can also create a focal point and statement. The right combination and use of dark colors in some situations can actually draw your eye out, making things look bigger.

Should my cabinets be lighter or darker than my counters?

Generally speaking, having a contrast between your cabinets and counters makes for good design, and in many cases, this is the best recommendation – keep a contrast. However, more important than whether counters are lighter or darker is what undertone is present. Your design will look the most cohesive when you ensure the undertone of both cabinet and counter are the same – if your counters have a warm undertone, your cabinet color should also have a warm undertone.

For additional insights on selecting the right color for your cabinets, visit our blog post Choosing the Right Color for Kitchens.

The Radiant Reveal: This Stunning Kitchen Makeover with White Cabinets Completed!

Check out this gorgeous reveal! It is a perfect trifecta of bright, clean, and stunning.

We painted the cabinets in Benjamin Moore Simply White and the island in a mid-tone gray – Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray. It is hard to see in this photo, but I have the colors side by side for you to view better!

What looks best with white kitchen cabinets?

Without sounding tongue in cheek, the possibilities here are endless. White cabinets lend themselves to so many options. This means you can select almost any finish (brass, nickel, bronze, black, etc.) for your hardware. Make sure you consider the undertone and other fixtures in the space, such as faucet and lighting. All should coordinate.

Should white cabinets be the same color as white walls?

Using the same color on walls is a safe and sure way to ensure matching. This can sometimes limit dimension and may leave your kitchen feeling flat. The important element here is to consider visual interest. If your cabinets have texture like bead board, crown molding, trim, or paneling, this adds some great visual interest and will help create distinction if they are the same color as your walls.

What is the best color countertop for white cabinets?

Many counter options – both color and pattern – work well with white cabinets. If your white cabinets have a warm undertone, many natural stone or synthetic offerings are a good choice. Look for options with flecks of gold or beige veining to complement the warmth. For a cooler tones, select purer white or white with gray veining and flecks. Of course, the high contrast of black counters and white cabinets is a classic look and will give a timeless feel.

A Closer Look at the Details

To really appreciate the transformation, take a look at this side by side view of the before & after.

Here are some other close up’s of the details – after all, that is what makes great design. Notice the beautiful wood floors are no longer competing with the cabinets. These new beauties were installed by 518 Floor Care. They can be the showpiece they were meant to be!

Like many kitchens, just adjoining the main kitchen area is a dining area. We needed to ensure the design flowed well and created a seamless feel moving from one area to the next. Take a look.

Are you considering getting your kitchen cabinets painted (OR MORE!), follow these three easy steps to getting your FREE QUOTE today!

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Gray Painted Oak Cabinets and Kitchen Makeover

Sarah — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:59:05 +0000

Here’s a popular question, Can I paint my oak kitchen cabinets? My answer is always, YES, you can! Several weeks ago, we finished up a kitchen project that features gray oak painted kitchen cabinets. I shared the before and after pictures on Facebook. And today, I am answering all your questions! Let’s dive in!

Here’s the kitchen before:

Anne Marie and Keith asked me to do a kitchen consult to help them pick colors, hardware and an over all style for their kitchen makeover. You’d have to see their whole house to really appreciate it, but as soon as I walked in I thought they should do gray cabinets. Their house has modern pops of design with transitional bones. It’s beautiful!

When painting oak cabinets, it’s important to remember that the cabinets have a deep wood grain so you can see some of that grain still after you paint them. For that reason, I always recommend a satin clear coat over the top to help diminish the glare and highlighting of the graining.

We decided to paint the kitchen cabinets in Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray. Chelsea Gray is my favorite medium gray paint color. It’s so important when painting cabinets to prep them right. We sand, prime, paint, and finish with the recommended protective clear coat. We also use a professional grade air sprayer which gives a fine finish! This is a project you can take on yourself, but it’s one I recommend having a professional do, so it’s done right and holds up well! Here are the section of cabinets painted Chelsea Gray:

We added all new hardware as well which helped modernize the kitchen! Anne Marie and Keith also added new backsplash to coordinate with the medium gray color of the cabinets.

Last but definitely not least, John installed a barn wood wall on the way into the kitchen. Check out this gorgeousness!

Considering painting your oak cabinets? Check out these helpful FAQ’s:

Does gray paint work with oak cabinets?

Yes, gray paint works well for oak cabinets. Actually there are many colors that can work on oak cabinets, everything from whites and neutrals to deep, moody colors. The important part is in the prep work, ensuring the paint will adhere well and there will be no trace of the oak coming through.

Does painting oak cabinets increase home value?

Simply put. YES, painting oak cabinets does increase your home’s value. Anytime, you update and upgrade your kitchen design, it adds to the overall value of your home. The cost of painting kitchen cabinets is considerably less than replacing cabinets altogether, therefore keeping your investment costs lower.

How do you modernize a kitchen with oak cabinets?

The most efficient way to update oak cabinets is to paint them and change out the hardware. Remember, oak cabinets will show the graining even when painted, but with the right prep work and proper finish, you can definitely achieve a modern look.

Ready to start?

Kitchen Cabinet Painting- Get your FREE QUOTE

Ready to get started? Use our Contact Us form to get a FREE quote for your kitchen! Just email us a picture of your kitchen, a count of how many doors and drawers, and let us know where you are located. It’s that easy, and it will up the value of your home at a fractions of the price of buying new cabinets!

Need a little more inspiration?

Check out some of our other kitchen makeovers and mood boards! There are so many choices and options, I know you will find something that looks like just what you might need!

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Charming Troy Kitchen Makeover with Brand New Cabinet Doors

Meg Booth — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Hi friends!

I hope you had a great weekend! My family and I are continuing to enjoy being outside and enjoying the days of summer!

It has been a while since I shared a kitchen makeover story with you, and today, I certainly will do that! But as I do, I want to make sure that I help explain (and show some good examples of) knowing when upgrading your cabinet doors is the best decision for your kitchen refresh. Typically, with most of our kitchens, we are focused on upcycling the current kitchen cabinets and giving them a refresh by painting them and changing out hardware. However, sometimes when evaluating the whole kitchen project, the best decision is to change out the cabinet doors. It may surprise you, but this not only gives a fresh look to really outdated or beat up cabinet doors but it also can often be the most cost effective option when considering repair costs or labor costs to ensure the right outcome.

Today’s kitchen features the story of Patricia and her husband who were moving into a new home and part of their plan was to include a refresh to their kitchen. When we met, there were a few challenges to talk through. First the color or their kitchen was a dark black. Black cabinets can be an elegant option, don’t get me wrong, but the cabinets in Patricia’s kitchen were in rough shape. doing that thing that many of us do…we know we need to get things updated, but we are really trying to stretch our dollar and make sure we make the best and wisest decision for our families. When I first talked with Patricia, she mentioned that she was concerned the doors in on her kitchen cabinets When we met with Patricia, she brought one of her ca

Here is a picture of the kitchen before our FunCycled team was able to work our magic

It might be hard to see because I had to zoom in on one of the before photos that our client had taken of her kitchen. The cabinet doors were in pretty rough shape. A previous owner had them painted with heavy duty deck paint. This kind of paint is COMPLETELY WRONG for cabinet doors!

As we reviewed the condition of the cabinet doors, we determined that the number of hours to get these doors to a smooth surface (in order to help the paint adhere) would be well beyond the cost of building new doors for the project. Not to mention, we were not even guaranteed to ever get them fully smooth and could not really guarantee the paint would full cure and adhere to the doors.

Here are some more photos that we took the day John installed the new doors. Take a look at that rough texture! As I said before we probably would not even able to get a smooth even finish to repaint these doors and the process of attempting to do so would prove costly. The better option here is to select having new doors built. Another thing to note is that this texture and paint were on BOTH sides of the door.

Before Photo

Here are some photos of the new doors that we took the day of install. These new doors are a shaker style door. Shaker cabinet doors are very classic and work with just about every design style, so it will work in most homes no matter what other decor you may have. Notice how much smoother the cabinets are. Isn’t that so much better? Plus by changing the doors, Patricia and her husband were able to upgrade the hinges. So rather than having to keep her hinges which were really old and not in the best condition, she was able to upgrade to new soft close hinges. The hinges we like to use for our kitchen projects when a client asks for soft close option is linked here.

Front of New Door

Back of New Door

Here are the before and after photos of sections of the cabinets. Notice how much better it is to have the cabinet hardware NOT in the middle of the doors?

The color of the hardware is somewhat skewed in this bottom photo. They are a rubbed oil bronze finish which coordinates with the tones and colors present in the counters. And the color of the cabinets is Benjamin Moore Seashell.

Seashell is a neutral, warm white with beige undertones. Benjamin Moore describes this color as a luminous off-white. You can see a swatch to the right. If you are interested in this color, it has 2 codes. You will find it filed as #OC – 120 or #926…just a little tip for you!

And, of course, here are some great after photos which shows the whole kitchen. What a difference!

WHEN TO UPGRADE CABINET DOORS

Rough Texture – if the surface of the doors has so much texture that it will become hard to smooth out, it could interrupt the ability for paint to cure and bond with the surface of the door and lead to peeling
Damage – if there are large parts of the door that have been heavily damaged, this could be water damage or major dings and dents that would impair the process of creating a smooth surface
Splitting Wood or Materials – there is no good way for major splits in doors to be repaired to a place that will allow for
Outdated Doors – if your doors are really outdated or have odd lines and features, even a coat of paint may not provide the kind of update you are looking for
Looking for New Style – if you know you are already seeking to change the look of your kitchen, when evaluating options for paint colors, discussing new door fronts may also be the best choice. I would recommend considering this if you know you are already going to update your backsplash and counters. You are already making an investment and by changing the doors, you still save money but you will be able to change the look and style of your home easily and will feel like you have a whole new kitchen!

Thank you, Patricia, for choosing us to be part of this special project and for hiring FunCycled to do the kitchen cabinet painting! What a wonderful transformation! We are so glad you decided to upgrade your cabinets.

If you’d like to see how we paint Kitchen Cabinets, click here to check out our video on YouTube.

Could your kitchen use an update? We’d love to help!! We can help pick out colors, finishes, product and do the cabinet painting, tiling, add new hardware. You can use our Contact Us form to request our design services or a quote for painting your kitchen. Please check out other kitchen projects on our For Sale page. We’ll need to see a picture of your kitchen, a list of how many doors and drawers there are, and where you are located to email you an estimate. This change ups the value of your home and gives you a whole new look at a fraction of the cost of new kitchen cabinets!

Broken to Beautiful by FunCycled

I am also excited to share that we are launching our Broken to Beautiful initiative again. Broken to Beautiful is FunCycled’s way of sharing love and kindness. Saying thank you to our customers and community! We want to bless someone in the Capital Region by upcycling a furniture project for them for FREE!

Submissions are being accepted from August 1, 2024 to August 15, 2024. If you would like to submit a project for consideration, fill out this form: Broken to Beautiful Submission Form.

To learn more, visit Broken to Beautiful by FunCycled blog post.

We can’t wait to see what is submitted!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

In addition to kitchen cabinet painting, we offer interior design, custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do.

Happy FunCycling Friends,

Sarah ; )

Galley Style Kitchen Makeover in Latham, NY

Meg Booth — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 07:44:00 +0000

Hi Friends!

Do you have a kitchen that is ready for an update? This week’s post is a perfect example of how our kitchen cabinet painting, tiling, and new counters can totally transform a kitchen at a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen! I can’t wait to share the story of Tom and Mary Ann and how we transformed their kitchen!

If you are having trouble viewing images, click here.

A couple months ago when I first met with Tom and Mary Ann, I remember being greeted with excitement and joy! For over 20 years they had been waiting to update their kitchen and now the time had finally come!

Here’s a taste of what the kitchen looked like before we did our magic!

Tom and Mary Ann’s kitchen had many of the same features I see in older homes – oak cabinets finished in a medium warm wood tone and encased under a soffit that meets the ceiling, scalloped features around windows or above ranges, counters made from laminate or formica, and hardware and finishes that are basic.

After talking with Tom and Mary Ann, it soon became clear that we needed to look beyond just kitchen cabinet painting. They were ready to make bigger changes to this space and create a kitchen that would reflect their personality!

As you can see, we made a lot of changes in this kitchen. An important thing to remember when you are designing a space, and this is especially true when you are changing or altering a space that is already “done,” you do not need to start over! The small details added together make a huge impact on the design of a space! For this kitchen, we changed the drawer pulls and door handles to a matte black finish. And notice they do NOT need to match, they need to coordinate!

We added this beautiful green subway tile (Mary Ann’s favorite!) and made sure the grout worked with the paint color of the cabinets. We added the Shaker trim around the end of her upper cabinets and added crown molding to the top of the soffit to extend the eye up!

Crown Molding

Here’s a closer look at the before and after when we add crown molding to the top of the cabinets! As you can see before adding the molding and having a contrast between the cabinets and the soffit, everything is broken up, which actually makes the kitchen look choppy and smaller. In the after photo, by adding the detail of the crown molding where the soffit meets the ceiling and then painting it the same color (Benjamin Moore Simply White) as the cabinets, your eye goes all the way to the top, adding height to the cabinets and making the kitchen area seem larger!

New Counters

And look at that new beautiful quartz countertop! What a major difference just that alone makes!

Shaker Style Trim

Take a look at the before and after photos when adding Shaker trim on both the outside edge of the cabinets as well as the inside where the cabinets are next to the window. This really elevated the kitchen and adds such value!

New Sink and Faucet

The sink used to be this old worn out top mounted stainless steel sink. The faucet and handle were worn out and plagued with hard water stains that would not come clean. Our solution, change the sink to an under mounted one (still stainless and divided in two) and change the faucet to match the hardware.

Peninsula Upgrade

I especially love this upgrade for Tom and Mary Ann! We could have just painted the wood paneling that was on the back side of their peninsula, but I knew that adding the Shaker detail and changing the molding at the bottom then painting it would take this to the next level and would tie in the ends of the cabinets (already decked out in Shaker trim)!

And to tie in that green color that Mary Ann loves so much, we decided to paint the back side of this peninsula in Benjamin Moore Cushing Green but we kept the front of the peninsula the same as the rest of the cabinets, Benjamin Moore’s Simply White! Here is the front of the peninsula.

And here are the paint selections:

Benjamin Moore Cushing Green

Benjamin Moore Simply White

Making it Your Own

Another important thing to consider is making sure you know how to incorporate some of your treasured items into your newly refreshed and updated space! For Mary Ann, she wanted to find a place for her cow canister as well as be able to reuse the stools she and Tom had only purchased not too long ago. And we did it! Tucked in the corner of her kitchen, dwelling amongst the other canisters, resides the cow, and nestled under a the smooth, bright countertop sit the stools where Mary Ann and Tom’s grandchildren can enjoy snacks and time with their grandparents! Mission accomplished!

Thank you, Tom and Mary Ann, for choosing us to be part of this special project and for hiring FunCycled to do the kitchen cabinet painting, the tile/carpentry work, and the countertop replacement! We loved working with you!

What an beautiful transformation!!

If you’d like to see how we paint Kitchen Cabinets, click here to check out our video on YouTube.

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

Happy FunCycling Friends,

Sarah ; )

Keeping it Classic with this Beautiful Kitchen Makeover!

Meg Booth — Tue, 28 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Hi friends,

I hope you had a good Monday! I always mention our weekends, but really by the time you read this, you and I both have already had a Monday! Anyway, I hope the week is off to a good start!

Last week, I spent some time with my mom at the Troy Hidden Garden Tour. We had a wonderful time! It was such a beautiful day, and the garden was amazing! You should definitely check it out next spring! Take a look at these photos from our outing!

If you are having trouble viewing the images, click here.

In today’s Tuesday Treasure, I am sharing one of our latest kitchen makeovers for new homeowners Brittany and Marco. When I first connected with them, this house didn’t even belong to them. Brittany and her husband were under contract and moving toward closing, but technically, they didn’t own the home yet. So you might be asking how this could possibly work to design a kitchen space without the client living in the home. Well, the answer is, carefully, with patience, and flexibility!

For many of our clients, we are able to meet with them during a one hour design consultation (this can either be at the client’s home for a $300 design fee or at our office free of charge) and complete the design selections at that time. However, in some instances making final selections may require additional meeting and planning time beyond one hour. For Brittany, this was the best choice for her and her husband. It not only worked practically, since they did not live in the home, but is also helped them solidify the best plan for their home! When in doubt, it is worth taking the additional time to make sure everything is settled for your design! We and you want to make sure your kitchen is the best it can be!

Here are the photos Brittany shared with us when they were under contract. The kitchen is certainly a good size and has a lot of good storage, but it was far from the style that Brittany and Marco were looking for. That’s when we stepped in!

We started by selecting the right paint colors and talked through the potential of selecting a different color for the island, which I am so glad they decided to do! When you have such an open kitchen and the island sits in the middle of it all, making the choice to paint the island a different color always makes a statement!

From there, we made selections for the hardware and then moved on to other upgrades and improvements to the overall look and function to the kitchen. For example, they were hoping to update the counters and backsplash (since it was stuck in the 90’s!) and also needed to deal with little quirks like the breadbox that crowded the corner and hindered the full use of the counters.

Here are the after photos!

We painted the cabinets in Benjamin Moore Simply White and the island in Benjamin Moore Oxford Gray.

To bring the backsplash and counter up to date, we selected classic white subway tile and white quartz counters. Isn’t it just beautiful!

During our second consultation with Brittany, we discussed some additional upgrades: replacing the existing sink for a farmhouse sink and removing the built-in breadbox to maximize the counter space in the corner of the their kitchen–it is good and usable space, right?! Check out how what a difference these changes make!

A huge thanks to Brittany and Marco for letting us work with you! We loved this project, and we are so glad you chose FunCycled to to do the kitchen cabinet painting and accompanying work for you!

It is a beautiful transformation!!

Could your kitchen use an update? We’d love to help!! We can help pick out colors, finishes, product and do the cabinet painting, tiling, add new hardware. You can use our Contact Us form to request our design services or a quote for painting your kitchen. Please check out other kitchen projects on our Kitchen Cabinet Painting page. We’ll need to see a picture of your kitchen, a list of how many doors and drawers there are, and where you are located to email you an estimate. This change ups the value of your home and gives you a whole new look at a fraction of the cost of new kitchen cabinets!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

Happy FunCycling Friends,

Sarah ; )

Tricks to Transform Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Sarah — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 09:31:42 +0000

Hi Friends,

How are you? I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving weekend! Thank you to all who came out to shop small this Saturday. Those of you who support us are a gift – stopping by FunCycled to shop, to say thank you, and to reminisce on projects past. If you had only seen the morning we had when a “quick” project at the store at 9am turned into one disaster after another with kids in tow for over 3 hours. One kid was sick, sleeping on my coat behind the counter, our dog ran out of the store and almost got hit by a car, and I felt not so great myself. I looked around at all the chaos happening on one of the biggest sales days of the year for us and I actually found it so symbolic of this thing called small business. It’s working on the sick days, it’s bringing the whole family – even the dog, and it’s finding a way to succeed! I didn’t get annoyed actually; I just thought how will we make this work?. That’s one of many things that owning a small business teaches you; how not to freak out. You learn that it only makes things worse. Embrace the challenge and kick its butt… and that’s what happened Saturday. You all were gracious as my husband was drilling a barn door in the middle of the check out area, you were kind to my kids, you were encouraging to me, and you sent business our way to help us live our dream. Because even on the tough days, we are so very thankful to be doing this every day. We love watching things go from broken to beautiful, we love creating, and we love helping you love your home so it feels welcome to everyone who walks in. Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

For this week’s Tuesday’s Treasures, I wanted to share another kitchen project that we recently wrapped up. This is a set of kitchen cabinets are all oak!

This is probably the most common kitchen style that I see and this one had quite the transformation with a coat of paint and a new backsplash. Here’s a couple of tips for redoing oak cabinets.

1) Don’t sand too deeply into the wood when you’re prepping it because it will make the already deep grain stand out more. Just lightly scuff it with 150 grit sand paper.

2) Don’t go with a gloss sheen; go with satin. Gloss makes the grain stand out even more.

3) Paint them – trust us, it looks better and increases the value of your home. I know it’s ok, it’s ok. Just let us paint them.

For this kitchen, we painted the main cabinets Manchester Tan HC-81 and the island Dry Sage 2142-40 by Benjamin Moore. We also changed out all of the hardware and that helped significantly with this transformation. Ready for the afters?

What a transformation, right? If you’d like us to create this transformation for your kitchen, use our Contact Us form or check out other kitchen projects on our For Sale page. We’ll need to see a picture of your kitchen, a list of how many doors and drawers there are, and were you are located to email you an estimate. This change ups the value of your home and gives you a whole new look at a fraction of the cost of new kitchen cabinets!

Also, check out our store for new furniture available this week:

There is a box at the top right of this page to enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Please sign up today!

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

If you like what you see, please like FunCycled’s Facebook page to keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. Last but not least, let us customize a furniture piece for you. We create custom furniture and will deliver for customers in upstate NY and also ship throughout the US. Send us a note with what you would like using our contact page. Or buy something that we’ve already designed from our furniture for sale page.